Pakistan targets Balochistan separatists after ‘unprecedented’ assaults 01. February 2026 (15:07) Officials say calm restored to province day after dozens killed in suicide and gun attacks in at least 10 citiesPakistan’s security forces have intensified their operations against separatist militants in Balochistan province who launched a large-scale assault on Saturday in which at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel were killed.A day after the militants carried out suicide attacks in the heart of the province’s capital, Quetta, the chief minister of the south-western region, Sarfraz Bugti, said 145 people he described as militants had been killed in 40 hours and that their bodies were in the custody of the authorities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spotlight remains on a Coalition in chaos as parliament returns, with splits and spills looming over policy 01. February 2026 (15:00) Labor set to take advantage of shambles with blistering attacks in question time as Sussan Ley presides over barest opposition benches since 1943 Normally this column focuses on the agenda for the coming parliamentary week, unpacking a dense policy issue or two that will dominate the political discussion.This week is a little different. You would expect the government’s big agenda would be front and centre in the first regularly scheduled programming sitting week of the year – but not this Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Frustrated’ by slow pace of gambling ads reform, Labor caucus wants Wells to act 01. February 2026 (15:00) Documents released under FoI show Wells’ department worried about how gambling reforms would affect sporting codes and media companiesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThere is growing “frustration” in the government caucus about the delay to gambling advertising reforms, according to a group of Labor MPs who say they want the communications and sports minister, Anika Wells, to take action.Documents recently released under freedom of information laws revealing details of Wells’ meetings with major TV broadcasters about wagering restrictions show her department has conceded the popularity of an ad ban, but is concerned about what it could mean for sporting codes and media companies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Catch a falling star: cosmic dust may reveal how life began, and a Sydney lab is making it from scratch 01. February 2026 (15:00) Recreating cosmic dust may help answer questions about how meteorites hitting Earth came to contain the organic matter that they doGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHow does one acquire star dust? One option, as the Perry Como song suggests, is to catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, so to speak: thousands of tonnes of cosmic dust bombard the Earth each year, mostly vaporising in the atmosphere.The asteroid and comet fragments that don’t burn up – known as meteorites and micrometeorites if they hit Earth – provide scientists with valuable clues about the cosmos. It’s why planetary scientists in the UK, kitted in ghostbusters-like vacuum backpacks, have scoured cathedral roofs for microscopic specks of the space stuff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Real estate agents in Australia using apps that leave millions of lease documents at risk, digital researcher says 01. February 2026 (15:00) ‘This is a blatant and disturbing disregard for the law and for people’s security,’ digital rights advocate saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian platforms used by real estate agents to upload documentation for renters and landlords are leaving people’s personal information exposed in hyperlinks accessible online.An analysis of seven rent platforms provided to Guardian Australia by a researcher, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed millions of leasing documents could be accessed by threat actors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man convicted of child sexual abuse working as NSW touch football referee for juniors thanks to legal ‘loophole’ 01. February 2026 (15:00) Safety advocates want laws strengthened to ensure child sexual abuse offenders cannot referee children’s sportGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man convicted of two child sexual abuse offences has been able to work as a referee for Touch Football NSW for more than a decade, including for junior teams, with the organisation citing a legal “loophole” for his continued employment.The New South Wales government passed new laws in September to strengthen the working with children check scheme and the Office of the Children’s Guardian is currently reviewing the framework to assess whether it is “fit for purpose”. Child safety advocates say the laws need to be further strengthened to ensure child sexual abuse offenders cannot referee children’s sport. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I’ve never taken drugs or drunk alcohol,’ says Zack Polanski 01. February 2026 (14:28) Green party leader wants to legalise all drugs, regulate their use and not be ‘the fun police’UK politics live – latest updatesThe leader of the Green party, Zack Polanski, has said he has never taken drugs or “even drunk alcohol” in his life, but wants to legalise all drugs and regulate their use.Polanski was asked on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme if he had taken drugs at university. “I’ve actually never taken a drug in my life, or even drunk alcohol, but I still don’t sit here as the fun police,” he said. “I very clearly believe people should be able to do what they want to do. It just wasn’t for me.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lucy Letby’s parents criticise Netflix documentary over ‘invasion of privacy’ 01. February 2026 (14:22) Susan and John Letby question use of arrest footage filmed at their house in programme about daughter’s crimesThe parents of Lucy Letby have criticised the use of footage due to be aired in a new Netflix documentary about their daughter’s crimes as a “complete invasion of privacy” and said watching it would “likely kill us”.Susan and John Letby questioned why police had released video of Letby’s arrest, which took place in the couple’s house, and said they were worried it would make their home a “tourist attraction”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations 01. February 2026 (14:00) Move is dramatic departure for advisory group under Kirk Milhoan, who says he doesn’t like the term ‘established science’All vaccine recommendations are being reconsidered by the US’s vaccines committee, according to its top adviser, who in recent interviews slammed vaccination requirements for attending school and said vaccines should be taken on the advice of an individual’s doctor.The stance from Kirk Milhoan, chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), represents a dramatic departure for the group tasked with making US vaccine recommendations for decades, signaling an increasingly hostile approach from the Trump administration to routine vaccines. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The battle for Paris: can Rachida Dati fend off scandal to become next mayor? 01. February 2026 (14:00) Seen by rivals as a dangerous rightwinger, others hope the controversial culture minister can snatch Paris from the leftShe was the first woman of north African and Muslim heritage to hold a major French government post and she redefined political celebrity in France. Now Rachida Dati wants to become mayor of Paris and take the city from the left, which has been in power for 25 years.“I want to bring back authority,” Dati, France’s culture minister, told Le Figaro last month, promising a law and order drive to arm municipal police with guns. Her opponents call her a dangerous rightwinger who would turn the French capital into a “Trumpist laboratory”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
