U.S. and Iran to Hold Talks in Oman on Friday
The White House confirmed a meeting would take place after days of conflicting reports on the talks’ timing, location and format.
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Australia politics live: Littleproud dismisses Hanson ‘hypothetical’ that One Nation could form coalition with Liberals and Nationals
Pauline Hanson said in an interview she would be open to forming government with the Liberals and Nationals. Follow today’s news liveWho is Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and why is his visit to Australia expected to prompt mass protests?Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWong says she understands there are many different views held over Herzog’s visit with some, including the Palestine Action Group, still planning to protest Herzog’s arrival in Sydney next week.Asked whether those groups should be allowed to protest, Wong says:We are a country, a democracy where we know people have differences of views, and I do understand very keenly that people have different views about this visit. There is a depth of feeling in different communities across Australia. We see that, we feel that. What I would ask people to recall is the context and circumstances of this visit and the purpose of it, which is to honour the victims of the antisemitic terror attack.I really do understand the depth of feeling about this visit, the depth of feeling in the community about what we’ve seen in Gaza, which is why we’ve been so clear about working, we’re pressing for peace with others in the international community for civilians to be protected and for aid to flow.We always consider legal advice in relation to our obligations. I’ve made the point. We have invited him.I have said previously that Israel will be judged by the International Court of Justice on its compliance with the Genocide Convention. And I’ve also said previously that it must accept its responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Continue reading...
Gen Z toppled an autocrat - but old guard tipped to win Bangladesh vote
A student uprising promised a new dawn in Bangladesh but old parties are tipped to win a landmark election.
Democrats say ‘dramatic changes’ needed for immigration enforcement as DHS funding negotiations continue – live
Trump’s stopgap bill funds the Department of Homeland Security until 13 FebruaryWhite House border czar says 700 federal agents will leave MinnesotaTom Homan, the president’s so-called “border czar” is set to speak to reporters in Minneapolis shortly.A reminder that Homan took over the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota from senior border official Gregory Bovino, just days after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and the mounting backlash in the Twin Cities. Continue reading...
UN agency warns of ‘sharp increase’ in measles cases in the Americas
Mexico and the US both reported thousands of measles cases last year, threatening their measles elimination status.
Google parent earnings beat projections amid plans to invest deeply in AI
Alphabet reports $34.5bn profit and revenue soars 48% in recent quarter as it plans a sharp increase in AI spendingGoogle’s parent company, Alphabet, beat Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, and is planning a sharp increase in capital spending in 2026 as it continues to invest deeply in AI infrastructure.Alphabet on Wednesday reported profit of $34.5bn in the recently ended quarter, as revenue from cloud computing soared 48%. Continue reading...
Canada’s Tate McRae Roots for Team USA in New Olympics Ad
Tate McRae’s promotional video for NBC, in which she name checks Team USA athletes, has drawn the ire of some Canadians as the country’s relationship with the United States hits new lows.
Email appears to confirm photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Virginia Giuffre is real
The message, believed to be from Ghislaine Maxwell, was released as part of the latest tranche of the Epstein filesAn email believed to have been sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to confirm a photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre’s waist is real.The message, released as part of the latest tranche of the Epstein files, was headed “draft statement” and sent by “G Maxwell” to Jeffrey Epstein in 2015. Continue reading...
Minister defends long delays to UK military spending plan
Luke Pollard says blueprint expected last autumn is ‘a bigger task than many people outside defence realise’ A government minister has defended long delays to a military spending plan that are also stalling the UK’s next-generation Tempest fighter jet programme, but refused to say when it will be complete.The defence investment plan (DIP), originally expected last autumn, has faced repeated postponements amid warnings that the military faces a £28bn funding gap over the next four years. Continue reading...
Green energy sector drove more than 90% of China’s investment growth last year, analysis finds
Industry bigger than all but seven world economies, and accounts for more than third of China’s economic growthChina’s clean energy industries drove more than 90% of the country’s investment growth last year, making the sectors bigger than all but seven of the world’s economies, a new analysis has shown.For the second time in three years, the report showed the manufacture, installation and export of batteries, electric cars, solar, wind and related technologies accounted for more than a third of China’s economic growth. Continue reading...