Trump to deliver State of the Union address in deeply polarized country 24. February 2026 (11:00) Speech comes as midterms loom and opinion polls show more voters disapprove than approve of his performanceThe last time Donald Trump delivered a State of the Union address, it produced the memorable optics of Nancy Pelosi ripping up his speech after he finished talking.Pelosi’s theatrical gesture at the end of the February 2020 address (his 2025 speech was technically a joint session of Congress, not a State of the Union) eloquently expressed the Democrats’ contempt for Trump’s rosy description of the union he presided over, when he boasted of a booming economy and restoring US strength in characteristic Maga (make America great again) rhetoric. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Missing North Carolina woman found ‘alive and well’ after 24 years 24. February 2026 (11:00) Daughter was ‘heartbroken’ after Michelle Hundley Smith requested her location not be disclosed to family she had walked away fromA North Carolina woman says she was simultaneously “ecstatic … pissed … [and] heartbroken” to learn authorities recently found her mother living safely and well – while also wanting her location kept secret – more than 24 years after she suddenly vanished from her family.“I am all over the map!” Amanda Smith, the daughter of Michelle Hundley Smith, wrote in a lengthy statement on a social media page dedicated to searching for her mother. “Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly, I can’t answer that [because] I don’t even know. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices hit seven-month highs as tensions rise before US-Iran talks 24. February 2026 (10:47) Traders appear to be hedging against worst-case scenario of a conflict between the two nations, analyst saysBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have reached seven-month highs, as traders reacted to heightened tensions between the US and Iran ahead of nuclear talks this week.US crude futures rose to $67.28 a barrel on Monday, while Brent crude touched its highest level since 31 July at $72.50 a barrel. Prices fell back late in the session, but were up again on Tuesday morning, approaching Monday’s highs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zelenskyy urges Trump to visit Ukraine in speech marking invasion anniversary 24. February 2026 (10:14) Leader says Vladimir Putin has not achieved his goals and visit by Trump might make clear ‘who the aggressor is’Europe live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to Donald Trump to visit Kyiv, in a video address on the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion, and has said Ukraine will not betray its people in any negotiations with Russia.Zelenskyy said Putin had not achieved his original war goals or “broken the Ukrainian people”. “He has not won this war,” he said. “We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace. And to ensure justice.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Baby boy born to UK mother after womb transplant from dead donor 24. February 2026 (09:37) Grace Bell says she is ‘the happiest I’ve ever been in my life’ after giving birth to baby Hugo in UK firstA baby boy named Hugo is the first child to be born in the UK to a mother with a womb transplant from a dead donor.Hugo Powell was delivered at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea hospital in London weighing 3.09kg (6lb 13oz), after his mother, Grace Bell, received a transplanted womb from someone who had died. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese says One Nation doesn’t ‘represent working people’ and claims Pocock ‘seeks to promote grievance’ 24. February 2026 (09:18) Prime minister discusses range of issues in hour-long YouTube interview with Karl StefanovicGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has said One Nation was more likely to represent the interests of mining billionaire Gina Rinehart than working-class Australians and claimed David Pocock “seeks to promote grievances” to win support.In an hour-long YouTube interview with Nine journalist Karl Stefanovic on his independent podcast on Tuesday afternoon, the prime minister discussed a range of topics, from Syrian detention camp repatriations to immigration and One Nation’s surge in popularity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariff comes into effect 24. February 2026 (09:11) US president had said he would raise levy to 15% after last week’s supreme court rulingBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s new global tariffs have taken effect at 10%, even though he had threatened a higher rate of 15% over the weekend, providing “some relief” for British businesses, according to a lobby group.After the US president suffered a defeat at the hands of the supreme court on Friday, which struck down his sweeping “liberation day” tariffs imposed last year, he angrily reacted by announcing a 10% global tariff, which he raised to 15% on Saturday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s new global tariffs kick in at 10% – business live 24. February 2026 (08:55) Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsWilliam Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, warns that while the 10% tariff is not as bad as threats of a 15% rate, the changing policies are making it harder for businesses to plan ahead.He says:It is far from clear what will happen next, and whether a higher tariff rate is still on the way. Despite the immediate reprieve, there is fresh uncertainty for UK firms exporting goods to the US.This makes it very difficult for firms to understand the prices and margins they will be able to secure for their goods, currently under production, for export in several months’ time. Inevitably this will have an impact on their sales and hit the economy.While the supreme court did not address the issue of refunds, FedEx has taken necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds from US Customs and Border Protection. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tammy Shipley remembered as loving mother who picked tomatoes for her family at inquest into her death 24. February 2026 (08:41) The 47-year-old died while on remand at Silverwater women’s correctional centre in 2022 for minor shoplifting chargesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWarning: This article contains reference to an Indigenous Australian who has diedTammy Shipley was a loving and joyful mother who adored her five children and two grandchildren, creating TikTok videos and picking tomatoes for her grandchildren from her garden, an inquest has heard.Shipley, 47, died while being held on remand at Silverwater women’s correctional centre in New South Wales on 20 December 2022, after being arrested on minor shoplifting charges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police AI chief admits crime-fighting tech will have bias but vows to tackle it 24. February 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: NCA’s Alex Murray says he hopes new £115m police AI centre can limit unfairness found in tools‘It’s not Robocop’: UK police embrace AI ‘efficiency’ in complex investigationsA police chief has admitted artificial intelligence used to boost crime fighting will contain bias but pledged to combat the risks.Labour wants a dramatic expansion of police use of AI within England and Wales, with police chiefs also believing it could help keep law enforcement up to date with new criminal threats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
