Universal basic income could be used to soften hit from AI job losses in UK, minister says 29. January 2026 (11:40) Lord Stockwood says people in government ‘definitely’ talking about idea as technology disrupts industries• Business live – latest updatesThe UK could introduce a universal basic income (UBI) to protect workers in industries that are being disrupted by AI, the investment minister Jason Stockwood has said.“Bumpy” changes to society caused by the introduction of the technology would mean there would have to be “some sort of concessionary arrangement with jobs that go immediately”, Lord Stockwood said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Planes hit by gunfire and blasts heard at airport in Niger capital – reports 29. January 2026 (11:33) Source says two aircraft on ground ‘destroyed’ although authorities yet to comment on situationGunfire and loud blasts have been heard at the main airport in the Nigerien capital of Niamey, according to the Reuters news agency and an independent source.A witness told Reuters they heard explosions just after midnight. The airport is next to Base Aérienne 101, a military base previously used by American and then Russian troops. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wigan lottery winner, 80, helped build counterfeit drugs empire, court told 29. January 2026 (09:54) John Eric Spiby is one of four jailed for being part of gang running operation worth up to £288mA man who won £2.4m on the national lottery helped build a multimillion pound drug empire that involved manufacturing counterfeit tablets on an industrial scale, a court has heard.John Eric Spiby, 80, was the leader of a drugs operation worth up to £288m that centred on his “quiet, rural” home near Wigan, Bolton crown court was told. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
School suspension in England only to be for pupils’ most serious misbehaviour 29. January 2026 (09:00) Policy intended to keep more children sanctioned for non-violent bad behaviour in school in ‘internal exclusion’ unitsSuspending pupils from school will be reserved for the most serious cases of bad behaviour including violence, according to the latest government guidance to be issued to schools in England.The Department for Education (DfE) is to announce a consultation on behaviour policy to be included in the forthcoming schools white paper that is intended to keep more children sanctioned for non-violent misbehaviour in schools in units known as “internal exclusion”, rather than sending them home. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A cabal of male Liberals signals Ley’s reign is ending. But the day of a colleague’s memorial is obscene timing 29. January 2026 (08:57) As images of a secret meeting were splashed all over the media, it became clear the internal plot to oust the leader has descended into political melodramaThe images of a cabal of rightwing Liberal men gathering for clandestine talks to overthrow the party’s first female leader – hours before a memorial service for a late former colleague, no less – confirmed two things.First, the internal plot to oust Sussan Ley has descended into a political melodrama. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Polanski effect? These charts reveal how much the Greens have advanced 29. January 2026 (08:37) The Green party has made gains under its leader – but there is also uncertainty aheadThe Greens talk of a “Polanski effect” – a surge of momentum and visibility since Zack Polanski became leader, as the party gains attention in an increasingly fragmented political landscape.The polls offer the clearest signal so far of whether that narrative is borne out in public support. But they are not the only thing to consider and experts say the reality is hard to be certain about. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Survey of over-50s women finds almost two in three struggle with mental health 29. January 2026 (08:00) Of those affected by midlife challenges such as menopause, nine in 10 do not seek help, therapists’ organisation saysAlmost two in three women over 50 in the UK struggle with their mental health as they deal with menopause, relationship breakdowns and changes to their appearance, a survey has found.Brain fog, parents dying, children leaving home and financial pressures can also trigger difficulties such as sleeping problems, feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and a loss of zest for life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US robotaxis undergo training for London’s quirks before planned rollout this year 29. January 2026 (08:00) Waymo cars have been earning their stripes by getting used to zebra crossings while awaiting a government green lightAmerican robotaxis due to be unleashed on London’s streets before the end of the year have been quietly undergoing training to understand the city’s quirks, not least the zebra crossings, their promoters said on Thursday as they showed off one of the UK-specific driverless cars for the first time.The US self-driving ride-hailing company Waymo has a fleet of about 24 cars in London, each rigged with cameras, radar and lidar (light detection and ranging) censors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The return of inflation may poison Labor’s second-term agenda and scare more voters to the fringes 29. January 2026 (07:58) As economic grievance grows in the electorate, an interest rate hike is the last thing our fraught politics needsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCost of living has been bubbling along as the number-one issue for Australian households, and now it threatens to hijack the Albanese government’s second-term agenda.The return of high and rising inflation is not only a blow to workers who were finally starting to see some real growth in their wages through 2025. It also risks further polarising and antagonising our already fraught politics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Inquiry calls for ban on ‘globalise the intifada’ in NSW – but only when used to incite hatred and violence 29. January 2026 (07:50) Opposition ‘deeply unimpressed’ with recommendation that ‘adds nothing except confusion’, shadow attorney general saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales parliamentary inquiry has recommended banning the phrase “globalise the intifada” when it is used to incite hatred, harassment, intimidation or violence, but won’t call for banning the statement outright or recommend a ban on phrases such as “from the river to sea”.The Labor MP Edmond Atalla, the chair of the inquiry, confirmed the draft recommendations to Guardian Australia ahead of a final closed meeting on Thursday, at which the Labor-led committee voted to table the report almost entirely unchanged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
