Labour MPs plan to oppose move to restrict protest at animal testing sites 13. January 2026 (17:00) Campaigners warn proposals being voted on in Commons are threat to ‘long and legitimate history’ of peaceful actionLabour MPs are among those planning to vote against a move to restrict protest outside animal breeding and testing facilities by reclassifying them as “key national infrastructure”, amid fresh concerns about the criminalisation of peaceful protest.The government proposal to amend the Public Order Act 2023 using a statutory instrument (SI) has been criticised by MPs and campaigners for using secondary legislation to expand police powers, meaning there is little parliamentary scrutiny and no public consultation. The Guardian understands about 50 MPs in total plan to oppose the amendment in Wednesday’s vote. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump promises ‘help is on its way’ and tells Iranians to ‘keep protesting’ 13. January 2026 (16:59) US president gives clearest signal yet that he might take military action against Tehran over killing of demonstratorsIran crisis live – latest updatesDonald Trump has told Iranians to keep protesting and said help was on the way, in the clearest sign yet that the US president may be preparing for military action against Tehran.“Iranian Patriots, keep protesting – take over your institutions!!! … help is on its way,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. He added that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US aircraft that attacked suspected drug boat reportedly disguised as civilian plane 13. January 2026 (16:56) Experts say obscuring plane’s military identity would constitute a war crimeThe US aircraft that carried out the first airstrike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean was reportedly disguised as a civilian plane – a possible war crime.The New York Times reported that the aircraft had been painted to obscure its military identity, and its munitions were hidden inside its fuselage rather than visible under its wings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration ends temporary protected status for Somalis in US 13. January 2026 (16:31) Noem claims conditions have improved in east African country so Somalis no longer qualify for legal protectionsThe Trump administration is terminating temporary protected status (TPS) for Somalis living in the United States, giving hundreds of people two months to leave the country or face deportation.The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said in a statement that conditions in the east African country had improved sufficiently and that Somalis no longer qualified for the designation under federal law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We’re in a bit of a state’: Cornish villagers frustrated by lack of help after Storm Goretti 13. January 2026 (16:30) Trees still block roads and scores of people remain without power or water almost a week on from stormLinda Williams, 86, has been without heating, lighting and a working phone for the best part of five days. She is trying to keep warm by layering up and she picks her way around her home in the remote Cornish village of New Mill with old battery lamps from her days of caravanning.“I think it’s safe to say that we’re in a bit of a state,” said Williams, a retired council accounts assistant. “But it can’t go on for ever … can it?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Julio Iglesias accused of sexual assault by two female former employees 13. January 2026 (16:28) Spanish singer allegedly subjected women to ‘inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation’The Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has been accused of sexual assault by two female former employees who say they were subjected “to inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation … in an atmosphere of control and constant harassment”.The women – a domestic worker and a physical therapist who were employed at Iglesias’s Caribbean mansions in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas – allege the assaults took place in 2021. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Quarter of developing countries poorer than in 2019, World Bank finds 13. January 2026 (15:30) Global growth ‘downshifted’ since Covid pandemic and sub-Saharan Africa particularly affected, report saysBusiness live – latest updatesA quarter of countries in the developing world are poorer than they were in 2019 before the Covid pandemic, the World Bank has found.The Washington-based organisation said a large group of low-income countries, many in sub-Saharan Africa, had suffered a negative shock in the six years to the end of last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
German church’s televised ‘slime Jesus’ provokes fury on right 13. January 2026 (15:25) Christmas Eve live broadcast showed holy child portrayed by female performance artist writhing in sticky rice paperA Roman Catholic diocese in Germany has expressed regret over a televised Christmas Eve mass featuring a portrayal of the newborn Christ by an adult woman covered in sticky rice paper that was described by some critics as “slime Jesus”.The broadcast on ARD television from St Mary’s in Stuttgart showed a manger in which a female performance actor was huddled up in a foetal position and covered with sticky rice paper. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Makers of Peaky Blinders ‘in advanced talks’ to merge with The Traitors producer 13. January 2026 (15:03) Merger between Paris-based Banijay Group and RedBird IMI-owned All3Media would create a European TV production giant The world’s largest independent television production group, which is behind shows ranging from Peaky Blinders to Big Brother, is reportedly in talks to merge with the UK-based maker of hits TV shows including The Traitors.The Paris-headquartered Banijay Group, which last year considered making a takeover offer for ITV’s studio operation, is said to be in advanced talks with All3Media, which is owned by RedBird IMI, the Abu Dhabi-backed company that is trying to off-load the Telegraph titles to the owner of the Daily Mail. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW government calls for rethink on capital gains tax discount to ease housing affordability 13. January 2026 (15:00) Federal parliamentary inquiry hears tax concessions undercut policies, including first home buyer assistanceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGenerous capital gains tax rules have pushed up property prices and damaged housing affordability, the NSW government says, warning the discount benefits wealthy investors at the expense of first-time buyers.NSW Treasury has told a federal parliamentary inquiry into the 50% CGT discount that tax concessions including negative gearing “skew incentives towards property investment” and undercut policies, including first home buyer assistance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
