Super Bowl 2026: Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots – live 09. February 2026 (00:03) Latest updates as teams meet for NFL title at Levi’s StadiumPredictions: Our writers’ picks for the winner, MVP and moreEmail david.lengel@theguardian.com with your thoughtsI wanted to be with you alone……and talk about the weather. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested over death of student at University of Lancashire 08. February 2026 (22:24) Carla Georgescu, 19, was found dead at her accommodation in Preston and police say her death is being treated as suspiciousA man has been arrested over the death of a student in her accommodation at the University of Lancashire.Carla Georgescu, 19, was found dead at her accommodation in Victoria Street, Preston, on Thursday afternoon, Lancashire constabulary said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer in fight to reassert control over Labour party after McSweeney exit 08. February 2026 (21:08) Allies hope aide’s departure can quell anger over Mandelson scandal but others say it leaves PM dangerously exposedProfile: Labour election guru undone by poor judgment‘Only honourable course’: resignation statement in fullKeir Starmer is fighting to reassert control over his party after accepting the resignation of his closest adviser, Morgan McSweeney, amid anger over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.After days of pressure over the scandal, his departing chief of staff said on Sunday he took “full responsibility” for his advice to send Mandelson to Washington despite his ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which McSweeney conceded had undermined trust in Labour and in politics itself. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
For some, McSweeney resignation removes obstacle to eventual downfall of Starmer 08. February 2026 (21:06) Those pushing to oust the prime minister are unlikely to be deterred by his right-hand man’s departureFor some Labour MPs, the sight of Keir Starmer accepting the resignation of his long-term consigliere, Morgan McSweeney, encapsulated everything they think is going wrong with the prime minister’s leadership.After days of mounting criticism over McSweeney’s role in advocating for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Washington ambassador, the prime minister’s chief of staff left Downing Street on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
England and Wales brace for downpours with more than 200 active flood alerts 08. February 2026 (20:21) Met Office issues fresh yellow warning for rain as parts of England are still recovering from extensive floodingMore than 200 flood alerts were active across the UK on Sunday as parts of England and Wales braced for more downpours after the Met Office issued a fresh yellow warning for rain.The warning spans noon to midnight on Monday, covering parts of southern Wales as well as south-east and south-west England. The Met Office said that “10-15mm of rain is likely fairly widely with 20-30mm in some places exposed to the strong south to south-easterly winds”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump calls Hunter Hess ‘a real loser’ for skier’s ambivalence about representing US 08. February 2026 (20:20) US president attacks freestyle skier in postHess had said representing the US was ‘a little hard’Donald Trump responded to Hunter Hess on Truth Social on Sunday, calling the Olympian a “real loser” and criticizing comments the US freestyle skier made in a press conference days earlier.Hess was asked in a press conference on Wednesday what it was like to represent the US in the Olympics given the current situation in the country, which has included ICE raids in Minnesota and a number of geopolitical crises. Hess said representing the US at the 2026 Winter Olympics brought up “mixed emotions” and that it was “a little hard.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘It felt hypocritical’: child internet safety campaign accused of censoring teenagers’ speeches 08. February 2026 (18:57) Exclusive: Childnet, a UK charity part-funded by US tech firms, edited out warnings by two young speakers at its 2024 Safer Internet Day eventAn internet safety campaign backed by US tech companies has been accused of censoring two teenagers they invited to speak out about the biggest issues facing children online.Childnet, a UK charity part-funded by companies including Snap, Roblox and Meta, edited out warnings from Lewis Swire and Saamya Ghai that social media addiction was an “imminent threat to our future” and obsessive scrolling was making people “sick”, according to a record of edits seen by the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thai PM’s party on track to win election in blow to pro-democracy camp 08. February 2026 (18:51) Staunch royalist Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party builds commanding lead on disappointing night for rivalsThe party of the Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a staunch royalist and shrewd political dealmaker, is on track to win the most seats in Sunday’s election after a disappointing night for his rivals in the youthful, pro-democracy People’s party.“We are likely to take first place in the election,” the 59-year-old told reporters at the headquarters for his Bhumjaithai party in Bangkok. “The victory today belongs to all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not,” he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats will stop Trump from trying to nationalize midterms, Jeffries says 08. February 2026 (18:41) Top House Democrat says president’s suggestion for Republicans to ‘take over’ elections really means ‘steal it’ Democrats will stop Donald Trump from trying to steal this year’s midterm elections, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives said on Sunday.Jeffries comments come amid widespread concern after Trump said Republicans should “take over the voting”. The US constitution gives states the power to set election rules and says Congress can pass laws to set requirements for federal elections. The constitution gives the president no authority over how elections are run. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran sentences Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to seven more years in prison 08. February 2026 (18:27) Women’s and human rights activist, arrested at a demonstration in December, is said to be on hunger strikeIran has sentenced the Nobel peace prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to more than seven more years in prison after she began a hunger strike, her supporters said Sunday, as Tehran cracks down on all dissent following nationwide protests and the deaths of thousands at the hands of security forces.The new convictions against Mohammadi come as Iran tries to negotiate with the US over its nuclear programme to avert a military strike threatened by Donald Trump. Iran’s top diplomat said on Sunday that Tehran’s strength came from its ability to “say no to the great powers”, striking a maximalist position just after negotiations in Oman with the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
