Tories to step up attacks on Reform economic policy after Jenrick acrimony 16. January 2026 (19:16) Two sides trade blows over defection while Conservative polling suggests economy is key weakness for ReformThe Conservatives plan to intensify their attacks on Reform’s economic policy as they gear up for a fight to the death between the two big parties of the right, a battle brought to new levels of acrimony by Robert Jenrick’s defection.While Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, insisted he was “uniting the right” in signing up to Reform, Kemi Badenoch portrayed her former colleague as dishonest and no loss to the Conservatives, saying: “Nigel Farage is doing my spring cleaning for me.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman ‘overwhelmed’ by loneliness killed herself and disabled daughter, coroner says 16. January 2026 (19:10) Full-time carer Martina Karos and Eleni Edwards, eight, were found dead at home in SalfordA translator who became a full-time carer for her severely disabled eight-year-old daughter killed herself and her child after becoming “overwhelmed” by loneliness, a coroner concluded.Martina Karos, 40, and Eleni Edwards were found dead at their home in Salford, Greater Manchester, after police were called when the girl did not turn up at school on 23 September 2024.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jenrick’s incredible journey – from self-centred halfwit to self-centred halfwit | John Crace 16. January 2026 (19:04) Reform’s latest defector from the Tories is a politician whose eye has only ever been on his own ambitionIt’s come down to this. Watch any reality TV show and it won’t be long before you hear the lead presenter talking about how each contestant has been on a journey. It’s as though we can’t survive without a narrative structure. An attempt to give emotional meaning to something fundamentally meaningless.It feels as if everyone has to be on a journey now. If you’re not, then you’re somehow less interesting. Only half a person. Even our politicians are no longer exempt. In the last 24 hours there have been any number of talking heads lining up to tell us that Robert Jenrick has been on quite the journey. His former Tory colleagues. His new tribe at Reform. Even Honest Bob likes to talk about his journey. Makes him feel special and different. Important. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kemi Badenoch emerges stronger from Jenrick’s messy split from Tories 16. January 2026 (19:04) Pre-empting rival’s defection cements her position as leader and gives pause for thought for any others who may followIt is never ideal in politics to have a senior colleague defect, hurling insults as they depart, but as the dust settles on Robert Jenrick’s move to Reform UK, many of the remaining Conservative MPs agree on one thing: it has left Kemi Badenoch stronger.“Historically, the party has suffered from two weaknesses: too many people trying to bring down the leader, and not enough leaders getting rid of those people,” one shadow minister said. “Hopefully now we’re all pulling in the same direction. Losing a senior shadow minister is not ideal. But given those basic facts, the day could hardly have gone better.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Timothy Busfield sexual misconduct allegations mount as wife Melissa Gilbert expresses support 16. January 2026 (18:51) Actor held without bond in New Mexico on child abuse charges stemming from twin brothers’ complaintWith allegations of prior sexual misconduct against him continuing to mount, Timothy Busfield received an expression of support from his wife and fellow actor, Melissa Gilbert – as he was also ordered held without bond in connection with on-set child abuse charges in New Mexico.A statement that a representative for Gilbert, known best for her work on Little House on the Prairie, shared with media outlets said she “supports her husband” and was keeping “her focus … on supporting and caring for their … family, as they navigate this moment”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
CIA chief visits Maduro successor as Machado vows to become Venezuela’s president 16. January 2026 (18:23) John Ratcliffe meets Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas less than two weeks after his agents helped to oust her precedessorThe CIA chief whose agents reputedly played a key role in abducting Nicolás Maduro has flown to Venezuela to meet his successor as the sidelined opposition leader, María Corina Machado, vowed she would become the country’s first elected female president.Machado’s comments were broadcast on Friday, a day after she handed her Nobel peace prize medal to Donald Trump in recognition of what she called a principled and decisive move against Maduro, whom US special forces snatched on 3 January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Partly AI-generated folk-pop hit barred from Sweden’s official charts 16. January 2026 (18:09) Song that topped Spotify in Sweden has been ruled ineligible after its creator was revealed to be partly AI-madeA hit song has been excluded from Sweden’s official chart after it emerged the “artist” behind it is an AI creation.I know, you’re not mine – or Jag vet, du är inte min in Swedish – by a singer called Jacub has been a streaming success in Sweden, topping the Spotify rankings in the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ant and Dec to launch Hanging Out podcast 16. January 2026 (18:09) Pair also launching digital channel Belta Box which will feature new entertainment and curated clipsAnt and Dec have announced they will front their first podcast series together from next week.The series, called Hanging Out With Ant and Dec, will feature the longtime friends catching up and reminiscing, and listeners will get the chance to ask the pair for advice and to relive TV moments and share anecdotes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose him taking Greenland 16. January 2026 (18:01) President raises pressure on European allies as US envoy says deal to take island ‘should and will be made’Fear in Greenland as threat of invasion loomsDonald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not “go along” with his plan to annex Greenland, increasing pressure on European allies who have opposed his effort to take over the Arctic territory.After a tense week in which Nato allies deployed troops to the largely autonomous territory, which is part of the Danish kingdom, the US president announced he might punish countries that do not support his plans to take over Greenland, using force if necessary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s economic adviser expects there is ‘nothing to see’ as justice department investigates Fed 16. January 2026 (17:55) Kevin Hassett, a top contender to replace Jerome Powell, suggests he believes Powell told truth about Fed renovationUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, said he expected there was “nothing to see here” as the US Department of Justice pursues its criminal investigation of Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair.The Trump administration has faced a chorus of criticism in recent days after it emerged that the justice department had served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas, in a significant escalation of its extraordinary attack on the US central bank’s independence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
