Weather tracker: Storm Leonardo continues to batter Europe and northern Africa 06. February 2026 (14:33) Spain and Portugal hit with torrential rain while flash floods in Morocco force more than 100,000 people to evacuateThe Iberian peninsula has been placed under severe weather alerts as Storm Leonardo continues to batter parts of Spain and Portugal with torrential rain and strong winds.Since Tuesday, the slow-moving system has brought widespread disruption, flooding and evacuations. In Grazalema, in southern Spain, more than 700mm of rain has fallen since Wednesday, roughly equivalent to the country’s average annual rainfall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Menstrual blood test could offer alternative to cervical screening 06. February 2026 (14:32) Researchers say blood sample strip, which can be used at home, can pick up virus that causes cervical cancerA pioneering test of period blood for signs of cervical cancer could be a convenient, non-invasive and accurate way of screening for the disease, researchers have said.A regular sanitary pad topped with a blood sample strip can pick up human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cases of cervical cancer, and could be used by women at home, the results of a study indicate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Calls to postpone presidential election as Storm Leonardo lashes Portugal and Spain 06. February 2026 (14:32) Portugal’s far-right Chega party has said vote should be delayed as state of calamity declared in 69 areasEurope live – latest updatesHeavy rains and strong winds continued to batter parts of Spain and Portugal on Friday, causing at least one death, forcing the evacuation of more than 7,000 people and prompting calls to postpone the second-round of Portugal’s presidential election.Storm Leonardo, which has lashed the Iberian peninsula this week, has led the Portuguese government to extend the current state of calamity in 69 municipalities until the middle of February. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UN urges UK and France to halt ‘one in one out’ asylum system 06. February 2026 (14:17) Letter expresses concerns agreement may involve ‘serious violations of international human rights law’The UN has called on the UK and France to halt the controversial “one in one out” asylum system, warning that there may be “serious violations of international human rights law”.Nine experts, who include seven special rapporteurs, wrote a 20-page letter to Downing Street and Paris on 8 December 2025 outlining detailed concerns about potential breaches of human rights they have identified in the scheme. They gave the two governments 60 days to respond and on Friday published their letter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bombing at mosque in Pakistan’s capital kills at least 31 people 06. February 2026 (14:05) Police investigating whether blast that injured at least 169 others at Friday prayers in Islamabad was suicide attackA bomb ripped through a Shia mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital during Friday prayers, killing 31 people and injuring at least 169 others, according to officials. Police said they were investigating whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.There were fears the death toll from the blast at the Khadija al-Kubra mosque in Islamabad could rise as some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Television footage and social media images showed police and residents transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quits after Epstein revelations 06. February 2026 (13:48) Ben Wegg-Prosser resigns from Global Counsel as emails show Epstein’s help was sought in setting up the companyUK politics live – latest updatesA former No 10 aide has quit as chief executive of the influential lobbying firm he co-founded with Peter Mandelson following revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files.Ben Wegg-Prosser stepped down on Friday as the head of Global Counsel after emails revealed the extent to which he and Mandselson had involved the convicted child sex offender when they were setting up the company in 2010. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak 06. February 2026 (13:11) Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails showOver two days of questioning during his Senate confirmation hearings last year, Robert F Kennedy Jr repeated the same answer.He said the closely scrutinized trip he took to Samoa in 2019, which came ahead of a devastating measles outbreak, had “nothing to do with vaccines”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada and France open Greenland consulates in show of Denmark support 06. February 2026 (13:05) Founding of diplomatic outposts in Nuuk comes after US made efforts to secure control of Arctic islandOpposition to US has hardened in western Europe after Greenland threat, poll findsEurope live – latest updatesCanada and France are to open diplomatic consulates in the capital of Greenland on Friday, showing support for their Nato ally Denmark and the Arctic island after US efforts to secure control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.Canada’s foreign minister, Anita Anand, was travelling to Nuuk to inaugurate the consulate, which officials say also could help boost cooperation on issues such as the climate crisis and Inuit rights. She was joined by Canada’s Indigenous governor general, Mary Simon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Despite assurances, residents and officials prepare for possible ICE operations during Super Bowl 06. February 2026 (13:00) In Santa Clara, California, where nearly half of residents are born outside US, fear builds as game approachesThis weekend, tens of thousands of people will make their way to the Bay Area city of Santa Clara, ready to celebrate a weekend at the Super Bowl.Beneath the jubilant mood, some residents and officials have been grappling with the possibility of ICE enforcement operations during the game, and taking steps to prepare. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
TikTok could be forced to change app’s ‘addictive design’ by European Commission 06. February 2026 (12:57) Preliminary EU ruling says app shifts brains of users into ‘autopilot mode’, with concerns for children and vulnerable adultsBusiness live – latest updatesTikTok could be forced into changes to make the app less addictive to users after the EU indicated the platform had breached the bloc’s digital safety rules.The EU’s executive arm said in a preliminary ruling that the popular app had infringed the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to its “addictive design”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
