Renaming US defense department the Department of War could cost $125m 15. January 2026 (13:53) Congressional Budget Office analysis says renaming – which Congress must approve – would cost US taxpayers millionsRenaming the Department of Defense the Department of War could cost US taxpayers as much as $125m depending on how broadly and quickly the change is made, according to an analysis released Wednesday from the Congressional Budget Office.Donald Trump signed an executive order in September that authorized the Department of War as a secondary title for the Pentagon. At the time, Trump said the switch was intended to signal to the world that the US was a force to be reckoned with, and he complained that the Department of Defense’s name was “woke”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greenland’s defence is ‘common concern’ for Nato, Danish PM says as European troops fly in 15. January 2026 (13:51) France is latest to send military team as Trump’s desire to own Greenland still ‘intact’ despite talksEurope live – latest updatesThe Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said Greenland’s defence was a “common concern” for the whole of Nato, as troops started arriving from across Europe as a result of Donald Trump’s threats to take the Arctic island by force.Troops from France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, among others, were on their way to Greenland, a largely autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark, on Thursday. Denmark also announced it would be increasing its military presence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British indie band Pulp agree to play Adelaide festival after boycott u-turn 15. January 2026 (13:36) The band pulled out over treatment of Randa Abdel-Fattah but delayed revealing their decision before confirming 27 February gig Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe British indie band Pulp will play at the Adelaide festival in February after initially pulling out of the event in protest at the cancellation of Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah.The band issued a statement on social media on Thursday night announcing that they would “honour our invitation to perform in Adelaide on 27 February” after the festival organisers performed a u-turn, apologised to Abdel-Fattah for her treatment, and invited her to speak at next year’s event. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First Thing: Federal agent shoots man in Minneapolis as tensions in city run high 15. January 2026 (13:31) Mayor urges calm as city continues to reel in aftermath of Renee Good’s killing. Plus, how Adam Tooze makes sense of our bewildering ageGood morning.A federal officer shot a man in the leg during an enforcement operation in north Minneapolis, sparking protests in a city still on edge after the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent last week.What did the Minneapolis mayor say? “I’ve seen conduct from ICE that is disgusting and intolerable,” Jacob Frey said. But he urged protesters to go home. “We cannot counter Donald Trump’s chaos with more chaos … Anyone who is taking the bait tonight, stop. You are not helping the undocumented immigrants in our city.”What had Trump say he was going to do? Trump had repeatedly talked in recent days about coming to the help of the Iranian people, saying the US was “locked and loaded” if Iran started to shoot at the protesters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
South East Water boss in line for £400,000 bonus despite outages 15. January 2026 (13:11) Exclusive: David Hinton, who faces calls to resign, will receive payout regardless of performance if he stays until July 2030• South East Water could lose operating licence after outages• Business live – latest updatesThe boss of the company that has left thousands of households in Kent and East Sussex without water for days is in line for a £400,000 long-term bonus regardless of his performance, if he resists calls for him to resign over the outages.David Hinton, the chief executive of South East Water, is to receive the payout if he stays on until July 2030. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greenland: new shipping routes, hidden minerals – and a frontline between the US and Russia? 15. January 2026 (13:10) Key maps show the growing strategic importance of Greenland as Arctic ice melts under global heatingLying between the US and Russia, Greenland has become a critical frontline as the Arctic opens up because of global heating.Its importance has been underscored by Donald Trump openly considering the US taking the island from its Nato partner Denmark, either by buying it, or by force. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alarm as Trump DoJ pushes for voter information on millions of Americans 15. January 2026 (13:00) Officials ask at least 43 states for sensitive details as critics fear effort to sow doubt about midterm election resultsThe justice department is undertaking an unprecedented effort to collect sensitive voter information about tens of millions of Americans, a push that relies on thin legal reasoning and which could be aimed at sowing doubt about the midterm election results this year.The department has asked at least 43 states for their comprehensive information on voters, including the last four digits of their social security numbers, full dates of birth and addresses, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Eight states have voluntarily turned over the information, according to the Brennan Center, and the department has sued 23 states and the District of Columbia for the information. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How a billionaire with interests in Greenland encouraged Trump to acquire the territory 15. January 2026 (13:00) US president’s friend Ronald Lauder – who first proposed Arctic expansion – is now making deals in the islandOne day during his first term, Donald Trump summoned a top aide to discuss a new idea. “Trump called me down to the Oval Office,” John Bolton, national security adviser in 2018, told the Guardian. “He said a prominent businessman had just suggested the US buy Greenland.”It was an extraordinary proposal. And it originated from a longtime friend of the president who would go on to acquire business interests in the Danish territory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 4.7m social media accounts blocked after Australia’s under-16 ban came into force, PM says 15. January 2026 (12:30) Accounts removed or restricted on Twitch, Kick, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Snap, X, TikTok and Reddit in world-leading banGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 4.7m social media accounts held by Australians who platforms have judged to be under 16 years of age were deactivated, removed or restricted in the first days after the ban came into effect in December, the prime minister has said.After the social media ban came into effect on 10 December, the eSafety commissioner sent questions to each of the platforms covered by the ban asking how many accounts had been removed in order to comply with the law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Future of Bondi footbridge on hold after council agrees to consider options 15. January 2026 (12:14) Waverley to consult with NSW government, the families of victims and the Jewish community over whether bridge should be pulled downGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe future of the Bondi footbridge has been placed on hold after a meeting of Waverley council heard it was “really upsetting” that the matter had ignited such fierce public debate.The future of the heritage-listed pedestrian footbridge used by the alleged Bondi attackers was on the agenda of Thursday evening’s extraordinary meeting called to discuss a range of matters a month after the tragedy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
