Hundred-year reveal: Catalonian chalet confirmed as Gaudí work in centenary year 18. February 2026 (17:00) Xalet del Catllaràs contains elements of architect’s naturalistic style, expressed in works such as Park Güell and Sagrada FamíliaAn elegant modernist building in the mountains north of Barcelona, originally constructed to house engineers establishing a nearby mine, has been confirmed as a work of Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s most celebrated and distinctive architect.The Xalet del Catllaràs, about 80 miles from Barcelona in the county of Berguedà, was built in 1905 and commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s lifelong patron. Güell was the owner of a cement company with mines in the region and he needed somewhere to house the engineers, many of them British, who would help extract the coal for his factories. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgian investigation into three Jewish men sparks diplomatic row with US 18. February 2026 (16:54) US ambassador accused of interference after labelling inquiry into suspected illegal circumcisions ‘antisemitic’A diplomatic row is escalating between Belgium and the US, with Donald Trump’s ambassador refusing to apologise for accusing his host country of antisemitism and reportedly threatening to bar a socialist politician from travelling to the US.Bill White, a staunch ally of the president like many US ambassadors, on Monday demanded Belgium drop a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” investigation into three Jewish men suspected of performing circumcisions without medical qualifications. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour to be ‘annihilated’ in Lancashire after local elections U-turn, party fears 18. February 2026 (16:46) County has highest number of reinstated elections following decision not to delay them for 30 English councils
Labour figures in the county with the highest number of reinstated council elections, following the government’s recent U-turn, have said they fear the party will be “annihilated” when voters go to the polls in May.The polls had expected to be postponed pending a reorganisation of local government in the county and a move to unitary authorities, but earlier this week the local government secretary, Steve Reed, scrapped plans to delay the elections, after Reform UK threatened a legal challenge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britons living in Europe face repayment hikes amid Reeves student loans row 18. February 2026 (16:43) Exclusive: UK graduates in Germany, Belgium and possibly other countries informed of rises as salary threshold is cutBritons living in some European countries face a huge rise in their student loan repayments later this year, the Guardian can reveal, in a move that threatens to trigger a fresh backlash for Rachel Reeves.UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – have been told that their monthly repayments will increase from April, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubio’s Munich speech was an offer of friendship – but on white, Christian, Maga terms 18. February 2026 (16:30) The top US diplomat’s soothing tone masked a familiar message: Europe can remain America’s ally – but at a cost• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here“The greatness of America,” wrote the 19th-century French diplomat, political philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, “lies not in her being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”For a brief moment at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) last weekend, European leaders half-thought that their most heartfelt wish – the return of the old US, that believed in the EU ideal and backed a rules-based world order – had been granted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK would restore two-child benefit cap, Jenrick says in policy U-turn 18. February 2026 (16:27) Treasury spokesperson says disability benefits would also be limited under Reform, but Bank of England would stay independentUK politics live – latest updatesReform UK would restore the two-child benefit cap in full, Robert Jenrick has announced, in a major U-turn for the party that critics said would plunge hundreds of thousands of children into poverty.In his first speech as Reform’s Treasury spokesperson, Jenrick said the party had changed tack since Nigel Farage last year said he would scrap the two-child limit and suggested his party wanted to go “much further to encourage people to have children”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Bored by all the sex and violins’: readers on Wuthering Heights film 18. February 2026 (16:03) Reaction to Emerald Fennell’s movie adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel starring Margot Robbie and Jacob ElordiMy group of six English teachers – aged from 30 to 54 – saw the film on Friday. We are still processing our thoughts in a group chat. We agreed that the visuals were often delightfully shocking. We talked about the contrasts between the lavish costumes and the moor landscape, which we thought Fennell got right. We talked about the Charlie XCX music and how well it evoked the landscape and the spirit of the book. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Consumer watchdog concerned by rise of per-item prices at Australian supermarkets 18. February 2026 (15:01) Gina Cass-Gottlieb says one of the regulator’s main priorities is to ensure price claims are ‘clear and truthful’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe head of Australia’s consumer regulator says she is concerned by the growing practice of major supermarkets charging customers for fresh produce by item, rather than by weight, leaving some shoppers confused and short changed.Guardian Australia has recently reported several examples of price discrepancies by supermarkets charging fruit and vegetables per item. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I will do you and him in’: Julian Ingram threatened former de facto partner a decade before Lake Cargelligo murders, court documents say 18. February 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Man accused of triple murders last month previously sentenced to prison after intimidating another partnerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWarning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have diedJulian Ingram told a former partner he had a “gun and a hole” for a man he assumed to be her new partner and made threats towards her, their child and her mother a decade before he allegedly murdered three people and went on the run, according to court documents.Last month, Ingram – also known as Julian Pierpoint – allegedly shot dead his pregnant former partner Sophie Quinn, her new boyfriend and her aunt in Lake Cargelligo, about 450km west of Sydney. A large-scale manhunt for the 37-year-old is under way. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
With Australian private health insurance premiums set to jump by 4.41%, will policies deliver more or just cost more? 18. February 2026 (15:00) The biggest premium hike in 10 years prompts questions, as government incentives continue to drive people to take out cover merely to avoid tax penaltiesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government has approved a 4.41% private health insurance premium rise from April – the largest hike in almost 10 years.With consumers already grappling with cost-of-living pressures, including an interest rate rise earlier in February, more Australians are likely to be wondering whether keeping their private health insurance is worth it.Melissa Davey is Guardian Australia’s medical editor Continue reading...(The Guardian)
