Epstein files contain explicit but unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor 26. February 2026 (23:56) Department of Justice did not release FBI memos when it uploaded millions of pages of files beginning in DecemberThree memos that describe four interviews conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2019 contain explicit but unsubstantiated claims that Donald Trump sexually abused a woman when she was a minor in the early 1980s with the assistance of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a Guardian review of those documents.The Department of Justice did not release those records when it uploaded millions of pages of files related to Epstein beginning in December. The existence of the missing documents was first reported by independent journalist Roger Sollenberger and subsequently confirmed by NPR, causing outrage in Washington and sparking an investigation from congressional Democrats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge sides with salmon against Trump administration in hydropower ruling 26. February 2026 (23:26) Federal judge in Oregon rejects bid to overturn Biden-era agreement to protect endangered fish populationsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts direct to your inboxA federal judge in Oregon sided with salmon against the Trump administration on Wednesday, ordering the federal government to change hydropower system operations long considered at the heart of native fish populations’ sharp decline.At the center of the dispute are eight dams and reservoirs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific north-west that have created devastating obstacles for salmon and steelhead unable to breach their deadly turbines or navigate through the large, warm, artificial pools. The federal agencies and their supporters, which include a group of utilities, water managers and farming organizations, argued that reservoir drawdown would put power reliability in peril. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mandelson faces EU inquiry into Brussels trade role over Epstein links 26. February 2026 (22:47) European Anti-Fraud Office to look into the former US ambassador’s time as trade commissioner in BrusselsPeter Mandelson is facing an inquiry by the EU’s anti-fraud agency after the European Commission requested the body look into his activities during his time as trade commissioner in Brussels.The commission said it referred the peer, 72, to the European Anti-Fraud Office, known as Olaf, last week after the US Department of Justice released documents allegedly showing he shared sensitive government information with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Celine Cremer: ‘compelling evidence’ human remains found in Tasmania belong to missing Belgian backpacker 26. February 2026 (21:50) Hiker disappeared in June 2023, aged 31, after departing for a walk near Cradle MountainFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTasmania police have confirmed remains found near the state’s Philosopher Falls last month have been provisionally identified as those of missing Belgian tourist Celine Cremer.Police said on Friday morning that expert reports had provided “compelling evidence” that the remains were likely hers, extending their condolences to her family, who have have been awaiting confirmation of the remains since being alerted to the discovery. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How Trump shifted from opposing foreign wars to threatening war in Iran 26. February 2026 (20:58) The rationale to justify the US striking first has shifted from the country killing protesters to its developing weaponsAs senior Democrats emerged from a classified briefing on Iran with the secretary of state Marco Rubio earlier this week, the leaders of the opposition delivered reserved, cryptic warnings of what may become the US’s largest military intervention since the Iraq war.This was not a line in the sand against a new war in the Middle East. Instead, Democrats targeted the opaque decision-making around Donald Trump – as well as his own unpredictable whims – that could guide the weightiest foreign-policy decision of his two terms in office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Melania Trump to lead UN security council session, White House says 26. February 2026 (20:55) First lady to preside over meeting on ‘children, technology and education in conflict’ in New York next monthFirst lady Melania Trump is set to lead a session of the United Nations security council on Monday, coinciding with the US assuming the body’s rotating monthly presidency, the White House announced.According to a statement, first cited by CNN, Melania Trump plans to spotlight education as a tool for fostering tolerance and promoting global peace at the global body, which has its headquarters in New York. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drop in overseas workers is ‘car crash’ for UK hospitals and care homes, say experts 26. February 2026 (20:54) Care roles hit particularly hard by UK’s lurch to the right on migration, according to analysis of Home Office dataHospitals and care homes in the UK face “an impending car crash”, experts have warned, as research shows the number of overseas nurses and carers has collapsed.Analysis of Home Office quarterly datasets reveals the number of overseas nurses granted entry to the UK has fallen by 93% over three years. Just 1,777 overseas nurses were granted entry in 2025, compared with 26,100 in 2022. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU opens up funding to guarantee abortion rights across bloc 26. February 2026 (20:52) Women from countries with near-total bans on terminations will be given help to access services elsewhereEU states will be able to tap into a social fund to help citizens access safe abortions, in an announcement hailed as a “victory for women”.The roots of Thursday’s announcement go back to a long campaign for the European Commission to create a funding mechanism that would allow women from countries with near-total bans on abortion, such as Malta and Poland, to go where it is legal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Conservative theatre-making will kill the UK industry, says National’s director 26. February 2026 (20:47) Indhu Rubasingham calls in Jennie Lee lecture for renewed commitment to creative risk and new writingThe National Theatre’s artistic director, Indhu Rubasingham, has said conservative theatre-making will kill the industry, even if it helps venues balance the books for now.Delivering the second-ever Jennie Lee lecture in front of an audience of 200 representatives from the UK arts industry on Thursday, Rubasingham called for a renewed national commitment to backing creative risk and new writing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Playwrights’ ‘thrilling’ debuts share the Susan Smith Blackburn prize 26. February 2026 (20:45) Hannah Doran’s The Meat Kings! (Inc) of Brooklyn Heights and Ro Reddick’s Cold War Choir Practice declared joint winners of award for female, transgender and non-binary writersThe Susan Smith Blackburn prize for female, transgender and non-binary playwrights has been awarded to joint winners, both for their debut plays.Hannah Doran’s The Meat Kings! (Inc) of Brooklyn Heights and Ro Reddick’s Cold War Choir Practice beat the other eight finalists to the 48th annual award. Doran and Reddick each receive a cash prize of $25,000 (£18,500) and a signed print by the artist Willem de Kooning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
