Al Jazeera News Digest
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Son of Norway’s crown princess denies rape as trial opens
Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, faces 38 counts centred on alleged abuse of women.
Syrian army enters Kurdish city of Hasakah as ceasefire takes hold
Syrian and Kurdish forces begin cooperation to stabilise northeastern Syria under a US-backed ceasefire agreement.
Why is Benzema’s Al Hilal transfer linked to Ronaldo?
Former Real Madrid teammate and current SPL rival Karim Benzema’s move has upset Cristiano Ronaldo, reports say.
Austerity hinders fight against wildfires in Argentina’s Patagonia
Criticism grows as Milei’s austerity cuts have reduced Argentina’s fire management budget despite wildfire crisis.
ICE agents confronted at Mexican diner in Minneapolis
“Go home!” Residents in Minneapolis confronted ICE agents who had stopped to eat at a local Mexican restaurant.
Gold and silver prices soared, then plummeted. What’s going on?
Analysts see various factors at play for price swings, from Trump’s unpredictability to distrust in economic systems.
Video: Syrian government forces enter city of Hasakah
Syrian government forces have entered the city of Hasakah, which had been under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF.
Russia renews attacks on frozen Ukrainian cities
Hundreds of drones and missiles struck Kyiv and Kharkiv overnight, leaving thousands of homes without heat.
From Crimea to Cameroon: Ukraine’s minorities reflect on life during war
After almost four years of war, a sense of cohesion has grown.
Palestinians return to Gaza after limited Rafah crossing reopening
Palestinians have reunited with loved ones in Gaza after Israel allowed a partial reopening of the Rafah crossing.
Trump announces plan to sue Harvard for $1bn damages
The US president writes on Truth Social that he wants ‘nothing further to do, into the future’ with the university.
Uruguay President Orsi deepens ties with China’s Xi despite Trump threats
Yamandu Orsi is the first Latin American leader to visit China since the US abducted Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.
Record-breaking snow blankets Japan, killing at least 30 people
Japan deploys troops to help residents and warns people to watch for avalanches and snow falling from roofs.
Trickle of Palestinians get to leave, enter Gaza as Rafah crossing reopens
Only 12 Palestinians entered Gaza through Rafah while five patients and their escorts were allowed to leave for Egypt.
The drones being used in Sudan: 1,000 attacks since April 2023
A visual analysis into the types of drones, sourcing methods, attack locations and the human toll of aerial warfare.
LIVE: 135 Palestinians try to exit Gaza for care amid Israel restrictions
Dozen Palestinians allowed to re-enter but critical patients continue to be prevented from receiving life-saving care.
Jobs, cash, loans: Can Bangladesh’s parties deliver on election promises?
From loans to scholarships for foreign studies, Bangladesh’s main parties are wooing the youth. Will it work?
Musk merges SpaceX and xAI firms, plans for space-based AI data centres
Musk says solar powered and space-based data centres are the only way to meet AI’s burgeoning energy demands.
Moscow confirms Russian forces helped repel ISIL attack on Niger airport
Moscow ‘strongly condemns’ attack on airport in the capital, Niamey, where 20 rebels were killed and 4 soldiers wounded.
UK police to review misconduct claims after Mandelson’s leaks to Epstein
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says ex-envoy Peter Mandelson should no longer hold seat in upper house of parliament.