Tony Burke says Australia has few options to block return of 34 women and children from Syrian camp 22. February 2026 (02:36) One woman is subject to temporary exclusion order over security concerns, but home affairs minister says group is ‘not consistent’ in their beliefsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTony Burke says authorities “know the state of mind” of each of the 34 Australian women and children stuck in a Syrian detention camp, but says his options to prevent them returning to Australia are limited.The home affairs minister, who represents a south-western Sydney electorate with a high Muslim population, also warned Pauline Hanson’s recent derogatory comments against Muslims in Australia could incite violence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
All nine bodies of skiers killed in California avalanche recovered 22. February 2026 (01:09) Six additional skiers survived tragedy in Sierra Nevadas near Lake Tahoe, a popular winter sport destination‘They were mothers, wives, friends’: how a ski trip turned deadly in the California mountainsOfficials announced on Saturday that the bodies of all nine missing skiers who were killed in a devastating avalanche in California had been recovered, following days of search efforts.The avalanche happened in the Sierra Nevada mountains in northern California near Lake Tahoe, a popular skiing and winter sport destination. No more people are left missing after Tuesday’s deadly avalanche. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Government’s response to Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban was ‘clumsy’, say MPs 22. February 2026 (01:01) Select committee says ‘late’ decision to overturn exclusion of fans ‘did little more than inflame tensions’The government’s response to West Midlands police’s ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was “clumsy”, “late” and “did little more than inflame tensions”, a group of MPs has found.A report by the home affairs select committee, published on Sunday, analysed the original decision to ban away fans from a Europa League fixture with Aston Villa in November, as well as the advice that led to it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pakistan strikes militant hideouts on Afghan border after surge in attacks 22. February 2026 (00:38) ‘Intelligence-based, selective operations’ carried out against Pakistani Taliban camps, says information ministry Pakistan carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan on Saturday night, stating it was targeting hideouts of Pakistani militants it blames for recent attacks inside the country.Islamabad did not say in precisely which areas the strikes were carried out or provide other details. There was no immediate comment from Kabul, and reports on social media suggested the strikes were carried out inside Afghanistan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers to set out plans to halve attainment gap in England’s schools 21. February 2026 (23:30) White paper proposes changing criteria under which schools get funding to support the most disadvantaged studentsPlans to halve the attainment gap between the poorest pupils in England and their more affluent peers will be set out by the government on Monday.The schools white paper will detail proposals to change the criteria under which schools receive funding to support the most disadvantaged students. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US salsa legend Willie Colón, vocalist, trombonist and composer, dies aged 75 21. February 2026 (22:55) Colón’s music combined jazz, rock and salsa, incorporating rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and AfricaWillie Colón, the pioneering trombonist, vocalist and composer, died on Saturday aged 75, his family has said.With more than 30m albums sold, multiple platinum records and 11 combined Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, Colón is among the most successful salsa artists of all time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York City gets first blizzard warning in nine years as area hunkers down 21. February 2026 (22:28) New Jersey and other east coast areas brace for storm threatening more than 1ft of snow and 55mph wind gustsBlizzard warnings were issued Saturday for New York City, New Jersey and coastal communities along the east coast for a late-winter storm set to arrive on Sunday that could dump more than a foot of snow and bring wind gusts of more than 55mph.The blizzard warning for New York City is the first since 2017 and comes as parts of the city are still dotted with hillocks of ice – leftovers from the previous major snowstorm nearly a month ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nasa may roll back Artemis II rocket launch after helium flow discovery 21. February 2026 (19:53) Agency statement comes one day after announcement of 6 March target for astronauts’ mission to circle the moonNasa said in a blog post on Saturday it is taking steps to potentially roll back the Artemis II rocket launch after discovering an interrupted flow of helium.The agency said it is taking steps to roll the Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft back to the vehicle assembly building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US group allegedly ran fake law firm and court proceedings to scam immigrants 21. February 2026 (19:48) Federal prosecutors have arraigned four people in New Jersey, with a fifth at large in ColombiaFour people were arraigned on Saturday in New Jersey for allegedly posing as immigration attorneys and officials to scam immigrants, the justice department said.Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, who announced the arrests on Friday, said the group pretended to run a law firm, and staged fake court proceedings, in an elaborate scheme to defraud people seeking legal help for their immigration cases. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least five people killed in string of avalanches in Austria 21. February 2026 (19:15) Fatalities and injuries reported in avalanches across Tirol after prolonged snowfall and windy conditionsAt least five people have been killed in a string of avalanches in Austria, authorities said on Saturday.The government office of the Tirol region said intense snowfall over the last week had led to accumulations of up to 1.5 metres (5ft). Combined with strong winds and weak snowpack below, the conditions were especially susceptible to avalanches, it said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
