Carmakers face possible heavy fines in Australia for failing to meet climate targets 18. February 2026 (10:06) Companies including Mazda and Nissan face multimillion-dollar hit unless they improve carbon efficiencyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMajor auto brands including Mazda, Nissan and Subaru face the possibility of millions of dollars in penalties after failing to meet climate targets for new vehicles in Australia.The first six months of data since the Albanese government introduced a new vehicle efficiency standard shows 40 companies – 68% of the total – beat their initial target for the average emissions efficiency of the new cars they sold. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Calls grow for suicides linked to domestic abuse to be treated as potential homicides 18. February 2026 (09:50) Politicians and experts say police should be better trained and move away from ‘tickbox approach’ to suicidesPoliticians and experts have thrown their weight behind calls for suicides to be investigated as potential homicides in cases where a person who takes their own life has been affected by domestic abuse.They also called for better training for police so that officers understand the full impact of domestic abuse, and move away from “a tickbox approach” to suicides.In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Campaign urges NHS to improve diagnosis of potentially life-threatening childbirth condition 18. February 2026 (09:00) Exclusive: Five hospitals failed to spot Amisha Adhia had placenta accreta before one obstetrician intervenedAfter five hospitals failed to spot that she had a rare but potentially fatal complication of childbirth, Amisha Adhia is to launch a campaign urging the NHS to do more to diagnose the condition and save lives.Pregnant women are at much greater risk of developing placenta accreta spectrum if they have already given birth by caesarean section or had IVF treatment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US mining company Alcoa hit with ‘unprecedented’ $55m penalty for illegal clearing of WA jarrah forests 18. February 2026 (08:43) Environment minister says Alcoa cleared known habitat of protected species to enable bauxite miningGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe environment minister, Murray Watt, has handed a $55m penalty to the US mining giant Alcoa for unlawful land clearing for bauxite mining in Western Australia’s northern jarrah forests, south of Perth.As Watt announced the “unprecedented” remediation order, he said he had also granted the company an exemption to clear further habitat for 18 months while the government considered a proposal for an extension of the company’s mining operations to 2045. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK inflation falls to 3%, giving hopes of early cut in interest rates 18. February 2026 (08:01) January annual drop is lowest level since March 2025, although still above Bank of England’s 2% targetBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation tumbled to 3% in January, giving a boost to hopes of an early cut in interest rates by the Bank of England.The drop was in line with a majority of City economists’ forecasts and marks the lowest level since March 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Philippine vice-president Sara Duterte announces 2028 presidential bid 18. February 2026 (08:00) Sara Duterte, daughter of a former president who is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the Hague, pledged to offer her ‘life, strength and future’ in service of the PhilippinesPhilippine vice-president Sara Duterte, daughter of the imprisoned former leader Rodridgo Duterte, has announced she will run for president in the country’s 2028 election.Sara Duterte, 47, said she would offer her “life, strength and future” in service of the Philippines, in a speech on Wednesday that accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, of presiding over a period marked by rampant corruption. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
TfL Facebook ad banned for negative stereotype about black men 18. February 2026 (08:00) Ad was part of campaign to encourage Londoners to intervene if they witness sexual harassment or hate crimeA Transport for London (TfL) ad featuring a black teenage boy verbally harassing a white girl has been banned for “perpetuating the negative racial stereotype about black men as perpetrators of threatening behaviour”.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the “irresponsible” ad – which was the subject of a complaint – featured a “harmful stereotype”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman in Syrian detention camp banned from returning to Australia for up to two years 18. February 2026 (07:28) Person among group of 34 women and children who were released from al-Roj camp on Monday but were forced to returnGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne adult among the group of 34 Australian women and children in a Syrian detention camp has been issued with a temporary exclusion order, banning them from coming to Australia for up to two years.But the rest of the group has not been assessed by intelligence agencies as meeting the threshold to be banned from Australia, potentially clearing the way for the wives and children of Islamic State fighters to re-enter the country if they can make their own way back. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian attorney general lambasts integrity expert over ‘unfounded claim’ CFMEU corruption cost taxpayers $15bn 18. February 2026 (07:03) Rotting from the Top report author Geoffrey Watson says ‘personal attacks’ from Labor government ministers have ‘crossed a line’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria’s attorney general has launched an extraordinary attack on the integrity expert, Geoffrey Watson SC, over his claim corruption at the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) cost taxpayers at least $15bn.The figure was contained in redacted chapters from Watson’s Rotting from the Top report, commissioned by the CFMEU administrator, Mark Irving KC, and tendered during a Queensland inquiry into the union last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US and Japan unveil $36bn of oil, gas and critical minerals projects in challenge to China 18. February 2026 (07:02) Donald Trump says deals ‘end our foolish dependence on foreign sources’, while Japanese PM hails enhanced economic securityJapan has drawn up plans for investments in US oil, gas and critical mineral projects worth about $36bn under the first wave of a deal with Donald Trump.The US president and Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, announced a trio of projects including a power plant in Portsmouth, Ohio, billed by the Trump administration as the largest natural gas-fired generating facility in US history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
