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)
Emergency warnings along north-west WA coast as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell approaches as category 3 storm 08. February 2026 (02:48) Wind gusts up to 195km/h could develop as cyclone forecast to make landfall between Exmouth and Onslow in the Pilbara on Sunday night Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSevere Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is expected to maintain its category 3 intensity as it barrels along the Pilbara coast before making landfall.Located west of Karratha, the cyclone was about 30km offshore with 120km/h winds near the centre and gusts up to 165km/h on Sunday morning, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest track map. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition to reunite after Sussan Ley brokers deal with David Littleproud to end second split 08. February 2026 (02:05) Deal will see all former Nationals frontbenchers suspended from shadow ministry until MarchFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Coalition will reunite after Sussan Ley brokered a deal with David Littleproud to bring the Liberals and Nationals back together.The opposition leader and the Nationals leader will announce the peace deal at a joint press conference in Canberra at 12.30pm on Sunday, reforming the Coalition less than three weeks after a rift over Labor’s hate speech laws split the parties for the second time in eight months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW police to seize and destroy illegally ‘souped-up’ ebikes under government crackdown 08. February 2026 (02:05) State transport minister says ebikes modified to exceed 25km/h speed limit will be confiscated by police and ‘end up as a twisted wreck’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW government has announced a “crackdown” on illegally modified ebikes, with police to be given powers to seize and destroy any that exceed the legal speed limit.The transport minister, John Graham, announced on Sunday that new seizure laws will be developed to allow police to seize any ebike that does not cut power assistance at 25km/h, with non-compliant bikes to be removed from the streets and crushed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
'We will pay,' Savannah Guthrie says in desperate video plea to potential kidnappers of her mother 08. February 2026 (01:50) Today show host tells potential kidnappers of mother Nancy that family is prepared to pay for safe returnSavannah Guthrie told the potential kidnappers of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on Saturday that the family is prepared to pay for her safe return, as the frantic search for the 84-year-old entered a seventh day.“We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” she said in a video posted on social media, flanked by her siblings. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s ‘unsung army’ of full-time unpaid carers needs more support, report says 08. February 2026 (01:01) Resolution Foundation finds one in three carers from poorer families unable to work because of responsibilitiesA growing “unsung army” of 1 million people with full-time caring responsibilities needs better support, according to a report that found one in three unpaid carers from poorer backgrounds were unable to work because of their duties.The trend is the result of an ageing society and rising ill-health and disability concentrated in the poorest half of the country’s working-age families, the Resolution Foundation’s research found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
