‘Pure apocalypse’: a photographer’s journey through the Pantanal wildfires 02. February 2026 (08:00) Ahead of a major exhibition in London documenting the South American wetland as it faces unprecedented threat, Lalo de Almeida recounts the stories behind his award-winning images Lalo de Almeida is a documentary photographer based in São Paulo, Brazil. In 2021 his photo essay Pantanal Ablaze was awarded first place in the environment stories category at the World Press Photo contest. In 2022, he won the Eugene Smith grant in humanistic photography and World Press Photo’s long-term project award for his work Amazonian Dystopia, which documents the exploitation of the world’s largest tropical forest.I have been photographing socio-environmental issues for more than 30 years, especially in the Amazon. 2020 was no different. News of the uncontrolled fires devastating the Pantanal began to catch my attention. So, together with a fellow journalist, I decided to go and see what was happening for myself. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hidden detail found in Anne Boleyn portrait was ‘witchcraft rebuttal’, say historians 02. February 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Underdrawing suggests attempt to debunk myth that former wife of Henry VIII had sixth fingerAnne Boleyn’s Hever “Rose” portrait is one of history’s most iconic faces, with her “B” pendant, her French hood, her dark eyes and a red rose in her right hand. Now a secret that has remained hidden for nearly 500 years has been discovered beneath the layers of paint.Scientific analysis of the painting at Hever Castle, her childhood home in Kent, has uncovered evidence that an Elizabethan artist sought to create a “visual rebuttal” to claims that Henry VIII’s ill-fated wife was a witch with a sixth finger on her right hand. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian snowboarder dies in ski lift accident in Japan after her backpack was caught 02. February 2026 (06:14) Woman, 22, thought to have suffered a cardiac arrest after being dragged along the snow and suspended mid-airFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian woman has died after a ski lift accident in a Japanese resort after her backpack got caught and she was left hanging mid-air.The 22-year-old snowboarder sustained critical injuries at the Tsugaike ski resort in Otari near Nagano on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
International law meant to limit effects of war at breaking point, study finds 02. February 2026 (06:00) Report covering 23 conflicts over last 18 months concludes more than 100,000 civilians have been killed as war crimes rage out of controlAn authoritative survey of 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months has concluded that international law seeking to limit the effects of war is at breaking point, with more than 100,000 civilians killed, while torture and rape are committed with near impunity.The extensive study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights describes the deaths of 18,592 children in Gaza, growing civilian casualties in Ukraine and an “epidemic” of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families call for inquiry into residential care charity that ran up £1.6m debt 02. February 2026 (06:00) William Blake House in Northants accused of mismanagement after revelation it paid one of its own trustees £1mA group of families have called for an urgent inquiry into a charity caring for their highly vulnerable disabled relatives which is under threat of closure after running up debts of £1.6m in unpaid taxes and paying £1m to one of its own trustees.Earlier this month, a judge gave the charity, William Blake House, just weeks to pay off its debts to HMRC or face a winding up order. The charity’s accounts show auditors have routinely questioned whether it is a viable business. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar win big in Grammys ceremony filled with anti-ICE sentiment 02. February 2026 (05:57) Musicians delivered impassioned speeches during a star-packed night that saw Lamar become the most awarded rapper of all timeGrammy awards 2026: list of winnersBad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar took home major Grammy awards during a night that saw musicians hit back at Donald Trump’s ICE occupation.From Justin Bieber to Carole King, artists wore anti-ICE pins while others also spoke out during their speeches. Bad Bunny, who is performing at the Super Bowl next weekend, took home three awards, for album of the year, best música urbana album and global music performance, and used his time on stage to call out anti-immigration sentiment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
David Littleproud to meet with Sussan Ley about future of Coalition after surviving leadership challenge 02. February 2026 (05:33) Nationals leader to meet with Liberal counterpart less than two weeks after spectacularly blowing up the CoalitionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDavid Littleproud has survived a leadership challenge and is set for face-to-face talks with Sussan Ley about reuniting with the Liberals – less than a fortnight after the country party spectacularly blew up the Coalition.The two leaders are scheduled to meet on Monday night after Colin Boyce’s attempt to spill the Nationals leadership failed as expected at a 2pm meeting in Canberra. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Clive Palmer denies Steve Bannon’s claim he was behind billionaire’s controversial 2019 Australian election ad strategy 02. February 2026 (02:16) Bannon’s claim revealed in text messages in tranche of documents released by US authorities in connection with Jeffrey EpsteinFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian billionaire Clive Palmer’s spokesman has denied claims by far-right political strategist Steve Bannon that he was behind Palmer’s controversial $60m advertising strategy at the 2019 federal election.The text conversation purporting to be between Bannon and an unidentified person – who appears to be convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – was among a tranche of documents released by the US Department of Justice in connection with Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kennedy Center will halt entertainment operations for two years, Trump says 02. February 2026 (01:48) DC arts venue, which has seen wave of canceled events after Trump’s takeover, will start renovations in JulyThe John F Kennedy Center, a world-class venue for the performing arts in Washington DC, will halt entertainment events for two years starting on 4 July during renovations, Donald Trump posted on Sunday on Truth Social.The Kennedy Center, which has seen a wave of performers cancel events in recent months as well as the lowest ticket sales in years, has been in turmoil since the president orchestrated a leadership overhaul in the beginning of his term. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gina Rinehart’s company donated almost $900k to rightwing group Advance, political donations data shows 02. February 2026 (01:44) Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy was the single -iggest political donor in 2024–25, giving $53.1m to Trumpet of Patriots, which failed to win a seatFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting donated almost $900,000 to rightwing political campaign outfit Advance last financial year, while Clive Palmer was the country’s largest single donor during the period, giving his own Trumpet of Patriots just over $53m.New political donations data released by the Australian Electoral Commission on Monday showed Hancock Prospecting made two donations in 2024-25 to Advance, worth a combined $895,000. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
