The Guardian

The prime minister has said he will ‘raise the issues that need to be raised’ on human rights in talks with Xi Jinping tomorrowKeir Starmer has arrived in China on the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years, PA Media reports. PA says:A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping’s record on human rights mean Starmer’s visit is politically sensitive.Labour believe the answer is more state

The prime minister may also discuss the fate of the Uyghurs with the Chinese leader‘Very low bar’: analysts say Starmer faces slim pickings in ChinaKeir Starmer has said he will “raise the issues that need to be raised” on human rights with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, as he arrived in Beijing for the first trip to the country by a UK leader in eight years.The prime minister has come under pressure from rights groups to try to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, the jailed former media tycoon and one of Hong Kong’s most significant pro-democracy voices. Continue reading... Source

Queensland MP to challenge for the leadership next week, in move colleagues say is unlikely to succeedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Nationals MP Colin Boyce will challenge David Littleproud for the leadership after declaring the party was “committing political suicide” by ending the Coalition.The Flynn MP said he would move a motion to spill the Nationals leadership at a party room meeting on Monday, and would stand as a contender. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/28/colin-boyce-nationals-leadership-challenge-littleproud Author : Dan Jervis-Bardy, Krishani Dhanji and Josh Butler Publish

Three boys in Texas die after falling into icy pond, while outages mean many in US south still without power A colossal winter storm was responsible for more than 40 deaths as it brought more snow to the north-east and maintained icy conditions in the south, leaving many across the US without electricity.The deaths were registered in more than a dozen states afflicted by severe cold, according to reports. There were still about 550,000 power outages in the nation on Tuesday morning, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the outages were in the south, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused

Report emerges as Trump signals he may reduce the surge of ICE and other federal agents in the stateAs federal immigration crackdowns in Minnesota have continued on Tuesday, an initial report to Congress from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtained by various news outlets indicates that two officers fired their guns at Alex Pretti during his fatal shooting.The report emerged as Donald Trump signals he may begin reducing the surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents in the state. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/27/minnesota-ice-raids-alex-pretti-killing-dhs-report Author : Maya Yang and Shrai Popat in Minneapolis Publish

Liberal senator claims there has been a ‘mutation of Islam’ in Australia. Follow today’s news liveMinns says further protest changes will reduce ‘unnecessary burden’ of CBD protestsThe NSW premier, Chris Minns, says further anti-protest legislation will reduce the “unnecessary burden” on policing for CBD protests, in addition to controversial laws restricting protests following terrorist attacks rushed through parliament following the Bondi massacre.We’re looking to change aspects of the law that we think are just putting an unnecessary burden on safety and security in a big city like Sydney, and I understand and I accept and I think it’s important to

First of two 1,600-tonne boring machines drilling the 4.5 miles from Old Oak Common station switched on in LondonMinisters have pledged that a redeveloped Euston HS2 station will be big enough to “serve the nation” as tunnelling began for the last miles of high-speed railway into central London.Excavating the 4.5-mile tunnels from Old Oak Common in west London is expected to take between 12 and 18 months – although details of the terminus, and how it will be funded, are yet to be revealed. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/27/ministers-euston-hs2-tunnelling-begins-london Author : Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent Publish date : 2026-01-27

United Parcel Service adds to 2025 job reductions as delivery giant slashes low-profit Amazon deliveriesUnited Parcel Service on Tuesday said it would cut up to 30,000 operational roles in 2026, adding to last year’s job reductions as the delivery giant looks to accelerate a turnaround fueled by a pivot to higher-margin shipments.The company also beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly results in the all-important holiday period and forecast a surprise rise in annual revenue. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/27/ups-job-cuts-layoffs Author : Reuters Publish date : 2026-01-27 16:11:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Burnham was responding to a post on social media that reported claims from ‘sources close to PM’As Dave Burke reports for the Daily Mirror, the Reform UK MP Lee Anderson posted a picture on social media of himself and activists campaigning in the Gorton and Denton byelection – standing outside a hotel that is actually in Angela Rayner’s neigbouring Ashton-under-Lyne constituency. Rayner told the paper: “Farage’s Reform can’t even find the Gorton and Denton constituency on a map. Perhaps it’s because they’re too busy filling their party full of former Tories who failed the country.”The British Property Federation has said

