Scotland’s new emissions strategy ‘too reliant on science fiction’, critics say 25. February 2026 (06:00) UK Climate Change Committee voices concern over Scotland’s progress on decarbonising buildings and reliance on unproved technologies Scotland has finally produced realistic short-term plans on cutting its climate emissions, but there is “real concern” about the credibility of its overall strategy, the UK’s climate policy watchdog has found.Nigel Topping, the chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, said there were “flashing amber lights” about the quality and seriousness of some of the Scottish government’s medium- and long-term proposals to reach net zero by 2045. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
South Korea’s birthrate rises for second year with experts saying ‘echo boomers’ behind boost 25. February 2026 (04:52) Rebound in the country – which has been having demographic crisis – said to be partly because of 3.6 million born between 1991 and 1995 having childrenSouth Korea recorded 254,500 births in 2025, the largest annual increase in 15 years, driven largely by a temporarily enlarged generation – known as “echo boomers” – now in their early thirties, alongside marriage rates recovering from Covid-era delays.The country’s fertility rate – the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime – rose to 0.80 from 0.75 last year, returning to the 0.8 range for the first time since 2021, according to provisional figures released by South Korea’s ministry of data and statistics on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats refuse to stand for Trump as Al Green ejected over ‘apes’ protest sign 25. February 2026 (04:49) Texas Democrat removed for holding ‘Black people aren’t apes’ sign as colleagues stay seated while Republicans cheerAs dozens of their colleagues boycotted Trump’s State of the Union address, several of the Democrats in the House chamber on Tuesday night made their opposition to the president’s remarks clear.Congressman Al Green was ejected from the speech almost immediately, marking the second year in a row he has been removed from the annual event. After being ordered out by House speaker Mike Johnson during last year’s speech for yelling responses as the president spoke, this year’s protest from the Texas representative was silent but pointed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Caribbean leaders call for ‘de-escalation and dialogue’ amid US oil embargo on Cuba 25. February 2026 (03:51) Four-day Caricom summit dominated by debate about US interventions in the region as military strikes against suspected drug boats continueUS interventions dominated speeches at a summit of 15 nations from the Caribbean and the Americas on Tuesday, as the region’s leaders met amid deadly military strikes against suspected drug boats and an oil blockade on Cuba.During the opening ceremony of the four-day Caricom summit in St Kitts and Nevis, leaders of the regional bloc called for a strategic collaborations to deal with the impact of recent US policies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FBI investigations hindered by Kash Patel, whistleblower tells top Democrat 25. February 2026 (03:36) Dick Durbin accuses FBI chief of ‘irresponsible joyriding’ and says agency’s work marred by Patel’s poor decisionsA top Senate Democrat alleged on Tuesday that FBI director Kash Patel’s personal travel and decision-making have undermined high-profile investigations, citing a whistleblower report.Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, wrote in a letter to two government watchdogs that Patel has “seemingly engaged in what amounts to irresponsible joyriding on DoJ and FBI-operated aircraft at the expense of the American taxpayer and to the detriment of ongoing bureau operations”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
