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)
Trump’s pick for top diplomatic role faces scrutiny over ‘white supremacist’ views 12. February 2026 (16:18) Jeremy Carl, assistant secretary of state nominee, has espoused ‘racist, antisemitic’ views, says non-profit leaderUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s pick for a top diplomatic post has championed “white supremacist, racist, antisemitic and homophobic views”, a former US state department official has warned.Jeremy Carl is set to go before the Senate foreign relations committee on Thursday as the president’s nominee for assistant secretary of state for international organisations, a role that involves managing relationships with and policies toward the United Nations and its agencies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Billions in funding wrongly released to Hungary, says EU court’s top adviser 12. February 2026 (16:11) Advocate general questions decision, saying reforms needed to unfreeze about €10bn have not been carried outEurope live – latest updatesThe top adviser to the EU’s highest court has said it should annul a decision by the European Commission to unfreeze billions of euros of payments to Hungary that had been suspended because of serious concerns over corruption and the rule of law.Tamara Ćapeta, the advocate general of the European court of justice, said on Thursday the commission should not have paid out the funds because Hungary had not actually carried out the judicial reforms that were a condition for their release. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian PM vows to secure borders and approves bill allowing naval blockades 12. February 2026 (15:43) Legislation is latest step in crackdown by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government on irregular migrationItaly’s prime minister says her government will deploy every tool at its disposal to “guarantee the security of our borders” after approving a bill authorising naval blockades to stop boats from arriving in Italy during periods of “exceptional pressure”.The bill is the latest step in the crackdown on irregular immigration by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government, which has included tough measures against charity rescue ships, harsher jail terms for human smugglers and schemes aimed at swiftly repatriating people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ratcliffe says immigrants cost too much, while Ineos lobbies for state funding 12. February 2026 (15:41) Billionaire’s business has in recent years claimed UK and EU support for refineries and chemicals plants worth about €800mJim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘choice of language’ after saying immigrants were ‘colonising’ UKThe backlash against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about immigrants to the UK “costing too much” for the state comes at an awkward time for his loss-making Ineos business.The billionaire industrialist’s sprawling empire, which ranges from chemicals to car making, has sought government financial support worth hundreds of millions of pounds and is lobbying for further state aid from the UK and EU to stay afloat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother continues with 18,000-plus calls pouring in 12. February 2026 (14:55) Video of a masked suspect in Arizona spurs a surge of calls as the desert search near Tucson yields little evidenceThe search for the missing mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie continued on Thursday as investigators revealed they had received more than 18,000 calls about the case. A search of desert terrain near her Arizona home came up mostly empty.Almost a quarter of the tips came in during the 24 hours since the FBI on Tuesday released door camera video and still images of a masked and gloved suspect outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson early on 1 February, the Pima county sheriff’s office said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
