‘Serious fire risk’: nearly 3,000 Australian EV drivers warned not to fully charge cars 12. January 2026 (05:31) Federal government issues recall notice for Volvo EX30 and urges owners to keep charge below 70%Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost 3,000 electric vehicle drivers will be asked to keep their car less than fully charged while the manufacturer develops a solution to a serious fire risk.The federal transport department has issued a recall notice for Volvo EX30 electric vehicles sold in Australia during 2024 in a move that will affect 2,815 motorists. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Battle After Another and Adolescence dominate 83rd Golden Globes 12. January 2026 (05:28) Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedy thriller and the Netflix breakout drama took home major awards with Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley also winningGolden Globes 2026: the full list of winnersPeter Bradshaw on the winnersOne Battle After Another and Adolescence have led this year’s Golden Globes with four wins apiece.Paul Thomas Anderson’s counterculture epic took home best comedy or musical film. It also earned him best director and screenplay, marking his first-ever Golden Globe wins. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
PM recalls parliament to fast-track hate speech and gun laws in wake of Bondi terror attack 12. January 2026 (05:09) MPs to return next week to debate new racial vilification offence, ‘hate preachers’ crackdown and gun buybackFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese will push the Coalition and the Greens to support urgent legislation proposing tougher hate speech laws and gun reform, bringing MPs back to Canberra next Monday in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.Recalling parliament two weeks early, the prime minister said hate speech and anti-vilification laws would be considered in the same legislation as provisions to establish the biggest gun buyback program since the Port Arthur massacre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Homes of volunteer firefighters among 350 structures lost so far in ‘heartbreaking’ Victorian bushfires 12. January 2026 (04:50) Victorian premier Jacinta Allan announces appeal to support those affected, as authorities warn fire risk could spike again later in monthFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe number of buildings lost in Victoria’s devastating bushfires has risen to 350, with authorities warning that number would grow as assessors are able to access more areas affected by 12 large fires still burning across the state.Speaking from the small western Victorian town of Natimuk on Monday, Jacinta Allan also announced a fundraising appeal to support victims of the fires. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump says he is considering ‘very strong’ military options against Iran as protester death toll climbs 12. January 2026 (04:29) US president claims ‘Iran wants to negotiate’ as rights groups report that regime’s crackdown on protest has killed hundreds Donald Trump has claimed Iran has reached out and proposed negotiations, as he considers “very strong” military action against the regime over a deadly crackdown on protesters that has reportedly killed hundreds.Asked on Sunday by reporters aboard Air Force One if Iran had crossed his previously stated red line of protesters being killed, Trump said “they’re starting to, it looks like.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens to block ExxonMobil from Venezuela after CEO calls country ‘uninvestable’ 12. January 2026 (04:11) US president says company is ‘playing too cute’ after CEO responds sceptically to his push for oil investment after deposing Nicolás MaduroDonald Trump has said he might block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after the oil company’s chief executive called the country “uninvestable” during a White House meeting last week.Darren Woods told the US president that Venezuela would need to change its laws before it could be an attractive investment opportunity, during the high-profile meeting on Friday with at least 17 other oil executives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW councils to be given powers to shut down ‘factories of hate’ as Minns targets unlawful places of worship 12. January 2026 (04:09) Reforms come in wake of Bondi terror attack and will allow councils to cut off utilities if groups operate in breach of shutdown orderFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Minns government plans to give New South Wales councils stronger powers to shut down unlawful places of worship as part of a crackdown on “factories of hate” in the wake of the Bondi terror attack last month.The new laws – announced on Monday – aim to clarify the power to shut down premises and will introduce bigger fines, along with the power to cut off utilities to places that continue to operate in breach of a shut down order. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Justice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal Reserve 12. January 2026 (02:19) Fed chair hits back, accusing DoJ of threatening criminal charges because central bank defied Trump’s demandsThe Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, a significant escalation in Donald Trump’s extraordinary attack on the US central bank.In a blistering statement on Sunday, Powell argued he had been threatened with criminal charges because the Fed had set interest rates “based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Clements, Guardian’s classical music critic, dies aged 75 12. January 2026 (01:01) An outstanding critical voice, his deep knowledge and love of music was evident in everything he wroteThe Guardian’s long-serving and much admired classical music critic Andrew Clements died on Sunday aged 75 after a period of illness.Clements joined the Guardian arts team in August 1993, succeeding Edward Greenfield as the paper’s chief music critic. His appointment was clinched by a personal recommendation to the editor from the late Alfred Brendel, who argued for Clements to get the job on account of his deep understanding of contemporary music. For the next 32 years, Clements ranged across all fields of classical music in his writing for the Guardian, and often beyond. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK business confidence weakened and hiring fell at end of 2025, surveys find 12. January 2026 (01:01) Rising costs and economic uncertainty take toll, in contrast to Keir Starmer saying Britain will start to feel richerUK business confidence weakened sharply at the end of 2025 and hiring fell amid rising costs and uncertainty about the economic outlook, according to key business surveys.Contrasting with the prime minister’s optimistic new year message that the country was about to start feeling richer again, the jobs market weakened, with full-time and temporary appointments falling in December, according to a study by the accountants KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
