Rebel Queensland LNP MP urges colleagues to ‘put on the full armour of God’ and speak against abortion 12. February 2026 (02:43) Nigel Dalton says he sought to redeem himself ‘in the eyes of God’ by crossing the floor in an attempt to overturn the LNP’s abortion debate gag orderFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe rebel Liberal National party Queensland MP Nigel Dalton, who earlier this week defied the state’s premier, David Crisafulli, over the abortion law debate, has encouraged others “to put on the full armour of God” and speak out on the issue.In an interview posted on YouTube, Dalton told the anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe his “history with anti-abortion has been probably 30-odd years in the making”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Monks bring balm for America’s wounds as Washington cheers peace odyssey 12. February 2026 (02:37) Buddhist monks had walked 2,300 miles from Texas, braving snow and often barefoot – their arrival in the capital was greeted by thousandsBhante Saranapala gazed down at more than a hundred Buddhist monks wearing burnt-orange, saffron and maroon robes, most sporting woolly hats, a few clutching flowers.“These monks are awesome!” roared Saranapala, who is known as the “Urban Buddhist Monk”, prompting a cheer from the big crowd. “Their determination should be greatly appreciated. Walking from Texas to Washington DC, 2,300 miles; it requires strong determination!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tarique Rahman promises era of clean politics as Bangladesh holds first election since fall of Hasina 12. February 2026 (02:10) Jailed then exiled in London, Rahman returns home as the main contender to be next prime minister of BangladeshTarique Rahman, who after 17 years in exile is the main contender to be the next prime minister of Bangladesh, has pledged to end entrenched corruption and put the country on a “new path” as voting began in the first free and fair elections in almost two decades.Speaking to the Guardian before polls opened on Thursday morning, Rahman promised a new era of clean politics, including a “top down, no tolerance” approach to graft, if his Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) was brought to power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US House backs bid to block Canada tariffs in rebuke of Trump 12. February 2026 (01:48) Republicans join Democrats in objecting to national emergency US president declared to impose tariffsThe US House on Wednesday voted to rescind tariffs that Donald Trump imposed on Canada last year, a rare bipartisan rebuke of the White House’s trade policy as the president threatened electoral retaliation against any Republican who defied him.The largely symbolic resolution to disapprove of the national emergency Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canada passed 219 to 211, with six Republicans – Don Bacon of Nebraska, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Kevin Kiley of California, Dan Newhouse of Washington and Jeff Hurd of Colorado – voting with all Democrats except Jared Golden of Maine, who voted against it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fundraiser for widow and children of James Van Der Beek surpasses $500,000 goal within hours 12. February 2026 (01:40) The Dawson’s Creek star, who died on Tuesday aged 48, had been open about struggling to meet the high expenses of his cancer treatmentA GoFundMe set up to support the widow and children of actor James Van Der Beek has passed its initial goal of $500,000 within hours of being created – and has now been updated to a goal of $1m.Van Der Beek, best known for his role as sensitive teen Dawson Leery on the TV series Dawson’s Creek, died on Tuesday aged 48 after a battle with bowel cancer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Border patrol chief praised federal agent who shot US citizen in Chicago 12. February 2026 (01:27) New evidence shows Gregory Bovino hailed agent who fired at Marimar Martinez five times in her carNewly released evidence has shown that Gregory Bovino, a border patrol chief who was the face of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts until last month, praised a federal agent who shot a Chicago woman during an immigration crackdown last year.
Marimar Martinez, a US citizen, was shot five times by a border patrol agent in October while in her vehicle. She was charged with a felony after officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused her of trying to ram agents with her vehicle. But the case was abruptly dismissed after video evidence emerged showing that an agent had steered his vehicle into Martinez’s car.Lawyers for Martinez have pushed to make evidence in the dismissed criminal case public, saying they were especially motivated to do so after a federal agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis under similar circumstances. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Parents of children taken in to care should get more help, say experts after Victoria Marten death 12. February 2026 (01:01) Review says trauma-informed support could help interrupt ‘destructive cycles’ and reduce risk of harm to future babiesParents whose children are taken into care should receive trauma-informed support to reduce the risk of harm to any further babies they have, according to child protection experts.A national child safeguarding review, launched after the death of baby Victoria Marten, said that if “destructive cycles of harm are to be interrupted” there needed to be more focus on parents, as well as their vulnerable baby or unborn infant. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One in 14 children who die in England have closely related parents, study finds 12. February 2026 (01:01) Exclusive: Calls for ‘urgent action’ as study also finds stark ethnic and socio-economic disparities in child mortality and consanguinityOne in 14 children who died in England in a four-year period had parents who were close relatives, according to “stark” figures revealed by the first study of its kind.The figures, published by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), based at the University of Bristol, analysed all 13,045 child deaths in England between 2019 and 2023. Of these, 926 (7%) were found to be of children born to consanguineous parents, meaning the mother and father are close blood relatives, such as first cousins. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Housing market in England and Wales ‘showing tentative signs of recovery’ 12. February 2026 (01:01) Rics surveyors report inquiries from new buyers, agreed sales and house prices were less negative in JanuaryThere are “tentative signs” that the housing market in England and Wales is recovering from a months-long slowdown after uncertainty around the autumn budget and economic pressures, estate agents and surveyors have reported.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said its members were feeling more optimistic about the year ahead than at any time since December 2024, as inquiries from new buyers, agreed sales and house prices became less negative in January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cees Nooteboom, Dutch novelist and travel writer, dies aged 92 12. February 2026 (00:40) Writer made international breakthrough with 1980 novel Rituals and won acclaim for his travel writingThe Dutch writer Cees Nooteboom, whose novels, travel writing and translations made him a prominent literary figure in postwar Europe, has died aged 92.Publishing house De Bezige Bij said in a statement on Wednesday evening that Nooteboom had “passed away very peacefully on his beloved island Menorca”. The statement was made on behalf of the author’s wife, the photographer Simone Sassen. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
