NHS England urged to introduce external second opinion when dismissing staff 04. January 2026 (13:00) Narinder Kapur proposes ‘Amin’s rule’ named after Amin Abdullah who killed himself after losing his jobNHS England is being urged to introduce an independent second opinion whenever it decides to dismiss a healthcare professional, in memory of a nurse who set himself on fire after being unfairly dismissed from his job.Dr Narinder Kapur, an NHS whistleblower, is proposing “Amin’s rule”, named after Amin Abdullah, who killed himself in 2016, to plug a gap he says exists when it comes to staff wellbeing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US attack on Venezuela raises fears of future Greenland takeover 04. January 2026 (12:49) Danish ambassador posts ‘friendly reminder’ about defence ties after provocative Maga post over territoryVenezuelan president jailed in New York – live updatesThe US bombardment of Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro, have renewed fears of an American takeover of Greenland, as members of Donald Trump’s Maga movement gleefully set their sights on the Danish territory after the attack in South America.Just hours after the US military operation in Venezuela, the rightwing podcaster Katie Miller – the wife of Stephen Miller, Donald Trump’s powerful deputy chief of staff for policy – posted on X a map of Greenland draped in the stars and stripes with the caption: “SOON.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgian PM’s cat Maximus is social media star with ‘subliminal political message’ 04. January 2026 (12:44) Maximus Textoris Pulcher, an official resident at Rue de la Loi 16, shows a warmer side of Bart De Wever For nearly 15 years, Britain’s Larry the Cat has charmed visitors to 10 Downing Street. Now another prime ministerial pet is proving a social media hit in Belgium.Maximus Textoris Pulcher was announced in August as an official resident at the Belgian prime minister’s office, Rue de la Loi 16 in central Brussels. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How Trump circumventing Congress is different from previous presidents 04. January 2026 (12:00) The disdain as to why information on the Maduro raid was withheld even from senior lawmakers is unmistakableNothing speaks more eloquently of the disempowering of the US Congress under Donald Trump’s second presidency than the brazenly audacious arrest of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia.Far from recognizing it, Trump did not even acknowledge Congress’s right to know – keeping senior members in the dark until the operation to seize the strongman was under way. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spycops sent thousands of surveillance reports to MI5, inquiry documents reveal 04. January 2026 (11:00) Security Service was able to compile detailed files on members of legitimate protest groups infiltrated by undercover police officersThousands of surveillance reports compiled by undercover police officers who spied on political campaigners were routinely passed to MI5, documents obtained by the spycops inquiry have revealed.Police sent undercover officers on long-term deployments to infiltrate mainly leftwing protest groups and gather enormous quantities of information about their political and personal activities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leading UK far-right activist spoke at Russian extreme nationalist event 04. January 2026 (11:00) Exclusive: Patriotic Alternative’s Mark Collett addressed forum along with ideologue described as ‘Putin’s brain’The head of a leading British far-right group spoke at a summit of European extreme nationalist groups convened in Russia by an influential oligarch linked to Vladimir Putin, it can be revealed.The revelation has led to renewed concern among MPs over the Kremlin’s links to extremist groups and its attempts to disrupt democracy and sow societal divisions in the UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Once whispered, now discussed’: the rise of dubious claims of civil war in the UK 04. January 2026 (11:00) Dystopian warnings once reserved for the far right have found a wider audience – but there are good reasons for scepticismIt is a darkly dystopian vision of Britain’s future, in which tens of thousands die in a bitter civil war in just a few years time.Yet such forecasts are no longer limited to niche corners of the internet or the X feed of Elon Musk, condemned by Downing Street for claiming that war in Britain was inevitable after the post-Southport rioting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It has hit us very hard’: grief grips Crans-Montana as police identify more victims 04. January 2026 (10:51) The community spirit of the close-knit Swiss resort where at least 40 people died in a fire is strong even as inhabitants say they feel crushed by the tragedy Mourners have continued to bring flowers and light candles to a makeshift memorial in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana to commemorate those who lost their lives when a blaze ripped through a packed bar popular with young people celebrating the new year, killing at least 40.“We came to light a candle,” said Sisi Boisard, a regular visitor to Crans-Montana from France for the last 20 years. “We have five children and can’t begin to imagine what these families are going through. This is a tragedy that has cut profoundly, but not just here – it’s being felt across the world.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guardian readers raise £750,000 for charities uniting divided communities 04. January 2026 (09:00) Hope appeal supports causes battling backdrop of extremist violence, anti-migrant rhetoric and racismDonate to the charity appeal hereThe Guardian’s Hope appeal has so far raised over £750,000, with generous readers digging deep to support inspirational grassroots charities that bring together divided communities, promote tolerance, and tackle 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)
‘It has become difficult to live’: Hungarian writers bemoan country’s hostile environment 04. January 2026 (09:00) Nobel prize for László Krasznahorkai provides a rare glimpse of unity in a nation divided on party linesGyula, a tranquil and picturesque town in the east of Hungary, is best known for its sausages. It has no direct rail connection to Budapest, but it does have a library and a castle. Soon, it will also have an official copy of a Nobel medal.“Congratulations to László Krasznahorkai, the first Nobel winner from Gyula,” proclaim billboards in the town, paying tribute to the 71-year-old writer who won this year’s Nobel prize in literature for “his compelling and visionary oeuvre.”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
