Why most democracies won’t touch Trump’s Board of Peace 11. February 2026 (20:00) Whether it’s the $1bn price tag or the US president’s outsized power, key allies are steering clear of the boardThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland; sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayHey, do you like peace? Oh, cool, you do? Then, how about we establish a group of countries, all committed to that concept, working together to create global harmony? No, not the one that has already existed for 80 years. A new one. Who’s in?It turns out: not that many world leaders or global citizens. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour can win political argument for closer EU ties, says Rachel Reeves 11. February 2026 (19:51) Chancellor says stronger alignment with Europe is ‘biggest prize’ for trade and economic growthRachel Reeves has insisted Labour can win the political argument for a closer relationship with the EU, calling it the “biggest prize” for UK economic growth.Some Labour strategists have been wary of making the case for stronger alignment with the EU, believing it could alienate pro-Brexit voters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘No words that capture the horror’: small Canada town shattered by mass school shooting 11. February 2026 (19:48) Remote coalmining community of Tumbler Ridge struggles to make sense of attack that has left Canada in shock‘We will get through this’: visibly shaken Mark Carney addresses Canada after mass shooting leaves 10 deadWithin moments of receiving reports that there was a shooter nearby, Stacie Gruntman, the principal of Tumbler Ridge secondary school, did what educators are increasingly trained to do: she put the school in lockdown.Gruntman rushed through the tiny school in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern British Columbia, checking that classroom doors were secured. Teachers shut off the lights and huddled with their students. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Michelin two-star chef in hygiene row hits out at ‘prehistoric’ inspectors 11. February 2026 (19:18) Gareth Ward of Ynyshir in Wales vows to fight on after inspection report is disclosed revealing concerns about fliesA chef whose Michelin two-star restaurant in Wales was given a one-star hygiene rating has claimed the inspection regime is “prehistoric” as it emerged officers raised concerns about dead flies and the potential for cross-contamination.Gareth Ward said the inspectors did not understand what he and his colleagues were trying to do at Ynyshir, a restaurant with rooms near Machynlleth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK being ‘colonised by immigrants’, says Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe 11. February 2026 (19:10) Britain’s seventh-richest man, who vocally backed Brexit then moved to Monaco, also hits out at people on benefitsThe billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who moved to tax-free Monaco in 2020, has claimed that the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants.Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Britain’s seventh-richest man and the part-owner of Manchester United FC took aim at people receiving state support and immigrants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We will get through this’: visibly shaken Mark Carney addresses Canada after mass shooting leaves 10 dead 11. February 2026 (18:19) Flags flown at half-mast throughout country after attack in small British Columbia town of Tumbler RidgeA visibly shaken Mark Carney has promised Canadians they will make it through the aftermath of a mass shooting in a small western town, in which an assailant killed nine people and then themselves in one of the deadliest such attacks in the country’s history.“It’s obviously a very difficult day for the nation,” said the Canadian prime minister on Wednesday, who at one point looked close to tears. “This morning, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French biathlete guilty of fraud wins Olympic gold while scammed teammate comes 80th 11. February 2026 (17:46) Julia Simon holds finger to lips as she crosses lineSimon found to have spent €2,000 on rival’s credit cardAn athlete convicted of committing credit card fraud against one of her national teammates has won an Olympic gold medal for France in the women’s 15km biathlon, beating her victim to do it.Julia Simon, 29, was handed a €15,000 fine and a three-month suspended sentence last October after she was found to have spent more than €2,000 using card details belonging to Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, also 29, who finished in 80th place in the same race. A third member of the French team, Lou Jeanmonnot, won the silver. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marine Le Pen appeal trial ends with presidential race at stake 11. February 2026 (17:41) Judges’ verdict on embezzlement challenge to determine if far-right leader can stand in 2027 electionDefence lawyers for Marine Le Pen have told a Paris appeals court she did not orchestrate a system to misuse European parliament funds, at the close of an embezzlement trial that will determine whether the far-right leader can run in the 2027 French presidential election.Le Pen’s lawyer, Sandra Chirac Kollarik, told the court on Wednesday: “At no moment did Marine Le Pen imagine that she broke the rules.” She added: “Never in her life would she have deliberately accepted making a false contract.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scottish rocket startup nears collapse despite £26m in taxpayer loans 11. February 2026 (17:24) Orbex’s collapse would put 150 jobs at risk and dash hopes of it launching first homegrown rocket from ScotlandA British space company hoping to launch the first homegrown rocket from Scotland is on the brink of collapse, threatening 150 jobs and throwing doubt over the UK’s extraterrestrial ambitions.Orbex, which is based in the Scottish Highlands, is lining up administrators as hopes fade that it will strike a rescue deal or raise funds, despite having been handed £26m in government loans last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Moscow preparing to evacuate Russian tourists from Cuba amid US oil blockade 11. February 2026 (17:14) Cuban aviation authorities have warned country is running out of jet fuel, threatening to derail tourism industryAir Canada cancels all flights to Cuba as US oil blockade cuts off fuel accessMoscow has said it is planning to evacuate Russian tourists from Cuba within days as a fuel crisis triggered by US efforts to choke off the island’s oil supplies deepens.Russia’s aviation authorities said on Wednesday that two of its airlines serving the Caribbean island would operate outbound-only flights to bring tourists home before suspending services. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
