French footballer Allan Saint-Maximin has left Mexican club Club America by mutual consent, effective February 2026, following racist incidents targeting his children. The winger announced his departure on Instagram, stating his unwavering commitment to protecting his family from discrimination. Club America confirmed the reason and condemned the acts.
Sveriges Television (SVT) has reversed its controversial decision to move the 'Final Qualifier' announcement for Melodifestivalen 2026 to its streaming platform, SVT Play. The announcement will now return to the live television broadcast on SVT1, starting from the second heat, after significant criticism from viewers and participants regarding the initial format change.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has abandoned his bid to challenge Sussan Ley for the leadership of the Liberal Party in Australia. Hastie cited a lack of sufficient support from colleagues after a week of intense speculation, clearing the path for Angus Taylor as a potential challenger.
Irish dance icon Michael Flatley has successfully overturned a legal injunction that sought to block his involvement in 'Lord of the Dance' productions. A Belfast court discharged the temporary order, allowing Flatley to resume full control ahead of the show's 30th-anniversary tour.
Australia has cancelled the visa of British-Israeli social media influencer Sammy Yahood on January 26, 2026. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cited Yahood's social media posts, which included calls to 'ban Islam' and descriptions of it as a 'murderous ideology,' stating that 'spreading hatred is not a good reason to come' to Australia. The decision was made under the new Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026.
Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, a 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service officer, resigned on January 26, 2026, citing strong disagreement with government policies, particularly the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. He labeled the regulations a 'black law' and raised concerns about their potential impact on the academic environment and alleged discrimination against certain communities. The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently suspended him for indiscipline.
French authorities in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais region have implemented a broad ban on British far-right activists, preventing their gathering in Calais to avert public disorder. This follows an earlier ban on 10 individuals linked to anti-migrant actions, including alleged destruction of small boats and harassment of asylum seekers.
Germany has ended its Afghan refugee resettlement program under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, revoking previous commitments for hundreds of Afghans, including local staff and vulnerable individuals, citing security concerns and a shift in migration policy. The decision, announced in December 2025, impacts approximately 640 Afghans awaiting entry from Pakistan.
Over 60 Labour MPs have written to Sir Keir Starmer, advocating for a social media ban for under-16s in the UK, citing concerns over unregulated and addictive platforms. The move comes as the government launches a consultation and a crucial vote looms in the House of Lords on a similar amendment.
A petition signed by over 130,000 people has prompted UK MPs to debate a ban on social media for children under 16. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicates the government is now 'open' to such restrictions, citing concerns over mental health and online harms, and is examining Australia's approach.
President Donald Trump declared that federal funding for states and cities with 'sanctuary city' status would cease after February 1. This move expands on previous efforts to penalize jurisdictions limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, drawing immediate criticism and threats of legal challenges.
London-based British doctor of Indian origin, Dr. Sangram Patil, was detained for over 15 hours at Mumbai airport on January 10, 2026, due to social media posts critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. His detention, based on a Look Out Notice, has sparked concerns over free speech in India.
Argentine President Javier Milei's recent social media insults directed at Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have led Brazil to discontinue its diplomatic representation of Argentina's interests in Venezuela. This decision further strains the already tense relationship between the two South American nations, which had seen Brazil step in to safeguard Argentine affairs in Caracas following earlier diplomatic expulsions.
The Adelaide Festival is facing a significant boycott from numerous writers and academics following its decision to remove Palestinian-Australian academic and author Randa Abdel-Fattah from its Writers' Week program. The festival cited 'cultural sensitivity' concerns in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, a move Abdel-Fattah condemned as 'anti-Palestinian racism and censorship.'
UK ministers are set to U-turn on controversial plans to significantly increase business rates for pubs, following intense pressure from landlords, industry bodies, and cross-party political figures. The original proposals, announced in November, projected an average 76% rise in rates for pubs over three years, sparking fears of widespread closures.
A new national survey in Iceland reveals that 70% of respondents back a ban on social media for children under 16. The findings come amidst ongoing parliamentary discussions and a global trend towards stricter digital regulations for minors.
The inaugural We Are One Festival in Cardiff, scheduled for January 31 and February 1, 2026, at Tramshed, has been abruptly cancelled. Organizers cited an 'investment withdrawal' and unsustainable financial pressures as the reason for the decision, leaving ticket holders to be fully refunded.
France has strongly condemned the U.S. decision to impose visa restrictions on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other European figures. The U.S. cited their alleged involvement in 'content censorship' on social media, while France views the measures as 'intimidation and coercion' undermining European digital sovereignty, particularly concerning the Digital Services Act.
Jared Kushner's Affinity Global Development has pulled out of a planned $500 million luxury development at the former Yugoslav Army headquarters in Belgrade. The withdrawal follows a corruption scandal involving Serbian officials, widespread public protests, and allegations of forged documents to strip the historic site of its protected status.
The Delhi High Court has suspended the life imprisonment sentence of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case, granting him bail pending appeal. The court imposed strict conditions, including a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh, restrictions on approaching the victim, and a mandate to remain in Delhi. Sengar will remain in custody due to a separate 10-year sentence in a related case.
