- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 3, 2025 Institute for the Study of War
- Russians continue to suffer significant losses as they slow down their advance in Ukraine – ISW Ukrainska Pravda
- Russian Advances in Ukraine Slowing Down Despite Rise in Casualties: ISW Newsweek
- ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 3, 2025 Kyiv Post
- Putin 'ignores' Trump threats with Russia planning 'new attacks' Irish Star
Trump sows uncertainty – and Xi Jinping sees an opportunity
President Xi Jinping has made no secret of his ambition for China to lead an alternate world order.
Anora star Mikey Madison: Oscar talk is ‘overwhelming and amazing’
The breakout star of the film has been winning awards as a stripper who marries the son of an oligarch.
‘We will not stand idly’: Rights groups file suit against Trump asylum ban
The move is the latest challenge to Trump's hardline immigration policies, arguing that barring asylum violates US law.
The Sims at 25: How a virtual dollhouse took over the world
Some people didn't expect it to last a year. Here's how the popular life simulator has stayed alive.
NHS to launch world’s biggest trial of AI breast cancer diagnosis
If successful, the scheme could speed up testing and reduce radiologists’ workload by around half
The NHS is launching the world’s biggest trial of artificial intelligence to detect breast cancer, which could lead to faster diagnosis of the disease.
AI will be deployed to analyse two-thirds of at least 700,000 mammograms done in England over the next few years to see if it is as accurate and reliable at reading scans as a radiologist.
Continue reading...Trump says US sovereign wealth fund could buy TikTok
The president has kickstarted the creation of a national fund, which he says could buy the social media platform.
Moscow Blast Kills Mercenary Leader Fighting Ukraine — Who’s Behind It? – Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Moscow Blast Kills Mercenary Leader Fighting Ukraine -- Who's Behind It? Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Pro-Kremlin Paramilitary Leader Killed in Suspected Suicide Bombing – Reports The Moscow Times
- Moscow blast kills wanted Ukrainian in apparent assassination The Washington Post
- Pro-Russia paramilitary leader killed in Moscow blast BBC.com
- Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,076 Al Jazeera English
PM labels Coalition’s tax-free lunch plan ‘worst, sloppiest policy’ as Treasury puts cost in the billions
Costings commissioned by Jim Chalmers suggest policy at risk of being ‘rorted’ could cost up to $10bn a year
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The Coalition’s policy for tax-deductible business lunches would cost between $1.6bn and $10bn a year, the Labor government claims, according to costings Jim Chalmers commissioned from his Treasury department.
The treasurer claimed the policy was at risk of being “rorted” by businesses claiming personal food expenses, adding further to confusion about the Coalition’s contentious meals and entertainment policy.
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Continue reading...Jo Haylen on notice over any more revelations after asking chauffeur to drive 446km for winery lunch
Chris Minns says if more trips by transport minister came to light ‘it would weigh very heavily on me’ as premier announces ‘we are changing the rules’
The embattled New South Wales transport minister could be in hot water if further revelations emerge about her use of a ministerial car for private purposes, the premier has suggested.
It emerged on the weekend that Jo Haylen had asked her chauffeur to take her and some friends to a winery lunch on the Australia Day weekend. It involved a 13-hour 446km round trip for the driver, from Sydney to Haylen’s holiday house at Caves Beach and then a Hunter Valley winery and back.
Continue reading...NHS England urged to publish full mental health report on Nottingham triple killer
Summary of care received by Valdo Calocane will be made public, but complete version to be kept confidential
NHS England (NHSE) has been urged to reconsider its decision to refuse to publish a report into the care received by Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane, despite the wishes of the victims’ families.
A summary of the independent mental health homicide report is due to be made public later this week, but the full version will be kept confidential due to “data protection legislation relating to patient information”, with only Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to be granted access.
Continue reading...Trump advisers weigh actions to dismantle education department – report
Officials are discussing executive order as part of efforts by Musk’s Doge team to seize control of federal spending
The Trump administration is weighing executive actions to dismantle the US education department as part of efforts by Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) to seize control of federal spending and slash the size of the government workforce, the Wall Street Journal reported.
US officials have discussed an executive order that would shut down all functions of the education department that are not written explicitly into statute, or move certain functions to other departments, according to the paper, citing sources.
Continue reading...Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot in the works with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning to the titular role
Oscar-winning director – and longtime Buffy fan – Chloé Zhao is onboard to direct, with Dolly Parton as executive producer
A sequel reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is reportedly in the works, with Sarah Michelle Gellar expected to return to the titular role and the Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao to direct the pilot episode.
On Tuesday Deadline reported sources close to the project confirming that the streaming service Hulu is “near a pilot order”, with lifelong Buffy fan Zhao onboard to direct the episode, written by the Poker Face writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.
Continue reading...State Farm seeks emergency 22% rate hike in California after LA wildfires
State’s largest home insurer, which has paid customers over $1bn, claims fires put firm under increased financial strain
State Farm General, California’s largest home insurer, is seeking an emergency rate increase for homeowners following the Los Angeles wildfires last month. If approved, the hike would average a 22% increase for policyholders.
The insurance giant claims that the fires have put the company under increased financial strain. The company has already received at least 8,700 claims and paid more than $1bn to customers and expects to pay out “significantly more”, according to a press release.
Continue reading...Guillain-Barre syndrome: India faces outbreak of creeping paralysis
GBS is a rare disorder where the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing paralysis.
Gaza authorities plead for tents, accuse Israel of obstructing aid
Government Media Office says securing temporary shelters is the 'most pressing' humanitarian need in Gaza.
Echoing Trump, Ecuador announces 27-percent tariffs on Mexican goods
President Daniel Noboa also ordered a greater military presence at local ports due to 'destabilisation' by armed groups.
Israeli hostage’s family demand answers over fate of his wife and children
The Israeli government is responsible for bringing home Yarden Bibas' wife and sons, his sister-in-law said.
Trump delays Canada tariffs, but anger and calls to rethink US ties persist
Canada faces calls to reduce its 'dependence' on the US amid threats by President Donald Trump to impose stiff tariffs.
Progressive Democrats accuse Trump and Musk of ‘a plutocratic coup’
Lawmakers point to shutting of USAid and accessing federal payment system as markings of ‘constitutional crisis’
Progressive lawmakers condemned Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Monday, pointing to the attempted shuttering of the foreign aid agency USAid and the accessing of the treasury department’s federal payment system as the markings of a “constitutional crisis”.
After Musk declared that he was working to shut down USAid, Democratic members of Congress tried to enter the agency’s Washington headquarters but said they were turned away on the orders of Musk’s “department of government efficiency” (Doge). USAid staffers were also locked out of the building on Monday, as the White House confirmed plans to merge the agency with the state department.
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