Tennessee university reinstates professor fired for post criticizing Charlie Kirk 09. January 2026 (00:29) Austin Peay State University will also pay theater and dance professor Darren Michael $500,000 in settlement Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement.Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the public university in Clarksville effective 30 December. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling, as reported earlier this week by WKRN-TV. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US congressmen ask judge to appoint official to force release of all Epstein files 09. January 2026 (00:03) Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie seek to compel justice department to release full set of filesTwo US House of Representatives members have asked a federal judge to appoint a special master to compel the justice department to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.On Thursday, Democratic representative Ro Khanna of California and Republican representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky asked US district judge Paul Engelmayer to release the full Epstein files, as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 13 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including five children, civil defence agency says 08. January 2026 (23:45) Attacks bring total number of Palestinians killed by Israel to 425 since October ceasefire took effectGaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territory on Thursday killed at least 13 people, including five children, despite a ceasefire that has largely halted the fighting.Four people including three children were killed when a drone struck a tent sheltering displaced people in southern Gaza, agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nasa postpones spacewalk due to medical issue with astronaut 08. January 2026 (23:44) Space agency says US-Japanese-Russian crew of four will return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than plannedNasa is cutting short a mission aboard the International Space Station after an astronaut had a medical issue.The space agency said Thursday the US-Japanese-Russian crew of four will return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than planned. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US House breaks with Trump to revive Affordable Care Act subsidies 08. January 2026 (23:32) Seventeen Republicans join Democrats to pass a three-year extension of tax credits cutting ACA premiumsThe US House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation to re-establish tax credits that lowered premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans, after a small group of Republicans broke ranks and joined with Democrats to defy Donald Trump on a key healthcare issue that could sway voters ahead of the November midterm elections.The chamber voted 230-196 to approve a bill that would extend for three years the credits, which were first created under Joe Biden but expired at the end of last year despite a concerted effort by the Democratic minority to continue them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heatwave engulfs south-eastern states as Victoria faces catastrophic fire conditions not seen since Black Summer 08. January 2026 (23:18) Melbourne mercury expected to hit 43C with higher temperatures inland and a total fire ban in place for all VictoriaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDire bushfire conditions threatened south-eastern states on Friday as unrelenting heat bore down on large parts of Australia and Victorians prepared for catastrophic conditions not seen since 2019-20.Catastrophic and extreme fire danger ratings were in place throughout Victoria, with the entire state under a total fire ban. Extreme conditions were expected across much of South Australia as well as the New South Wales Riverina.Melbourne: Windy. Late cool change, possible storm, maximum 43C.Canberra: sunny, maximum 39C.Adelaide: mostly sunny, maximum 32C.Sydney: sunny, maximum 33C.Darwin: showers, storm, maximum 33C.Perth: partly cloudy, maximum 29C.Brisbane: possible shower, maximum 29C.Hobart: shower or two, maximum 25C. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
General Motors reports $7bn earnings loss after pulling back from EVs 08. January 2026 (23:12) GM says end of tax incentives and less stringent emissions regulations slowed consumer demand for EVs in 2025General Motors said on Thursday it will record a one-time earnings hit of $7.1bn in its quarterly financial results, mostly due to its pullback from electric vehicles in light of shifting US policies.The Detroit auto giant’s fourth-quarter results will be dented by $6bn in charges connected to reversals on EV investments, according to a securities filing. The remaining $1.1bn includes costs from the company’s restructuring of its China operations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man jailed in New York for hoax bomb threats to UK hospitals and venues 08. January 2026 (21:31) David Hart, 22, imprisoned for one year over nuisance calls to London hospitals and Westminster AbbeyA man has been jailed for a year in New York for calling in a series of hoax bomb threats, many of which targeted institutions in the UK.David Hart was prosecuted by US authorities after a joint investigation by Scotland Yard and the US department for homeland security. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge college urged to drop ‘immoral’ private school recruitment drive 08. January 2026 (21:21) Alastair Campbell joins graduates and social mobility charities in criticism of Trinity Hall’s new policyTrinity Hall graduates and leading social mobility charities have called on the University of Cambridge college to scrap its controversial efforts to actively recruit students from elite private schools, describing the new policy as damaging, offensive and a step backwards for equality.After the Guardian revealed that Trinity Hall was to target a small group of wealthy private schools – so as to not “ignore or marginalise” privately educated students, according to an internal briefing – those promoting students from state schools said they were shocked and disappointed by its justifications. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Victoria braces for ‘catastrophic’ fire risk; Queensland on tropical cyclone watch 08. January 2026 (20:58) State warned to be prepared and to stay indoors as firefighters ready for action. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn interesting aspect of the heatwave is highlighted by a report in the Financial Review this morning about how record demand for power on the grid is being eased by rooftop solar.The article says that demand in the national electricity market reached its highest-ever level at around 4pm on Wednesday with the nation drawing 38.9 gigawatts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