Trump strikes conciliatory tone with Minnesota governor Tim Walz after pair speak last night as Bovino is reportedly stripped of ‘commander at large’ title What Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, did not say on Monday was more important than what she did.When Leavitt stepped up to the briefing room podium to address the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, she avoided the kind of victim-blaming tirade that has become de rigueur for Donald Trump’s administration. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/jan/27/gregory-bovino-tim-walz-donald-trump-minnesota-minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-us-politics-live-news Author : Vivian Ho Publish date : 2026-01-27 11:18:00 Copyright for syndicated content

Wide-ranging deal will cut tariffs to zero over seven years as Modi hails ‘largest free trade agreement’ in India’s historyGermany has rushed to welcome the deal, saying it could support growth at a time of increasingly challenging ties with other major economies, AFP reported.“This agreement creates new opportunities for growth and good jobs – in Europe and India alike – while deepening the strategic partnership with the world’s largest democracy,” said Lars Klingbeil, Germany’s finance minister.“For example, tariffs on cars will gradually go down from 110% to 10% with a quota of 250,000 vehicles a year. High tariffs of up

Exclusive: Campaigners say ‘menacing vehicles’ are putting children at risk owing to their large front blind zonesThe number of US-style pickup trucks on UK roads has almost doubled in the past 10 years, data shows.The vehicles are more environmentally damaging than ordinary cars, and more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Campaigners have said the extra-large vehicles, which are often too big for UK streets and parking spaces, are built like “battering rams”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/us-style-pickup-trucks-uk-roads-up-data-shows Author : Helena Horton Environment reporter Publish date : 2026-01-27 06:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

US president says tariffs on automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals will rise to 25%, accusing Seoul of not living up to a trade deal struck last yearDonald Trump has said he is raising tariffs on South Korean goods including automobiles, lumber and pharmaceuticals, accusing the country of not living up to a trade deal struck last year and briefly sending shares in Korean carmakers tumbling.In a post on social media, the US president said the tariffs paid on South Korean exports into America would rise from 15% to 25% because the “Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is

Author says pace of change in GCSE English literature texts is too slow and tide is turning against inclusionThe Booker prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo has called for renewed efforts to diversify the school curriculum in England, warning that young people are growing up in a society where “doors are closing” and the tide is turning against inclusion.There has been progress in the diversity of texts on offer in the GCSE English literature curriculum, but uptake in schools is still low with just 1.9% of GCSE pupils in England studying books by authors of colour, up from 0.7% five years ago,

Extreme fire weather expected to fuel blazes and pose threat to communities near Great Ocean Road. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria to open nation’s first offshore wind auction this yearAustralia’s first offshore wind auction is set to kick off this year, with the Victorian Government announcing it would invite tenders for 2 gigawatts of capacity in August.We want to give industry the certainty it needs to invest and help us keep building the renewable energy Victoria needs to push down energy bills. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jan/27/australia-news-live-out-of-control-victorian-bushfire-threatens-towns-as-intense-heatwave-moves-east Author : Nick

US president and Minnesota governor hold phone call as White House says CBP ‘won’t be needed’ if Walz and Grey comply with anti-immigration measuresAs more and more Republicans call for an investigation of Alex Pretti’s killing, it’s worth remembering that Donald Trump’s call for heavy-handed immigration enforcement appeared to have already rankled a portion of his base.A Politico poll that surveyed some 2000 adults between 16 and 19 January found that 49% of Americans believed Trump’s campaign was “too aggressive”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/jan/26/minnesota-minneapolis-ice-protests-alex-pretti-donald-trump-us-politics-live-news-updates Author : Victoria Bekiempis (now); Lucy Campbell and Yohannes Lowe (earlier) Publish date :

