UK manufacturing growth accelerates as export orders rise 02. February 2026 (15:01) Greater optimism in PMI survey, adding to signs Bank of England will keep interest rates on hold this weekBusiness news – latest updatesBritish manufacturers enjoyed one of their best months since Labour came to power in January, according to a closely watched survey, adding to signs that the Bank of England will decide to keep interest rates on hold this week.The purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which measures activity in the private manufacturing sector, rose to 51.8 in January from 50.6 in December, the best reading since August 2024. Any reading above 50 represents growth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition chaos has handed Albanese a gift, but he’ll need much more for the testing times ahead 02. February 2026 (15:00) Labor can afford a few moments of glee now, but spending, emissions, AI and Aukus are just some of the challenges on the road to the next electionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor MPs could hardly contain their delight on Monday. Even before today’s start of parliament, the Nationals had debated a leadership spill and Sussan Ley looked firmly on borrowed time.They cheered Anthony Albanese at a caucus meeting, in which he likened the disorganisation of the Coalition to a messy break-up on reality TV show, Married at First Sight. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most experts think the RBA will hike the cash rate. Here’s why they may be wrong 02. February 2026 (15:00) There are factors beside inflation that the board needs to consider, most notably the labour marketGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank is overwhelmingly expected to hike rates at its first policy meeting of the year – but should it?There’s a powerful consensus for a cash rate rise to 3.85%, from 3.6%, on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Royal Mail-owned courier faces tribunal over drivers’ rights 02. February 2026 (15:00) Dozens of eCourier workers who deliver vital NHS samples claim they are classed wrongly as self-employedDozens of drivers are taking legal action against a Royal Mail-owned courier service, arguing that they are entitled to workers’ rights.The 46 drivers are classified as self-employed by eCourier. They work around the clock making deliveries, including transporting vital blood and tissue samples to and from NHS hospitals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele spent more than $2.2m on election campaign – the most of any teal independent 02. February 2026 (15:00) Data shows Boele – who won seat by only 26 votes – received almost $700,000 in donations from Climate 200 Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNicolette Boele spent $2.26m to claim a nail-biting victory in the Sydney seat of Bradfield, making her 26-vote win the most expensive campaign of any teal independent.Boele narrowly beat Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian in 2025, outspending cashed-up fellow teals including Allegra Spender and Monique Ryan, who each spent $2.1m when they ousted Liberals from traditionally blue-ribbon seats in the 2022 election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘There’s no such thing as a better coloniser’: Indigenous views on Trump’s Greenland push 02. February 2026 (14:59) Demands by the US that it take control of the Arctic island is for many Inuits a reminder of a troubling imperial pastOn a bitterly cold recent morning in the Canadian Arctic, about 70 people took to the streets. Braving the bone-chilling winds, they marched through the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut, waving signs that read: “We stand with Greenland” and “Greenland is a partner, not a purchase.”It was a glimpse of how, for Indigenous peoples across the Arctic, the battle over Greenland has become a wider reckoning, seemingly pitting the long-fought battle to assert their rights against a global push for power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK investor Michael Flacks ‘very interested in British Steel takeover’ 02. February 2026 (14:34) Businessman, who says he is a ‘big, bullish believer’, would combine Scunthorpe steelworks with Italian plantBusiness news – latest updatesThe British investor Michael Flacks is reportedly “very” interested in buying British Steel and combining it with another plant in Italy, in a deal that would create one of Europe’s largest metals groups.The businessman’s Miami-based investment group, Flacks Group, specialises in buying distressed companies and is working with bankers to prepare a bid for government-controlled Scunthorpe steelworks, the Financial Times reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Son of Norway’s crown princess arrested on new charges before start of rape trial 02. February 2026 (14:16) Marius Borg Høiby arrested on suspicion of assault, making threats with knife and violating restraining order, police sayThe son of Norway’s crown princess, Marius Borg Høiby, has been arrested on new charges just days before the start of his rape trial.The Oslo police district said Høiby had been arrested on Sunday evening on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife and violating a restraining order. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fernández wins Costa Rican presidency, steering Latin America further right 02. February 2026 (14:08) Rightwing populist elected in landslide after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to cocaine tradeThe rightwing populist Laura Fernández has won Costa Rica’s presidential election in a landslide after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.Fernández’s nearest rival, centre-right economist Álvaro Ramos, conceded defeat as results showed the ruling party far exceeding the threshold of 40% needed to avoid a runoff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Race to contain suspected bird flu outbreak among Thames Valley swans 02. February 2026 (13:59) Volunteer workers say increasing case numbers and dozens of dead birds raise fears spread is wider than recordedMembers of the public and charity volunteers are working to contain a suspected outbreak of bird flu among swans in the Thames Valley, amid signs that confirmed cases are continuing to rise.Since October, 324 cases of bird flu in swans have been recorded by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha), which is sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Of these, 39 were recorded in the first four weeks of 2026 alone. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
