Former UK police informer convicted of 38 paedophile offences jailed for life 23. January 2026 (19:58) Sentencing Nick Gratwick, judge described his offences, which included plotting to rape children as young as six, as ‘the stuff of nightmares’A “dangerous” paedophile who had worked as a police informer spying on environmental and animal rights activists has been jailed for life.Nick Gratwick had been found guilty of 38 paedophile offences, including arranging to rape children as young as six in the UK and abroad. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
United Arab Emirates plans to bankroll first ‘planned community’ in south Gaza 23. January 2026 (19:54) Exclusive: Blueprints describe a ‘case study’ community where residents submit biometric data to gain entryThe United Arab Emirates plans to fund “Gaza’s first planned community” on the ruined outskirts of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. Palestinian residents there will have access to basic services like education, healthcare and running water, as long as they submit to biometric data collection and security vetting, according to planning documents and people familiar with the latest round of talks at the US-led Civil Military Coordination Center in Israel.The planned city would mark the UAE’s first investment in a post-war reconstruction project located in the part of Gaza currently held by Israel. The wealthy Gulf state has contributed more than $1.8bn of humanitarian assistance to Gaza since 7 October 2023, according to UAE state media, making it Gaza’s largest humanitarian donor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage’s trip to Davos hosted and paid for by family trust of billionaire 23. January 2026 (19:39) Trust says Reform UK leader was invited to WEF event by London-based venture capitalist as an honorary adviserNigel Farage’s trip to Davos this week was hosted and paid for by the $10bn family trust of an Iranian-born billionaire, the Guardian has learned.The leader of Reform UK has been touring Davos this week, giving speeches in which he pledged to tax banks and “fight the globalists”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish prosecutors drop sexual assault complaint against Julio Iglesias 23. January 2026 (19:20) Court says alleged abuse and trafficking offences occurred outside Spain, leaving it without jurisdictionSpanish prosecutors have shelved a complaint brought by two women who have accused the singer Julio Iglesias of sexual assault and human trafficking, arguing the country’s courts have no jurisdiction as the alleged offences took place outside Spain.Two female former employees who worked at Iglesias’s Caribbean mansions 10 days ago accused the veteran entertainer of sexual assault, saying they had been subjected “to inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation … in an atmosphere of control and constant harassment”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French authorities ban British far-right activists from gathering at weekend 23. January 2026 (19:19) Nord and Pas-de-Calais prefecture aims to stop anti-migrant groups travelling for ‘Operation Overlord’ protestFrench authorities have announced a sweeping ban on British far-right activists planning to take part in a “stop the boats” protest against asylum seekers hoping to cross the Channel to the UK.Friday’s announcement by the prefecture in northern France goes further than a previous ban by the French interior ministry on 10 unnamed far-right activists associated with the organisation Raise the Colours for “having carried out actions on French soil”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Island of peace’: Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin to close – but live on as TV series 23. January 2026 (18:04) Kanaan, a symbol of dining across religious and political divides, will shut its doors ‘probably in March’, say ownersAn Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin conceived as an “island of peace” will close in the spring, but its Jewish and Arab owners say their dream will live on in a television series based on their unlikely partnership.Kanaan, a decade-old casual eatery in the Prenzlauer Berg district of the German capital, gained an international profile for its message of “unity over hate” after the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas and the outbreak of the Gaza war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Billionaire gambler Tony Bloom denies owing millions to former colleague 23. January 2026 (17:41) Brighton & Hove Albion football club owner confirms placing bets through accounts of Reform UK adviser George Cottrell, according to legal documentsThe billionaire owner of Brighton & Hove Albion football club has confirmed his syndicate placed millions of pounds worth of bets through the gambling accounts of the Reform UK adviser George Cottrell.The admission comes in a document filed to the high court by Tony Bloom, who also admits that he, Cottrell and a former employee, Ryan Dudfield, had an agreement under which winnings were due to be split between them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pentagon contractor indicted over alleged leak tied to raided Washington Post reporter 23. January 2026 (17:24) Worker illegally provided classified information ‘related to national defense’ to journalist, justice department saysA federal grand jury in Maryland has indicted a Pentagon contractor whose alleged leaking of classified documents sparked an “outrageous” FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.According to the justice department, Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones illegally provided sensitive and secret information “related to national defense” to a reporter who it says then wrote and published at least five articles using it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We need to fight’: Trump Greenland threat brings sense of unity in Denmark 23. January 2026 (17:22) The US president has galvanised the Danish population against him, while Danes’ relations with Greenlanders are ‘under reparation’For the last three weeks, 24 hours a day, Denmark has been consumed by discussions about whether or not Greenland, a largely self-governing part of the Danish kingdom, will be invaded by the US, the Danes’ closest ally.“We got a wake-up call,” said Linea Obbekjær, 64, as she left a supermarket with her bike in Copenhagen’s sprawling Østerbro neighbourhood. “So we are thinking about what is important to us.” Many had been spurred by recent events to take action. “People want to do something,” said Obbekjær. “Not sit and look at the television, but go out and do something.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Monster winter storm threatens half of US with 13 states declaring emergencies 23. January 2026 (17:06) Snow, sleet and freezing temperatures are forecast for the south, midwest and east coast over the weekendThe dangerous monster storm threatening half of the US was bearing down on Friday with 13 states already declaring emergencies and areas typically unused to prolonged Arctic temperatures bracing for power failures and supply shortages.At least 230 million people are likely to be affected by the huge winter weather system as it forms in parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains and surges across southern and midwestern areas from Friday, blowing up the east coast on Saturday and as far north as Maine by Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
