Workers at Chinese factory that produces Labubu toys are being exploited, says NGO 13. January 2026 (10:55) Exclusive: China Labor Watch says people aged 16-18 employed without required special protectionsA labour rights NGO says it has found evidence of worker exploitation in the supply chain of Labubus, the furry toys that took the world by storm last year and which are expected to continue to grow in popularity in 2026.Labubus, toothy gremlins made by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, have become one of China’s hottest cultural exports. In the first half of 2025 alone, “the Monsters” line of toys, which includes Labubus, generated 4.8bn yuan (£511m) in sales for the Hong Kong-listed company. In August, Pop Mart’s chief executive, Wang Ning, said the company was on track to reach 20bn yuan in revenues in 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel poised to start construction of bypass through heart of West Bank 13. January 2026 (10:37) Road project, part of blueprint for new illegal settlement in E1 area east of Jerusalem, is considered a tool of annexation Israel plans to start work next month on a bypass road that will close off the heart of the occupied West Bank to Palestinians and cement the de facto annexation of an area critical for the viability of a future Palestinian state.The road is a key part of the blueprint for a vast illegal new settlement in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, which would fragment the occupied West Bank. The Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said the plans were intended to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Moment Western Australian divers surface to see their boat had disappeared caught in footage 13. January 2026 (10:24) Ryan Chapman and a friend survived 90 minutes in the ocean before being picked up by a passing boat – and carrying on with their diveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo divers have survived becoming stranded in the ocean after losing their boat while diving in a popular fishing spot in Western Australia.Ryan Chapman and his mate were free diving and scuba diving about 5km off Mindarie, a coastal suburb north of Perth, when they resurfaced to find their boat had disappeared. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump warns of ‘complete mess’ if supreme court rejects tariffs 13. January 2026 (10:10) US president speaks after saying that any country that does business with Iran will face 25% levy on trade with USBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump has said “it would be a complete mess” if the US supreme court were to strike down his global trade tariffs.In a lengthy post on social media, the US president said “WE’RE SCREWED” if the supreme court rules against the tariffs. The decision is expected as soon as Wednesday. It is a crucial legal test of his controversial economic strategy and his power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC seeks dismissal of $10bn Trump lawsuit over Panorama ‘fight like hell’ clip 13. January 2026 (08:52) Broadcaster’s submission calls on Florida court to throw out defamation case where US president is suing over editing of 6 January 2021 speechThe BBC is to attempt to have Donald Trump’s $10bn defamation lawsuit over the editing of a speech for Panorama thrown out, according to court documents.The broadcaster faced criticism for airing an episode of the investigative documentary series that featured an edited clip of Trump’s address to a rally on 6 January 2021, which it is alleged gave the impression he encouraged supporters to storm the Capitol building in Washington DC. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Search for single-tusked elephant after 22 killed in India rampage 13. January 2026 (08:07) Eastern region on high alert as authorities try to track animal tearing through villages in Jharkand after apparently becoming separated from herd Forest officials in India are on the hunt for an elephant that has killed more 20 people in a days-long rampage through the eastern state of Jharkand.Since the beginning of January, 22 people have been killed by a single-tusked elephant that has been tearing through forests and villages in West Singhbhum district of Jharkand. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Asio chief given powers to recommend organisations be proscribed as hate groups under Labor’s new laws 13. January 2026 (07:15) Neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network claims it will disband before hate speech legislation is introduced to parliament on MondayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s spy boss will be given powers to recommend an organisation be proscribed as a hate group under the Labor government’s new religious vilification protections.The draft bill, which the government released on Tuesday, includes new hate speech and anti-vilification laws, powers to formally designate groups as proscribed organisations, and provisions for the largest gun buy-back scheme since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian author Craig Silvey charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material 13. January 2026 (06:59) Jasper Jones and Runt writer charged after search warrant issued at his Fremantle home on MondayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProminent Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material.Silvey, 43, had a search warrant issued at his Fremantle home on Monday, 12 January, where detectives allegedly found him “actively engaging with other child exploitation offenders online”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Who will replace Rudd as US ambassador? Defence boss, career diplomat and former ministers in mix 13. January 2026 (06:56) Analysts and experts say the PM would do well to consider the Aukus alliance and reactions from Maga base in making his choiceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer Labor ministers, the defence department boss and a career diplomat are among the names being touted by government figures to replace Kevin Rudd as Australia’s ambassador in Washington.Rudd, the former prime minister and foreign minister, won praise for stabilising relations with the US president, Donald Trump, on Monday, after the surprise announcement he would depart a year early to return to the Asia Society thinktank. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marine Le Pen’s appeal against embezzlement conviction to begin 13. January 2026 (06:00) Paris trial’s outcome will determine whether leader of far-right National Rally can run for French presidency in 2027The French far-right party leader Marine Le Pen will face a fresh trial on appeal on Tuesday over the embezzlement of European parliament funds in a case that will determine whether or not she can run in the 2027 presidential election.Le Pen, 57, who leads the far-right, anti-immigration National Rally (RN), was considered to be a contender for next year’s election until she was barred from running for public office last March after being found guilty of an extensive and long-running fake jobs scam. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
