2026.01.18

[lsanderson]

Revolutionary imaging of black hole aims to prove they are not ‘evil vacuum cleaners’
Newly appointed Cambridge professor says feat would accelerate scientific knowledge by an order of magnitude
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/18/astronomers-revolutionary-moving-image-black-hole-cambridge-science

Dublin Bay’s oyster graveyard rises from dead in effort to restore rich ecosystem
Pioneering scheme hopes species that thrived for thousands of years in Irish waters can do so again
Rory Carroll in Dublin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/dublin-bay-oyster-reefs-restoration

AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage
Cory Doctorow
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/18/tech-ai-bubble-burst-reverse-centaur

Man accused of aiming laser at Trump helicopter acquitted in 35 minutes
Swift verdict of not guilty in case of Jacob Winkler another high-profile defeat for Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for DC
Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/17/laser-beam-trump-jeanine-pirro

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: this glorious grossout comedy is Game of Thrones at its best
My jaw was left agape by this rich, moving spinoff. Its two lead characters have the making of a classic comic double act
Rhik Samadder
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jan/17/a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-hbo-game-of-thrones-spin-off-got

Growing sense of embarrassment at Fifa over Donald Trump peace prize
Mid-level and senior officials uncomfortable with award
Fifa says it still ‘strongly’ supports the peace prize
Exclusive by Osasu Obayiuwana in Rabat
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/18/embarrassment-fifa-donald-trump-peace-prize

JD Vance: ‘despicable toady for Trump’ – and 2028 candidate in all but name
Vice-president has emerged as key defender of Maga flame – and is backed by big tech billions. Is this the heir apparent?
David Smith in Concord, North Carolina and Nick Robins-Early in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/18/jd-vance-profile-trump-presidency

Eight people killed in avalanches in Austrian Alps as rescuers urge skiers to heed warnings
Three Czech skiers swept away in Murtal district while five killed in Pongau area near Salzburg
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/eight-people-killed-in-avalanches-in-austrian-alps-as-rescuers-urge-skiers-to-heed-warnings