‘A warning not an insult’: US doubles down on criticism of Europe 05. January 2026 (20:35) Forecast of Europe’s ‘civilisational erasure’ was part of call for pro-growth reform, says Trump officialDonald Trump’s administration has doubled down on its recent criticism of Europe, saying last month’s US national security strategy was an attempt to “jolt” an ally back to economic life.The document was widely condemned in Europe as representing a seismic shift in the 70-year transatlantic alliance with its dark references to a purported threat of “civilisational erasure” with migration and censorship creating “strife”, “cratering birthrates” and “loss of national identities”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran to try risky economic concessions as it attempts to quell protesters’ anger 05. January 2026 (20:20) President wants to placate demonstrators calling for political change, action on corruption and help with cost of livingThe Iranian government is attempting risky economic concessions as it tries to meet the escalating demands of protesters seeking fundamental political change, a clampdown on corruption and an easing of the squeeze on living standards of the poor.Now entering their ninth day, the protests have spread to 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces, with a US-based human rights group claiming that the death toll has passed 20 and nearly 1,000 people have been arrested. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US foes and allies denounce Trump’s ‘crime of aggression’ in Venezuela at UN meeting 05. January 2026 (19:57) US ambassador defends attack as ‘law enforcement’ action against an ‘illegitimate’ leader, not an act of warThe ‘Putinization’ of US foreign policy has arrived in VenezuelaThe US has faced widespread condemnation for a “crime of aggression” in Venezuela at an emergency meeting of the United Nations security council.Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Eritrea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Spain were among countries that on Monday denounced Donald Trump’s decision to launch deadly strikes on Venezuela and snatch its leader, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to stand trial in the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk’s Grok AI is used to digitally undress images of women and children 05. January 2026 (19:45) The degrading pictures are being posted to X despite the platform pledging to suspend people who generate themDegrading images of children and women with their clothes digitally removed by Grok AI continue to be shared on Elon Musk’s X, despite the platform’s commitment to suspend users who generate them.After days of concern over use of the chatbot to alter photographs to create sexualised pictures of real women and children stripped to their underwear without their consent, the UK’s communication’s watchdog, Ofcom, said on Monday that it had made “urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK”. Ofcom added that it would assess whether an investigation is necessary based on the company’s response. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestine’s ambassador to UK hails embassy as ‘proof our identity cannot be denied’ 05. January 2026 (19:39) Husam Zomlot says inauguration of mission in London marks change of direction for Palestinian stateThe Palestinian ambassador to the UK has said the inauguration of the state’s embassy in London is “proof that our identity cannot be denied”.Husam Zomlot hailed the upgrading of Palestine’s mission in Hammersmith, west London, as “historic” and “monumental”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy names Canada’s ex-finance minister as economic adviser in Ukraine 05. January 2026 (19:21) Chrystia Freeland takes on new role amid government shakeup in Kyiv as Ukrainian president replaces key figuresUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named Canada’s former finance minister Chrystia Freeland as an adviser on economic development, a move he says will help strengthen the “internal resilience” of the war-torn nation.“Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations,” he wrote on social media. “Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilience – both for the sake of Ukraine’s recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defence if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk 05. January 2026 (19:18) Owner Modella starts insolvency proceedings for both chains, saying trading is ‘extremely challenging’The retailers Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of administration, putting 2,550 jobs at risk.Both chains are owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, which recently bought the high street arm of WH Smith – renamed TG Jones. Modella said in a statement that the climate on UK high streets was “extremely challenging” and data suggested “an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Colombian president says ‘I will take up arms again’ if US invades 05. January 2026 (19:11) Gustavo Petro makes remark after Trump threatens military action similar to Venezuela ‘Naked imperialism’: how Trump intervention in Venezuela is a return to form for the USDonald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, saying the South American country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shortage of NHS stroke specialists resulting in thousands dead or disabled, say doctors 05. January 2026 (19:00) Exclusive: Lack of consultants in UK health service means patients do not get drugs or surgery in time, say senior medicsThousands of people who have had a stroke are ending up severely disabled or dying because the NHS has too few specialists to treat them quickly enough, senior doctors are warning.A chronic shortage of stroke consultants across the NHS means that patients are suffering horrendous consequences because of delays in getting clot-busting drugs and surgery, they said.70% of stroke units are short of at least one consultant in stroke care, and many are two down.53 of 84 hospitals that responded had vacancies for a total of 96 consultants.The NHS relies heavily on locum doctors to fill holes in the workforce caused by the difficulty in recruiting new consultants.10% of the NHS’s 423 substantive (permanent) consultants are due to retire in the next five years, exacerbating the existing shortage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy forces out Ukrainian spy chief who led daring raids against Russia 05. January 2026 (19:00) Vasyl Malyuk reportedly unwilling to leave post as head of the Security Service but will now lead special operationsThe spy chief who led Ukraine’s most audacious behind-the-lines operations in its war with Russia has been forced to resign by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Vasyl Malyuk, who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine last year, reportedly fought to stay in post as head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) but relented on Monday at a meeting with the president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
