Great Ormond Street hospital cleaners win racial discrimination appeal 23. January 2026 (17:00) Claim by 80 workers that they were subjected to ‘indirect race discrimination’ by wait for NHS pay terms upheldBlack cleaners at Great Ormond Street hospital were subjected to “indirect race discrimination” by the wait for NHS pay terms and conditions after their services were brought in-house, a tribunal has found.A case against the London children’s hospital brought by 80 cleaners – the majority of whom are from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds – was dismissed by an employment tribunal in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Strong UK pay growth could limit interest rate cuts, Bank policymaker warns 23. January 2026 (17:00) Megan Greene says apparent end to the decline in wage growth could hinder fight against inflationThe Bank of England may not be able to lower interest rates as much as expected this year, due to strong UK pay growth and expected rate cuts in the US, one of its top policymakers has said.Megan Greene, a member of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC), which sets interest rates in the UK, said she was concerned that wages appeared to be growing strongly again this year and this could stop inflation from easing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged cocaine kingpin in custody 23. January 2026 (16:56) Ryan Wedding allegedly ran a drug-trafficking organisation that moved 60 tons of cocaine a year into Los AngelesRyan Wedding, the Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin, has been arrested, US law enforcement officials announced on Friday.Wedding, 44, has been sought by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for his role in overseeing what the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, called the “one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations” in the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minnesotans strike to protest ICE surge in state: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’ 23. January 2026 (16:52) Organizers demand ICE leave state and agency be investigated for constitutional violationsICE protests – live updatesA “no work, no school, no shopping” blackout day of protest was kicked off by community leaders, faith leaders and labor unions on Friday in protest against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surge in the state.The “Day of Truth & Freedom” protest comes in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, the unarmed woman killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scandal-hit Glasgow hospital must publish latest patient safety reviews, says Sarwar 23. January 2026 (16:51) Scottish Labour leader calls for transparency after ‘worst scandal in the history of the Scottish parliament’The Scottish government must publish up-to-date patient safety reviews for every ward at the super-hospital at the heart of the “worst scandal in the history of the Scottish parliament”, Anas Sarwar has said.The Scottish Labour leader was speaking alongside families of children and adults who died after contracting infections while undergoing cancer treatment at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital (QEUH) campus in Glasgow. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As stars wear black at Valentino’s funeral, tributes are dressed in red 23. January 2026 (15:56) Fashion designer’s death has brought the red dress – and his distinctive shade of the colour – back into the spotlight“The red dress,” said Valentino Garavani in 1992, “is always magnificent”.This week, after the announcement of his death at the age of 93, the red dress – and the distinctive shade of red long associated with the designer known simply as Valentino – is back in the spotlight. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain train collision investigators examine rail damage theory 23. January 2026 (15:24) Preliminary report suggests fracture could have existed before high-speed train derailed in AndalusiaExperts investigating the deadly rail collision in southern Spain, which killed 45 people and left dozens more injured, believe the accident may have happened after one of the trains passed over a damaged section of rail.The disaster occurred near the Andalucían town of Adamuz on Sunday, when a high-speed train operated by Iryo, a private company, derailed and collided with an oncoming high-speed train operated by the state rail company, Renfe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The capsicum paradox: new Australian supermarket pricing a ‘massive transparency fail’ for customers 23. January 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Comparison of online ‘per each’ price of 15 fruits and vegetables against price per kilogram found ‘completely arbitrary’ price variationsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSupermarkets are increasingly charging customers for fresh produce by the item, rather than by weight, in a strategy that is leading to “wild volatility” in pricing with some items more than 50% more expensive, new analysis shows.A Sydney-based data analyst who compared the “per each” price online with the actual “per kilo” shelf price of 15 fruits and vegetables at their local Woolworths store found the price variations were “completely arbitrary”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ICE protests: Minnesotans urged not to work or shop in economic blackout over surge of immigration agents – live 23. January 2026 (14:45) Labor unions and progressive organizations have called on workers across the state to stay homeFull report: Economic blackout in Minnesota to protest against ICE: ‘No work, no school, no shoppingMy colleagues Oliver Laughland and Tom Silverstone have spent time in Minnesota, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good.In their latest piece, they travelled to neighbourhoods in Minneapolis, grappling with a surge of federal immigration enforcement, to speak with residents who are fighting to defend their communities from violence and intimidation. They also embed with ICE watch groups, hear from Somali American residents, and witness a swarm of federal agents conduct a sweep in the suburbs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump ‘wrong’ to diminish role of UK troops and Nato in Afghanistan, says No 10 – UK politics live 23. January 2026 (14:35) PM’s spokesperson says ‘president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces’Keir Starmer’s allies have launched a “Stop Andy Burnham” campaign to prevent the Labour mayor from returning to parliament after the resignation of a Manchester MP triggered a byelection, Pippa Crerar, Jessica Elgot and Josh Halliday report in their overnight story.In a good analysis, Jess explains why, if Burnham does decide that he wants to return to the Commons as MP for Gorton and Denton in Manchester, he faces a colossal challenge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
