Spanish court points finger at Israel as it drops Pegasus spyware case again 23. January 2026 (11:38) Judge shelves inquiry into use of Israeli-made software to target ministers’ phones citing chronic lack of cooperationSpain’s highest criminal court has again shelved its investigation into the use of Israeli-made Pegasus software to target the mobile phones of senior Spanish ministers, including the prime minister, citing a chronic lack of cooperation from the Israeli authorities that has violated “the principle of good faith” between countries.The investigation began in May 2022 after the Spanish government revealed that the phones of the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and the defence minister, Margarita Robles, had both been infected the previous year with the spyware, which, according to its manufacturers, NSO Group, is available only to state agencies. It was later established the phones of the interior minister and the agriculture minister had also been targeted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kremlin repeats demand that Ukraine must withdraw from Donbas to end war ahead of joint talks with US – Europe live 23. January 2026 (11:13) With talks of a confrontation over Greenland receding, attention turns back to ending the four-year war between Ukraine and RussiaMeanwhile, the Kremlin repeated its demand that Kyiv must withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region for the war to end, showing it had not dropped its maximalist demands ahead of trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, AFP reported.“Russia’s position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, the Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas. They must be withdrawn from there,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding: “This is a very important condition.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British retail sales jump as online jewellery firms offer surprise Christmas sparkle 23. January 2026 (10:11) Sales volume rise of 0.4% in December confounds forecasts as new survey shows sharp rebound in consumer confidenceDavos: Global economic outlook in focus, as gold approaches $5,000 – live updatesUK retail sales were stronger than expected last month, as the nation’s shops received a surprise boost during the crucial Christmas trading period.Sales volumes across Great Britain rose by 0.4% in December, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with internet sales doing particularly well, especially online jewellers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump prompts outrage with claim Nato troops avoided frontline in Afghanistan 23. January 2026 (08:58) UK MPs and veterans condemn US president’s comments and highlight his avoidance of military service in VietnamDonald Trump has provoked outrage among British MPs and veterans after claiming Nato troops stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan.The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Student loans: ‘My debt rose £20,000 to £77,000 even though I’m paying’ 23. January 2026 (08:00) Millions of graduates are trapped by ballooning debts, as their repayments are dwarfed by the interest addedHelen Lambert borrowed £57,000 to go to university and began repaying her student loan in 2021 after starting work as an NHS nurse.Since then she has repaid more than £5,000, typically having about £145 a month taken from her pay packet. But everything she hands over is dwarfed by the £400-plus of interest that is added to her debt every month, thanks to rates that have been as high as 8%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Campaigner launches £1.5bn legal action in UK against Apple over wallet’s ‘hidden fees’ 23. January 2026 (07:00) James Daley says anti-competitive behaviour led to additional charges that have pushed up costs for millionsThe financial campaigner James Daley has launched a £1.5bn class action lawsuit against Apple over its mobile phone wallet, claiming the US tech company blocked competition and charged hidden fees that ultimately harmed 50 million UK consumers.The lawsuit takes aim at Apple Pay, which they say has been the only contactless payment service available for iPhone users in Britain over the past decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Counter-terrorism police investigating ‘highly targeted’ attacks on Pakistani dissidents in UK 23. January 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: victims in hiding after attacks involving physical assault, attempted arson and the use of firearms Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command is investigating a series of “highly targeted” attacks on two Pakistani dissidents living in Britain which may bear the hallmarks of states using criminal proxies to silence their critics.One person has been arrested after a series of four attacks which began on Christmas Eve. One of the attacks involved a firearm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Molly never got to hear it’: fury as denials finally end on Glasgow hospital infections 23. January 2026 (07:00) Families accuse health board of ‘deceit and cowardice’ after years-long battle to prove contaminated water was linkedAll Molly Cuddihy wanted was recognition of what she had gone through. That was what she told the Scottish hospitals inquiry in 2021, where she described the “frightening” fits and rigors she had suffered after contracting a bacterial infection at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth university hospital while undergoing chemotherapy. “I was made sicker by the environment,” the 19-year-old said in her evidence.Molly had been 15 and revising for her National 5 exams when she was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. She was treated at the Royal hospital for children and the adjacent QEUH, which are both part of a six-year public inquiry that reached its final stages and heard devastating new admissions this week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Target mainland’: planned Troubles board game condemned in Northern Ireland 23. January 2026 (07:00) By turning conflict into entertainment US games company is ignoring its living legacy, says victims rights’ groupIt pits the IRA against the British army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, it lets players plant bombs and make political deals and it promises to wrap up the conflict within six hours.Welcome to the Troubles – the provisional board game version. The brainchild of a US games company, The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998, is played with dice, tokens and a deck of 260 cards. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Dutton alienated voters with ‘arrogant and aggressive’ approach, Labor election review finds 23. January 2026 (06:18) Coalition’s Tony Abbott-style political playbook, policy backflips and lack of message discipline helped Labor secure landslide election winFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPeter Dutton repelled voters with a Tony Abbott-style political playbook ahead of last year’s federal election, presenting poorly designed and badly explained policies, helping Labor secure a landslide win, a party review has found.Released on Friday, as the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, fought to hold off a leadership challenge, Labor’s election campaign review said Anthony Albanese’s positive message and policies designed to improve voters’ lives resonated with the electorate, while Dutton’s “negative, arrogant and aggressive” approach was a major barrier to support for the Coalition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
