Bad Bunny to meet political moment as Maga fumes over Super Bowl show 08. February 2026 (12:00) Puerto Rican superstar promises ‘the world will dance’ in all-Spanish half-time gig that comes as Trump agents wage deadly crackdownFor 13 minutes on Sunday night, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara will pulse with reggaeton, Latin trap and Caribbean rhythms as Bad Bunny headlines a historic Super Bowl halftime performance, primarily – or perhaps entirely – in Spanish. The Puerto Rican megastar, whose songs fuse the raw energy of música urbana, Boricua pride and resistance politics, has promised a “huge party”.At a moment when masked federal agents are sweeping through American cities, rounding up long-settled immigrants, legal residents and even US citizens, Bad Bunny’s presence on the grandest stage in US sports offers a striking contrast – a joyful celebration of pride and solidarity for millions of Latinos. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Mandelson should hand back US ambassador payoff or give it to charity, says minister – UK politics live 08. February 2026 (11:52) Foreign Office says it will review payoff given to Mandelson after he was sackedSpeaking to Sky News this morning, Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart said:This administration under Keir Starmer has failed. It has U-turned, I think, what, 14 or 15 times now. It has had two resets in the past five months, and it is now caught up in the worst political scandal of my lifetime.He was lied to by someone who was known to be a serial liar. There’s no excuse for the fact that he made the wrong judgment.He was in possession of enough facts to have not made that appointment and he did anyway and I am afraid, Laura, he now has to take responsibility for that … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mandelson should hand back US ambassador payout, says cabinet minister 08. February 2026 (11:41) Pressure grows on Keir Starmer as Labour peer reported to have received payment worth three months’ salary when he quit in SeptemberUK politics live – latest updatesA cabinet minister has called for Peter Mandelson to hand back the payout he received after quitting as ambassador to the US last year, as pressure increased on the prime minister to quit for having appointed him in the first place.Pat McFadden, the welfare secretary, said on Sunday he thought the Labour peer should give back his Foreign Office payout, which is reported to be as much as £55,000. The Foreign Office is understood to be reviewing the payment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Centre-left candidate expected to see off far right as Portugal votes in presidential runoff 08. February 2026 (11:28) António José Seguro tipped to beat populist André Ventura with support of mainstream politicians on left and rightThe centre-left Socialist candidate, António José Seguro, is heavily favoured to defeat the far-right populist André Ventura in Portugal’s runoff presidential election on Sunday, in a vote that will test the depth of support for Ventura’s brash style of politics.Recent opinion polls suggest Seguro will collect twice as many votes as Ventura in the head-to-head between the two top candidates in last month’s first round of voting, when none of the 11 runners captured the more than 50% of the vote required for victory. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I fell into it’: ex-criminal hackers urge Manchester pupils to use web skills for good 08. February 2026 (09:00) Initiative aims to identify proficient gamers and coders who can help companies identify flaws in their cybersecurity Cybercriminals, the shadowy online figures often depicted in Hollywood movies as hooded villains capable of wiping millions of pounds off the value of businesses at a keystroke, are not usually known for their candour.But in a sixth-form college in Manchester this week, two former hackers gave the young people gathered an honest appraisal of what living a life of internet crime really looks like. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As goes the Washington Post: US democracy takes another hit under Trump 08. February 2026 (07:00) Jeff Bezos’s axing of more than 300 jobs at the storied newspaper has renewed fears about the resilience of America’s democracy to withstand Trump’s attacksThe email landed in Lizzie Johnson’s in-tray in Ukraine just before 4pm local time. It came at a tough time for the reporter: Russia had been repeatedly striking the country’s power grid, and just days before she had been forced to work out of her car without heat, power or running water, writing in pencil because pen ink freezes too readily.“Difficult news,” was the subject line. The body text said: “Your position is eliminated as part of today’s organizational changes,” explaining that it was necessary to get rid of her to meet the “evolving needs of our business”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Failure to compensate pelvic mesh implant victims ‘morally unacceptable’, say campaigners 08. February 2026 (07:00) Thousands of women with life-changing complications still in limbo two years after call for financial redressThe government’s failure to respond to calls for a compensation scheme for women harmed by pelvic mesh has been described as “morally unacceptable” by campaigners.Thousands of women were left with life-changing complications after receiving transvaginal mesh implants, with some unable to walk or work again. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We need to accept the cost’: future of British Steel unclear as bills for government build up 08. February 2026 (07:00) Propping up operations at Scunthorpe site, still legally owned by Jingye, now costs over £1.2m a day – so what are the options?British Steel was losing £700,000 a day last year when its Chinese owner announced plans to shut the steelworks at Scunthorpe. After Jingye rejected support to buy raw materials, the UK government stepped in with emergency legislation to take control of the plant.But that was not the end of the crisis. The cost to the government of propping up British Steel is now more than £1.2m a day. Yet the £359m bill, the latest disclosed to parliament last month, may only be the start. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland moves to ban pro-Palestine slogan ‘from the river to the sea’ under sweeping new hate speech laws 08. February 2026 (06:43) Laws to be introduced this week include up to two years in prison for distributing, displaying or reciting prohibited phrases to harass or offendGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQueensland could become the first state in Australia to outlaw the phrase “from the river to the sea”, under sweeping new hate speech reforms announced by the state government.The premier, David Crisafulli, announced the proposed laws on Sunday, ahead of their introduction to parliament on Tuesday, describing them as a direct response to the Bondi terror attack, in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukah celebration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Standoff over site of rally against Israeli president as protest group prepares court challenge to NSW police powers 08. February 2026 (02:57) Palestine Action Group march planned from Sydney Town Hall to state parliament in breach of public assembly declarationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProtesters planning to march through Sydney’s CBD during the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog’s visit are being urged to take an alternate route, as the Palestine Action Group prepares to challenge the premier’s use of special powers before the rally.The acting assistant commissioner of New South Wales police, Paul Dunstan, told reporters on Sunday negotiations were continuing with Josh Lees, from the Palestine Action Group, over the location of Monday night’s march. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
