Australia news live: Hundreds of surfers paddle out in memory of 12-year-old Sydney boy killed by shark; Canavan rules out bid for Nationals leadership 01. February 2026 (02:56) Nico Antic died of his injuries after he was bitten near a popular swimming spot at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. Follow live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNationals senator Matt Canavan says he is not harbouring any plans to run against the party leader, David Littleproud, with a leadership spill expected to take place on Monday, saying “I don’t care about all this stuff”.Asked why he wouldn’t run for leader during an appearance on Sky on Sunday morning, Canavan said:Maybe I’m a different kind of species, Andrew?”I go to Canberra to take action. I’ve got five beautiful kids; I’ve got a beautiful wife. I’d prefer to be staying home this week, but I’m going down to try and improve things for the Australian people. And I really don’t care what position in the zoo I am. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LA Olympics chief says he ‘deeply regrets’ emails with Ghislaine Maxwell 01. February 2026 (02:01) Latest Epstein file release shows 2003 emails between Casey Wasserman and the convicted sex traffickerCasey Wasserman, the head of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, said on Saturday that he “deeply regrets” emails from 2003 between him and Ghislaine Maxwell that appeared in the latest collection of government files released Friday on Jeffrey Epstein.Among the exchanges included one from Wasserman telling Maxwell “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chicago mayor orders police to investigate alleged illegal ICE activity in city 01. February 2026 (00:40) Brandon Johnson gives police ‘clear procedure’ to follow if they witness or get reports of agents involved in illegal activityChicago’s mayor Brandon Johnson has ordered Chicago police to investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration (ICE) agents in the city, a move that will escalate tensions over jurisdiction between local and federal authorities.The executive order, titled ICE on Notice, gives Chicago police “clear procedure” to follow if they witness or receive reports of ICE agents involved in illegal activity and refer evidence of potential violations to city prosecutors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump says Iran ‘talking to’ US and hints at deal to avoid military strikes 31. January 2026 (23:28) US president says Iran ‘negotiating’ as US naval battle group approaches, and says regional allies cannot be told planDonald Trump has said Iran is “talking to” the US and hinted at a deal to avoid the use of military strikes.“[Iran is] talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens … We have a big fleet heading out there,” he told Fox News. “They are negotiating.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shooting at Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana leaves six people injured 31. January 2026 (22:10) One person taken into custody after a mass shooting in Clinton leaves six injured, including a childSix people – including a child – were shot during a carnival parade in Louisiana on Saturday, leading authorities to take one person into custody, according to multiple reports.The mass shooting occurred near a courthouse in Clinton, Louisiana, during the town’s “Mardi Gras in the Country” event, local news outlet WBRZ reported. The local sheriff told the local news outlet that the parade was immediately shut down. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Keir Starmer calls on Andrew to testify in US over Jeffrey Epstein links 31. January 2026 (21:00) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last year, features heavily in the latest tranche of the Epstein filesKeir Starmer has said Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor should testify before the US Congress about his links to the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The prime minister, who is in Japan for a meeting with its premier, Sanae Takaichi, was asked by journalists if the former prince should apologise to the disgraced financier’s victims and give evidence about what he knew about his crimes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lord Triesman, former Labour minister and FA chair, dies aged 82 31. January 2026 (20:35) Former prime minister Tony Blair paid tribute to Triesman as a ‘vital part of the New Labour movement’Lord Triesman, a former Labour minister and chair of the Football Association, has died at the age of 82. The Labour party said the peer died on Friday night “peacefully and at home”.The former prime minister Tony Blair paid tribute to Triesman as a “vital part of the New Labour movement”. Labour’s leader in the House of Lords, Angela Smith, described him as “respected and loved by his colleagues for his courtesy, kindness, wisdom, loyalty and generosity of spirit”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein lawyers discussed possibility of cooperation with prosecutors days before his death, files reveal 31. January 2026 (20:01) Less than two weeks before convicted abuser was found dead, lawyers met with Manhattan federal prosecutorsEpstein files latest – follow liveLess than two weeks before Jeffrey Epstein’s death in jail, his lawyers and Manhattan federal prosecutors met and discussed his potential cooperation, several documents within a cache of newly released investigative files state.“On July 29, 2019, FBI and [prosecutors] met with Epstein’s attorneys, who, in very general terms, discussed the possibility of a resolution of the case, and the possibility of the defendant’s cooperation,” an FBI document titled “Epstein Investigation Summary & Timeline” statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW to remove ‘good character’ from being considered at sentencing hearings in nationwide first 31. January 2026 (20:00) Survivors of sexual abuse welcome the ‘monumental shift’ in how courts approach sentencing, while others say it could limit defendants’ rightsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOffenders convicted of any crime will no longer be able to rely on glowing character references during sentencing under changes being introduced in New South Wales, in a move supported by survivors of sexual abuse but which others say could limit defendants’ rights.On Wednesday, the state government will become the first nationwide to introduce legislation to remove “good character” from being considered at sentencing hearings, when judges hear about someone’s prior record, general reputation and any positive contributions to society as mitigating factors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW Greens to move bill to let councils better regulate berry industry as it continues rapid expansion 31. January 2026 (20:00) Residents and local authorities are worried about environmental hazards and land devaluation as minister says excess regulations may hinder modern farming practicesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCate Faehrmann, a Greens member of the New South Wales legislative council, will move a private member’s bill next week to give councils more power to regulate blueberry and other berry farms which are expanding throughout the mid-north coast, leading to serious frictions with other landholders.Separately, the state Labor government is considering an inquiry into alleged worker abuse in the region. Most states regulate labour hire companies, which serve as intermediaries between farmers and seasonal workers, but NSW does not. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
