Venezuela to release ‘important number’ of detainees 08. January 2026 (20:47) Congressional president Jorge Rodríguez says releases are a gesture to ‘consolidate peace’Five days after the US seized its former president Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela has announced that it is releasing an “important number” of detainees in what the congressional president characterised as a gesture to “consolidate peace”.It is still unclear how many people are being freed. Human rights organisations working in the country estimate that Venezuela holds between 800 and 1,000 political prisoners, most of them detained for taking part in protests after the 2024 election, widely believed to have been stolen by Maduro. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestine Action activist compared to suffragettes in court 08. January 2026 (20:46) Charlotte Head, who is accused of taking part in a break-in at Israeli defence firm, is called a ‘remarkable woman’ by her barristerA Palestine Action activist accused of taking part in a break-in at an Israeli defence firm’s UK site is a “remarkable woman”, her barrister has told jurors as he likened her to the suffragettes.Charlotte Head, 29, is on trial at Woolwich crown court, south-east London, accused of being involved in a “meticulously organised” protest at the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran plunged into internet blackout as protests over economy spread nationwide 08. January 2026 (20:42) Outage piles pressure on regime as Iranian security forces reported to have killed at least 45 since protests startedIran was plunged into a complete internet blackout on Thursday night as demonstrations over economic conditions spread nationwide, increasing pressure on the country’s leadership.While it was unclear what caused the internet cut, first reported by internet freedom monitor NetBlocks, Iranian authorities have shut down the internet in response to protests in the past. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reeves’s promise of pub business rates U-turn averts Labour rebellion 08. January 2026 (20:33) Change in England largely welcomed by industry and Labour MPs but represents another climbdownUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves has avoided another damaging rebellion against her economic policies with the promise of a U-turn on controversial tax hikes for pubs in England, after weeks of protest from her colleagues and the hospitality industry.Government sources said on Thursday the chancellor was finalising a support package for the struggling industry that would include reductions to business rates for pubs, which had been facing a 76% rise on average over the next three years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kristi Noem doubles down on claim ICE agent killed woman in self-defense 08. January 2026 (20:32) DHS secretary’s claims have been widely disputed with video of shooting showing vehicle turning away from agentUS politics live – latest updatesKristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, has doubled down on her claim that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis was acting in self-defense and responding to an “act of domestic terrorism”.Noem also said that she was “not opposed” to sending additional federal agents to Minneapolis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two oil tankers under US sanctions sailing through Channel towards Russia 08. January 2026 (20:27) Aria and Tia both south of Britain after US-UK seizure of Marinera, deemed to be part of Moscow’s ‘shadow fleet’Two oil tankers under US sanctions are sailing east through the Channel towards Russia, prompting speculation over whether the US and UK would be willing to seize further vessels linked to Moscow.The Aria and the Tia, which has changed its name and country of registration several times, were both travelling south of Britain a day after the Marinera oil tanker was captured in the Atlantic by the US with UK help. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Bowie’s childhood home to open to public after 1960s restoration 08. January 2026 (20:00) South London house to feature never-before-seen archival items and creative workshops for young peopleOn the evening of 6 July 1972, thousands of young people across the UK had their lives changed when the sight of David Bowie performing Starman on Top of the Pops was beamed into their living rooms. Come the end of 2027, Bowie fans will be able to walk the very floorboards where the young David Jones grew up, when his childhood home in south London, is opened to the public for the first time.Ahead of the 10th anniversary of Bowie’s death this weekend (he would have turned 79 on Thursday), the Heritage of London Trust has announced that it has acquired the two-up, two-down house at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, where Bowie lived from 1955 to 1968. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Gifted learner dogs’ can learn words by eavesdropping, study says 08. January 2026 (20:00) Certain canines can learn using cues from people’s gaze, gestures, attention and voices, researchers findWhether it is a piece of food or a four-letter expletive, words can be learned by young children overhearing adults – but now researchers have found certain dogs can do something similar.Scientists have discovered canines with the unusual ability to learn the names of myriad objects can pick up such labels by eavesdropping on conversations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour’s swift pubs U-turn shows government learning – and repeating Treasury mistakes 08. January 2026 (19:17) Revolt among MPs was resolved quickly, yet it echoes pattern of making decisions without proper consultationLabour to announce pub business rates U-turn after industry outcryPolitical U-turns come in various forms, and as news of the latest government reversal drifted out, this one connected to the plight of the pub trade, Labour MPs could take comfort in one thing: at least it happened quickly.While last summer’s change of stance on benefit reforms was forced on Downing Street by open rebellion, and those for pensioners’ winter fuel payments and inheritance tax for farmers followed months of dissent, the decision to revisit decisions on business rates took a matter of weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Google and AI startup to settle lawsuits alleging chatbots led to teen suicide 08. January 2026 (19:14) Lawsuit accuses AI chatbots of harming minors and includes case of Sewell Setzer III, who killed himself in 2024Google and Character.AI, a startup, have settled lawsuits filed by families accusing artificial intelligence chatbots of harming minors, including contributing to a Florida teenager’s suicide, according to court filings on Wednesday.The settlements cover lawsuits filed in Florida, Colorado, New York and Texas, according to the legal filings, though they still require finalization and court approval. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
