Alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi extradited to China after Cambodia arrest 08. January 2026 (04:01) Chen founded the Prince Group, a multinational conglomerate authorities allege served as a front for ‘one of Asia’s largest transnational criminal organisations’Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi, who was indicted by the US on fraud and money-laundering charges for running a multibillion-dollar online scam network from Cambodia, has been arrested there and extradited to China, Phnom Penh said.Chen allegedly directed operations of forced labour compounds across Cambodia, where trafficked workers were held in prison-like facilities surrounded by high walls and barbed wire, according to US prosecutors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Out with the Yanks!’: Thousands protest in Colombia as anger builds over Trump’s intervention in Venezuela 08. January 2026 (03:06) President Gustavo Petro called for demonstrations after Trump said he was interested in military action in ColombiaThousands of protesters have taken to the streets of cities across Colombia to decry Donald Trump’s threats to expand his military campaign in South America into their territory, after last weekend’s deadly attack on Venezuela.In Cúcuta, a city on Colombia’s eastern border with Venezuela, several hundred demonstrators marched towards its 19th century cathedral waving the country’s yellow, blue and red flag and shouting: “Fuera los yanquis!” (“Out with the Yanks!”) Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW police shoot man dead after mental health check turns into six-hour siege 08. January 2026 (02:42) Police say 49-year-old man in Springfield on Central Coast tried to stab an officer before being shotFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 49-year-old man has been shot and killed by police on the New South Wales Central Coast after a welfare check turned into a protracted standoff on Wednesday evening.Officers attended a home in Springfield just after 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by a mental health clinician, and attempted to speak to a man after concerns were raised about his welfare. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Third Labor MP breaks ranks to urge Albanese to call royal commission into Bondi attack 08. January 2026 (02:37) Michelle Ananda-Rajah ‘wholeheartedly’ calls for national inquiry as expectations grow prime minister will relent on previous position Anthony Albanese faces growing pressure inside his own ranks to confirm a royal commission after the alleged Bondi terror attack, with Labor senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah the latest government MP to break cover and back a powerful inquiry into antisemitism.Ananda-Rajah, the senator from Victoria, said a royal commission was needed to “flush out the failings” which have allowed antisemitism to fester in Australia. It comes amid growing expectations the Albanese government will relent on its previous position and convene a royal commission – potentially a joint inquiry with the New South Wales state government – as early as Thursday or Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Failure to properly vet officers resulted in serial rapists within Met ranks, review finds 08. January 2026 (01:01) Abandoning checks on staff and officers was ‘a dereliction of the Met’s duty to keep London safe’, says home secretarySerial rapists including David Carrick were left in the ranks of the Metropolitan police because of a failure to carry out necessary vetting on thousands of officers and staff, it has been revealed.An internal review by the force found it had lowered vetting checks into the backgrounds of prospective and existing police officers and staff between 2013 and 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
People who stop taking weight-loss jabs regain weight in under two years, study reveals 08. January 2026 (00:30) Analysis finds those who stopped using medication saw weight return four times faster compared with other weight loss plansPeople who stop taking weight loss jabs regain all the weight originally lost in under two years, significantly faster than those on any other weight loss plan, according to a landmark study.Weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 agonists, were originally developed as treatment for diabetes and work by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 1 hormone which helps people feel full. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reality TV star Spencer Pratt launches LA mayoral bid on wildfire anniversary 08. January 2026 (00:17) Pratt, who lost home in Palisades fire and has been vocal critic of city leaders, says system is ‘fundamentally broken’ Reality television personality Spencer Pratt is running to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.Pratt announced his campaign on Wednesday at a rally to mark the first anniversary of the deadly Palisades fire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cable news networks scramble to cover fatal Minnesota ICE shooting – with both caution and commentary 08. January 2026 (00:04) Networks brought on former federal and police officials, with varying reactions and responses to Minneapolis killingCable news networks sprung into action on Wednesday to cover the breaking news of a woman killed by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, rushing correspondents to the scene and bringing on former government officials and legal analysts to offer commentary.The three main cable networks’ on-screen graphics framed the incident slightly differently. Fox News referred to it as a “Deadly ICE-involved Shooting”, while CNN said more plainly: “ICE Officer Kills Woman in Minneapolis.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump pulls US out of 66 international bodies, including key UN climate treaty 07. January 2026 (23:59) President’s order suspends support for UNFCCC climate framework, UN population agency and other entitiesThe Trump administration will withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, as the US further retreats from global cooperation.Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending US support for 66 organizations, agencies and commissions following his instructions for his administration to review participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the UN, according to a White House statement on social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family of teenage victim misidentified by police after fatal Yorkshire car crash speak of ‘unimaginable’ ordeal 07. January 2026 (23:43) Joshua Johnson was initially identified by South Yorkshire police as Trevor Wynn after dying in a collision near RotherhamThe family of a teenager who died in a car crash in Yorkshire and was mistakenly identified as another boy by police have spoken of their “unimaginable” ordeal.Joshua Johnson, 18, died following a collision near Rotherham in the early hours of December 13. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
