A tale of two brothers: could the Andrew crisis bring down King Charles? 20. February 2026 (17:34) Former prince’s arrest was most damaging event for the family firm in centuries – and the questions keep comingLondon fashion week was probably the last public place King Charles III wanted to be on Thursday, admiring the suits and costumes that no one he knows would dream of buying, and making light conversation with designers he would have difficulty in recognising at a royal garden party.Charles must have been contemplating the crumbling of all his plans and hopes for his reign. He always knew it would be short, even before his cancer diagnosis, but he probably never thought it would be upended by the alleged behaviour of his own brother. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump illegally used executive power to impose global tariffs, supreme court rules 20. February 2026 (17:34) Ruling is blow to Trump’s bold assertions of authority and topples key pillar of aggressive economic agendaUS politics live – latest updatesThe US supreme court declared many of Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal on Friday, in a sharp rebuke that topples a key pillar of the president’s aggressive economic agenda.In a 6-3 ruling, the court decided that a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies did not provide the legal justification for most of the Trump administration’s tariffs on countries across the world. It is the first time the court has overruled one of Trump’s second-term policies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘The costs could rise’: Austria conviction could impact climbing across Europe 20. February 2026 (17:23) Amateur climber’s manslaughter conviction over girlfriend’s death could put people off activity, say expertsClimber convicted of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend on Austria’s highest peak to seek helpThe decision of an Austrian court sitting in Innsbruck to convict an amateur climber of manslaughter after he had left his girlfriend behind to die on an Alpine peak in winter is certain to be examined closely throughout Europe.In his decision, the judge, Norbert Hofer – a climber, and an expert in Austrian law relating to the mountains – ruled that the “galaxies-wide” disparity in experience and skills between Thomas P and his late girlfriend Kerstin G meant that he had been de facto acting as her mountain guide “as a favour” despite no financial arrangement having been involved. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A joyful day’: final piece of Sagrada Familia’s central tower put in place 20. February 2026 (17:09) Completion of glass cross brings Antoni Gaudí’s church to maximum final height of 172.5m, 144 years after work beganThe final piece of the central tower of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia has been laid in place, bringing the church to its maximum final height 144 years after work began.After several days when it has been too windy to work, the upper section of the 17 metre-high four-sided steel and glass cross was winched into position at 11am on Friday, completing the tower dedicated to Jesus Christ. At 172.5 metres, the Sagrada Familia, to which the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí devoted the later part of his life, is Barcelona’s tallest building and the world’s tallest church. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bodyguards for Azerbaijani president, in town for Trump’s Board of Peace, attack protesters in DC 20. February 2026 (16:52) Protesters were outside hotel in Washington demanding the release of political prisoners in AzerbaijanBodyguards traveling with the Azerbaijani president, who was visiting Washington for the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, punched, kicked and chased protesters outside a Washington hotel on Thursday, video footage shows.Demonstrators calling for the release of political prisoners were driven from the street near the motorcade of Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani leader. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Mexico to reopen inquiry into Epstein’s ranch amid pressure campaign 20. February 2026 (15:59) Criminal investigation to examine role Zorro ranch may have played in disgraced financier’s trafficking schemeNew Mexico will reopen its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro ranch in the state following a public pressure campaign for a fuller accounting of the role the location it played in the late financier’s sex-trafficking conspiracy.“Upon reviewing information recently released by the US Department of Justice, Attorney General Raúl Torrez has ordered that the criminal investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch be reopened,” the New Mexico department of justice posted online on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump weighs strikes as he gives Iran ‘10 to 15 days’ to agree to deal over nuclear program – live 20. February 2026 (15:00) The US has amassed an arsenal of military assets in the Middle East that would allow it to launch an aerial bombing campaign against IranGrowth in the US economy has slowed sharply, new data shows.US gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, he U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has reported – the equivalent of expanding by 0.35% in the quarter.The contributors to the increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter were increases in consumer spending and investment.These movements were partly offset by decreases in government spending and exports. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is the share market headed toward a ‘SaaS-pocalypse’ – and what would that mean? 20. February 2026 (15:00) Software companies are facing major disruption from AI and investors are pulling back, wiping off billions in value – but does it spell the end for software-as-a-service?Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAfter years of questioning whether artificial intelligence was creating a speculative market bubble, investors are now grappling with a new question: what if its hype is real?The “SaaS-pocalypse”, a trending term to describe the recent and dramatic sell-off in global software-as-a-service (SaaS) shares, is based on the idea that AI becomes so advanced that software becomes redundant. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amid Trump crackdown on Chinese students, one US university appears to block them altogether 20. February 2026 (15:00) Purdue says no ban on Chinese students exists, but reportedly rescinded dozens of offers after warnings from legislatorsSeveral universities have scrapped partnerships with Chinese institutions in recent months as a direct result of pressure from US legislators. But no university appears to have gone as far as Purdue University in Indiana.Students and faculty at the public university say that an unofficial policy is in effect to automatically reject students from China and a number of other countries altogether. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin faced GB News complaint over colleague’s claim of ‘inappropriate comments’ 20. February 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Nigel Farage understood to have known of grievance against byelection candidate, whose lawyer described it as resolved ‘minor workplace matter’ of miscommunicationMatt Goodwin, Reform UK’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton byelection, was accused by a young woman working at GB News of making inappropriate comments which she viewed as sexually harassing, the Guardian can reveal.The junior staffer complained to HR last year alleging Goodwin had made inappropriate comments, one regarding her appearance, sources say. Goodwin, 44, volunteered an apology after the complaint had been raised. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
