Snapchat’s parent company settles social media addiction lawsuit before trial 21. January 2026 (14:42) Snap’s chief executive had been due to testify in civil action also involving Meta, TikTok and YouTubeSnapchat’s parent company has settled a civil lawsuit shortly before it was due to start in California, but other large tech companies still face a trial under the case.Snap’s chief executive, Evan Spiegel, had been due to testify in a tech addiction lawsuit which also involves the Instagram owner, Meta; ByteDance’s TikTok; and Alphabet-owned YouTube – which have not settled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer criticises Trump for ‘pressure on me and Britain’ over Greenland 21. January 2026 (14:04) PM also accuses Kemi Badenoch of supporting efforts by Trump to ‘undermine the government’s position’UK politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s criticism of the Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius was explicitly intended to put pressure on the UK to weaken its position on the future of Greenland, Keir Starmer has said.In his most explicit criticism of the US president so far, Starmer used prime minister’s questions to link Trump’s change of stance over a deal he had previously backed with the president’s much-stated intention to annex or buy Greenland. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain’s rail network under scrutiny after second deadly crash in as many days 21. January 2026 (13:47) Trainee driver killed in accident near Barcelona just days after 43 died in collision between two high-speed trainsSpain’s rail network is under scrutiny after a commuter train crashed near Barcelona just days after at least 43 people died and 152 were injured in a collision between two high-speed trains.The second crash in as many days occurred at approximately 9pm on Tuesday when a retaining wall collapsed on to the track near Gelida in the region of Catalonia in north-east Spain, derailing a local train. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French government not in favour of World Cup 2026 boycott over Greenland threats 21. January 2026 (13:40) Minister says there is ‘no desire’ to boycott tournamentBut Coquerel says US should be stripped of World CupThe French government is not in favour of boycotting this year’s World Cup being co-hosted by the United States over Donald Trump’s Greenland threats, France’s sports minister has said.Trump has targeted France among the eight European countries threatened with tariffs for their opposition to his drive to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mass walkout of shadow cabinet is only latest chapter in Nationals’ chaotic decline 21. January 2026 (13:02) Departure of all eight remaining frontbenchers was not sparked by principled policy differences, but by ego, ideology and arroganceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWith so little fanfare that almost nobody noticed, the Nationals senators Bridget McKenzie and Ross Cadell first defied their colleagues on the floor of parliament nearly six months ago.Late one night in September, the pair voted with Pauline Hanson and One Nation on a motion about migration, ignoring the pleas of Coalition colleagues, including Liberal Anne Ruston, not to cross the floor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Who will stand up and oppose it?’: Trump’s relentless campaign of retribution in his second term 21. January 2026 (13:00) From firing lawyers and government officials to pursuing indictments – president has created a culture of vengeanceDuring his first year in the White House, Donald Trump has pursued a campaign of retribution unlike any other president in US history.That Trump would pursue such a campaign is not surprising. Since he launched his first run for president in 2015, Trump has channeled the politics of grievance into political success. Returning to the White House after surviving two impeachments and four different criminal cases against him, Trump has used the might of the federal government to punish those he believes have wronged him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Next buyout saves footwear brand Russell & Bromley but 400 jobs likely to be lost 21. January 2026 (12:50) Retailer buys chain from administration for £3.8m adding to portfolio ranging from FatFace to Made.comNext has rescued the footwear retailer Russell & Bromley out of administration for £3.8m but about 400 jobs are likely to go at 33 shops not included in the deal.The British brand, founded in 1879 in Eastbourne, East Sussex, trades from 36 stores and nine concessions across the UK and Ireland. Next will take on only three stores – in Chelsea, Mayfair and the Bluewater shopping centre – and about 48 store staff, it is understood. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former South Korean PM jailed for 23 years for role in martial law insurrection 21. January 2026 (12:13) Han Duck-soo verdict marks first judicial ruling stemming from ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s 2024 martial law decreeSouth Korea’s former prime minister Han Duck-soo has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in an insurrection stemming from the former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law declaration.The judge, Lee Jin-kwan, ordered Han’s immediate detention. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Netanyahu to join Trump ‘board of peace’ despite previous objections 21. January 2026 (12:06) Israeli prime minister accepts position on US-proposed body with initial remit to oversee Gaza ceasefireIsrael’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Wednesday that he had agreed to join a US-backed “board of peace” proposed by Donald Trump, despite his office having earlier criticised the composition of its executive committee.The body, chaired by the US president, was initially presented as a limited forum of world leaders tasked with overseeing a ceasefire in Gaza. More recently, however, the initiative appears to have expanded well beyond that remit, with the Trump camp extending invitations to dozens of countries and suggesting the board could evolve into a vehicle for brokering conflicts far beyond the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coyote stuns observers by braving rough waters to swim to Alcatraz 21. January 2026 (12:00) Coyote is thought to be the first ever to reach the notorious former prison island off the coast of San Francisco A coyote recently stunned observers by swimming to Alcatraz, braving the treacherous waters surrounding the notorious former prison island off the coast of San Francisco in plain view of a tourist recording video.The coyote in question is thought to be the first ever to reach Alcatraz, now a tourist attraction, in that manner. While it’s uncertain why the animal doggy-paddled there, the consensus is that the creature probably came from San Francisco – about 1.25 miles away – or other islands near Alcatraz where coyotes have been spotted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
