From scorpions to peacocks: the species thriving in London’s hidden microclimates 24. January 2026 (07:00) An extraordinary mosaic of wildlife has made Britain’s urban jungle its homeLondon is the only place in the UK where you can find scorpions, snakes, turtles, seals, peacocks, falcons all in one city – and not London zoo. Step outside and you will encounter a patchwork of writhing, buzzing, bubbling urban microclimates.Sam Davenport, the director of nature recovery at the London Wildlife Trust, emphasises the sheer variation in habitats that you find in UK cities, which creates an amazing “mosaic” of wildlife. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour MP who was groomed asks colleagues to back judge-only trials 24. January 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Natalie Fleet says power balance is with criminals not victims as delays make ‘hell of being raped’ worseA Labour MP who became pregnant after being groomed and raped as a teenager has called on colleagues to back plans for judge-only trials or “allow the power balance to remain in favour of criminals as opposed to the victims”.Natalie Fleet, the MP for Bolsover, said she would not encourage survivors to seek justice through the courts because “the hell of being raped is made worse by the hell of going through delays in the system”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Unfathomable’: Australian veterans disgusted by Trump’s claim allied troops ‘stayed a little back’ from frontline 24. January 2026 (05:29) In casting doubt on Nato’s reliability, US president references Afghanistan campaign – which involved 40,000 Australian troops and left 47 deadGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe head of Australia’s largest veteran organisation has categorically rejected Donald Trump’s claim that allied soldiers “stayed a little back” from the frontlines when they supported the US campaign in Afghanistan, calling the comments “unfathomable”.The US president made the comments on Fox News on Thursday, saying he was “not sure” Nato would meet the “ultimate test” of defending the US if it were under threat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pentagon to reduce its role in deterrence of North Korea 24. January 2026 (05:17) US policy document suggests South Korea take primary responsibility, as Pentagon prioritises defending US homelandThe Pentagon foresees a “more limited” role in deterring North Korea, with South Korea taking primary responsibility for the task, a Pentagon policy document released on Friday said, in a move likely to raise concern in Seoul.South Korea hosts about 28,500 US troops in combined defence against North Korea’s military threat and Seoul has raised its defence budget by 7.5% for this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nico Antic, 12, dies in hospital after being attacked by a shark in Sydney 24. January 2026 (04:52) Family confirms boy has died almost a week after the attack, describing him as possessing the ‘most kind and generous spirit’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 12-year-old boy has died in hospital after being mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour last weekend, his family has confirmed.The boy, named as Nico Antic in an online fundraiser, had been fighting for his life after being bitten on both legs on 18 January at a harbour beach in Vaucluse, in Sydney’s east. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US immigration agents detain two-year-old Minnesota girl: ‘depravity beyond words’ 24. January 2026 (02:38) DHS detain a toddler and her father on Thursday and fly them to Texas before returning child on judge’s orderFederal immigration agents detained a two-year-old girl and her father in Minneapolis on Thursday and transported them to Texas, according to court records and the family’s lawyers.The father, identified in court filings as Elvis Joel TE, and his daughter were stopped and detained by officers around 1pm when they were returning home from the store. By the evening, a federal judge had ordered the girl be released by 9.30pm. But federal officials instead put both of them on a plane heading to a Texas detention center. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand landslide: rescue efforts called off for at least six people buried in disaster 24. January 2026 (02:25) Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui site switch to recovery operation that police say could take several daysEfforts to rescue at least six people buried by a landslide at a New Zealand holiday park ended on Saturday, with police shifting into a recovery operation.Police Supt Tim Anderson said human remains had been uncovered on Friday night beneath the mountains of dirt and debris that crashed into a campsite in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, adding that it could take several days to locate all of the victims due to the unstable ground. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Women arrested for anti-ICE church protest in St Paul freed from detention 24. January 2026 (02:20) Release of third activist, William Kelly, also involved in the demonstrations was also ordered by a judgeNekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen, who were arrested and charged for their role in an anti-ICE demonstration that disrupted Sunday church services in St Paul, Minnesota, have been released.Video of the two women posted online showed them emerging from detention on Friday, raising their fists and embracing their loved ones. “Thank you all for being here,” Levy Armstrong said. “Glory to God!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Manhunt widens for alleged triple murderer accused of shooting pregnant woman in remote NSW 24. January 2026 (00:04) Lake Cargelligo is no longer in lockdown as police search properties at Euabalong, about 30km northA gunman suspected of killing his pregnant former partner and two others in remote NSW remains on the run, as police revealed he reported to local officers as part of his bail conditions only hours before the shootings.Julian Ingram, 37, was last seen driving out of Lake Cargelligo, in the NSW central west, on Thursday. Police suspect he is armed with at least one firearm, but confirmed he has never held a firearms licence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US military says it struck vessel in eastern Pacific, killing two people 24. January 2026 (00:00) Since September, military has carried out more than 30 strikes against boats that it alleges smuggle drugsThe US military said on Friday that it carried out a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people.“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the military said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
