Trump says he will meet Venezuela opposition leader Machado, and threatens drug cartel land strikes 09. January 2026 (06:10) Trump was once dismissive of María Corina Machado but said it would be a ‘great honour’ to accept her Nobel peace prize if she made the offer Donald Trump has said he plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, days after launching an attack that resulted in the capture of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and threatened land strikes against drug cartels in Latin America.In the aftermath of that operation, the future governance of the South American country has remained an open question, with Trump over the weekend dismissing the idea of working with popular opposition leader Machado, saying “she doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sussan Ley won the royal commission argument. For the sake of unity, will she lower the temperature? 09. January 2026 (06:07) The opposition isn’t obliged to give the government a free pass – but it’s time to let the inquiry and criminal court proceedings do their workFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDespite winning the argument and helping force Anthony Albanese to backflip on a royal commission, Sussan Ley has continued criticising the Labor government over its response to the Bondi terror attack, pointedly declining to support the inquiry’s terms of reference and complaining that the Coalition’s model wasn’t chosen.While antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal urged Australians to “move forward” and support the inquiry, Ley’s attacks have not abated, demanding Labor ministers be put “in the dock” for cross-examination. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Whistle, crackle, banned: Dutch set to outlaw fireworks after more new year chaos 09. January 2026 (06:00) Netherlands expected to join Ireland in prohibiting most consumer fireworks as other EU countries debate crackdownWindow-rattling explosions turned Yara Basta-Bos’s street into a “war zone” last week, but she was spared from the worst of the new year chaos she had seen in the past. A few years ago, the emergency doctor in Amsterdam had to treat a patient clutching their own eyeball after a firework blew it out of its socket.“It feels like such a waste,” said Basta-Bos, president of the Dutch society of emergency physicians, adding that last week’s revelry resulted in more than 1,200 injuries – one-third of whom ended up in hospital – and two deaths. “Of course, fireworks are nice to look at. But the level of damage it’s causing in the Netherlands right now is just unbelievable.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victoria police revokes powers to allow warrantless pat-downs across inner Melbourne 09. January 2026 (05:13) Police say declaration of Melbourne CBD and surrounds as a designated area will end on 9 January, more than four months ahead of scheduleFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria police have revoked their declaration of Melbourne’s CBD and surrounds as a designated area four months earlier than planned, meaning they will no longer be able to conduct warrantless searches from 11.59pm on Friday.Police on Friday morning updated their website to confirm the declaration, which was meant to run until 11.59pm on Friday 29 May, will instead end at 11.59pm on 9 January 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three people missing and multiple properties destroyed as bushfire hits Victorian town ‘like a bomb’ 09. January 2026 (02:34) Authorities warn lives could be lost amid catastrophic conditions as firefighters fears there is ‘nothing left’ of town in Strathbogie RangesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn out-of-control bushfire in central Victoria has destroyed multiple properties and three people remain unaccounted for, as authorities warn lives could be lost due to the catastrophic fire conditions.The Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, on Friday confirmed the Longwood bushfire was burning out of control and had destroyed both community and residential property in the town of Ruffy, about 175km north of Melbourne. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three luxury yachts sink in Sydney Harbour as fire rips through exclusive Mosman marina 09. January 2026 (02:21) Fire at superyacht berth is not being treated as suspicious, police sayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThree vessels have sunk after a fire ripped through luxury yachts moored at a Sydney Harbour marina overnight.Emergency services were called to the Spit Marina, off Mosman in Middle Harbour, in Sydney at 3.30am on Friday following reports of a fire, New South Wales police said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dozens of writers boycott Adelaide festival after it dumps pro-Palestine academic Randa Abdel-Fattah 09. January 2026 (01:54) Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser among more than 24 people who have pulled out of annual writers’ festival to protest Abdel-Fattah’s axingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDozens of authors, journalists, media personalities and a sponsor are boycotting the Adelaide festival after it dumped Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from its annual writers’ week lineup, citing concerns over “cultural sensitivity” in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.More speakers were expected to withdraw from the festival, with speculation that other high-profile figures were coordinating their exit announcements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two people shot by US federal agents in Portland, police say 09. January 2026 (01:53) Mayor urges ICE to pause operations as congresswoman says victims alive but extent of injuries unknownUS politics live – latest updatesUS federal agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, Portland police said.“Two people are in the hospital following a shooting involving federal agents,” the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said in a statement, adding that their conditions were not known. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thousands of offenders in England to get health support at probation meetings 09. January 2026 (01:01) Exclusive: NHS clinicians will sit in on appointments in pilot scheme in four areas aimed at reducing reoffendingAbout 4,000 offenders in England will get targeted healthcare sessions during their probation appointments as part of a new pilot scheme.Offenders are far more likely to have poor physical or mental health or addiction issues, which increases the likelihood of reoffending. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Treasury has ‘limited grasp’ of concerns over booming shadow banking sector, peers say 09. January 2026 (01:01) Report says officials seem unprepared for potential risks that unregulated industry poses to UK financial stabilityThe UK Treasury has a “limited grasp” of concerns linked to the booming shadow banking sector and may not be prepared for risks the unregulated industry poses to financial stability, peers have said.While a lack of data makes it hard to say whether the $16tn (£12tn) non-bank financial sector could bring the wider financial system to its knees, officials do not seem to be alive to the potential risks, according to a Lords financial services regulation committee report. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
