Maduro’s legal team includes acclaimed lawyer who represented Julian Assange 06. January 2026 (10:00) Barry Pollack, a US trial lawyer, will take on the case as the captured Venezuelan president’s private counselWhen Nicolás Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, eventually securing the WikiLeaks founder’s release from prison in the UK in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney protest restrictions extended for 14 days as activist group vows to file legal challenge this week 06. January 2026 (09:45) NSW police commissioner says decision ‘not about stopping free speech’ and points to risk of ‘public safety incident’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales police commissioner has extended restrictions on protests in Sydney for another 14 days, citing ongoing community safety concerns following the alleged Bondi terror attack – although he said no further intelligence had come to light to motivate the move.On Tuesday afternoon, Mal Lanyon, announced he would extend a declaration that no public assemblies can be authorised for Sydney’s CBD, south-west and north-west policing areas “in consideration of the ongoing community safety impacts of further protests in the wake of the Bondi attack”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Next expects profits to top £1.1bn after bumper festive sales 06. January 2026 (09:02) Retailer warns that growth this year will be slower amid continuing pressures on UK employmentBusiness live – latest updatesThe high street retailer Next expects its annual profits to top £1.1bn after it rang up much stronger sales than expected over Christmas – but it has warned that 2026 will be tougher amid “continuing pressures on UK employment”.The clothing and homewares retailer said it was improving annual profit forecasts by £15m, its fourth upgrade in nine months, after UK sales rose by 5.9% in the nine weeks to 27 December, far stronger than the 4.1% expected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families affected by Manchester Arena attack say MI5 must be more open to scrutiny 06. January 2026 (08:54) In a letter to Keir Starmer, they say MI5 failed them and the Security Service must be included in a law to stop cover-upsFamilies affected by the Manchester Arena bombing have said MI5 failed them and must be more open to scrutiny.In a letter sent to the prime minister seen by the BBC, the families demanded the Security Service be fully included in a new law designed to stop cover-ups in public life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Opposition leader Machado says she hasn’t spoken to Trump since attack as she vows to return to Venezuela – live 06. January 2026 (08:54) María Corina Machado tells Fox News she would share her Nobel peace prize with US president after removal of Nicolás MaduroDeposed Maduro pleads not guilty after capture in shock US attack on VenezuelaUS foes and allies denounce Trump’s ‘crime of aggression’ in Venezuela at UN meetingMy colleague Sibylla Brodzinsky has reported on the relationship between the US and Colombia, home to significant oil reserves. Here is an extract from her story:Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington but relations have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese softens resistance to royal commission into Bondi attack as pressure mounts 06. January 2026 (08:31) Law Council of Australia joins calls from families of victims, business community, sporting identities and some former Labor MPs for inquiryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has softened his resistance to a royal commission into the alleged Bondi terror shooting, opening the door to a national inquiry amid growing pressure, including from victims’ families and some former Labor MPs.While the prime minister insisted his priority was still on immediate steps, including a review of Australia’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies, he said he was speaking with Jewish community leaders to “examine everything else required” to respond to the 14 December attack, which left 15 people dead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guardian Hope appeal raises more than £800,000 for charities tackling division 06. January 2026 (08:00) Appeal – entering its last few days – is fundraising for five charities that promote tolerance and hopeDonate to the Guardian Charity Appeal 2025 hereDonations to the Guardian’s Hope appeal have passed the £800,000 mark as generous readers continue to support inspirational grassroots charities that promote tolerance and tackle division, racism and hatred.The 2025 Guardian appeal is raising funds for five charities: Citizens UK, the Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust and Who is Your Neighbour? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taxpayers miss out on millions after ‘phoenixism’ at UK recruitment firms 06. January 2026 (07:00) Practice where companies are liquidated and reacquired, free of debts, thought to cost taxpayers about £800m a yearInsolvent recruitment businesses shorn of their debts then reacquired from administration by the directors or shareholders that presided over their demise are costing the exchequer tens of millions of pounds in lost taxes, a Guardian analysis suggests.The practice of “phoenixism” – the art of liquidating a company and allowing the directors to rise from the ashes with a new entity, free of debts – is estimated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to have cost taxpayers about £800m a year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Porton Down shake-up harming critical national security science, whistleblower warns 06. January 2026 (07:00) Senior insider says ‘limbo’ at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has hit morale and disrupted vital researchA shake-up of the government’s defence science powerhouse at Porton Down has severely damaged morale and harmed work on critical science that supports national security, a senior whistleblower has told the Guardian.The whistleblower said they were raising concerns in the public interest that the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), based largely at Porton Down in Wiltshire, had been left in a paralysing limbo because of the changes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer prepares for parliamentary battles over imminent EU ‘reset’ bill 06. January 2026 (06:00) Planned legislation could hand ministers significant powers to forge closer regulatory ties with BrusselsKeir Starmer is set to face fresh battles over his EU “reset” with his plans to lay a bill that could lead to closer regulatory ties with Brussels.The legislation aims to introduce an alignment mechanism for the agrifoods and electricity trading deals agreed with EU leaders but still under negotiation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
