‘Keir Starmer doesn’t do anything but U-turns’: the bleak mood in Makerfield 10. February 2026 (07:00) Many in ‘red wall’ seat of Josh Simons, a staunch ally of the PM, have had enough of Labour – and its leaderAs he rose to his feet in the Commons in September 2024, the incoming Labour MP Josh Simons echoed Keir Starmer’s promise to deliver.“Unless working people like those I am so proud to represent feel change and unless we in this chamber demonstrate humility and honesty and act with integrity and with respect, they have no reason to believe in democracy,” he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hinkley Point C plan could save 90% of fish being sucked into pipes, study finds 10. February 2026 (07:00) Scientists find £700m underwater acoustic project, likened to a ‘fish disco’, could save 44 tonnes a yearScientists have found that plans to use a “fish disco” to deter migratory marine life from the nearby Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor could help save 90% of fish from the power plant’s water intake pipes – but the solution is set to cost its developer £700m.EDF Energy, which is building the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Somerset, said research it commissioned from scientists at Swansea University had found that using an acoustic deterrent system helped to ward off the “vast majority” of fish it tagged for the experiment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump White House voices opposition after Israel unveils plan to increase control over West Bank 10. February 2026 (06:19) Israel’s security cabinet has approved plans that pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territoryA White House official has reiterated Donald Trump’s opposition towards Israel annexing the West Bank, after Israeli plans were announced that would pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.The measures, announced on Sunday, included allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly, and extending greater Israeli control over areas where the Palestinian Authority exercises power. It was unclear when the new rules, approved by Israel’s security cabinet, would take effect but they do not require further approval. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
English Heritage launches ‘bonding benches’ to tackle parental isolation 10. February 2026 (06:00) Charity to also offer activities for young families and host NCT volunteer-led sling and buggy walks at selected sitesThe great stone circles, abbeys, castles and manor houses that English Heritage manages acted for centuries as places to meet and mingle.Now in an effort to tackle parental isolation, the charity is tapping back into this sense of community by introducing “bonding benches” at many of its most famous sites. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sheikh who led prayer at Sydney protest against Herzog says police were ‘unhinged and aggressive’ 10. February 2026 (05:57) Any officers who acted unlawfully should face prosecution for actions, Muslim groups sayNew South Wales police who grabbed men kneeling in prayer during a protest in Sydney against Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit should face prosecution, a coalition of Muslim organisations has said.The joint statement demanded an apology from the state premier and called for the resignation of the NSW police commissioner after the incident on Monday night, with the man leading the prayer calling the police response “unhinged” and “aggressive”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chappell Roan drops Casey Wasserman talent agency after Epstein files revelations 10. February 2026 (05:36) Wasserman has apologised for communicating with Ghislaine Maxwell after flirtatious emails they exchanged more than 20 years ago were released in the Epstein filesPop star Chappell Roan said on Monday she was no longer represented by the talent agency led by Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman, who has faced criticism for flirtatious email exchanges with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell more than 20 years ago.Wasserman has apologised for communicating with Maxwell, after the publication of a series of personal emails between the two. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer survives – but for how long? – podcast 10. February 2026 (04:00) Helen Pidd follows the twists and turns on Monday as the prime minister fought to keep his jobOn Monday morning, the prime minister was preparing to reset relations with MPs after the resignation of his chief aide, Morgan McSweeney.Just before midday, news broke that Tim Allen, Keir Starmer’s director of communications, had resigned. By lunchtime, it emerged that Anas Sarwar, Labour’s leader in Scotland, was preparing to hold a press conference calling on Starmer to stand down. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ABC airs former Asio agent’s claims that Bondi shooters were radicalised years ago, despite agency’s criticism 10. February 2026 (03:35) Four Corners reported comments by ‘Marcus’ alleging agency was warned Sajid and Naveed Akram supported Islamic StateFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereThe ABC’s Four Corners has broadcast claims by a former undercover agent that father and son terrorists Sajid and Naveed Akram were showing signs of being radicalised years before they killed 15 people at Bondi beach.The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) assessed Naveed, then 17, over his alleged associations with individuals involved in a Islamic State cell in 2019, but later concluded he was not an ongoing threat.Sign up to get Guardian Australia’s weekly media diary as a free newsletter Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US says two people killed in military strike on boat in Pacific 10. February 2026 (02:57) Officials say rescuers searching for lone survivor after latest attack on what Pentagon says are suspected drug smugglersThe US military’s Southern Command, which oversee operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, announced that it carried out another deadly strike on Monday, killing two suspected drug smugglers in the eastern Pacific.The statement said that the latest in what legal experts have called a series of extrajudicial killings by the Pentagon was carried out “at the direction of” the Florida-based combat unit’s new commander, Gen Francis L Donovan, who was sworn in at a Pentagon ceremony last Thursday. Donovan takes over after a US navy admiral, Alvin Holsey, chose to retire over reported disagreements over the boat-strike policy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sussan Ley warns Liberals ‘disunity is death’ as speculation mounts Angus Taylor will launch leadership challenge 10. February 2026 (02:47) Victorian backbencher Jane Hume challenged opposition leader at closed-door meeting to outline how she planned to turn things aroundSussan Ley has warned colleagues that disunity is death as speculation that Angus Taylor will soon launch a Liberal leadership challenge reaches fever pitch.The opposition leader did not face a spill motion at Tuesday morning’s Liberal party room meeting. A spill motion was always considered unlikely given senators weren’t expected to attend due to estimates hearings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
