House members seek inquiry into DoJ’s tracking of their Epstein files research 12. February 2026 (18:51) US attorney general displayed records of Congress members’ searches into Epstein files during House hearingMembers of Congress are calling for investigations after discovering the Department of Justice created records of their research activities while they dig into files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.Photographs taken by Reuters during a congressional hearing on Wednesday showed the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, holding a document titled “Jayapal Pramila Search History”, listing files that the Democratic US representative Pramila Jayapal had accessed during her review of the Epstein materials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pentagon policy chief tells European Nato members to step up combat capabilities 12. February 2026 (18:36) Elbridge Colby tells meeting in Brussels that US plans to reduce conventional forces in Europe but remains committed to Nato allianceThe Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, has told European Nato defence ministers in Brussels that they need to step up their combat capabilities and take the lead in protecting their continent from the Russian threat.The influential undersecretary for war, sent by the White House in place of his boss, Pete Hegseth, said the US would reduce conventional forces in Europe but insisted Washington remained committed to the military alliance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Big step forwards’: emboldened activists take to the streets of Venezuela 12. February 2026 (18:05) Protesters are enjoying greater freedom of expression since Nicolás Maduro’s downfall despite lack of regime changeProtesters have taken to the streets of cities across Venezuela in the latest sign of an embryonic political shift after Nicolás Maduro’s recent downfall.Student demonstrators gathered on the campus of the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas on Thursday to demand the release of all of the country’s political prisoners, the return of exiled activists and a full transition to democracy. “Who are we? Venezuela! What do we want? Freedom!” they shouted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ratcliffe backlash: outrage over Manchester United co-owner’s comments – The Latest 12. February 2026 (17:53) The Monaco-based billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has said he is sorry that his ‘choice of language has offended some people’, after growing outrage over his comments that the UK was being ‘colonised by immigrants’. The Manchester United co-owner has faced a mounting backlash since making the remarks, which have been labelled hypocritical and reminiscent of ‘far-right narratives’. Lucy Hough speaks to the sports writer and columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Standing up for our workers’: US unions raise thousands for victims of ICE crackdown 12. February 2026 (17:51) Labor unions are fundraising and providing mutual aid for workers affected by ICE surges in Minnesota and across USLabor unions are fundraising for workers affected by the surge of immigration enforcement across the US, providing legal and financial support to members affected by the brutal crackdown.Nearly $20,000 was raised for a homecare worker, Maria, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 503 in Salem, Oregon, and a US citizen who was attacked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on 29 January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
São Paulo names new law after dog that stayed by owner’s grave for 10 years 12. February 2026 (17:50) The Bob Coveiro (the Gravedigger) Law ‘recognises the emotional bond between guardians and their pets’A dog that remained beside his former owner’s grave for 10 years has now given his name to a new state law allowing pets to be buried alongside their loved ones in São Paulo.The new law – already being informally referred to as the Bob Coveiro (the Gravedigger) Law, in tribute to its inspiration – was signed this week by the governor of Brazil’s most populous state, the conservative Tarcísio de Freitas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump named ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by industry group 12. February 2026 (17:36) Award was presented as president directed Pentagon to buy billions of dollars’ worth of energy from coal plantsUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump was crowned the “undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal” during a White House ceremony on Wednesday, during which the president received a trophy after ordering the US defense department to purchase billions of dollars’ worth of power from coal plants.The award was reportedly granted by the Washington Coal Club, an advocacy group with financial ties to the coal industry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS workers to get 3.3% pay rise from April 12. February 2026 (17:20) Wes Streeting says rise is above inflation forecast and will be in pay packets earlier but union criticises figureMore than 1.4 million NHS workers will receive a 3.3% pay rise from April, the government has announced.The health secretary, Wes Streeting, said the uplift was above the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast of 2.2% inflation for 2026-27, delivering a “real-terms pay rise” for NHS staff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s multibillion lawsuit against BBC over Panorama edit set for trial in 2027 12. February 2026 (17:00) Florida judge rejects BBC move to put off disclosing internal documents relating to spliced version of 2021 speechPresident Trump’s multibillion dollar lawsuit against the BBC over the editing of one of his speeches has been set for a year’s time.In a blow to the corporation, the Florida judge has also rejected the BBC’s attempt to put off disclosing internal documents relating to the episode of Panorama that contained the spliced version of Trump’s 2021 address. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s border czar says immigration crackdown in Minnesota will ‘conclude’ 12. February 2026 (16:30) Tom Homan says Trump has backed ‘significant drawdown’ in the state, where two US citizens have been killedUS politics live – latest updatesThe Trump administration has claimed it is drawing down its immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to the death of two US citizens, mass detentions and widespread protests.The move was announced by Tom Homan, the US border czar, at a press briefing on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
