More than 600 migrants die trying to cross Mediterranean so far in 2026, UN says 23. February 2026 (19:50) Deadliest start to a year in more than a decade, according to the International Organization for Migration A least 606 people trying to reach Europe in search of refugee have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean since the beginning of 2026, marking the “deadliest start to a year” in more than a decade, the UN’s migration agency said on Monday.The figure includes at least 30 people who are feared dead or missing after their boat capsized in severe weather off the coast of Greece on Saturday. Authorities rescued 20 people, including four minors, and recovered the bodies of three men and one woman, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Major changes to the Send system - can the government win over MPs and parents? – podcast 23. February 2026 (18:04) Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s long-awaited plans for the special educational needs and disabilities system. Can the controversial overhaul convince parents and MPs? Plus, the latest on the Gorton and Denton byelectionTo read Jonthan Liew’s Sunday Read on the Gorton and Denton byelection, click here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lovejoy episode helps antiques dealer identify stolen Napoleon III artefacts 23. February 2026 (17:58) Repeat of BBC series gave clue to Paul Gostelow about 19th-century altar cards taken from crypt in HampshireTwo priceless artefacts stolen more than a decade ago from the crypt of Napoleon III in England have been recovered after an antiques dealer realised he had them while watching a repeat of the comedy drama Lovejoy.The wooden 19th-century altar cards were taken in a burglary at St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough, Hampshire in February 2014 and were feared lost for ever. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Could Farage bring ICE to the UK? – The Latest 23. February 2026 (17:47) Reform UK has promised to create an ICE-style agency dedicated to mass deportations if the party came to power. Nigel Farage and his party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, have pledged to start a ‘UK Deportation Command’ to remove thousands of people, under plans that Labour has condemned as ‘divisive’. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy political editor Jessica Elgot – watch on YouTube Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FBI head Kash Patel defends ‘frat bro’ hijinks with US hockey team in Milan 23. February 2026 (17:47) As multiple investigations unfold back at home footage emerged of Patel whooping it up with team in locker room The FBI director, Kash Patel, has a lot on his plate just now. There’s the shooting death of the armed man who entered Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home; the weeks-old search for missing Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie; not to mention the ongoing furor around the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files.So eyebrows were raised on Sunday when phone footage emerged of Patel whooping it up with the men’s USA hockey team in Milan after their gold medal victory against Canada at the Winter Olympics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Telegraph suitor considers legal action against UK government over rival bid 23. February 2026 (17:14) Exclusive: Figures led by New York Sun owner may seek judicial review after restrictions lifted on DMGT offerFigures involved in a rival bid for the Telegraph are drawing up legal action against the government, after ministers gave the owner of the Daily Mail permission to take a significant step towards clinching its £500m takeover.The Telegraph titles, which include the daily and Sunday editions, have been in limbo for three years after previous owners, the Barclay family, lost control of them over huge unpaid debts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US supreme court takes up fossil fuel firms’ climate accountability case 23. February 2026 (17:04) Judgment in city of Boulder’s lawsuit against Suncor Energy USA and ExxonMobil could affect wave of climate litigationThe US supreme court has decided to hear arguments in a climate accountability lawsuit, marking the first time the high court has weighed in on such a case. The decision could potentially hinder the wave of climate litigation the US has seen in recent years.“It’s not a good sign,” said Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at Vermont Law and Graduate School. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
German tourists trying to create floating sauna rescued from Swedish ice floe 23. February 2026 (16:14) Authorities mounted rescue operation after group of five lost control of ice sheet in Stockholm archipelagoFive people have been rescued from an ice floe carrying a sauna tent, a motorised saw and an onboard motor after they lost control of their DIY vessel in the Stockholm archipelago.Swedish authorities believe the passengers, who were German tourists, had been attempting to create their own motor-powered floating sauna when the swell from a passing passenger ferry broke the piece of ice and stranded them near Värmdö, an island near Stockholm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nick Reiner due in court for arraignment over parents’ killings 23. February 2026 (16:13) Reiner, 32, charged with two counts of first-degree murder after parents were stabbed to death in DecemberNick Reiner was expected to return to court on Monday for arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.A judge postponed the legal proceedings last month after his attorney withdrew from the case, and was replaced by a public defender. Reiner’s former attorney, Alan Jackson, said at the time that he could not share why he was stepping down, but that his client was not guilty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
GoFundMe for actor Eric Dane’s family raises nearly $350,000 after his death 23. February 2026 (16:12) Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria actor died on Thursday less than a year after he publicly revealed ALS diagnosisA GoFundMe campaign meant to provide financial support for the widow and daughters of Eric Dane after the actor’s recent death had raised nearly $350,000 as of Monday.The fundraising platform over the weekend had temporarily paused the “In Honor of Eric Dane” campaign while it underwent a standard review. But by Monday, GoFundMe said it had verified the effort and listed the Grey’s Anatomy star’s family as the beneficiary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
