Press advocates condemn Pentagon move to seize editorial control of Stars and Stripes 16. January 2026 (17:07) Trump administration struck policy requiring news outlet to have civilian editor and independent ombudsmanPress freedom advocates have condemned a move by the Pentagon to seize editorial control of the independent Stars and Stripes newspaper, a daily publication for service members that has covered the US armed forces since the US civil war.The Trump administration announced on Thursday that the outlet would no longer cover “woke distractions”, and instead “modernize its operations … and adapt to serve a new generation of service members”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘The dollar is losing credibility’: why central banks are scrambling for gold 16. January 2026 (17:00) Experts say central banks are increasingly stuffing their vaults as an insurance policy in a volatile worldFifteen minutes after takeoff, the call came for Serbia’s central bank governor: millions of dollars’ worth of gold bars, destined for a high-security Belgrade vault, had been left on the runway of a Swiss airport.In air freight – despite the extraordinary value of bullion – fresh flowers, food and other perishables still take priority. “We learned this the hard way,” Jorgovanka Tabaković told a conference late last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bank of England governor hits out at populism as Trump interferes in US Fed 16. January 2026 (16:58) Andrew Bailey says he and heads of other institutions have responsibility to ‘challenge back’ populist narrativesBusiness live – latest updatesThe governor of the Bank of England has urged the world’s leading global institutions to fight back against the rise of populism, warning that it represents one of the biggest threats to improvements in living standards.In a thinly veiled response to Donald Trump’s attempts to interfere with the independence of the US Federal Reserve, Andrew Bailey said that he and the heads of other institutions had a duty to “challenge back” populist narratives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
West Midlands police chief steps down after row over Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban 16. January 2026 (16:58) Craig Guildford’s retirement comes after inquiry found force used ‘exaggerated and untrue’ intelligence to justify banCraig Guildford has announced his retirement as chief constable of West Midlands police, after an official inquiry found his force used “exaggerated and untrue” intelligence to justify a ban on fans of an Israeli football team.The pressure on one of Britain’s most senior chief constables had been intense after the basis for his force’s claims about the ban unravelled and the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said she had no confidence in him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prominent PR firm accused of commissioning favourable changes to Wikipedia pages 16. January 2026 (16:52) Portland Communications, founded by Keir Starmer’s communications chief, linked to so-called black hat editsA high-profile PR company founded by Keir Starmer’s communications chief has been accused of commissioning changes to Wikipedia pages to make them more favourable towards clients.Portland Communications, founded by Tim Allan, has been linked to the so-called black hat edits, sometimes referred to as “Wikilaundering”. Several changes were made to Wikipedia pages by a network of editors, allegedly controlled by a contractor working on Portland’s behalf. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starring role for ‘Kardashian jetty’ as Venice visitors seek peeks of Bezos wedding sites 16. January 2026 (15:45) Tourists keen to see island where couple exchanged vows, seven-star hotel where they stayed and paths trodden by their celebrity guestsFor the residents of Venice who travel daily through the city’s waterways, the small wooden floating jetty outside the Gritti Palace hotel is nothing special, “no different to a London underground stop”, as Igor Scomparin, a tour guide, puts it.But for a certain type of tourist it is a must-see spot. In June last year, Kim Kardashian disembarked from a water taxi here and navigated its planks during the five-day wedding of the billionaire Amazon boss, Jeff Bezos, and Lauren Sánchez, a former TV journalist. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump pushes for disarmament of Hamas as second stage of Gaza ceasefire begins 16. January 2026 (15:33) US president also calls for return of final Israeli captive’s remains from group, which has refused to give up weaponsDonald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Hamas, adding to calls for the group’s disarmament as the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire with Israel begins, even as key elements of the first phase remain unfulfilled.In a late-night post on social media on Thursday, Trump vowed to push for what he described as the “comprehensive” demilitarisation of Hamas, warning of severe consequences should the group refuse to comply. He also demanded the return of the remains of the final Israeli captive still believed to be held by the group, sharpening tensions at a fragile moment in the truce process. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Garden of Eden’: the Spanish farm growing citrus you’ve never heard of 16. January 2026 (15:14) Todolí foundation produces varieties from Buddha’s hands to sudachi and hopes to help citrus survive climate changeIt was on a trip with a friend to the east coast of Spain that the chef Matthew Slotover came across the “Garden of Eden”, an organic farm growing citrus varieties he had never heard of. The Todolí Citrus Foundation is a nonprofit venture and the largest private collection of citrus in the world with more than 500 varieties, and its owners think the rare fruit could hold the genetic secrets to growing citrus groves that can deal with climate change.The farm yields far more interesting fruit than oranges and lemons for Slotover’s menu, including kumquat, finger lime, sudachi and bergamot. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration says deporting college student trying to surprise family was a ‘mistake’ 16. January 2026 (15:04) Any Lucía López Belloza was detained at Boston’s airport in November and flown to Honduras two days laterThe Trump administration apologized in court for a “mistake” in the deportation of a Massachusetts college student who was detained trying to fly home to surprise her family in Texas for Thanksgiving.But the administration still argued that the federal government error should not affect her immigration case. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tory ‘arsonists’ still in charge of party, says Jenrick after defecting to Reform UK 16. January 2026 (14:45) Former Conservative minister hits back at allegations of lying from his former party leader, Kemi BadenochUK politics live – latest updatesThe “arsonists” who tanked the reputation of the Conservatives are still in charge of the party, Robert Jenrick has said as he and the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, traded blows a day after his dramatic defection to Reform UK.Giving his first interview since his announcement on Thursday, the former shadow justice secretary said the Conservatives had not changed since the election, while defending himself against allegations of lying from his former party leader. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
