Victims’ commissioner for England and Wales warns against U-turn on limiting jury trials 14. January 2026 (12:00) Exclusive: Claire Waxman says justice system risks collapse and no other viable way to drastically reduce courts backlogA potential government U-turn on changes to jury trials risks breaking a justice system on the brink of collapse, the new victims’ commissioner for England and Wales has warned.The justice secretary, David Lammy, must face down MPs and the legal profession over proposals to reduce the number of jury trials or “we will not have victims coming into the system”, said Claire Waxman. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Circumcision kits found on sale on Amazon UK 14. January 2026 (11:49) Exclusive: Discovery comes amid growing concern over lax regulation and children being put at risk by rogue operatorsCircumcision kits have been found on sale on Amazon UK, highlighting lax regulation as concerns grow about deaths and serious harms to baby boys.In December, a UK coroner issued warnings about insufficient circumcision regulation after the death in 2023 of a six-month-old boy, Mohamed Abdisamad, from a streptococcus infection. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Northern Powerhouse Rail plans welcomed but big questions remain 14. January 2026 (11:29) How upgrades will be funded and when they might be completed is still far from clear Like a long-promised train that finally trundles into view, the green light for Northern Powerhouse Rail was better late than never. It arrived to relief rather than rejoicing from Labour mayors. They were happy, at last, to get moving.A brief recap: the world’s most expensive and long-delayed rail line, HS2, was originally due to speed passengers from London to Birmingham and north on two separate legs to Manchester and Leeds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Netflix ‘plans to switch to all-cash offer to seal $83bn Warner Bros deal’ 14. January 2026 (10:12) Aim is to speed up acquisition of WBD studio and streaming businesses and hold off rival Paramount bidNetflix is reportedly preparing to switch to an all-cash offer to seal its takeover of the studios and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), as it tries to speed up the deal and fend off a rival hostile bid from Paramount Skydance.The changes to Netflix’s $83bn (£62bn) offer, first reported by Bloomberg, are designed to accelerate the acquisition, which is expected to take months to conclude, and make it more palatable for WBD shareholders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia exposed Iranian asylum seeker to torture on Manus, UN says 14. January 2026 (10:10) United Nations says man experienced ‘serious violence’ in detention but Australia argues it did not control PNG facilitiesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia exposed an Iranian asylum seeker to torture and ill-treatment during his years in detention, a UN committee has found, amounting to a breach of international obligations.On Wednesday evening, the UN committee against torture released its decision on the case of an asylum seeker who arrived on Christmas Island by boat in 2013 after fleeing Iran in fear of persecution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior Liberals urge colleagues to vote against Labor’s hate speech and gun laws in wake of Bondi terror attack 14. January 2026 (08:15) It comes after opposition leader Sussan Ley has spent weeks calling for better legislative protections to tackle antisemitism Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSenior Liberals are urging colleagues to vote against Labor’s fast-tracked legislation in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, despite opposition leader Sussan Ley calling for urgent legislative action for weeks.Labor would be forced to rely on support from the Greens if the opposition does not support the bill next Tuesday, as some Liberals and Nationals oppose both of its major tenets: on hate speech and religious protection, and on gun laws. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s 14. January 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Health secretary issues invitation in push for UK to consider copying landmark restrictions in AustraliaWes Streeting has asked Jonathan Haidt, a bestselling author and high-profile advocate of banning social media for under-16s, to speak to his officials in his push for the UK to consider following a landmark ban in Australia.The health secretary has invited Haidt to address an event with staff, charities and MPs after the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said he was open to stricter limits for young people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Craig Silvey’s books pulled from WA and Victoria curriculums after child exploitation material charges 14. January 2026 (07:55) Sydney stage adaptation and new book put on hold after Runt and Jasper Jones author arrestedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian novelist Craig Silvey’s books have been withdrawn from school curriculums in Victoria and his home state, and a major stage adaptation of one of his works has been halted after the author was charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material this week.Silvey, 43, was arrested on Monday 12 January after detectives executed a search warrant at his Fremantle home. He appeared before the Fremantle magistrates court on Tuesday, charged with distribution of child exploitation material and possession of child exploitation material. No pleas were entered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Saks Global files for bankruptcy after takeover leads to financial collapse 14. January 2026 (07:53) Debt-riddled retail giant’s demise has cast uncertainty over the future of US luxury fashionThe high-end department store conglomerate Saks Global filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday in one of the largest retail collapses since the pandemic, barely a year after a deal that brought Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus under the same roof.The move cast uncertainty over the future of US luxury fashion, though the retailer said early on Wednesday its stores would remain open for now after it finalised a $1.75bn financing package and appointed a new CEO. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 22 killed as crane collapses on train in Thailand 14. January 2026 (07:24) Crane was working on a high-speed rail project when it collapsed and hit the passing train, causing it to derail and briefly catch fireAt least 22 people in Thailand have been killed and scores injured after a crane collapsed onto a passenger train, derailing it on Wednesday, officials said.Footage from the scene verified by Agence France-Presse showed the crane’s broken structure resting on giant concrete pillars, with smoke rising from the wreckage of the train below. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
