Evidence shows benefit of RSV vaccines as Trump officials push restrictions 11. January 2026 (17:00) Shots to prevent respiratory syncytial virus recommended only for high-risk babies even as experts hail jabs’ successAs US officials move to restrict vaccines, including the shots to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), more evidence is emerging to confirm how dramatically the jabs reduce hospitalizations.Announced last week as part of new restrictions on one-third of all routine childhood vaccines, RSV shots are now recommended only for high-risk babies, instead of all infants. The Trump administration announcement was led by prominent vaccine critic and health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Smithsonian swaps Trump portrait and removes mention of impeachments 11. January 2026 (16:53) National Portrait Gallery removes text on new portrait of Trump standing in Oval Office with a scowl and fists on deskThe National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC has removed a placard that referred to Donald Trump’s two impeachments and his supporters’ January 6 attack on the US Capitol, according to multiple news reports.The museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, removed the text when it replaced an old portrait of Trump with a new image of him standing in the Oval Office with a scowl and his fists on the desk. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four die in collision between taxi and car in Bolton 11. January 2026 (15:25) Crash took place on Wigan Road in the early hours of Sunday, killing drivers of both vehicles as well as two passengersFour people have died in a collision between a car and a taxi in Bolton, Greater Manchester.A police cordon was put in place on Wigan Road after the crash, which took place at about 12.45am on Sunday. Five injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran arrests protest leaders as crackdown intensifies amid threat of US intervention 11. January 2026 (15:19) Washington and Tehran step up war of words over Donald Trump’s threat to intervene in response to unrestIranian authorities have arrested key members of the protest movement that has rocked the country over the last two weeks, the national police chief has said, as Washington and Tehran threaten each other over the prospect of US intervention in the Islamic republic.“Last night, significant arrests were made of the main elements in the riots, who, God willing, will be punished after going through legal procedures,” the police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, told state TV on Sunday, without specifying the number of those arrested. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost twice as many Australian GP clinics bulk billing since Medicare incentive changes, analysis suggests 11. January 2026 (15:00) Survey by online health directory Cleanbill finds more than 1,000 clinics switched from private or mixed billing to full bulk billing since start of 2025Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGP bulk-billing rates have rebounded following incentives introduced by the federal government in November, analysis by the online health directory Cleanbill shows.The national analysis, published on Monday, found the proportion of fully bulk-billing clinics almost doubled to 40.2% by the end of 2025, from 20.7% the year before. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Republican chair says US institutions yielded to Trump, ‘the bully’ 11. January 2026 (15:00) Michael Steele argues law firms, universities and media capitulated with startling speed and voters want accountabilityThe biggest surprise of Donald Trump’s first year back in office is how quickly America’s institutions capitulated to “the bully”, said Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) turned arch critic.But with the midterm elections for Congress looming, Steele predicts a resounding Democratic victory amid a hunger among voters to hold the president and his allies accountable for threatening democracy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Underground church says leaders detained as China steps up crackdown 11. January 2026 (14:00) Early Rain pastor said to be among those held in sweep that followed arrests of members of other unregistered churchesLeaders of a prominent underground church have been detained in south-west China, according to a church statement, the latest blow in what appears to be a sweeping crackdown on unregistered Christian groups in the country.On Tuesday, Li Yingqiang, the leader of the Early Rain Covenant Church, was taken by police from his home in Deyang, a small city in Sichuan province, according to the statement. Li’s wife, Zhang Xinyue, has also been detained, along with two other church members: Dai Zhichao, a pastor; and Ye Fenghua, a lay member. At least a further four members were taken and later released, while some others remain out of contact. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rightwing bloggers and Maga minions: meet the Trump-loving Pentagon press corps 11. January 2026 (14:00) A group of reporters meant to hold the Pentagon to account is full of pro-Trump sycophants … what could go wrong?After US troops swarmed into Venezuela, seizing the country’s president and his wife, there was little to be heard from the Pentagon.Typically, it would be a time for defense officials to talk to the Pentagon press corps: a group of journalists made up of some of the most talented reporters in the US. The Pentagon could have been expected to be held to account over what has been criticized as a violation of international law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nobel Institute rejects María Corina Machado’s offer to share peace prize with Trump 11. January 2026 (13:59) Organisers clarify award ‘cannot be revoked, shared or transferred’ after Venezuelan opposition leader’s commentsThe organisers of the Nobel peace prize have said it “cannot be revoked, shared or transferred” after Venezuela’s opposition leader, María Corina Machado, said she wanted to give her award to Donald Trump.When Machado was named Nobel laureate in October, it was seen as a snub by the White House, despite Machado rushing to dedicate the prize to the US president and his “decisive support of our cause”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Excessive screen time limits vocabulary of toddlers, experts warn 11. January 2026 (13:54) Children aged two with highest screen use can say significantly fewer words, UK government research findsExcessive screen time is damaging toddlers’ ability to speak, the UK government has warned as it prepares to issue advice to parents for the first time on how to manage screen use in under-fives.Research has found that children aged two with the highest screen use – about five hours a day – could say significantly fewer words than those with screen use of about 44 minutes a day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
