Assisted dying backers could use archaic procedure to bypass ‘undemocratic’ block by peers 28. January 2026 (21:59) Exclusive: MPs backing bill to use ‘nuclear option’ of 1911 Parliament Act if it continues to be blocked by LordsSupporters of assisted dying will seek to force through the bill using an archaic parliamentary procedure if it continues to be blocked by the Lords.The high stakes move – described by some backers as the “nuclear option” – would be the first time the 1911 Parliament Act has been invoked for a private member’s bill. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested after woman, 95, tied up during attempted robbery in Salford 28. January 2026 (21:48) Assailant, 80, said to have entered victim’s property in Little Hulton on Tuesday and asked for cash and her purseAn 80-year-old man has been arrested after a 95-year-old woman was tied up and threatened during an attempted robbery in Salford after being asked about bin collection day, police said.It is understood an assailant entered the woman’s property in Little Hulton in Salford on Tuesday, tied her hands together, and asked for cash and her purse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Absurd’: decent homes standard for England’s private renters will not be enforced until 2035 28. January 2026 (20:41) Campaigners say government is letting landlords ‘drag their feet’ and ‘denying renters the most basic standards’Labour’s promise to make private rented homes in England fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a decade, a decision campaigners have described as “absurd”.The timeline means landlords will have until 2035 to implement a new decent homes standard (DHS) in their properties, which will include “robust standards” to combat disrepair, damp and energy inefficiency. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ICE agents expected to be deployed for Super Bowl in California, officials say 28. January 2026 (20:37) Local officials confirmed that ICE will conduct immigration operations during 8 February game in Santa ClaraUS Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) agents are expected to conduct immigration enforcement operations during next month’s Super Bowl game in Santa Clara, California.Local officials confirmed to media that ICE is expected to deploy for the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations team has long worked the Super Bowl and other major sporting events, largely focused on preventing human trafficking and stopping the sale of counterfeit goods, but immigration operations would be unusual. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
