Qatari plane hits Milan airport lights during arrival of Winter Olympics staff 28. January 2026 (16:22) Aircraft carrying 104 personnel damaged lighting tower while making ‘wrong manoeuvre’ after landing A Qatari military cargo plane carrying security staff in Italy to assist with law enforcement for the Winter Olympics struck a lighting tower on Sunday as it manoeuvred upon landing at Milan’s Malpensa airport, it has emerged.The aircraft was carrying 104 personnel from the Gulf state’s elite security forces, plus huge jeeps and snowmobiles, as part of an agreement made with the Italian government, despite Qatar not competing in the games. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Winter storm kills eight in Tennessee as forecasters warn of new system 28. January 2026 (16:20) At least 25 weather-related deaths were reported in the US as power outages linger and another storm loomsTennessee officials have reported eight weather-related deaths across the state after a powerful winter storm swept across much of the US in recent days, as forecasters are now monitoring another potentially significant winter storm that could hit parts of the east coast this weekend.The Tennessee health department confirmed on Tuesday that there were eight weather-related fatalities across the state. Nationwide, at least 25 weather-related deaths have been reported, from Texas and Tennessee to New England, since Friday. Various communities have grappled with heavy snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lawmakers condemn ‘disgusting’ attack on Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall 28. January 2026 (15:47) Hakeem Jeffries rebukes Donald Trump for suggesting the Minnesota congresswoman staged what happenedUS politics live – latest updatesLawmakers from both parties have condemned the attack on Ilhan Omar after the Minnesota congresswoman was sprayed with an unknown substance during her town hall on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, responded to comments from Donald Trump who quipped that “she probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea’s ousted president, jailed for corruption 28. January 2026 (15:15) Ex-first lady sentenced to 20 months for receiving gifts for political favours, as Yoon Suk Yeol awaits rebellion verdictThe wife of South Korea’s ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, as her husband awaits a verdict on a high-stakes rebellion charge that could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment.Kim Keon Hee was sentenced for receiving luxury gifts including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church in return for promises of political favours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump continues to rail against Ilhan Omar after town hall attack – live 28. January 2026 (15:00) Trump calls Minnesota congresswoman a ‘fraud’ who ‘probably had herself sprayed’; Omar says ‘I don’t let bullies win’ in remarks after town hall attackOmar sprayed with unknown substance at Minneapolis town hallWhen Donald Trump was asked in an interview with ABC on whether he saw the video of the spray attack on Ilhan Omar, he said “No, I don’t think about her.”“I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that,” he continued. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor offers to delay NDIS autism changes if states agree to hospital and disability funding deal 28. January 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: The $2bn Thriving Kids scheme, due to start on 1 July, would instead start in October, after states said they were not ready yetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government has offered to delay the start of a new program for early intervention autism services and provide budget top-ups for smaller states, part of efforts to secure an overdue deal on hospitals and disability funding.Premiers and chief ministers look likely to agree to the deal at Friday’s meeting of national cabinet in Sydney, after Anthony Albanese and the health minister, Mark Butler, offered to push back the start of the new $2bn Thriving Kids scheme to October. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Designating the Domain a protest site? The changes Minns is considering to avoid ‘unnecessary burden’ from demonstrations 28. January 2026 (15:00) NSW premier also said to be considering altering the form 1 system which protects protesters as polling shows increased support for strengthening police powersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW premier, Chris Minns, is understood to be considering changes to the form 1 system and land use policies to curtail protests in the Sydney CBD.A poll of 1,022 Australians conducted between Tuesday and Friday last week revealed 62% of respondents nationally and the same proportion in NSW, supported strengthening police powers to curb protests, with just 17% opposing; 38% said they “strongly support”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese to push states on gun buyback scheme despite opposition from Queensland and NT 28. January 2026 (15:00) Under the laws, which came in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, the states will be responsible for the collection and processing of surrendered gunsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese will push national cabinet to thrash out details of the federal government’s looming gun buyback program, set to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, even as Queensland and the Northern Territory refuse to sign up.Friday’s meeting of national cabinet is focused on settling health and disability funding between premiers and the prime minister. But details to roll out the guns buyback – established in laws rushed through parliament last week in response to the Bondi beach terror attack – require swift agreement with state governments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
YouTube criticised after pulling out of UK TV audience ratings 28. January 2026 (14:59) Owner Google moves to block Barb data access months after allowing 200 channels to be monitoredYouTube has been criticised by the TV and advertising industry after suspending its participation in a key measurement system that compares viewership on the social media site with other streamers such as Netflix and TV broadcasters.YouTube owner Google has sent “cease and desist” letters to Barb, which publishes audience figures that are used as the UK industry standard, and Kantar Media, its research partner in the service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families in Maine scramble to halt ICE’s transfer of detainees out of state 28. January 2026 (14:55) Officials are quickly moving people they’ve apprehended out of state, making it difficult for loved ones to reach themFamily members have been scrambling to learn the whereabouts of more than 200 people arrested during a federal immigration crackdown that has swept across Maine this week, immigration attorneys said, as federal authorities quickly ferried detainees out of the state.“We were buried in phone calls,” said Jenny Beverly, an immigration attorney with Haven Immigration Law. She said her team worked long hours to locate detainees and stop their transfer out of Maine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
