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Feb 9, 2026 - World

In today’s newsletter: With public services under strain and voters drifting from traditional parties, the Senedd contest​ in May might end up causing an unprecedented reshaping of Welsh politicsGood morning. Yesterday afternoon the resignation of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, added to the sense of instability surrounding Labour’s Downing Street operation, after days of damaging revelations about Peter Mandelson and renewed questions about the prime minister’s leadership.Starmer’s personal ratings look set to fall further – and beyond the turmoil at No 10, Labour is also facing the prospect of severe losses in May’s elections for the Senedd in Wales and the parliament in Scotland. In both contests, the unpopularity of the Westminster government is exacerbating longer-term trends of Labour’s declining support.UK politics | Keir 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.Jeffrey Epstein | Noam Chomsky and his wife, Valeria, made a “grave mistake” and were “careless” not to thoroughly research the background of Jeffrey Epstein, Valeria Chomsky said in a lengthy statement, adding also that Epstein had deceived them.Jimmy Lai | Jimmy Lai, the media mogul and prominent pro-democracy activist, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for national security offences, a punishment his daughter said could mean “he will die a martyr behind bars.”US politics | 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.Olympics | Andy Burnham is among local leaders backing a plan for a multi-city 2040 Olympics bid from the north of England. Continue reading...

Feb 9, 2026 - World

Juan Pablo Guanipa was ‘violently’ taken from a residential neighbourhood in Caracas, according to opposition leader María Corina MachadoVenezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Monday one of her closest allies was kidnapped hours after being released from prison.The government had released several prominent opposition members from prison on Sunday after lengthy politically motivated detentions. Continue reading...

Feb 9, 2026 - World

Palestine Action Group argued powers so broad anyone in Sydney CBD or eastern suburbs could be searched – even when Israeli president in Canberra or MelbourneFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Palestine Action Group has lost its legal challenge against sweeping powers handed to police by the Minns government for the duration of Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit.This means that police, under the state “major event” legislation – which is typically used for sporting events – may search anyone inside sections of the CBD and eastern suburbs until Thursday. Police will also have the power to move people on, close specific locations and issue orders to prevent disruption or risks to public safety. Continue reading...

Feb 9, 2026 - World

Detentions of senior Reformists Front figures follow criticism of the authorities’ handling of recent protestsThe head of Iran’s Reformists Front, the organisation that was instrumental in securing the election of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in a move that will probably deepen the tensions over the handling of the recent street protests.Azar Mansouri, the secretary general of the Islamic Iran People party, had expressed deep sorrow at protesters’ deaths, and said nothing could justify such a catastrophe. She had not in public called for the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, to resign. Continue reading...

Feb 9, 2026 - World

Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gymsEngland’s poorest communities have 70% more vape shops, off-licences and bookmakers than wealthier ones and far fewer cafes and gyms, a study has found.The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon), chaired by the Labour peer Hilary Armstrong, said ministers risked overlooking vitally important neighbourhood shopping precincts by focusing on town centres. In deprived areas, local shops have roughly double the number of retailers selling unhealthy food and significantly higher vacancy rates, its research has found. Continue reading...