A war foretold: how the CIA and MI6 got hold of Putin’s Ukraine plans and why nobody believed them 20. February 2026 (11:00) Drawing on more than 100 interviews with senior intelligence officials and other insiders in multiple countries, this exclusive account details how the US and Britain uncovered Vladimir Putin’s plans to invade, and why most of Europe – including the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy – dismissed them. As the fourth anniversary of the invasion approaches and the world enters a new period of geopolitical uncertainty, Europe’s politicians and spy services continue to draw lessons from the failures of 2022 Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Art and antiques help lift retail sales in Great Britain to biggest monthly rise since 2024 20. February 2026 (10:35) January increase of 1.8% beats forecasts and was also driven by shoppers snapping up jewellery onlineBusiness live – latest updatesRetail sales in Great Britain rose 1.8% in January, the largest monthly increase in almost two years, according to official data, as heavy discounting and post-Christmas sales drew consumers back to bigger ticket purchases.The rise easily beat forecasts of a 0.2% rise and was partly driven by sales of artwork and antiques sales in January, alongside continued strong sales from online jewellers, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. It was the biggest monthly rise since May 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour minister falsely linked journalists to ‘pro-Kremlin’ network in emails to GCHQ 20. February 2026 (10:00) Exclusive: Josh Simons pressed intelligence officials to investigate reporters, in emails described as ‘McCarthyite smear’A Labour minister who claimed to be “surprised” and “furious” at a PR agency’s work to investigate journalists on his behalf had been personally involved in naming them to British intelligence officials and falsely linking them to pro-Russian propaganda, the Guardian can reveal.Josh Simons, who was running the thinktank Labour Together at the time, was also involved in telling security officials that another journalist was “living with” the daughter of a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn. Officials were told by Simons’ team that the former adviser was “suspected of links to Russian intelligence”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police search of Royal Lodge continues as Andrew released from custody – live updates 20. February 2026 (08:30) The arrest of the 66-year old former prince has sent shockwaves through the UK and abroad, with reaction rolling in from the US to Australia King says ‘law must take its course’ What the papers sayCalls for justice in the USUS president Donald Trump described Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest as a “shame” and “very sad thing”. When asked by reporters for his reaction, he said:I’m the expert in a way because I’ve been totally exonerated so I can speak about it …I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad. To me, it’s a very sad thing. When I see that, it’s a very sad thing … Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK reports record-breaking budget surplus of £30.4bn in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves 20. February 2026 (08:28) Largest January total since records began in 1993 is sharp reversal from December’s £11.6bn deficitBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government has posted the biggest ever budget surplus, official figures show, after a large boost in self-assessment and capital gains tax receipts.In a boost for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in the run-up to her spring statement next month, public sector finances recorded a surplus of £30.4bn at the start of the year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This was £15.9bn higher than the surplus recorded in January 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LS Lowry believed his paintings would be worthless, interviews reveal 20. February 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Sir Ian McKellen portrays artist in BBC documentary that draws on trove of previously unheard recordings LS Lowry was convinced his paintings would be worthless after his death, he confided in a previously unheard interview.Although the artist had enjoyed some success in his final years, Lowry could never have imagined he would become one of Britain’s best-loved artists or that his paintings would sell for millions of pounds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mind launches inquiry into AI and mental health after Guardian investigation 20. February 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: England and Wales charity to examine safeguards after Guardian exposed ‘very dangerous’ advice on Google AI Overviews‘Very dangerous’: a Mind mental health expert on Google’s AI summariesMind is launching a significant inquiry into artificial intelligence and mental health after a Guardian investigation exposed how Google’s AI Overviews gave people “very dangerous” medical advice.In a year-long commission, the mental health charity, which operates in England and Wales, will examine the risks and safeguards required as AI increasingly influences the lives of millions of people affected by mental health issues worldwide. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How ‘smog capital of Poland’ saved 6,000 lives by cutting soot levels 20. February 2026 (07:00) Kraków’s ban on burning solid fuels plus subsidies for cleaner heating has led to clearer air and better healthAs a child, Marcel Mazur had to hold his breath in parts of Kraków thick with “so much smoke you could see and smell it”. Now, as an allergy specialist at Jagiellonian University Medical College who treats patients struggling to breathe, he knows all too well the damage those toxic gases do inside the human body.“It’s not that we have this feeling that nothing can be done. But it’s difficult,” Mazur said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Al-Aqsa is a detonator’: six-decade agreement on prayer at Jerusalem holy site collapses 20. February 2026 (06:00) Israeli police raid compound, arrest staff and curb Muslims’ access as Ramadan begins A six-decade agreement governing Muslim and Jewish prayer at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site has “collapsed” under pressure from Jewish extremists backed by the Israeli government, experts have warned.A series of arrests of Muslim caretaker staff, bans on access for hundreds of Muslims, and escalating incursions by radical Jewish groups culminated this week in the arrest of the imam of al-Aqsa mosque and an Israeli police raid during evening prayers on the first night of Ramadan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New drone unit to investigate illegal waste dumping across England 20. February 2026 (06:00) Government announces tougher measures to tackle unlicensed sites as ‘prolific waste criminal’ is ordered to pay £1.4mA new 33-strong drone unit is being deployed to investigate the scourge of illegal waste dumping across England, the government has announced.The improvements to the investigation of illegal waste dumping – which costs the UK economy £1bn a year – come as the ringleader of a major waste crime gang was ordered to pay £1.4m after being convicted at Birmingham crown court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
