The Latest Breaking News from Ian Johnson

‘Every year I get new pictures’: the fight to preserve the memory of Tiananmen

Amid growing censorship at home under the rule of Xi Jinping, efforts to document the massacre of 4 June, 1989, are intensifying abroad

The Guardian - AU · Jun 3

Ranking College Football’s 10 Greatest Storybook Seasons

These are the Cinderella stories that captured the sport’s imagination.

Sports Illustrated · Jan 19

‘Is this real?’: wife of detained pastor describes anguish as China cracks down on unofficial churches

Church leaders and members detained as government tightens controls on underground Christian gatherings

The Guardian - UK · Dec 23, 2025

Five of the best books to understand modern China

From a poetic memoir of social repression to a study of the lasting impact of the Cultural Revolution – these titles are a good place to start if you want to know more about the country and its people

The Guardian - UK · Apr 18, 2024

Study links some ultra-processed foods – not bread and cereal – to poorer health

Ultra-processed foods usually contain ingredients people would not add when they were cooking at home.

The Independent UK · Nov 13, 2023

Sparks by Ian Johnson review – China’s underground historians

A skilful exploration of the artists, writers and film-makers challenging the country’s official account of its recent past

The Guardian - UK · Nov 1, 2023

'Sparks' author Ian Johnson on Chinese 'challenging the party's monopoly on history'

Xi Jinping and China's ruling Communist Party have displayed a dogged obsession with controlling the historical narrative. But there's a group of underground historians fighting back.

WEKU · Sep 29, 2023

Stag-do bookings to Amsterdam triple after city told Brits to 'stay away'

Amsterdam City Council's new campaign - dubbed 'Stay Away' - will target people who search for terms including 'stag party Amsterdam' or 'pub crawl Amsterdam', although it seems to have increased interest inadvertently

Daily Mirror · Mar 31, 2023

China's global influence looms over Harris trip to Africa

The global rivalry between the United States and China has been a recurring backdrop during Vice President Kamala Harris’ trip to Africa

The Independent UK · Mar 31, 2023

Love is in the hair: Mulletfest returns to Kurri Kurri

"I think it's great that we have managed to grow and change but stay true to the original."

Newcastle Herald · Feb 25, 2023