Spanish train drivers call three-day strike after deadly railway crashes 22. January 2026 (17:15) Union is demanding better safety standards for workers and passengers after two collisions this week killed 46Spain’s largest train drivers’ union has called a three-day nationwide strike to demand measures to guarantee the safety of railworkers and passengers after two deadly crashes this week killed at least 46 people, including two drivers.The death toll from Sunday’s collision between two trains near the Andalucían town of Adamuz rose from 43 to 45 on Thursday afternoon after two more bodies were recovered from the crash site. On Tuesday, a driver was killed and 37 people injured when a train was derailed by the collapse of a retaining wall near Gelida in Catalonia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Powerful winter storm to bring heavy snow across much of US this weekend 22. January 2026 (17:06) Storm expected to hit from south Rockies and plains into mid-south on Friday before spreading eastA powerful winter storm is set to sweep across much of the US this weekend, bringing potentially record-breaking cold, heavy snow and ice that forecasters warn could cause hazardous conditions, potential power outages and travel disruptions.The storm is expected to bring “widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain” from the south Rockies and plains into the mid-south beginning on Friday, before spreading east to the mid-Atlantic and New England areas this weekend, according to the US National Weather Service on Thursday. The impact in New England will potentially linger into Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jack Smith testifies evidence showed Trump crimes in 2020 election effort 22. January 2026 (17:03) Former special counsel defends indictments in first public testimony, saying evidence met criminal standardUS politics live – latest updatesJack Smith, the former special counsel, has begun his first testimony about his criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results as he appears before the House judiciary committee on Thursday.“As I testify before the committee today, I want to be clear I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the decision to bring charges against President Trump. Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity,” Smith said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Gwynne resigns, opening possible route to Commons for Andy Burnham 22. January 2026 (17:02) Gorton and Denton MP’s departure will trigger byelection in which Greater Manchester mayor could seek to standUK politics live – latest updatesAndrew Gwynne has said he will resign as an MP over his ill health, paving the way for Andy Burnham to potentially return to parliament – unless the Greater Manchester mayor is blocked by Keir Starmer.On Thursday, Gwynne reached a settlement with the Commons that would allow him to retire, which would trigger a byelection. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kangaroos’ giant ancestor probably able to hop despite 250kg weight, scientists say 22. January 2026 (17:00) Research for first time suggests tendon and bones in heavier species would have made bounding possibleGiant 250kg kangaroos that once roamed Australia would probably have been able to hop despite their enormous size, researchers have said.While modern kangaroos are known for their ability to travel large distances by jumping with both hind legs at the same time, it has long been debated whether their extinct relatives would have been so springy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Get out of Greenland mode and stand up for yourself, Zelenskyy tells Europe 22. January 2026 (16:38) Ukraine president accuses EU leaders of waiting for direction from Donald Trump in blistering speech at DavosDavos live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has taken aim at Europe in a speech at Davos, accusing leaders of being in “Greenland mode” as they waited for leadership from Donald Trump on Ukraine and other geopolitical crises rather than taking action themselves.“Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words Europe needs to know how to defend itself,” Zelenskyy said in a speech at the World Economic Forum. “A year has passed, and nothing has changed.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two arrested over anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church, Bondi says 22. January 2026 (16:20) Demonstrators alleged that one of church’s pastors was acting field director of St Paul ICE officeUS politics live – latest updatesTwo people were arrested on Thursday morning in connection with a controversial protest at a Minnesota church on Sunday, Pam Bondi posted on social media.The two people, who the attorney general identified as Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, were taken into custody on Thursday. Charging papers were not immediately available and the justice department did not immediately return a request for comment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Arctic Monkeys release first new song since 2022 to benefit War Child 22. January 2026 (16:14) Opening Night will appear on HELP(2), a charity compilation out in March which also features Olivia Rodrigo, Depeche Mode, Pulp and moreArctic Monkeys have released Opening Night, their first new song since 2022 album The Car, with proceeds benefiting the charity War Child.Opening Night is taken from HELP(2), a sequel to War Child’s 1995 album Help, which brought together A-list music names to raise £1.2m for children affected by conflict, including Radiohead, Blur, Sinéad O’Connor and the Smokin’ Mojo Filters (a supergroup of Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rural California is seeing its craziest election in years. Can a progressive win it? 22. January 2026 (15:01) Audrey Denney is trying to win a House seat twice – first in a special election, and then again after the district is redrawnInside an old Craftsman on the northern end of California’s Sacramento valley, Audrey Denney is spending the day on the phone – calling constituent after constituent to discuss rising healthcare costs, wildfire insurance premiums and cuts to benefits – and to solicit donations.It’s the mundane way in which an epic, and uphill, battle for control of the US Congress is being fought. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Manosphere’ influencers pushing testosterone tests are convincing healthy young men there is something wrong with them, study finds 22. January 2026 (15:00) Researcher points to ‘medicalisation of masculinity’ after investigating how men’s health is being monetised online“If you’re not waking up in the morning with a boner, there’s a large possibility that you have low testosterone levels,” an influencer on TikTok with more than 100,000 followers warns his viewers.Despite screening for low testosterone being medically unwarranted in most young men, this group is being aggressively targeted online by influencers and wellness companies promoting hormone tests and treatments as essential to being a “real man”, a study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine has found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
