‘A devastating force’: how recent Mediterranean storms turned to tragedies 26. February 2026 (06:00) Atmospheric machine-gun has fired storm after deadly storm at the region this year, leaving a trail of widespread destructionFor Andrés Sánchez Barea, in Spain, it was the fear that arose when water started to spurt from plug sockets. For Nelson Duarte, in Portugal, it was the helplessness that hit as violent winds smacked down trees and tore tiles from roofs. For Amal Essuide, in Morocco, it was the reality that dawned when a corpse was pulled onboard a boat in the flooded medina.Each moment of horror is a fragment of the destruction wrought by an atmospheric machine-gun that in recent weeks has fired storm after storm at the western Mediterranean. Scientists do not know if climate breakdown helped pull the trigger, but research suggests it loaded the chamber with bigger bullets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Accused killer Greg Lynn seeks bail to live with son as lawyers apply for permanent stay in case 26. February 2026 (05:18) Former airline pilot faces retrial over death of 73-year-old Carol Clay in 2020Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former airline pilot accused of killing a camper should be released on bail to live with his son ahead of an application for a permanent stay in the case, a Victorian court has heard.Former Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn appeared in the Victorian supreme court on Thursday as his lawyers argued that he should be freed from custody for the first time in almost three years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kash Patel fires FBI officials linked to Trump documents case, reports say 26. February 2026 (04:06) Dismissals follow revelations that FBI subpoenaed records of Patel and Susie Wiles before Trump returned to officeAt least 10 FBI employees connected to an investigation of Donald Trump have reportedly been dismissed following revelations that the agency subpoenaed personal records of current FBI director Kash Patel and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles in the years before Trump returned to office.The ousters, reported by CBS News and CNN, were linked to the federal investigation led by former justice department special counsel Jack Smith into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents that were found at his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort after his first term. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tim Walz accuses Trump of withholding $259m in Medicaid funds ‘to punish blue states’ – as it happened 26. February 2026 (04:04) This blog has closed. Read more hereSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA newly revealed diplomatic cable calls on US diplomats to work against attempts by foreign nations to regulate how US tech companies handle their citizens’ data, as “data sovereignty initiatives” gather steam in Europe over security concerns.More from Reuters:President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered U.S. diplomats to lobby against attempts to regulate U.S. tech companies’ handling of foreigners’ data, saying in an internal diplomatic cable seen by Reuters that such efforts could interfere with artificial intelligence-related services.Experts say the move signals the Trump administration is reverting to a more confrontational approach as some foreign countries seek limits around how Silicon Valley firms process and store their citizens’ personal information - initiatives often described as “data sovereignty” or “data localization.“ Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Will Andrew bring down the monarchy? – podcast 26. February 2026 (04:00) As MPs vote to release the documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade envoy, Helen Pidd speaks to Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about the former prince’s antics in the role and whether this scandal will be the monarchy’s lastThis week MPs backed a call to release documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Andrew was released under investigation last week after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office relating to that role. He has previously denied any wrongdoing over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.Pressure is now mounting on King Charles as to why he did not do more and act sooner. Plus, can the future king, Prince William, reform the monarchy and return its image to its glory days? Helen Pidd speaks to author Andrew Lownie Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East travel warnings expanded as tensions between US and Iran increase 26. February 2026 (03:23) Australia advises dependants of officials in Israel and Lebanon to leave amid vast US military buildup in the regionMore countries have told citizens to leave Iran and the surrounding region as airlines scale back flights amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.As a day of critical talks over Iran’s nuclear programme was set to begin, and as a vast US military buildup continued in the Middle East, the Trump administration warned of drastic consequences if Iranian negotiators failed to make significant concessions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Grace Tame suggests Anthony Albanese labelling her ‘difficult’ is ‘misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply’ 26. February 2026 (02:37) PM clarifies comment but says he disagrees with some language the Australian of the Year has usedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has claimed he meant to describe Australian of the Year Grace Tame’s “difficult life” when he labelled her “difficult”, as he sought to clarify his remarks following strong backlash.Tame, an outspoken advocate for sexual abuse survivors, reshared a social media post to her Instagram story on Thursday morning, saying “‘Difficult’ is the misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply. History tends to call her ‘courageous’.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Qantas unveils major changes to frequent flyer program and a bumper $1.46bn profit 26. February 2026 (02:13) Airline to allow members to roll over status credits, which unlock lounge access, priority boarding and baggage allowancesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQantas is overhauling its frequent flyer program to entice members to climb its vaunted membership tiers, in changes designed to prevent customers from switching to rival schemes.The reforms, described by the airline as the “biggest changes to status in program history”, have been unveiled during a hugely profitable period for Qantas, with revenue rising across its domestic, international and loyalty scheme businesses. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man charged with murder of Chris Baghsarian in Sydney likely ‘no mastermind’, lawyer says 26. February 2026 (01:58) Daniel Stevens and Gerard Andrews denied bail after being charged with alleged murder and kidnapping of 85-year-oldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo men charged with the kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have not applied for bail with a lawyer acting for one of the men stating it appeared his client was “no mastermind”.Daniel Stevens, 24 and Gerard Andrews, 29, were charged on Wednesday evening with murder and taking or detaining in company with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm, police said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Christina Applegate reveals she is largely confined to bed due to multiple sclerosis 26. February 2026 (01:56) Actor, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, says taking her 15-year-old daughter to school has become her ‘favourite thing to do’Christina Applegate has revealed that she is now largely confined to her bed, five years after she was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis.In an interview with People magazine before the release of her memoir, the 54-year-old actor said she spends a lot of her days in bed due to the pain that comes with movement.The Guardian will run an extract from Christina Applegate’s memoir, You With the Sad Eyes, on 28 February Continue reading...(The Guardian)
