China’s top ranking general under investigation for alleged violations amid ongoing purge of leadership 26. January 2026 (02:40) Zhang Youxia, second-in command under president Xi Jinping as chairman of the Central Military Commission, has long been seen as Xi’s closest military allyChina’s most senior general is under investigation, China’s defence ministry has confirmed, in the highest profile case to date in an aggressive anti-graft purge of senior military leadership in recent months.Zhang Youxia serves as second-in-command under president Xi Jinping as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission – the supreme command body – and has long been seen as Xi’s closest military ally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tim Walz urges Trump to remove agents from Minnesota: ‘You can end this’ 26. January 2026 (01:24) Minnesota governor pressures president to end surge of immigration officers in his state before it costs another lifeMinnesota governor Tim Walz appealed to Donald Trump to withdraw federal agents from Minnesota on Sunday, a day after US border patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was monitoring the immigration crackdown.“What’s the plan, Donald Trump?” Walz asked at a news conference. “What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK among 10 countries to build 100GW wind power grid in North Sea 26. January 2026 (01:01) Energy secretary Ed Miliband says clean energy project is part of efforts to leave ‘the fossil fuel rollercoaster’The UK and nine other European countries have agreed to build an offshore wind power grid in the North Sea in a landmark pact to turn the ageing oil basin into a “clean energy reservoir”.The countries will build windfarms at sea that directly connect to multiple nations through high-voltage subsea cables, under plans that are expected to provide 100GW of offshore wind power, or enough electricity capacity to power 143m homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Edinburgh and Glasgow top London as UK’s nightlife hotspots, Uber data shows 26. January 2026 (01:01) Taxi app’s analysis shows Scottish capital had highest number of trips made between 10pm and 4pm in 2025Edinburgh and Glasgow have a busier nightlife than London, according to data on late-night journeys from Uber.The global ride-hailing app analysed millions of trips and takeaway deliveries from the UK’s biggest cities, and found that Edinburgh had the highest proportion of journeys made between 10pm and 4am. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Winter Storm Fern live updates: more than 1 million power outages as snow and ice pummel eastern US 25. January 2026 (23:52) Hazardous conditions expected to continue through Monday in much of the countryUS winter storm leaves seven people dead as more than 1 million lose powerWinter storm Fern is officially operating in full force in the northeastern US. New Yorkers may not be strangers to snow, but these conditions have already proven to be especially severe and dangerous.Yesterday, outreach teams worked to connect with the city’s homeless and provide shelter ahead of the snowstorm. The city has activated a Code Blue, which means anyone who is homeless cannot be denied shelter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel agrees to ‘limited reopening’ of Gaza’s Rafah crossing once operation to locate hostage completed 25. January 2026 (23:40) The opening of the the Rafah crossing with Egypt is a key part of the US brokered ceasefireIsrael said on Sunday its military was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the body of the last hostage in Gaza, adding that it would only reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt after the mission was completed.The statement came as Israel’s cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening the key border crossing, and a day after top US envoys met prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and reportedly urged him to reopen the vital entry point for aid into Gaza. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police in England and Wales to get new strict emergency response time limits 25. January 2026 (23:30) Home Office will set out changes to policing on Monday that it claims are biggest overhaul in two centuriesPolice forces in England and Wales will be told to respond to emergency calls within strict time limits as part of plans to be announced on Monday.Officers will be expected to arrive at crime scenes within 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in the countryside while attending serious crimes, the Home Office said.A reduction in the number of police forces.Local policing areas to deal with everyday crimes such as shoplifting.Home secretaries to be given the power to sack chief constables.An FBI-style National Police Service to lead on terrorism, fraud and organised crime.Every police officer in England and Wales to hold a licence to serve.A fast track for professionals and experts so they can take senior police roles.A new police commander to lead on violent disorder and rioting.A new national forensics team to help catch rapists and murderers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rebuffed Burnham can return to honing his stature and attack lines 25. January 2026 (19:37) Greater Manchester mayor will not be tested in tough byelection or against PM for now, but can continue to pose speculative threatLabour row erupts after Andy Burnham blocked from byelection raceWith his return to Westminster seemingly blocked, on Monday Andy Burnham will get back to the two roles to which he has devoted his time in recent years: being mayor of Greater Manchester and annoying Keir Starmer.The second is very much a part-time and unofficial role, but it is noticeable how Burnham manages to edge back into the media spotlight whenever the leader of his party is having a tough time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada has no intention of pursuing free trade with China, says Carney 25. January 2026 (19:33) PM says recent agreement just cuts tariffs on a few sectors, as Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Canadian importsCanada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, said on Sunday his country had no intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China, responding to Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if the US’s northern neighbour went ahead with a trade deal with Beijing.Carney said his recent agreement with China merely cut tariffs on a few sectors that were recently hit with them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost a quarter of UK GPs are seeing obese children aged four and under 25. January 2026 (18:44) Exclusive: Almost half of GPs have seen children up to the age of seven who have obesity, research findsAlmost a quarter of GPs are seeing children aged four or under who are obese, according to a survey of UK family doctors.The “alarming” research also found that almost half (49%) of GPs have seen boys and girls up to the age of seven who have obesity, including a handful younger than a year old.Almost one in four (23%) said they had seen children aged zero to four where obesity was a clinical concern.Among the doctors, 81% have seen obesity in those between their first 12 months and the age of 11.Four in five (80%) find it somewhat or very challenging to talk to the parents of an obese child under the age of 16 about their weight and health, with only 10% saying that is easy to do.Nearly two thirds (65%) find it hard to talk to obese young people themselves, with just 20% saying that is easy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
