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)
Australia sends special envoy to Laos to shadow investigation of backpackers’ methanol poisoning deaths 12. February 2026 (00:34) Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones were travelling in Laos in late 2024 when they were fatally poisoned with methanol at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang ViengFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will send a special envoy to Laos as it investigates the methanol poisoning deaths of two teenagers.The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, announced the appointment on Thursday after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade apologised earlier this week for not providing more information to the victims’ families. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Angus Taylor launches bid for Liberal party leadership after spill motion delivered to Sussan Ley 11. February 2026 (23:58) The call for a leadership ballot followed a wave of resignations from the shadow frontbench on Thursday morningFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAngus Taylor has officially launched his bid for the Liberal party leadership, declaring the party has “lost its way” under Sussan Ley.After resigning from shadow cabinet on Wednesday night, Taylor confirmed plans to challenge Ley in a social media video posted on Thursday morning, amid a wave of resignations from the shadow frontbench. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tumbler Ridge school shooting: police identify suspect in Canada attack as 18-year-old local resident – as it happened 11. February 2026 (23:34) This live blog is now closed. For the latest, read our coverage:Full report: Canadian police identify suspect in school massacre that left nine deadTumbler Ridge shooting: key questions answered about deadly attack in Canada“We believe we’ve been able to identify the shooter,” said Floyd, adding that RCMP will withhold the shooter’s identity for privacy reasons and for the conduct of the investigation.Floyd also refused to disclose details on how many of the victims were children and adults, adding that more details will emerge in coming days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Children who carry knives to get support earlier in England and Wales 11. February 2026 (23:30) David Lammy announces mandatory support and mentoring plan in wake of two stabbings at a school in Brent, north-west LondonChildren who carry knives will be given earlier and more targeted support in the wake of stabbings at a secondary school, David Lammy has said.The deputy prime minister said every child in England and Wales caught with a sharp weapon will be given a mandatory, specialised plan from the authorities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former top civil servant warns ‘more due diligence’ to be done over replacement of Chris Wormald 11. February 2026 (23:29) Simon McDonald says if Antonia Romeo is the frontrunner for cabinet secretary role then ‘due diligence has some way still to go’A former top civil servant has urged No 10 to do “more due diligence” as it prepares to replace the cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, with Antonia Romeo, the frontrunner for the role.Sir Simon McDonald, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, said he had tried to warn No 10 the process needed to start from scratch and it was vital that the prime minister followed a thorough procedure given the importance of the role. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Send provision leaving deprived areas of England ‘trailing behind’, report finds 11. February 2026 (23:00) Ex-education secretaries urge change as data shows special educational needs spending rising fastest in wealthy areasTwo former Labour education secretaries have urged the government to restore “sanity and certainty” to England’s special educational needs system, as analysis shows spending has risen fastest in the most affluent councils, leaving deprived areas “trailing behind”.According to research by the Policy Exchange thinktank, total local authority spending on special educational needs and disabilities (Send) increased by more than £5bn in real terms between 2018–19 and 2024–25 – a 58.5% increase in six years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour bill would stop ‘dodgy front companies’ making political donations 11. February 2026 (23:00) Bill would also give votes to 16-year-olds and pave the way for ‘opt-out’ voter registrationLabour will end the use of “dodgy front companies” that hide the source of dark money for political donations as part of its sweeping elections bill, which will give votes to 16-year-olds and pave the way for “opt-out” voter registration.Gifts and hospitality for politicians sponsored by foreign states or companies will also be severely curbed, the Guardian understands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
