Family of worker killed on Saudi World Cup site still waiting for compensation a year on 11. February 2026 (08:00) Lengthy delays in compensation are ‘emblematic’ of what many relatives of migrant workers go through in the Gulf kingdom, say rights groupsWhen Mohammad Arshad fell to his death while constructing the first new stadium for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, one of the main stadium contractors, the Belgian construction multinational Besix, promised it would take immediate steps to ensure all end-of-service and insurance payments were, “handled in a timely and respectful manner”.Almost a year later, Arshad’s family say they have yet to receive either. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mia Amor Mottley on course for third term, as Barbados heads to the polls 11. February 2026 (08:00) PM and global climate action advocate looks set to secure another victory despite voter concerns over cost of living and crime Barbados prime minister and global climate action champion, Mia Amor Mottley, is on course for a third consecutive term in office, forecasts suggest, as voters head to the polls on Wednesday.Mottley is the country’s first female leader since its independence in 1966, and her strong international advocacy for climate action and support for small and vulnerable nations have made her an influential and popular global and regional leader, experts say. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Broken ribs, ruptured bowels: ebike injuries double at major Sydney hospital in one year 11. February 2026 (07:20) More than half of the cases presenting to the St Vincent’s emergency department in Sydney had self-reported speeds of more than 25km/hFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“You don’t understand the power of an ebike until you get on one,” Dr Tony Grabs warned.Grabs, the director of trauma at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney, was citing a patient who had jumped on a rental ebike after a night of drinking with friends – the first time she had ever been on one. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I’m thinking of building an ark’: the Cornish village soaked by 41 consecutive days of rain 11. February 2026 (07:00) In Cardinham, which has had 366mm of rain this year, there’s little need to check the weather forecast: more rainTell us: how have you been affected by the rainy weather in the UK?“I’m thinking of building an ark,” said Sarah Cowen, an artist and cafe owner. “It’s been horrendous. We’ve never known anything like it. The mud, the silt, the endless rain.” Cowen is one of a hardy, if soggy, bunch who live or work in and around the parish of Cardinham, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, which has endured 41 consecutive days of rain – and counting.“This is definitely global warming. You get either baking sun or continuous rain,” Cowen said. The locals don’t have to look at the weather forecast here at the moment. “You know it’s going to be rain,” Cowen said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nurses’ families fear being torn apart in UK immigration crackdown, survey says 11. February 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Most people in charity’s study say they worry about being separated from relatives under Mahmood plansFamilies of nurses and carers have said they fear being torn apart under an immigration crackdown condemned as “an act of economic vandalism”.A survey of more than 1,000 people, many of whom moved to Britain to work or study, found that three in five worry about being separated from their relatives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can the Swedish prime minister’s new podcast improve his fortunes in this year’s election? 11. February 2026 (06:00) Ulf Kristersson answers calls from voters in informal weekly show, on topics from women’s safety to beer“Hi Ulf!” says a male voice from the Swedish prime minister’s answering machine. “Just wondering how many beers you have on a Saturday night?”Another caller to Ulf Kristersson’s new podcast Ring statsministern! (Call the prime minister!), asks whether he is friends with Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats party who simultaneously backs his government and is a rival in the upcoming general election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada shooting: 10 dead including suspect in attack on Tumbler Ridge high school and residence, police say 11. February 2026 (05:39) More than 25 people are injured, including two with life-threatening injuries, after the shooting at Tumbler Ridge secondary schoolLatest updates: ‘devastating’ shooting hits remote town of Tumbler RidgePolice in Canada say 10 people are dead, including the suspect, in a mass shooting that appeared to target a high school in northern British Columbia.More than two dozen victims have been hospitalized in what premier David Eby called an “unimaginable tragedy” that ranks among the deadliest events of its kind in Canadian history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Father of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok first to be convicted under Hong Kong national security law 11. February 2026 (05:05) Officials arrested Kwok Yin-sang after he tried to end his daughter’s insurance policy and withdraw the fundsA Hong Kong court has found the father of a wanted activist guilty of a national security violation, after he tried to end her insurance policy and withdraw the funds, drawing international criticism for the targeting of relatives of pro-democracy campaigners.Kwok Yin-sang, 68, is the first person to be charged under a homegrown national security law, also known as Article 23, for “attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources” belonging to an absconder. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
PM tells Isaac Herzog Australia wants transparency over Zomi Frankcom’s death as pair meet in Canberra 11. February 2026 (05:00) Israeli president’s visit met with protests outside Parliament House, with at least one independent MP boycotting question timeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has told the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, that Australia expects transparency over the death of aid worker Zomi Frankcom, killed by an Israel Defense Forces strike in Gaza, and is pushing for “any appropriate criminal charges”.Herzog, who was in Canberra on Wednesday, has said his country wants to work with Australia to “uproot this phenomenon” of antisemitism. His Canberra visit was met with protests outside Parliament House against the Palestinian civilian death toll in Gaza. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A cultural icon’: axed Australian literary journal Meanjin finds new life in Queensland 11. February 2026 (04:39) The 85-year-old magazine will return to the city for which it was named after a successful bid by Queensland University of TechnologyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe literary journal Meanjin will return to the city it was born in that bears its Indigenous name.The Queensland University of Technology announced on Wednesday it had acquired the 85-year-old journal, whose life was cut short by Melbourne University Press in September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
