Keir Starmer rules out retaliatory tariffs against US 19. January 2026 (11:30) PM says US tariffs are in no one’s interests – and Greenland row should be resolved through ‘calm discussion’ UK politics live – latest updatesEurope live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has ruled out imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States, saying they would be the “wrong thing to do”, after Donald Trump threatened them against Nato allies to try to secure Greenland.The prime minister said US tariffs would damage the British economy and were “in no one’s interests”. The UK would instead prefer to address the issue through “calm discussion” between allies, he added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump has invited Putin to join Gaza’s ‘Board of Peace’, says Kremlin – Europe live 19. January 2026 (11:29) Russia seeking to ‘clarify all the nuances’ of offer to join board meant to oversee governance and reconstruction of territoryIn a nod to Trump’s efforts on Ukraine, Starmer says he recognises the US president’s role in pushing for ceasefire there – as he says “we will work closely with the United States, Ukraine and our other allies to apply pressure where it belongs: on Putin.”In his strongest criticism of Trump yet, Starmer goes on to say:A trade war is in no one’s interest, and my job is always to act in the UK’s national interest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
GMB union faces claims of bullying in industrial disputes from rival union leader 19. January 2026 (11:03) Maryam Eslamdoust, the leader of the TSSA transport union, says GMB officials tried to push her out of her jobThe GMB union is facing fresh claims of bullying behaviour, after the female leader of a rival Labour-linked union accused its officials of trying to push her out of her job in a way that affected her health.Maryam Eslamdoust, the first ever female leader of the TSSA transport union and a former mayor of Camden council, said the actions of GMB officials caused her significant stress and suggested that a male leader would not have been treated in the same way. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter 19. January 2026 (10:59) US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime ministerDonald Trump has linked his repeated threats to seize control of Greenland to the fact that he has not been awarded the Nobel peace prize in an extraordinary letter sent to the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.The US president said in the letter – the authenticity of which was confirmed by Støre to the Norwegian newspaper VG on Monday – that after failing to win the prize, he no longer felt the need to think “purely of peace”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan’s prime minister calls snap election as approval ratings ride high 19. January 2026 (10:39) Sanae Takaichi tells senior figures in ruling Liberal Democratic party she plans to dissolve lower house on 23 JanuaryJapan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election as she attempts to capitalise on high approval ratings since becoming the country’s first female prime minister three months ago.Takaichi, a conservative who is embroiled in a deepening dispute with China over the security of Taiwan, said on Monday she would dissolve the lower house of the Diet – Japan’s parliament – on 23 January, with an election to follow on 8 February. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
IMF warns tariffs and geopolitical tensions threaten markets and global growth 19. January 2026 (10:30) Fund warns breakdown in ties between world’s most powerful nations could derail its economic forecastsGold and silver hit record highs as markets reelBusiness live – latest updatesThe International Monetary Fund has warned mounting geopolitical tensions and an escalation of Donald Trump’s tariff war could hit global economic growth and trigger a backlash in financial markets.In an update as Trump threatens to impose tariffs on Nato allies opposed to his ambitions in Greenland, the Washington-based fund said a renewed eruption in trade tensions was among the biggest risks to global growth in 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rachel Reeves pulls out of London Stock Exchange event after new Trump tariff threat 19. January 2026 (10:28) Markets down on Monday after threat to impose up to 25% tariffs on eight European countries over GreenlandBusiness live – latest updatesGold and silver hit record highs as markets reelRachel Reeves has pulled out of a planned appearance at the London Stock Exchange to celebrate a “new golden age” for the City, after Donald Trump’s threat to implement tariffs until the US is allowed to buy Greenland.The chancellor’s withdrawal from the event, which was designed to be a celebration of business in the UK after the FTSE 100 rose above the 10,000 mark for the first time, came as markets opened down on Monday morning after the US president’s threat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man in critical condition after third Sydney shark attack in two days 19. January 2026 (09:46) NSW Ambulance treat man at Manly beach in Sydney’s north after attack by shark on Monday eveningGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man believed to be in his 20s is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark in the third attack at Sydney beaches in two days.He was taken to Royal North Shore hospital on Monday evening after New South Wales Ambulance officers treated the man at Manly beach in Sydney’s north following the attack. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman found dead on popular Australian tourist island K’gari 19. January 2026 (09:43) Queensland police appeal for witnesses after 19-year-old, a Canadian citizen, found on beach north of the Maheno shipwreckFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 19-year-old Canadian woman found dead on the beach on a popular tourist island off the Queensland coast on Monday morning was discovered surrounded by a pack of dingoes.But despite confirming her body had been “touched and interfered with” by the wild canids on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island), police say they will await a postmortem before speculating as to the cause of her death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s population falls again as birthrate hits record low 19. January 2026 (09:30) Fourth year of decline deepens concerns over ageing, shrinking workforce and long-term economic impactChina’s population fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 as the birthrate plunged to another record low, according to official data, prompting warnings from experts of further decline.The population dropped by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion, a faster fall than 2024. Births dropped to 7.92 million in 2025, down 17% from 9.54 million in 2024, while deaths rose to 11.31 million from 10.93 million in 2024, figures from China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. The country’s birthrate fell to 5.63 for every 1,000 people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
