SEC drops lawsuit against Winklevoss twins’ crypto firm 26. January 2026 (19:04) Move comes as the SEC has taken a series of friendly stances towards the cryptocurrency industry under TrumpThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday agreed to dismiss its enforcement case against a cryptocurrency exchange founded by billionaire twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, after investors in its lending program recovered their assets in full.The SEC has taken a series of industry-friendly actions in recent years, a shift in its approach to crypto enforcement under Donald Trump, who promised to be the “crypto president”. He brought in more favorable rules and pledged to popularize mainstream use of digital currencies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK supermarkets push for Amazon soy safeguards after traders abandon ban 26. January 2026 (18:43) European retailers urge traders to adhere to commitments after Brazilian lawmakers wreck forest protection pactLeading British and European retailers are trying to salvage the core elements of the Amazon soy moratorium after the world’s most successful forest protection agreement was wrecked by Brazilian lawmakers and abandoned by international traders.In an open letter, high street brands including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda say the breakdown this month of the 20-year-old agreement will damage consumer confidence unless new arrangements are put in place to ensure grain production is not linked to deforestation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Toronto digs itself out after largest snowfall in city’s history 26. January 2026 (18:40) Some parts of city were buried under nearly 60cm of snow and over 500 flights were cancelled SundayToronto is beginning to dig itself out from the largest snowfall in the city’s history, a process which officials say is likely to take “several days”.Some parts of Canada’s largest city were buried under nearly 60cm (about 23in) of snow and more than 500 flights were cancelled Sunday after Toronto’s main airport was snowed in. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nato chief Rutte: ‘Keep on dreaming’ if you think Europe could defend itself without US – as it happened 26. January 2026 (17:43) Mark Rutte said Europe would need to spend ‘billions and billions of euros’ on defenceThe European Commission got also asked about the regular US criticism that it is “targeting” US big tech companies and that, in doing so, it undermines free speech.Digital spokesperson Regnier replied:“Again, we don’t target any company … based of its origin. Now on your censorship point: I think if anyone dares to compare freedom of expression with child sexual abuse material or freedom of expression with undressing women digitally without their consent, then they are not fully aligned with Europe or absolutely not aligned with Europe. We don’t even live on the same planet. “No comments to be made on this US internal matter. But, of course, we deplore any loss of innocent lives.”“I have said innocent lives, but it’s not for us to judge, innocent or not innocent. Any life lost, we deplore it, in general, and it is, of course, for the justice system in the US to establish the facts.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform says it would cut green policies to fund £2bn income tax cut in Scotland 26. January 2026 (17:36) Party’s pitch to voters in May Holyrood elections dismissed as ‘profoundly unserious, almost comically so’ by analystsUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK would slash what it calls “highly dubious” environmental protection measures to help fund a £2bn cut to income tax in Scotland if it won May’s Holyrood elections, the party has said.Malcolm Offord, the multimillionaire financier who was announced as leader of Reform UK in Scotland 10 days ago, used his first major speech to announce plans to realign the country’s tax system – where higher earners currently pay significantly more – with the rest of the UK and institute a 1p-in-the-pound cut across the board. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Remains of last Israeli held in Gaza after 7 October 2023 returned 26. January 2026 (17:28) Return of police sergeant Ran Gvili’s body should pave way for progress on second phase of Trump ceasefire planThe remains of the Israeli police sergeant Ran Gvili, who was killed fighting Hamas-led militants on 7 October 2023, have been returned to Israel.Militants took Gvili’s body to Gaza to use as a bargaining chip. He was the last of 251 people captured that day still held in the territory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump says his administration is reviewing Alex Pretti shooting 26. January 2026 (17:23) President announces he is sending his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minneapolis as outrage mounts over killingUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump said his administration is reviewing the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a federal officer, and that he will send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota. “Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday. In the same post the president said Congress and the justice department were “looking” at Ilhan Omar, the Democratic Minnesota congresswoman who has been the target of much of Trump’s ire in his recent crackdown on the state. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Georgia leads push to ban datacenters used to power America’s AI boom 26. January 2026 (17:07) Southern state becoming ground zero in fight against rapid growth of facilities using huge amounts of energy and waterLawmakers in several states are exploring passing laws that would put statewide bans in place on building new datacenters as the issue of the power-hungry facilities has moved to the center of economic and environmental concerns in the US.In Georgia a state lawmaker has introduced a bill proposing what could become the first statewide moratorium on new datacenters in America. The bill is one of at least three statewide moratoriums on datacenters introduced in state legislatures in the last week as Maryland and Oklahoma lawmakers are also considering similar measures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
On Labour’s soft left, the question isn’t whether to challenge Starmer, but when 26. January 2026 (17:01) With Andy Burnham out of the picture, timing is key as rebel MPs weigh up other potential party leadersUK politics live – latest updatesA spectre is haunting the most ambitious politicians in Labour – the question of timing. If you hope one day to become prime minister, you could blink and miss your moment.Andy Burnham clearly believed he did not have much time. But now he might have longer than he thought. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two British far-right activists arrested in France 26. January 2026 (16:34) Men in custody for allegedly broadcasting content likely to incite hatred from French coastFrench authorities have arrested two far-right British activists in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.An order had been issued on Friday prohibiting British activists from gathering for a planned “stop the boats” protest nicknamed Operation Overlord in the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais. The order was due to expire at 8am on Monday but was extended for two days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
