US accused of ‘shameless exploitation’ over proposed Zambian health aid deal 25. February 2026 (14:00) Leaked draft of $1bn memorandum of understanding reveals mandatory targets, sharing of data, and reported access to mining concessionsThe US has been accused of “shameless exploitation” over a health financing agreement with Zambia worth more than $1bn (£740m), amid warnings that the country is getting a raw deal from the Trump administration.A leaked draft of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, seen by the Guardian, reveals that Zambia may accept terms worse than health financing agreements the US has reached with 16 other African countries. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US man deported from Bali after 11 years in prison for ‘suitcase murder’ of then girlfriend’s mother 25. February 2026 (13:19) Tommy Schaefer released early from 18-year sentence for 2014 murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack during luxury holidayIndonesia has freed and deported a US man after he spent 11 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his then girlfriend’s mother on the tourist island of Bali.Tommy Schaefer was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 2014 murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the mother of Heather Mack, during a luxury holiday in a case that became known as the Bali suitcase murder. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Macron appoints new head of crisis-hit Louvre after jewellery heist 25. February 2026 (13:16) Christophe Leribault, most recently Versailles director, will be tasked with improving security and ‘restoring climate of trust’France has appointed Christophe Leribault as the new head of the Louvre, bringing in the director of the Palace of Versailles to turn around the world’s most visited museum after a humiliating jewellery heist and staff strikes.Leribault, who was chosen by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, will succeed Laurence des Cars, who resigned on Tuesday. Des Cars had faced intense criticism since burglars made off in October with jewels worth an estimated $102m, exposing glaring security gaps at the museum. The jewels are still missing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After a turbulent year, Australia’s Khaled Sabsabi will present not one but two works at the Venice Biennale 25. February 2026 (13:00) The artist, who was controversially revoked and then reinstated by his government, is planning a ‘nurturing experience’ to bring people togetherAustralia’s presentation at the Venice Biennale in May will be a “nurturing experience” designed to bring people together – in the aftermath one of the most turbulent and divisive periods in the country’s 72-year history at the prestigious international art festival.Artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino, who were controversially dumped and then reinstated as Australia’s representatives, will present not one but two major works at the Venice Biennale in May – both informed by Sabsabi’s practice as a Sufi Muslim and exploring “spirituality, migration, and the vastness of shared humanity”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Big Four’ meatpackers under fire as beef prices soar 25. February 2026 (12:00) McDonald’s and other food industry players accuse the big beef packers of collusion and price-gouging. The packers deny these allegationsOn 21 November, at the end of the first shift at the Tyson Foods beef processing plant in Lexington, Nebraska, all workers were called to the lunchroom and told they no longer had jobs. Many gathered afterward in the gravel parking lot. Some wailed and cried out.“It’s a terrible thing to know that we won’t be able to pay rent, won’t be able to pay the electricity, our cars – all the bills coming our way,” said Constancio Perales, a 64-year-old worker born in Durango, Mexico, who has worked at the plant since 1996 – the last 25 years cutting the bone out of chuck steaks. “It’s very sad that they would fire us like that – just telling us there’s no more work, as if to say go away.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump touts ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda – but no mention of climate crisis 25. February 2026 (12:00) President derided Biden’s ‘green new scam’ during State of the Union address, and hailed the rise in US oil productionTrump didn’t say the words “climate change” during the State of the Union, but it loomed large over his 108-minute speech as he touted his “drill, baby, drill” agenda and derided Joe Biden’s “green new scam”.Toward the beginning of his address, the president discussed last year’s flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas, saying they were “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukraine-US talks in Geneva on Thursday ‘preparation for trilateral meeting with Russia’, Zelenskyy says – Europe live 25. February 2026 (11:56) Ukrainian president says trilateral meeting with with Russia expected in early MarchGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz called Wednesday for deepening ties with China, while pushing for fairer trade rules between the two countries and seeking Chinese help on Ukraine, AP reported.Merz, who arrived in Beijing late morning for a whirlwind two-day visit, acknowledged differences during meetings with the country’s top leaders and called for collaboration “wherever possible.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gorton and Denton byelection campaign hits final day with new poll saying it is too close to call who will win – UK politics live 25. February 2026 (11:50) Opinium poll says it is ‘incredibly tight’ between Reform UK, Greens and Labour and all have a credible chance of winning Ben Walker is a New Statesman data journalist who runs an election forecasting model Britain Predicts and he has had a go at forecasting the result in Gorton and Denton. The model is not a poll; it uses polling data, but then adjusts the figures on a constituency by constituency basis taking into account a range of factors. It has performed well in the past but, in his write-up of his final forecast, Walker says the result here is “anyone’s guess” because the Greens, Reform UK and Labour are so close.Walker thinks there could be just a few hundred votes between the party coming first an the party coming last.Under the bonnet there are also turnout assumptions. The model expects 37,300 votes to be cast, up from 36,600 in 2024. In practice that puts the Greens on course for 11,500 votes, Reform 11,300, and Labour 10,900. A few hundred votes separate first from third. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Diageo slashes dividend and vows to address Guinness capacity constraints in London 25. February 2026 (11:44) Drinks maker cuts annual sale and profit forecast for second time in four months amid weak demand in US and ChinaDiageo has slashed its dividend and cut its annual sales and profit forecast for the second time in four months, as the maker of Guinness warned of capacity constraints affecting drinkers of “the black stuff” in London pubs.The world’s largest spirits maker – which owns brands including Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker whisky and Don Julio tequila – reported weak demand in the US and China in the first results released under the new chief executive, Dave Lewis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Outrage in Austria after man ordered to pay female footballers €625 each for secretly filming dressing room 25. February 2026 (11:43) Former official at Altach given suspended prison termPlayer says the sentence ‘leaves me speechless’A man has been given a seven-month suspended prison sentence and fined €1,200 (£1,046) after being found guilty of taking secret videos and photographs from the changing room, gym and showers of the Altach women’s football team. He was also told to pay the victims €625 each in compensation.The sentence was handed out in the regional court in Feldkirch, Austria, with the judge saying that it made a huge difference “if one looks at pictures or actually creates them oneself”. The defendant accepted the sentence but the prosecutor may appeal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
