Police arrest boy, 13, after two pupils stabbed at north London school 10. February 2026 (20:33) Boy held on suspicion of attempted murder after two pupils, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed at Kingsbury high schoolPolice have arrested a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder after two boys, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed at a school in north-west London .The Metropolitan police were called to the scene at Kingsbury high school in Bacon Lane, Brent, at 12.40pm on Tuesday to reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent 10. February 2026 (20:21) When piloted, initiative that provided €325 a week to eligible artists recouped more than its net cost, study shows Ireland is creating a scheme that will give artists a weekly income in the hope of reducing their need for alternative work and boosting their creativity.The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) initiative will provide €325 (£283) a week to 2,000 eligible artists based in the Republic of Ireland in three-year cycles. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK signed deals with US firms that were clients of Mandelson lobbying company 10. February 2026 (20:14) Clients of Global Counsel, co-founded by Mandelson, included OpenAI and Palantir, which have both signed deals with governmentA lobbying firm co-owned by Peter Mandelson worked for OpenAI before the US tech company signed a wide-ranging agreement with the UK government to explore deploying AI in Britain’s justice, security and education systems.In 2024, the $500bn-valued maker of ChatGPT was a client of Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded and part-owned. Keir Starmer subsequently appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Norway defence chief says Russia could invade to protect nuclear assets 10. February 2026 (20:07) Exclusive: Eirik Kristoffersen, who served in Afghanistan, rejects Trump’s claim that Nato troops stayed off frontlinesNorway’s army chief has said Oslo cannot exclude the possibility of a future Russian invasion of the country, suggesting Moscow could move on Norway to protect its nuclear assets stationed in the far north.“We don’t exclude a land grab from Russia as part of their plan to protect their own nuclear capabilities, which is the only thing they have left that actually threatens the United States,” said Gen Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s chief of defence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Wake-up call’ for Greece as air force officer accused of spying for China 10. February 2026 (20:04) Christos Flessas detained in case seen as exposing Beijing’s strategy of infiltrating western military and security servicesA Greek air force officer arrested on suspicion of spying for China has been detained pending trial after appearing before a military judge in a case that is seen as exposing Beijing’s determination to infiltrate Europe’s security and intelligence services.Surrounded by armed escorts, a squadron leader identified as Col Christos Flessas emerged from the court late on Tuesday after giving testimony for more than eight hours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Who could fill key No 10 vacancies – and win the battle for Starmer’s ear? 10. February 2026 (20:01) Everyone around PM agrees ‘chaos’ at No 10 has to be sorted, but there are competing factions trying to gain upper handWith three vacancies opening up at the very top of Keir Starmer’s operation, there is already a battle over who will win the war for his ear – and the direction of the government.The departure of Starmer’s most important political advisers – his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was focused on the fight against Reform in Labour’s working-class heartlands; and Tim Allan, the director of communication, considered a Blairite – has immediately raised hopes on Labour’s soft left of a shift in their favour. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drive the ‘ice road’, Estonians told – just don’t fasten your seatbelt 10. February 2026 (19:54) Cold spell means cars can cross 20km stretch of frozen sea but drivers must be able to exit quickly in case of a problemTemperatures in northern Europe have been so low that citizens of Estonia can now drive across a 20km stretch of frozen sea linking the country’s two main islands.The so-called “ice road” connecting the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, located in western Estonia between the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, was officially opened on Sunday with a line of cars waiting to use it that afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mark Carney reminds Trump that Canada paid for key border bridge US president says he won’t open 10. February 2026 (19:28) Trump earlier had ranted against bridge and also warned that China would ‘terminate’ hockey in CanadaMark Carney said he had held a “positive” conversation with Donald Trump after the US leader threatened to block a new key bridge between their two countries, reminding the president that Canada paid for the structure – and that the US shares ownership.Late on Monday, Trump posted a lengthy message on social media, falsely claiming that the $4.6bn Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, had “virtually no US content”. The bridge is due to open in early 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Malinowski concedes to Analilia Mejia in New Jersey Democratic primary for House seat 10. February 2026 (19:20) Ex-congressman Tom Malinowski congratulates activist on ‘hard-won victory’ in special primary for US House seatIn an upset victory that may carry implications for Democrats nationwide, the progressive activist Analilia Mejia on Tuesday was on the verge of winning a special primary for a US House seat in New Jersey after her main challenger conceded defeat.Former congressman Tom Malinowski issued a statement congratulating Mejia, a former adviser to Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and leader of New Jersey’s Working Families Alliance who has narrowly been in the lead since last Thursday’s election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bulgaria gripped by mysterious deaths of six people in mountains 10. February 2026 (18:13) Case is shrouded in fevered speculation as prosecutors say autopsies show two of the deceased were “probably” murderedIt has been dubbed Bulgaria’s “Twin Peaks”: a grim saga involving the mysterious deaths of six people in the middle of the mountains that has gripped the eastern European country.Zahari Vaskov, the director of the national police general directorate, told a press conference on Monday that the deaths were “a case without comparison in our country”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
