Andean artist Antonio Paucar wins Artes Mundi prize in Wales 15. January 2026 (21:00) Artist and beekeeper who highlights eco crisis plans to spend £40,000 award on building cultural centre in PeruAn artist and beekeeper from a remote corner of the Andes has won one of the UK’s most prestigious contemporary arts awards and plans to spend the £40,000 prize on building a cultural centre in the Peruvian mountains.Antonio Paucar was declared the winner of the biennial Artes Mundi prize after presenting work ranging from a spiral made of alpaca wool to a video of him writing a poem – in his own blood – about the environmental crisis facing his region as he sits at a table high in the mountains. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS limiting number of ADHD assessments despite soaring demand 15. January 2026 (20:37) FoIs show integrated care boards saving money by curbing assessments have not informed GPs or patients facing long waitsThe NHS is restricting people’s ability to be assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in order to save money but not telling GPs or patients, despite soaring demand for the service.More than half of the NHS’s 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have imposed limits on how many people can be assessed for ADHD during 2025-26, freedom of information responses show. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish police break up gang that used swimmers to hide cocaine on ships 15. January 2026 (20:27) Almost 2.5 tonnes of narcotic seized and 30 people arrested after 15-month investigation into drug-smuggling network Falling price of cocaine forces drug traffickers to reuse narco-submarines, say Spanish policeSpanish police have arrested 30 people and seized almost 2.5 tonnes of cocaine after breaking up a criminal network that used teams of young swimmers to hide the drugs on moving, Europe-bound ships which were then attacked and relieved of their unwitting cargo before reaching port.The 15-month investigation began in October 2024 when Policía Nacional officers found 88kg of cocaine in a vehicle in the southern Spanish town of Mijas. The drugs led them to three gangs, including a Balkan cartel, who were working together to bring huge quantities of cocaine into Spain from Colombia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anger in Iceland over incoming US ambassador’s ‘52nd state’ joke 15. January 2026 (20:08) Thousands sign petition calling on Iceland’s foreign minister to reject Trump ally Billy Long’s nominationThousands of people have signed a petition expressing anger after Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Iceland reportedly joked that the Nordic country should become the 52nd US state.On Wednesday, hours before top officials from Greenland and Denmark were to meet with the US in the hope of warding off Trump’s threats to seize the Arctic island, the news outlet Politico said it had heard of musings regarding another Nordic island. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Robert Jenrick: from remainer to rightwinger with ruthless reputation 15. January 2026 (20:07) Defection of former Tory minister to Reform is another twist in ambitious politician’s careerUK politics live – latest updatesFor a long time, Robert Jenrick’s transformation from a David Cameron-supporting remainer to an anti-immigration rightwinger did not convince many of his political peers – least of all Nigel Farage.Only last year, the Reform UK leader was describing him as a “fraud” and saying he was sceptical that Jenrick was genuine, dubbing him “Robert the Generic, Robert the Remainer and Robert the I Don’t Stand Particularly for Anything at all”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran protests appear to slow under weight of brutal crackdown 15. January 2026 (19:32) Relative calm in Tehran and authorities say they have no plan to execute protesters but internet shutdown continuesIran’s nationwide protest movement appeared to have slowed on Thursday under the weight of a brutal crackdown by authorities that has left thousands dead and put tens of thousands in prison.In Tehran, Iranians reported relative calm on the streets as the sound of gunfire faded and fires were extinguished – a marked contrast from the weeks before when large crowds confronted security forces. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tortilla, broccoli, ‘a piece of chicken’: US agriculture secretary mocked for ‘money-saving’ meal 15. January 2026 (19:24) Brooke Rollins claimed meal featuring tortilla, broccoli, chicken and ‘one other thing’ can cost around $3 US politics live – latest updatesThe US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, is facing ridicule from congressional Democrats – among others – after claiming Americans can save money and have their meals align with new Department of Health and Human Services dietary guidelines by simply eating “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli”, “a corn tortilla” and “one other thing”.One representative even called the remarks “a slap in the face to struggling working families”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eurovision song contest to go on tour to celebrate 70th anniversary 15. January 2026 (19:04) ‘Iconic performers’ will visit 10 European cities, as event reels from boycott over Israel’s 2026 participation The Eurovision song contest will go on its first ever tour to celebrate its 70th anniversary, its organiser has said, as it reels from a boycott due to Israel’s participation.Five countries have pulled out of the contest over Israel’s war in Gaza, leaving 35 to participate in the world’s biggest live televised music event – the fewest since entry was expanded in 2004. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gulf states and Turkey warned Trump strikes on Iran could lead to major conflict 15. January 2026 (18:39) US allies’ lobbying appears to have helped persuade president to hold off for now on military assaultSaudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Oman urged Donald Trump not to launch airstrikes against Iran in a last-minute lobbying campaign prompted by fears that an attack by Washington would lead to a major and intractable conflict across the Middle East.The warnings of chaos from the longstanding US allies appear to have helped persuade Trump late on Wednesday to hold off for the moment on a military assault. In the case of Saudi Arabia, its reticence led it to deny the US use of its airspace to mount any attacks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act in Minnesota in response to ICE protests 15. January 2026 (17:54) Protests continue across state and governor urges peace one week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee GoodDonald Trump threatened on Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota in response to protests in Minneapolis against federal immigration enforcement operations, as Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, overnight urged demonstrators in Minneapolis to be peaceful amid escalating tensions.In a post on Truth Social on Thursday morning, Trump said he would institute the Insurrection Act and “quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place” in Minnesota if the “corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of ICE”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
