French authorities ban British far-right activists from gathering at weekend 23. January 2026 (19:19) Nord and Pas-de-Calais prefecture aims to stop anti-migrant groups travelling for ‘Operation Overlord’ protestFrench authorities have announced a sweeping ban on British far-right activists planning to take part in a “stop the boats” protest against asylum seekers hoping to cross the Channel to the UK.Friday’s announcement by the prefecture in northern France goes further than a previous ban by the French interior ministry on 10 unnamed far-right activists associated with the organisation Raise the Colours for “having carried out actions on French soil”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Island of peace’: Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin to close – but live on as TV series 23. January 2026 (18:04) Kanaan, a symbol of dining across religious and political divides, will shut its doors ‘probably in March’, say ownersAn Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin conceived as an “island of peace” will close in the spring, but its Jewish and Arab owners say their dream will live on in a television series based on their unlikely partnership.Kanaan, a decade-old casual eatery in the Prenzlauer Berg district of the German capital, gained an international profile for its message of “unity over hate” after the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas and the outbreak of the Gaza war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Billionaire gambler Tony Bloom denies owing millions to former colleague 23. January 2026 (17:41) Brighton & Hove Albion football club owner confirms placing bets through accounts of Reform UK adviser George Cottrell, according to legal documentsThe billionaire owner of Brighton & Hove Albion football club has confirmed his syndicate placed millions of pounds worth of bets through the gambling accounts of the Reform UK adviser George Cottrell.The admission comes in a document filed to the high court by Tony Bloom, who also admits that he, Cottrell and a former employee, Ryan Dudfield, had an agreement under which winnings were due to be split between them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pentagon contractor indicted over alleged leak tied to raided Washington Post reporter 23. January 2026 (17:24) Worker illegally provided classified information ‘related to national defense’ to journalist, justice department saysA federal grand jury in Maryland has indicted a Pentagon contractor whose alleged leaking of classified documents sparked an “outrageous” FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.According to the justice department, Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones illegally provided sensitive and secret information “related to national defense” to a reporter who it says then wrote and published at least five articles using it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We need to fight’: Trump Greenland threat brings sense of unity in Denmark 23. January 2026 (17:22) The US president has galvanised the Danish population against him, while Danes’ relations with Greenlanders are ‘under reparation’For the last three weeks, 24 hours a day, Denmark has been consumed by discussions about whether or not Greenland, a largely self-governing part of the Danish kingdom, will be invaded by the US, the Danes’ closest ally.“We got a wake-up call,” said Linea Obbekjær, 64, as she left a supermarket with her bike in Copenhagen’s sprawling Østerbro neighbourhood. “So we are thinking about what is important to us.” Many had been spurred by recent events to take action. “People want to do something,” said Obbekjær. “Not sit and look at the television, but go out and do something.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Monster winter storm threatens half of US with 13 states declaring emergencies 23. January 2026 (17:06) Snow, sleet and freezing temperatures are forecast for the south, midwest and east coast over the weekendThe dangerous monster storm threatening half of the US was bearing down on Friday with 13 states already declaring emergencies and areas typically unused to prolonged Arctic temperatures bracing for power failures and supply shortages.At least 230 million people are likely to be affected by the huge winter weather system as it forms in parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains and surges across southern and midwestern areas from Friday, blowing up the east coast on Saturday and as far north as Maine by Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Great Ormond Street hospital cleaners win racial discrimination appeal 23. January 2026 (17:00) Claim by 80 workers that they were subjected to ‘indirect race discrimination’ by wait for NHS pay terms upheldBlack cleaners at Great Ormond Street hospital were subjected to “indirect race discrimination” by the wait for NHS pay terms and conditions after their services were brought in-house, a tribunal has found.A case against the London children’s hospital brought by 80 cleaners – the majority of whom are from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds – was dismissed by an employment tribunal in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Strong UK pay growth could limit interest rate cuts, Bank policymaker warns 23. January 2026 (17:00) Megan Greene says apparent end to the decline in wage growth could hinder fight against inflationThe Bank of England may not be able to lower interest rates as much as expected this year, due to strong UK pay growth and expected rate cuts in the US, one of its top policymakers has said.Megan Greene, a member of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC), which sets interest rates in the UK, said she was concerned that wages appeared to be growing strongly again this year and this could stop inflation from easing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged cocaine kingpin in custody 23. January 2026 (16:56) Ryan Wedding allegedly ran a drug-trafficking organisation that moved 60 tons of cocaine a year into Los AngelesRyan Wedding, the Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin, has been arrested, US law enforcement officials announced on Friday.Wedding, 44, has been sought by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for his role in overseeing what the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, called the “one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations” in the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minnesotans strike to protest ICE surge in state: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’ 23. January 2026 (16:52) Organizers demand ICE leave state and agency be investigated for constitutional violationsICE protests – live updatesA “no work, no school, no shopping” blackout day of protest was kicked off by community leaders, faith leaders and labor unions on Friday in protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surge in the state.The “Day of Truth & Freedom” protest comes in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, the unarmed woman killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
