Death of Nigerian singer after snakebite highlights crisis of ‘preventable’ fatalities 04. February 2026 (11:00) Ifunanya Nwangene died in hospital after being bitten in her Abuja home, raising questions about the availability of effective antivenomsIn a last message to her friends, Ifunanya Nwangene wrote: “Please come.”The 26-year-old singer and former contestant on The Voice Nigeria had been bitten by a snake while asleep in her flat in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and was in hospital, anxiously awaiting treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pinterest sacks two engineers for creating software to identify fired workers 04. February 2026 (10:48) Digital pinboard business cutting 15% of workforce as it invests heavily in AI Pinterest has fired two engineers who created a software tool to identify which workers had lost their jobs in a recent round of cuts and then shared the information, according to reports.The digital pinboard business announced significant job cuts earlier this month, with the chief executive, Bill Ready, telling staff he was “doubling down on an AI-forward approach”, according to a LinkedIn post by a former employee. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer orders release of files relating to Mandelson US ambassador decision 04. February 2026 (10:40) Pressure grows on PM over ex-minister’s Jeffrey Epstein links as Tories criticise move to withhold some recordsUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer will attempt to get ahead of the widening scandal over Peter Mandelson’s conduct with the expected release of files relating to his appointment as Britain’s US ambassador, in what a minister has described as “drawing a line in the sand”.The Conservatives had been preparing to force the publication of the records – including what Mandelson may have told Starmer about his relationship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before being appointed to Washington – with a motion in the Commons. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rail firm issues ‘do not travel’ alert after ‘multiple incidents’ across south-east England 04. February 2026 (10:13) Signalling issue and train derailment in south London hits Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express servicesA “do not travel” alert has been issued by the UK’s largest railway franchise, after a train derailment and signalling issues affected services across south-east England.Train operators Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express – all part of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise in south-east England – urged passengers not to travel on Wednesday morning “if at all possible” because of “multiple incidents”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Harry Potter’s Draco Malfoy becomes mascot for year of the horse in China 04. February 2026 (09:47) Mandarin transliteration of character’s name regarded as auspicious, prompting wave of memes and fan artDraco Malfoy, one of Harry Potter’s most recognisable villains, has become an unlikely lunar new year icon across China, as fans embrace the character for the year of the horse.In Mandarin, Malfoy’s name is transliterated as “mǎ ěr fú”. The first character means “horse” while the final character, “fú”, means “fortune” or “blessing” – a powerful symbol found across lunar new year celebrations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jacob Hersant becomes first Australian jailed for doing Nazi salute after losing appeal 04. February 2026 (08:57) Judge says neo-Nazi’s offending outside Melbourne court was ‘contemptuous’ and Hersant ‘relished’ the opportunity to do itFar-right extremist Jacob Hersant has been jailed for one month after losing an appeal against his Nazi salute conviction.The 26-year-old looked straight ahead as Victorian county court judge Simon Moglia re-sentenced him on Wednesday for the “contemptuous” offending. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sussan Ley may fast-track permanent Liberal-only frontbench as Coalition reunion hopes fade 04. February 2026 (08:03) Opposition leader may announce promotion of six MPs to shadow cabinet early amid deadlock in talks to reunite with NationalsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSussan Ley could bring forward the announcement of a permanent Liberal-only frontbench that cements the Coalition split, as hopes of a reunion with the Nationals fade.The opposition leader and the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, held another round of peace talks before question time on Wednesday, but neither party was prepared to budge on their core demands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Parents of Piper James visit K’gari to farewell daughter and ‘walk where she last walked’ as dingo cull continues 04. February 2026 (07:13) Grieving family of the backpacker will attend a smoking ceremony conducted by the island’s traditional ownersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe distraught parents of a backpacker believed to have drowned on a world heritage-listed sand island off the Queensland coast are visiting K’gari as part of their journey to return the remains of Piper James to Canada.Todd and Angela James touched down in Brisbane from Vancouver on Tuesday morning – the first stage of their emotional pilgrimage to K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Doctor previously banned from complex surgery in NSW given senior clinical safety role with Queensland Health 04. February 2026 (07:02) A spokesperson says Dr Michael Byrom no longer has any conditions placed on his practising and cited a ‘rigorous recruitment process’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland premier has asked for an investigation into how a cardiothoracic surgeon – previously restricted from performing major heart and lung surgery by the New South Wales medical regulator – was appointed to a senior government clinical safety position.The deputy director general of Clinical Excellence Queensland, Dr Helen Brown, announced Dr Michael Byrom as the inaugural surgical medical lead for the organisation, which focuses on healthcare quality, safety and efficiency. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indian government urges Australia to ‘hold the culprits accountable’ over theft of Gandhi statue in Melbourne 04. February 2026 (06:52) Spokesperson for India’s ministry of external affairs calls for ‘immediate action to recover the missing statue’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Indian government has condemned the theft of a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi from a community centre in Melbourne’s south-east last month, calling for the culprits to be held accountable.Victoria police are investigating the theft from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville and have warned scrap metal dealers to be wary of people trying to sell the statue of the Indian independence leader. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
