‘Very historic time’: US protests have jumped since Trump’s first term 19. January 2026 (16:00) Data shows 133% increase from 2017 to 2025 as anti-ICE and No Kings protests push mobilization against White HouseIn the year since Donald Trump retook office, the number of protests in the US outpaced those at the same point in his first administration, according to data from the Crowd Counting Consortium, an open-source project collaboration between Harvard University’s Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut.There were more than 10,700 protests in 2025, a 133% increase from the 4,588 recorded in 2017, the first year of Trump’s first term. According to the data, an overwhelming majority of US counties – including 42% that voted for Trump – have had at least one protest since he was re-inaugurated last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
£50,000 ‘reader-led’ writing prize launched 19. January 2026 (15:50) The award, run by Hachette UK and Libraro, aims to ‘sidestep the traditional barricades of the book industry’ and give readers a role in discovering new talentA new £50,000 writing prize that allows readers to select the shortlist from submitted manuscripts – and rewards them with cash prizes for their involvement – has been launched by the publishing platform Libraro, in partnership with Hachette UK.The Libraro prize aims to “sidestep the traditional barricades of the book industry”, according to organisers. Writers upload full manuscripts to the Libraro platform, where readers champion their favourite entries to create a shortlist of six books. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kurdish-led forces report clashes with Syrian army at prison holding IS inmates 19. January 2026 (15:46) Syrian Democratic Forces warns of serious security repercussions that could open door to ‘chaos and terrorism’The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has said it is fighting Syrian government forces near a prison holding Islamic State detainees on the outskirts of Raqqa, in what it described as an “extremely dangerous development”.The announcement came less than 24 hours after Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, said it had agreed a ceasefire with the SDF and would move to dismantle the group’s decade-long control of the country’s north-east. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Secrecy around UK military civilian harm ‘risks undermining public confidence’ 19. January 2026 (15:21) Tribunal ruling follows Airwars investigation into Britain’s conduct in bombing campaign against IS in Syria and IraqUK politics live – latest updatesThe British government’s secrecy around how it tracks civilian deaths in UK military campaigns risks undermining public confidence in the process, a tribunal has found.The UK has no published guidelines for how it reviews and assesses allegations that civilians have been killed or injured in an attack, unlike its closest ally, the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Debt collector hired to chase unpaid taxes for the ATO pays zero corporate tax itself 19. January 2026 (15:00) Neither Recoveriescorp nor its parent entity has paid the tax since securing multi-million dollar government contractsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA private debt collector has paid zero corporate tax since securing contracts worth tens of millions of dollars from the Australian Taxation Office to pursue arrears payments, including from welfare recipients.The parent entity of the outsource operator, Recoveriescorp, has recorded large income streams in its two most recent annual accounts, according to Guardian Australia analysis, with revenue surpassing $100m during 2025.Do you know more? Email jonathan.barrett@theguardian.com Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Incoming NT administrator insulted PM and claimed First Nations people ‘main group’ behind crime 19. January 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: David Connolly says he won’t publicly express political opinions after he was announced for a role similar to that of a state governorGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Northern Territory’s incoming administrator levelled a series of insults at Anthony Albanese and claimed First Nations people were “the main group responsible” for crime in the Top End in a 2024 speech, it can be revealed.David Connolly is due to begin his tenure as administrator – King Charles’s representative in the territory, which is the equivalent of a state governor – next month. A former NT Cattlemen’s Association president, Connolly was chosen for the role by the territory’s Country Liberal chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bill Gates charity trust’s holdings in fossil fuel firms rise despite divestment claims 19. January 2026 (15:00) Trust had $254m invested in companies such as Chevron, BP and Shell in 2024, a nine-year record, analysis showsThe Gates Foundation Trust holds hundreds of millions of dollars in fossil fuel extractors despite Bill Gates’ claims of divestment made in 2019.End-of-year filings reveal that in 2024 the trust invested $254m in companies that extract fossil fuels such as Chevron, BP and Shell. This was a nine-year record and up 21% from 2016, Guardian analysis found. Adjusting for inflation, it was the highest amount since 2019. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer: ‘We don’t want a trade war’ – podcast 19. January 2026 (14:19) Keir Starmer has held an emergency press conference in response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland. Pippa and Kiran discuss what the UK prime minister said and how it may be received Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein victims’ advocates express outrage over slow release of files 19. January 2026 (14:00) Deadline mandated by Epstein Files Transparency Act long past, but millions of documents have still not been releasedOne month after the justice department’s congressionally mandated deadline to release all Jeffrey Epstein investigative files went unmet, victims’ advocates are expressing outrage over the department’s failure to comply with federal law.Advocates have also indicated that they are not surprised, describing the justice department’s noncompliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act as yet another example of US officials failing to hold wrongdoers accountable in the ongoing saga. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rightwing influencer with White House ties turns focus to Minnesota 19. January 2026 (14:00) Critics draw ‘direct line’ between content by Nick Sortor and similar figures and violent actions of federal agentsA rightwing influencer, who appeared to admit that he recently drove his truck at protesters in Minneapolis, has for years cooperated with the Trump administration even while he has been repeatedly accused of escalating conflict for video content he pumps out to 1.2 million followers on X.Nick Sortor has received full-throated support of the Trump administration after an October arrest in Portland, and attended an October 2025 White House influencer roundtable on “antifa”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