Ex-Fifa boss shows support for boycott callsSecurity concerns over tournament have risenFormer Fifa president Sepp Blatter on Monday suggested he supports fans boycotting World Cup matches in the United States this year due to security concerns.Blatter gave his support to comments from Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who worked with Fifa on potential reforms when Blatter was president, saying fans should stay away from the US for the tournament. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/26/sepp-blatter-suggests-fans-should-not-travel-to-us-for-world-cup Author : Agencies Publish date : 2026-01-26 17:09:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Plane crashed at airport in Bangor, which had undergone steady snowfall, along with many other parts of the USUS gripped by severe winter storm – latest updatesA private aircraft carrying eight people crashed on takeoff on Sunday night at Maine’s Bangor international airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said – as that region and much of the country grappled with a huge winter storm.The Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed at about 7.45pm, and there was no immediate word on the conditions of those aboard. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/26/private-aircraft-crashes-maine-winter-storm Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2026-01-26 14:42:00 Copyright for

Childcare workers push back on Trump administration’s ‘ridiculous’ narrative that programs are riddled with fraudUS families are facing “impossible choices” as the Trump administration pushes to freeze federal funds for childcare and family assistance in five states over claims of potential fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds.Billions of dollars of funding are at risk in Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado, each with state governments run by Democrats. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/26/trump-administration-childcare-funding-freeze Author : Michael Sainato Publish date : 2026-01-26 12:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Ukrainian president’s remarks come as Russia praises trilateral talks but warns against expectations of ‘significant results’The 27 EU countries have given their final approval to fully ban Russian liquefied natural gas imports by 1 January 2027, and Russian pipeline gas by 30 September 2027.The European Council’s press release this morning added that “the ban will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force,” but added:“Existing contracts will have a transition period. This stepwise approach will limit the impact on prices and markets. A full ban will take effect for LNG imports from the beginning of 2027 and

Freelands Foundation will give £100,000 to three projects every year ‘against the backdrop of 15 years of cuts’A new £1.5m awards scheme has been launched to recognise and celebrate visual art education in the UK – with £100,000 being awarded to three organisations a year for the next five years.The Freelands Foundation announced the award on Monday for recent or ongoing projects “demonstrating commitment to progressive art education approaches with demonstrable impact”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/26/new-15m-awards-scheme-launches-to-celebrate-uk-visual-art-education Author : Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent Publish date : 2026-01-26 07:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Residents near Otways fire in Victoria urged to prepare to evacuate, while Ouyen and Mildura forecast to record 49C on TuesdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSouth Australia faced another day of searing heat on Monday, as Victorians prepared for conditions forecast to be the hottest in history and more than 1100 residents told to get ready to evacuate ahead of extreme fire danger.Tuesday could see heat records broken throughout eastern South Australia and Victoria, with maximums expected to be near 50C across inland areas, according to the

‘We’re going to have to confront this idea that the centre of Sydney can be dominated weekend after weekend,’ NSW premier saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has indicated tough new laws to curtail regular protests in Sydney’s CBD and at major sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.NSW has a system where protest organisers complete a form one, notifying police of a planned protest. Authorised protests provide protection from prosecution for offences such as obstructing pedestrians and

Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSeveral beaches in Sydney are closed this morning after shark sightings in the water.Lifeguards have evacuated the water at Manly beach, Dee Why beach and Palm beach this morning, all around 9am, after the sightings. The beaches are closed.The search will continue as is in it current intensity for a number of days yet. We will act on all information coming forward. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jan/26/australia-invasion-day-protest-victoria-bushfire-weather-heatwave-ntwnfb Author : Nick Visser Publish date : 2026-01-25 23:37:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Hazardous conditions expected to continue through Monday in much of the countryWinter storm Fern is officially operating in full force in the northeastern US. New Yorkers may not be strangers to snow, but these conditions have already proven to be especially severe and dangerous.Yesterday, outreach teams worked to connect with the city’s homeless and provide shelter ahead of the snowstorm. The city has activated a Code Blue, which means anyone who is homeless cannot be denied shelter. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/jan/25/winter-snow-storm-weather-latest-updates Author : Marina Dunbar Publish date : 2026-01-25 21:08:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked