Why Germany is racing to rebuild its army 26. January 2026 (04:00) Are the German people on board with the government’s massive militarisation programme? Kate Connolly reports“Not so long ago, to be a German soldier dressed in German uniform was quite a difficult role to embody. I mean, you could be going down the street and you could be spat on, or you could have names called at you.“I’ve recently seen people get into conversation with soldiers, which I hadn’t seen in the past, [and] more recently, somebody going up to a soldier and actually getting him into conversation about his role, and at the end of the conversation, thanking him.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Philippines ferry with 350 on board capsizes leaving 15 dead and dozens missing 26. January 2026 (03:37) Rescuers save at least 300 people after inter-island ferry sank early on Monday en route from the port city of Zamboanga to southern Jolo islandAt least 15 people have died after a ferry with more than 350 people sunk early on Monday near an island in the southern Philippines, according to local officials, with the coast guard warning that 28 people remained missing.The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, was sailing to southern Jolo island in Sulu province from the port city of Zamboanga with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight, coast guard officials said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chris Minns flags further crackdown on protests in central Sydney 26. January 2026 (03:06) ‘We’re going to have to confront this idea that the centre of Sydney can be dominated weekend after weekend,’ NSW premier saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has indicated tough new laws to curtail regular protests in Sydney’s CBD and at major sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.NSW has a system where protest organisers complete a form one, notifying police of a planned protest. Authorised protests provide protection from prosecution for offences such as obstructing pedestrians and traffic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News live: Invasion Day rallies under way around Australia; Sydney beaches close after shark sightings 26. January 2026 (02:59) Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSeveral beaches in Sydney are closed this morning after shark sightings in the water.Lifeguards have evacuated the water at Manly beach, Dee Why beach and Palm beach this morning, all around 9am, after the sightings. The beaches are closed.The search will continue as is in it current intensity for a number of days yet. We will act on all information coming forward. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s top ranking general under investigation for alleged violations amid ongoing purge of leadership 26. January 2026 (02:40) Zhang Youxia, second-in command under president Xi Jinping as chairman of the Central Military Commission, has long been seen as Xi’s closest military allyChina’s most senior general is under investigation, China’s defence ministry has confirmed, in the highest profile case to date in an aggressive anti-graft purge of senior military leadership in recent months.Zhang Youxia serves as second-in-command under president Xi Jinping as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission – the supreme command body – and has long been seen as Xi’s closest military ally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tim Walz urges Trump to remove agents from Minnesota: ‘You can end this’ 26. January 2026 (01:24) Minnesota governor pressures president to end surge of immigration officers in his state before it costs another lifeMinnesota governor Tim Walz appealed to Donald Trump to withdraw federal agents from Minnesota on Sunday, a day after US border patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was monitoring the immigration crackdown.“What’s the plan, Donald Trump?” Walz asked at a news conference. “What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK among 10 countries to build 100GW wind power grid in North Sea 26. January 2026 (01:01) Energy secretary Ed Miliband says clean energy project is part of efforts to leave ‘the fossil fuel rollercoaster’The UK and nine other European countries have agreed to build an offshore wind power grid in the North Sea in a landmark pact to turn the ageing oil basin into a “clean energy reservoir”.The countries will build windfarms at sea that directly connect to multiple nations through high-voltage subsea cables, under plans that are expected to provide 100GW of offshore wind power, or enough electricity capacity to power 143m homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Edinburgh and Glasgow top London as UK’s nightlife hotspots, Uber data shows 26. January 2026 (01:01) Taxi app’s analysis shows Scottish capital had highest number of trips made between 10pm and 4pm in 2025Edinburgh and Glasgow have a busier nightlife than London, according to data on late-night journeys from Uber.The global ride-hailing app analysed millions of trips and takeaway deliveries from the UK’s biggest cities, and found that Edinburgh had the highest proportion of journeys made between 10pm and 4am. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Winter Storm Fern live updates: more than 1 million power outages as snow and ice pummel eastern US 25. January 2026 (23:52) Hazardous conditions expected to continue through Monday in much of the countryUS winter storm leaves seven people dead as more than 1 million lose powerWinter storm Fern is officially operating in full force in the northeastern US. New Yorkers may not be strangers to snow, but these conditions have already proven to be especially severe and dangerous.Yesterday, outreach teams worked to connect with the city’s homeless and provide shelter ahead of the snowstorm. The city has activated a Code Blue, which means anyone who is homeless cannot be denied shelter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel agrees to ‘limited reopening’ of Gaza’s Rafah crossing once operation to locate hostage completed 25. January 2026 (23:40) The opening of the the Rafah crossing with Egypt is a key part of the US brokered ceasefireIsrael said on Sunday its military was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the body of the last hostage in Gaza, adding that it would only reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt after the mission was completed.The statement came as Israel’s cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening the key border crossing, and a day after top US envoys met prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and reportedly urged him to reopen the vital entry point for aid into Gaza. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
