Two men arrested in relation to alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian 24. February 2026 (21:51) Human remains suspected of being those of Baghsarian were found on Tuesday morning near a golf club in Pitt Town, on Sydney’s northwest fringeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo men have been arrested “in relation to the alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian”, police have said.New South Wales police said a man, 29, was arrested in Kenthurst and a man, 24, was arrested in Castle Hill. They were taken to Riverstone police station as inquiries continued. No charges had been laid as of Wednesday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mandelson accuses police of arresting him over ‘baseless’ claims he planned to flee abroad 24. February 2026 (21:47) Former Labour grandee’s arrest over his links to Epstein came after Met police informed he was preparing to fly to British Virgin IslandsPeter Mandelson condemned the police for his arrest on Monday and claimed he was only taken into custody because detectives had wrongly believed he was about to flee the country.In a remarkable rebuke to the Metropolitan police, lawyers for the former peer challenged the force to provide the evidence to justify their actions, insisting it was prompted by a “baseless” suggestion that he was planning to move abroad. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spanish engineer reports flaw in ‘smart’ vacuums after gaining control of 7,000 devices 24. February 2026 (21:40) Sammy Azdoufal alerted New York-based outlet the Verge after he took control of DJI Romo devices around the worldA Spanish software engineer reportedly contacted a New York-based tech outlet recently to reveal he had remotely taken control of about 7,000 vacuums worldwide, in the process shedding light on a broad vulnerability with smart products, according to a cybersecurity expert.The Verge reported that the situation came to light when Sammy Azdoufal was trying to reverse-engineer his new DJI Romo vacuum so that he could control it with his Playstation 5 gamepad. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Éliane Radigue, French composer and musique concrète legend, dies aged 94 24. February 2026 (20:53) The Paris-born artist reinvented the synthesizer through meditative and feedback-drenched sonic explorationsThe French composer and musique concrète pioneer Éliane Radigue has died at the age of 94.“It is with immense sadness that we learn of the passing of Éliane Radigue at the age of 94,” the Paris-based experimental music center INA GRM posted on Instagram. “A major figure in musical creation has left us.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers urged to impose temporary ban on crypto political donations 24. February 2026 (20:48) National security committee warns until tougher safeguards are in place, UK elections dangerously exposed to covert foreign moneyPolitical donations in cryptocurrency should be subject to an urgent temporary ban to stop foreign interference in British elections, the chair of the national security committee has said.Matt Western, who leads the committee of MPs and peers, said a moratorium was needed until the risks of donations in cryptocurrency have been dealt with – including adequate checks on the source of the money. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK promises to scrap flagship Labour worker and renters’ protections 24. February 2026 (20:35) Richard Tice echoes Donald Trump with pledge of ‘great repeal act’ and ‘tight quotas and significant tariffs’Unions and renters’ groups have criticised Reform UK after the party’s business spokesperson, Richard Tice, pledged to introduce a “great repeal act” that would abolish Labour legislation on workers’ rights and protection for tenants.In his first speech since being appointed by Nigel Farage to a portfolio covering business, trade and energy, Tice promised a bonfire of regulations, including an end to net zero targets and a new push for home-produced shale gas using fracking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Young bearing the brunt of UK tax and wage changes, says BoE economist 24. February 2026 (20:07) Huw Pill warns combined effect of national insurance and minimum wage rises have ‘acute’ effect on youth employment The negative effect of a combined increase in employers’ taxes and minimum wages has been “particularly acute” for young people, the Bank of England’s chief economist has warned.Huw Pill said on Tuesday that the increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) from April last year and the government’s efforts to equalise the “national living wage” had caused a particular problem for young people trying to find jobs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marco Rubio to deliver rare briefing to top US lawmakers on Iran amid tensions 24. February 2026 (19:46) Secretary of state’s address comes as US deploys largest force of aircraft and warships to Middle East since 2003US politics live – latest updatesMarco Rubio will deliver a rare briefing to top US lawmakers on Iran at the White House on Tuesday as Washington deploys its largest force of aircraft and warships to the Middle East since the 2003 buildup to the Iraq war.The audience for the secretary of state’s briefing is reported to include the so-called “gang of eight”, which includes the senior lawmakers from both parties in the House and Senate, as well as the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brazilian politicians accused of ordering murder of Rio councillor go on trial 24. February 2026 (19:35) Chiquinho and Domingos Brazão accused of ordering shooting of Marielle Franco and her driver in 2018Brazil’s supreme court has opened the trial of politicians accused of ordering the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro councillor Marielle Franco, a case that exposed deep ties between politics and organised crime in the city.Franco, an activist who grew up in a favela and became an outspoken critic of Rio’s powerful militia groups, was 38 when she was shot dead in the city centre alongside her driver, Anderson Gomes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Farmers in England face losses under new cap on sustainable farming payments 24. February 2026 (19:27) Environment secretary says payments will be limited to £100,000 per farm so ‘more farmers can benefit’Some farmers will lose money by opting into environment schemes under new plans to cap payments available for sustainable farming.Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, said the new system is “fairer”, adding: “Too much of our most productive land was removed from conventional farming.” Farmers will be disincentivised from taking large amounts of their land out of food production and rewilding it for nature, under her plans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
