Le scoop! France’s last newspaper hawker celebrated with prestigious award 28. January 2026 (20:28) Ali Akbar, 73, honoured by Emmanuel Macron with National Order of Merit for dedication he pours into workFor more than five decades he’s pounded the pavements of Paris, becoming part of the city’s cultural fabric as he strikes up conversations, greets longtime friends and offers parodies of daily news headlines.On Wednesday, the efforts of the man believed to be France’s last newspaper hawker were recognised, as Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old originally from Pakistan, received one of France’s most prestigious honours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal Reserve holds interest rates as Trump piles on pressure 28. January 2026 (20:09) Fed voted to pause cuts to interest rate, which currently sits between 3.5% and 3.75%, after slashing it three times in fallThe US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged after its first rate-setting meeting of the year on Wednesday, resisting enormous pressure from the White House to lower rates.A majority of members in the Fed’s federal open market committee (FOMC) voted to pause interest rate cuts after slashing rates three times in the fall. Rates currently sit at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burner phones and lead-lined bags: a history of UK security tactics in China 28. January 2026 (20:07) Starmer’s team is wary of spies but such fears are not new – with Theresa May once warned to get dressed under a duvetWhen prime ministers travel to China, heightened security arrangements are a given – as is the quiet game of cat and mouse that takes place behind the scenes as each country tests out each other’s tradecraft and capabilities.Keir Starmer’s team has been issued with burner phones and fresh sim cards, and is using temporary email addresses, to prevent devices being loaded with spyware or UK government servers being hacked into. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump signs order to speed up rebuilds of homes affected by 2025 LA wildfires 28. January 2026 (20:04) LA mayor calls order, which seeks to let people rebuild without permitting requirements, a ‘political stunt’Donald Trump announced that he has signed an executive order to “cut through bureaucratic red tape” and speed up reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires.The US president’s order, which he announced on Tuesday but signed on Friday, seeks to allow homeowners to rebuild without contending with “unnecessary, duplicative or obstructive” permitting requirements, the White House said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artificial intelligence will cost jobs, admits Liz Kendall 28. January 2026 (19:52) UK technology secretary also announced plans to train up to 10 million Britons in AI skills to help workforce adapt Increasing deployment of artificial intelligence will cause job losses, the UK technology secretary has warned, saying: “I want to level with the public. Some jobs will go.”In a speech on government plans to handle the impact of AI on the British economy, Liz Kendall declined to say how many redundancies the technology might cause but said: “We know people are worried about graduate entry jobs in places like law and finance.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Process failed’ says BBC after Apprentice contestant’s offensive tweets emerge 28. January 2026 (19:49) Production company asked for full review after broadcaster ‘completely unaware’ of Levi Hodgetts-Hague’s comments Over 20 seasons, the Apprentice boardroom has not been short on drama – but one recurrent theme is the UK show’s penchant for problematic contestants.This season, which airs its first episode on Thursday, is no different. Offensive tweets posted by contestant Levi Hodgetts-Hague from a decade ago have been unearthed since filming, prompting the BBC to urge the show’s production company to carry out stricter background checks on contestants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Original Factory Shop calls in administrators, putting 1,200 jobs at risk 28. January 2026 (19:21) Homeware chain will continue to trade on high streets while administrators ‘assess options’ for businessHow has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcodeStudy: ‘Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves high streets’The Original Factory Shop homeware chain has called in administrators, putting 1,200 jobs at risk, putting the decision partly down to higher costs from government policies.Administrators from Interpath have been appointed at the 137-store discount retailer, which was bought by the private equity firm Modella Capital less than a year ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First female archbishop of Canterbury vows to call out misogyny 28. January 2026 (18:47) Sarah Mullally confirmed as 106th person to take up post as some African church leaders express dismay at appointmentThe first female archbishop of Canterbury has marked her confirmation in the role with a vow to speak out about misogyny while questions continue about her record on safeguarding.Sarah Mullally took part in a service at St Paul’s Cathedral which legally confirmed her as the 106th person to take up the post and the first woman in the role. Some African church leaders have expressed dismay at the appointment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US intelligence agencies disagree with Trump’s opposition to Chagos deal, says Starmer 28. January 2026 (18:00) Downing Street sources say agreement is ‘done deal’ and will not be scuppered by US president’s U-turnUS intelligence agencies disagree with Donald Trump’s newly found opposition to the Chagos deal, Keir Starmer has said, as he underlined how the US administration had supported the deal as it bolstered their defences.The prime minister made his remarks, which could undermine the US president’s fresh view of the deal as an “act of great stupidity”, on the flight to Beijing for a visit that will cover UK national security among other issues. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK must ‘move now’ to ban social media for under-16s, says Brianna Ghey’s mother 28. January 2026 (18:00) Esther Ghey has previously said she believes her daughter’s social media addiction made her more vulnerableEsther Ghey has called on MPs to vote for an age restriction on social media in the coming weeks, as she accused the government of “kicking the can down the road” with its planned consultation.The mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey told the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast she believed children would be harmed if the government waited for the results of its assessment later this year rather than enacting a ban straight away. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
