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High Court targets NHS puberty blockers trial; internet pioneer David J. Farber dies at 91; Japan PM Sanae Takaichi wins snap supermajority; U.S. Olympians face immigration-enforcement backlash; Bannon flags Trump-base malaise for 2026; FCC probes “The View” Texas Senate interview; Portugal exit polls: Socialist Seguro beats far-right; RNLI rescues two people and a dog near North Berwick
High Court challenge targets NHS-backed puberty blockers trial
Parents of transgender children have filed a High Court challenge seeking to stop an NHS-backed clinical trial of puberty blockers, naming Health Secretary Wes Streeting and other officials. The claim argues the trial’s ethical approval was unlawful and does not adequately protect vulnerable children, with psychotherapist James Esses saying regulators refused to engage with concerns and warning of potential long-term harms. The Department of Health and Social Care said the Cass Review called for research to address a lack of evidence, while King’s College London said the study has undergone the required ethics and approvals processes.
Internet pioneer David J. Farber dies at 91
Internet pioneer David J. Farber has died suddenly at his home in Roppongi, Tokyo, on Feb. 7, 2026, at age 91. Farber studied at Stevens Institute of Technology, worked at Bell Labs and the Rand Corporation, served as Chief Technologist at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and was a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Often called a “grandfather of the Internet” for his influence through research and teaching at multiple universities, he later moved to Japan and became a Distinguished Professor at Keio University, teaching his final class on Jan. 22, 2026.
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi wins snap election supermajority
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap election delivered her Liberal Democratic Party a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house of parliament, strengthening her mandate and control over the chamber.
U.S. Olympic athletes face backlash after speaking on immigration enforcement
At a Friday news conference, reporters asked U.S. Olympic athletes how they feel representing the country amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement actions. After commenting on politics at home, some athletes faced online backlash, including criticism from Donald Trump.
Steve Bannon warns of low enthusiasm among Trump base ahead of 2026 midterms
Steve Bannon cautioned conservatives that Republicans may be in trouble heading into the 2026 midterms, saying there is a significant lack of enthusiasm among Trump’s base, with supporters expressing that they are not feeling motivated right now.
FCC investigates “The View” over interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate
Multiple outlets report that the Federal Communications Commission has opened an investigation into an episode of ABC’s “The View” after it aired an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
Portugal exit polls show Socialist António José Seguro beating far-right rival
Exit polls indicate Socialist Party candidate António José Seguro has defeated far-right Chega leader André Ventura in Portugal’s presidential runoff, after going into the vote as the clear favourite.
RNLI rescues dog and two people after fall into water near North Berwick
A three-year-old Weimaraner fell about four metres into the water at Seacliff Harbour near North Berwick on Saturday afternoon after slipping from the harbour wall. With heavy swells, sea foam and waves making a harbour entry unsafe, North Berwick RNLI launched an inshore lifeboat, landed on Seacliff beach and reached the scene on foot while Coastguard teams pulled two people from the water. Using an animal rescue bag, responders hoisted the dog to safety, the two people were cold and shaken but did not need further treatment, and the owner was reunited with the dog.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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