Trump says he is seeking $1bn in damages in Harvard dispute 03. February 2026 (08:00) US president makes further claims of antisemitism against Ivy League school amid wider dispute with higher eduction institutionsDonald Trump has announced that his administration is seeking $1bn in damages from Harvard University, the latest step in a long-running battle with the university over allegations of antisemitism.In a Truth Social post late on Monday, Trump accused the Ivy League school of being “strongly antisemitic”, adding that Harvard president Alan Garber “has done a terrible job of rectifying a very bad situation for his institution and, more importantly, America itself”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China to ban hidden car door handles on all EVs over crash safety concerns 03. February 2026 (06:27) Sleek car doors reduce vehicle drag but are prone to losing operability in the event of a crash, officials sayChina will soon ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), becoming the first country to do so after several deadly incidents triggered global scrutiny of the controversial design first popularised by Tesla.According to regulations announced on Monday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, cars sold in China will now be required to have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of every door except the boot. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Music and dancing signify defiance at celebratory funerals of Iran’s protesters 03. February 2026 (06:00) Euphoric scenes are a snub to theocracy’s culture of piety, say analysts, and carry message of rebellion Iranians killed in recent protests that rocked the country have been laid to rest in boisterous funerals featuring loud pop music and dancing, apparently intended to convey defiance to the ruling Islamic regime.Instead of holding sombre traditional mourning ceremonies presided over by a Shia cleric, bereaved relatives are turning the burials into exultant celebrations of the lives of their loved ones in what analysts say is an intentional snub to the culture of piety demanded by Iran’s theocracy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Riverford sales rise 6% as UK organics market enjoys biggest boom in two decades 03. February 2026 (06:00) Sector bounces back as consumers focus on provenance and healthy eating, but is still well behind EuropeConsumers searching for healthy food from trusted sources have fuelled the UK organic market’s biggest boom in two decades, according to vegetable box seller Riverford.The delivery business, which sells meat, cheese, cookbooks and recipe boxes alongside vegetables, recorded a 6% increase in sales to £117m in the year to May 2025, as the UK organic food and drink market grew by almost 9% in that year, according to new figures from the Soil Association. The strong growth, significantly outpacing the wider food market, helped the employee-owned business give a £1.1m bonus to workers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Good luck Dua Leaper: scientists return frogs wiped out by fungal disease to wild 03. February 2026 (05:56) Researchers dig ‘spas’ and install ‘saunas’ in ACT wetlands to give green and golden bell frogs the best chance of survivalFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastScientists have reintroduced green and golden bell frogs to the Australian Capital Territory for the first time since the species became locally extinct four decades ago.The first cohort of 25 frogs was released on Tuesday morning, a milestone for conservation of the animals, whose numbers have been devastated by the chytrid fungal disease that has wiped out 90 amphibian species in 50 years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Melania: Amazon’s $106m documentary takes $982 per screen in Australian opening weekend 03. February 2026 (05:48) Documentary about the US first lady debuted at No 31 at Australian box office, making $32,399 from 33 screensMelania, Amazon’s $106m (US$75m) documentary about the US first lady, has bombed at the Australian box office on its opening weekend, debuting at No 31 on the charts and taking just $982 per screen.The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, was screened in 33 cinemas across Australia and made $32,399 overall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein files reveal Peter Mandelson supported campaign to undermine then-Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s mining super profits tax 03. February 2026 (05:46) Former UK Labour minister wrote ‘pressure needs to be maintained’ against Australian Labor’s proposed tax in email sent two weeks before Rudd was replaced as PMFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former UK Labour minister supported a campaign to undermine the Rudd Labor government’s proposed mining super profits tax in Australia, a document published in the latest tranche of the Epstein files reveals.Lord Peter Mandelson, once one of British Labour’s most powerful figures, was sacked last year as the UK’s ambassador to the US over his links with the disgraced financier, rapist and human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lake Cargelligo alleged killer Julian Ingram previously convicted for grabbing family member by throat 03. February 2026 (05:00) Broader investigation under way into police handling of allegations against 37-year-old, who has still not been foundFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWarning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedJulian Ingram was convicted of grabbing a family member by the throat after she made a comment about his children four years before he allegedly murdered three people and went on the run.Ingram, also known as Julian Pierpoint, is suspected of shooting dead his pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn, her new boyfriend and her aunt last month in Lake Cargelligo, about 450km west of Sydney. The 37-year-old was later seen leaving the town in a white single-cab Ford Ranger. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump unveils $12bn critical minerals stockpile scheme in apparent move to counter China’s dominance 03. February 2026 (03:20) Other countries are expected to join Project Vault, which US president said would ensure that US businesses are ‘never harmed by any shortage’Donald Trump has announced the creation of a critical mineral reserve worth nearly $12bn, a stockpile that could counter China’s ability to use its dominance of the hard-to-process metals as leverage in trade talks.“Today we’re launching what will be known as Project Vault to ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage,” Trump said at the White House on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge blocks Trump administration’s stripping of Haitians’ protected status 03. February 2026 (03:01) Up to 350,000 Haitians legally live and work in the US due to being granted temporary protected statusA federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from stripping temporary protected status from up to 350,000 Haitians, a status that allows them to legally live and work in the United States amid the turmoil in their homeland.Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary stay that prevents Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, from implementing her decision to remove the status known as TPS, which was scheduled to expire on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
