Guatemala declares state of emergency after eight police officers killed in prison gang violence 19. January 2026 (13:53) President announces 30-day order after inmates also took 46 people hostage at three prisonsGuatemala’s president has declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency to combat criminal gangs after authorities accused them of killing eight police officers and holding hostages at three prisons.The killings occurred in the capital, Guatemal City, and surrounding areas a day after gang-affiliated inmates took 46 people hostage in the three prisons across the country to demand incarcerated gang leaders be moved to lower-security facilities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scottish health board admits hospital water system linked to fatal infections 19. January 2026 (13:03) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde makes last-minute U-turn in submission to hospitals inquiryScotland’s largest health board has finally admitted that contaminated water at a Glasgow super-hospital caused serious infections in child cancer patients that were linked to four deaths.NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) made the dramatic U-turn in closing submissions to a long-running inquiry that was launched after deaths linked to infections, including that of 10-year-old Milly Main, who died in August 2017 after contracting an infection as she recovered from leukaemia treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I was afraid for my life’: the transgender refugees fleeing Trump’s America 19. January 2026 (13:00) Fear, abuse and eroding rights for trans people have created a hostile environment in the US – can they claim asylum in the Netherlands?The transgender refugees fleeing the US – podcastTer Apel, a small, unassuming Dutch town near the German border, is a place tourists rarely have on their itinerary. There are no lovely old windmills, no cannabis-filled coffee shops and on a recent visit it was far too early for tulip season.When foreigners end up there, it is for one reason: to claim asylum at the Netherlands’ biggest refugee camp, home to 2,000 desperate people from all around the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s ‘one in, one out’ scheme has failed to protect torture survivors, says charity 19. January 2026 (12:56) Medical Justice report finds Home Office approach has led to ‘near total disregard for identified vulnerabilities’The Home Office has been accused of failing to protect survivors of trafficking and torture detained as part of the government’s “one in, one out” scheme.Medical Justice, a charity that sends independent clinicians into immigration detention centres, has surveyed 33 detainees waiting to be returned to France by the Home Office in a new report, the first to assess the welfare of this group of detainees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kremlin says Putin has been invited to join Trump’s Gaza ‘board of peace’ 19. January 2026 (12:12) Putin shows no signs of ending Ukraine war and claim adds weight to accusation Trump favours Russian presidentThe Kremlin has announced that Vladimir Putin has been invited to join Donald Trump’s “board of peace”, set up last week with the intention that it would oversee a ceasefire in Gaza.The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists on Monday that Russia was seeking to “clarify all the nuances” of the offer with Washington, before giving its response. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Remarkable’ UPS driver ran into burning home to save woman, 101 19. January 2026 (12:00) Willy Esquivel was delivering nearby when neighbors asked him to help Ann Edwards, who lives alone in Santa AnaA United Parcel Service driver at work recently charged into a burning home outside Los Angeles and carried a centenarian woman out to safety in what officials called a “remarkable” example of “people looking out for one another in a moment of need”.As his heroics drew attention in online circles dedicated to finding uplifting stories in the media, Willy Esquivel told the Los Angeles news outlet KTLA that he was “just a UPS driver who was in the right place at the right time”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer calls for ‘calm discussion’ on Greenland and plays down chance of retaliatory tariffs on US – UK politics live 19. January 2026 (11:49) PM speaks to reporters amid crisis over the territory and Trump’s tariff threats to those who oppose himBut, Starmer says, the future of Greenland is for a matter for Denmark and Greenland to decide on their own.There is a principle here that cannot be set aside, because it goes to the heart of how stable and trusted international cooperation works.And so any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. That right is fundamental and we support it.On Greenland, the right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies.And let’s be clear, the security of Greenland matters, and it will matter more as climate change reshapes the Arctic, as sea routes open and strategic competition intensifies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain train crash: rescue efforts continue as death toll rises in Córdoba crash – latest updates 19. January 2026 (11:41) At least 39 people killed after high-speed train comes off rails and slams into another serviceKing Felipe of Spain has expressed his “concern about the terrible accident” in which at least 39 people have been killed.Speaking from Greece, the monarch was quoted as having told the media:We have been in contact with Sánchez and Juanma Moreno to learn the details. As soon as we finish, we will return as soon as possible. I understand the anguish of the families of the victims and the injured. We know that many residents of Adamuz assisted the victims immediately, and we express our gratitude to them for that. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director 19. January 2026 (11:34) Clare Binns says three-hour runtimes deter audiences as she is named Bafta recipient for outstanding British contribution to cinemaDirectors should make shorter films if they want their work screened in cinemas, the head of one of the UK’s leading cinema and distribution companies has said.Clare Binns, the creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, made the comments after being named the recipient of this year’s Bafta award for outstanding British contribution to cinema, amid concern over steadily lengthening film runtimes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer rules out retaliatory tariffs against US 19. January 2026 (11:30) PM says US tariffs are in no one’s interests – and Greenland row should be resolved through ‘calm discussion’ UK politics live – latest updatesEurope live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has ruled out imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States, saying they would be the “wrong thing to do”, after Donald Trump threatened them against Nato allies to try to secure Greenland.The prime minister said US tariffs would damage the British economy and were “in no one’s interests”. The UK would instead prefer to address the issue through “calm discussion” between allies, he added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
