GetUp hires David Sharaz for senior role as it takes on ‘democratic threat’ of conservative groups 07. February 2026 (20:00) Progressive organisation will focus on combating far-right groups and pushing for policy wins in the lead-up to the 2028 electionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProgressive political campaigning outfit GetUp has hired former journalist David Sharaz to a senior role, as it rebuilds organisational strength and pledges to take the fight up to conservative groups including Advance.Sharaz – most recently a public relations executive – is married to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who was at the centre of the high profile rape case which has rocked federal politics since 2021. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Hurry for justice’: Windrush victims dying without redress, commissioner says 07. February 2026 (18:34) Clive Foster says action needed now to deliver justice to UK residents who had been wrongly classified as illegal immigrantsThe Windrush commissioner has warned of a “hurry for justice” as more victims of the scandal die without redress, while stakeholders call for a public inquiry and legislative changes amid fears that a Reform government could stall progress toward justice.Speaking on the sidelines of a people’s inquiry symposium for those affected by the Windrush scandal, Rev Clive Foster said action was needed “now” to deliver justice for those British residents whose lives were upended after being wrongly classified as illegal immigrants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters 07. February 2026 (18:00) Exclusive: Site takes a cut of subscriptions to content that promotes far-right ideology, white supremacy and antisemitismThe global publishing platform Substack is generating revenue from newsletters that promote virulent Nazi ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism, a Guardian investigation has found.The platform, which says it has about 50 million users worldwide, allows members of the public to self-publish articles and charge for premium content. Substack takes about 10% of the revenue the newsletters make. About 5 million people pay for access to newsletters on its platform. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump 07. February 2026 (17:40) Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staffLast spring, the National Security Agency (NSA) detected evidence of an unusual phone call between an individual associated with foreign intelligence and a person close to Donald Trump, according to a whistleblower’s attorney briefed on the existence of the call.The highly sensitive communique, which has roiled Washington over the past week, was brought to the attention of the director of national intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard – but rather than allowing NSA officials to distribute the information further, she took a paper copy of the intelligence directly to the president’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, the attorney, Andrew Bakaj, said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Battle of the chatbots: Anthropic and OpenAI go head-to-head over ads in their AI products 07. February 2026 (17:00) New Anthropic campaign suggests other AI platforms will incorporate targeted ads in their chatbot conversationsThe Seahawks and the Patriots aren’t the only ones gearing up for a fight.AI rivals Anthropic and OpenAI have launched a war of ads trying to court corporate America during one of the biggest entertainment nights of the year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Use of Irish airport for US deportation flights to Israel called ‘reprehensible’ 07. February 2026 (16:38) Irish politicians condemn use of Shannon airport by private jet en route to Israel, owned by Trump donor Gil DezerRevealed: Private jet owned by Trump friend used by ICE to deport Palestinians to West BankPoliticians in Ireland have said the use of an airport in County Clare by planes deporting Palestinians from the US to Israel is “reprehensible”.A private jet owned by the Donald Trump donor Gil Dezer was chartered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for two separate flights that took detainees to Israel, a Guardian investigation revealed this week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK supreme court hearing interrupted by history podcast played from judge’s phone 07. February 2026 (16:36) Proceedings briefly halted after audio from The Rest Is History broadcast over the courtroom speakersAs the highest court in the UK, the supreme court is usually the forum for proceedings of the utmost gravity. But last week, one hearing was momentarily interrupted by an unlikely and comic intervention.As one legal professional addressed the bench, the voice of Tom Holland, host of the popular podcast the Rest is History, boomed out through the court’s microphone system, delivering a satirical impersonation of the late US president Jimmy Carter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal judge reverses Trump’s freeze on $16bn for NY-NJ tunnel project 07. February 2026 (16:27) President reportedly wanted Dulles airport and Penn Station to be renamed after him in exchange for continued fundingA federal judge has reversed a freeze put on funds by Donald Trump for $16bn in enhanced rail links connecting New York and New Jersey amid reports that the US president wants major travel landmarks named after him in return for continued investment.The Gateway Project will build a new commuter rail tunnel between Manhattan and New Jersey under the Hudson River on the western side of New York City and repair a century-old tunnel used by more than 200,000 travelers and 425 trains daily. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy says US has set June deadline for Ukraine-Russia peace deal 07. February 2026 (15:38) Ukrainian president says Trump administration has proposed to host next round of trilateral talks in USVolodymyr Zelenskyy has said the US has given Ukraine and Russia yet another deadline to reach a peace settlement, and is now proposing the war should end by June. The Ukrainian president also told reporters that both sides had been invited to further talks next week.Zelenskyy said the Trump administration “will probably put pressure” on Ukraine and Russia to end the war by the beginning of the summer. “They say they want to get everything done by June,” he said. “They will do everything to end the war and they want a clear schedule of all events.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Outrage after US Congress votes to slash $125m in funding to replace toxic lead pipes 07. February 2026 (14:00) Move will hit Michigan, Illinois, New York and other states with highest levels of lead drinking water pipes the hardestThere is outrage among some politicians and activists after the US Congress voted to slash $125m for replacing toxic lead drinking water pipes that are particularly a threat to children.The move will hit Michigan, Illinois, Texas, New York and other states with the highest levels of lead pipes the hardest. The cut was part of a broader government funding bill and particularly controversial in the context of the fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
