Heavily armed police to patrol places of worship and protests in NSW after hate crime unit made permanent 25. February 2026 (03:13) NSW Greens MLC Sue Higginson says the move could put public at risk of ‘violence, harm and death’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNSW police will patrol high-profile public buildings, places of worship and protests with long-arm firearms after a unit created following the Bondi beach terror attack became permanent.But the state Greens have criticised the Minns government for the move, saying it would not prevent the public from protesting and may place them at greater risk of harm or violence. Violence at a protest in Sydney against Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s controversial visit earlier this month promoted an independent probe into police conduct. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats hold counter-events during Trump’s State of the Union address: ‘These are not normal times’ 25. February 2026 (03:12) Lawmakers gather on National Mall as politicians and celebrities including Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo gather at National Press ClubState of the Union address - live updatesDemocrats held competing events on the evening of the State of the Union address across Washington where lawmakers boycotted the official event and protesters said they wanted to show the growing opposition to Donald Trump’s increasingly unpopular agenda.On the National Mall, hundreds of people, including about 30 Democratic members of Congress, gathered for the “People’s State of the Union”, a counter-rally. Attendees held signs that read “No Money for ICE” and “Healthcare Not Warfare”. One person on stage carried a large poster with the photographs of the more than 30 people who had been killed in dealings with ICE since Trump took office in 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
State of the Union address: Trump to speak to Congress as dozens of Democrats plan boycott – live updates 25. February 2026 (02:43) US president signaled a ‘long speech’, expected to start at 9pm ET, which will double as pitch to voters ahead of midterms later this yearState of the Union speech: when is it and how can you watch?Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxErika Kirk, the widow of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will attend tonight’s State of the Union address as a special guest of the president.After her husband was assassinated at a college event for his non-profit Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk took over the organization.If he’s coming to our house, you got to be there. Otherwise, you let him own the house. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anger over plans to abolish New Zealand’s dedicated environment ministry 25. February 2026 (02:41) Critics say proposal to fold department into a new ‘mega ministry’ will dilute accountability and put nature protections at risk New Zealand’s government is seeking to abolish its dedicated environment ministry to cut down on bureaucracy, a move critics say could dilute environmental protections.Under the plan, the department would be folded into a new “mega-ministry” that will cover housing, urban development, transport, local government and the environment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Signs of psychosis seen in Australian users’ interactions with AI chatbots, expert warns 25. February 2026 (02:00) Toby Walsh says he despairs at Australian government’s lack of regulation of artificial intelligenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA leading AI expert has warned some Australians are showing signs of psychosis or mania in their interactions with chatbots, arguing Silicon Valley is being “careless” with the technology amid a pursuit of profit.During an address at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Toby Walsh, scientia professor of artificial intelligence at the University of New South Wales, said he believed the AI race will be both “boom and doom”, with some benefits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats to investigate whether DoJ withheld Epstein files on Trump abuse claim 25. February 2026 (01:48) Lawmaker says DoJ appears to have withheld interviews with survivor who accused Trump of ‘heinous crimes’Democrats on the House oversight and government reform committee announced on Tuesday the launch of an investigation to determine whether the US Department of Justice (DoJ) purposely withheld materials that pertain to allegations against Donald Trump in the government’s release of the Epstein files.The lawmakers pledged to look into a report that Trump had been accused by a woman of sexually abusing her decades ago when she was a minor, and that material relating to the allegation in the Epstein files has not been released to the public. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woolworths reports 16% jump in profits as ACCC prepares legal action over ‘illusory’ discounts 25. February 2026 (01:45) Earnings report released on Wednesday shows supermarket made $859m net profit in past six months as higher prices hit shoppersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWoolworths has reported a significant 16.4% rise in profit, helped by expanding its margins in its key supermarket business.In its half-year earnings report released on Wednesday, Woolworths recorded an increase in underlying net profit to $859m over the six months to 4 January, up from $739m in the prior corresponding period. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man convicted of killing 70-year-old grocery store owner executed in Florida 25. February 2026 (01:28) Melvin Trotter, 65, gets lethal injection for 1986 stabbing death, becoming second person executed by state this yearA man convicted of killing a 70-year-old grocery store owner was put to death Tuesday in Florida, becoming the second person executed by the state this year after a record 19 executions in 2025.Melvin Trotter, 65, was pronounced dead at 6.15pm following a lethal injection at Florida state prison near Starke for the 1986 stabbing death of Virgie Langford, according to authorities. Alex Lanfranconi, a spokesperson for Republican governor Ron DeSantis, said there were no complications. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Half of Britons avoid calling GP when they are ill, survey finds 25. February 2026 (01:01) Most believe they will struggle to get an appointment, with over a quarter choosing to manage ailment themselvesAlmost half the public delay or avoid contacting their GP surgery when they are ill, mainly because they think they will struggle to get an appointment.Overall 48% of people across the UK did not bother to ask their family doctor for help – either initially or at all – when they got sick over the past year, a survey found.Faster access to GPs and A&E are the public’s top priorities for the NHS.Only 32% believe the NHS provides a good service nationally.42% think the standard of NHS care has worsened over the past year and only 12% think that it has improved.47% fear NHS care will decline further over the next year and just 15% expect it to get better Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Floods and landslides in Brazil kill at least 30 after record rainfall 25. February 2026 (00:28) Firefighters search for 39 people missing in debris after river burst and houses were swept awayThree firefighters pulled a man’s body from the mud amid the rubble of houses swept away in a landslide in south-eastern Brazil, where 30 people died and 39 were still missing on Tuesday after torrential rains.A river in the state of Minas Gerais burst its banks and streets became raging currents of brown water after an overnight downpour in a region that has seen record rain this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
