US ambassador to Paris banned from meeting French ministers after no-show 23. February 2026 (22:58) Charles Kushner had been summoned to explain comments relating to the killing of far-right activist Quentin DeranqueDonald Trump’s ambassador to Paris has been banned from meeting French government ministers after failing to show up for a meeting at the foreign ministry to explain US comments about the killing of a far-right activist.Charles Kushner, whose son Jared is married to the US president’s oldest daughter, Ivanka, was summoned to the 7pm meeting by the foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, after the US embassy in Paris reposted state department comments about the case. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Utah House voting map that helps Democrats can be used, federal court rules 23. February 2026 (22:39) Court turns aside GOP request to block new map, second setback in recent days for state’s RepublicansNew Utah voting districts that give Democrats an improved shot at winning a US House seat can be used in this year’s election, a federal court ruled Monday while turning aside a Republican request to block the new map.The ruling marked the second setback in recent days for Republicans, who also lost an appeal at Utah’s state supreme court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Attia resigns from CBS News amid revelations about ties to Epstein 23. February 2026 (22:10) Controversial doctor steps down as contributor after Epstein files reveal communication between the two menControversial longevity expert Dr Peter Attia has resigned from his post as a CBS News contributor after correspondence between Attia and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was made public.The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news of Attia’s departure. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump Iran airstrikes decision to be guided by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s advice 23. February 2026 (22:08) Exclusive: Trump’s decision will be driven by envoys’ judgment on whether Iran is stalling on a nuclear dealDonald Trump’s decision to order airstrikes against Iran will hinge in part on the judgment of Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, about whether Tehran is stalling over a deal to relinquish its capacity to produce nuclear weapons, according to people familiar with the matter.The president has not made a final determination on any strikes, as the administration prepares for Iran to send its latest proposal this week, ahead of what officials have described as a last-ditch round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Channel 4’s Dirty Business is a clarion call to nationalise the water industry 23. February 2026 (22:00) As the drama shows, private firms no longer able to pollute the coast of England of Wales just switched to rivers instead There is a moment in Channel 4’s drama Dirty Business when Julie Maughan holds the body of her dead child and lets out an anguished cry. It is as brutal as it is compelling.Her eight-year-old daughter Heather had just died in hospital, two weeks after playing in the sea on the beach at Dawlish Warren in Devon, where she contracted E coli O157, a bug which comes from raw sewage. She became ill with diarrhoea and blood loss. Transferred to Bristol children’s hospital, her parents agreed to switch off her life-support machine after she suffered kidney failure and brain damage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mandelson’s downfall is one of fastest ever seen in British public life 23. February 2026 (21:47) Epstein links have taken political operator from a vaunted position in British diplomacy to arrest in under six monthsJust six months ago Peter Mandelson seemed unassailable as the UK’s ambassador to the US, one of the most vaunted positions in British diplomacy. As our man in Washington, Mandelson appeared to have used his skill for schmoozing, learned over years as a cabinet minister and a European commissioner, to secure a good relationship with the tricky Trump administration. He was considered instrumental in securing a relatively favourable US trade deal for the UK.He was also an influential voice in Labour politics with the ear of the prime minister and his inner circle, notably his friend and protege Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s then chief of staff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ryan Coogler’s X-Files reboot lands with Danielle Deadwyler leading 23. February 2026 (21:37) Sinners film-maker’s much-anticipated relaunch of the paranormal hit show finally receives official green lightRyan Coogler’s reboot of The X-Files has received the official green light with Danielle Deadwyler set as the first co-lead.The film-maker behind Black Panther and Sinners has long talked about his love for the hit paranormal drama series and how he wants to make some new episodes that are “really fucking scary”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mexico faces uphill battle to appease kingpin Trump after cartel boss’s killing 23. February 2026 (21:08) Trump tells Mexico to ‘step up’ effort to combat cartels even after military operation kills drug lord known as ‘El Mencho’Violence in Mexico after military kills notorious drug cartel boss – a visual guideWith schools still closed, flights cancelled and the charred carcasses of buses smouldering on streets across the country, Mexico was still reeling from the cartel backlash prompted by the killing of cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”Defense minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo was moved almost to tears on Monday as he offered his condolences to the families of soldiers felled in the operation to kill the country’s most wanted drug lord. Mexican military personnel, he said, “fulfilled their mission”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Canadian PM to visit next month; One Nation just behind Labor in new federal poll 23. February 2026 (20:47) Mark Carney coming to Australia as part of Pacific diplomatic tour. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJeff Howard has been removed as chief executive of the merged Seven West Media and Southern Cross entity Southern Austereo after only two months in the job.Howard was appointed boss the new company but has gone just before new financial results are published.On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Jeff for his efforts across the period of transition, with the successful implementation of the scheme of arrangement [for the merger] and creation of a market-leading, multi-platform media company now complete.The board is confident in our team’s capability to apply the financial discipline and industry leading expertise to drive scale and performance for Southern Cross Media Group going forward. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Communication is key to the chances of Send reforms succeeding 23. February 2026 (20:46) Bridget Phillipson and her team are making sure MPs and the public grasp the need to overhaul the special educational needs system In her first week as a cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson held a meeting for new Labour MPs with one subject – special educational needs. Almost 100 MPs came to that first meeting.There were new MPs for whom the issue was personal to their own families – Jen Craft, Daniel Francis, Steve Race, as well as the then business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. Dozens more knew the system was at breaking point because of their previous work in the charity sector, for unions and in the disability sector. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
