‘One of America’s greatest patriots’: US political leaders pay tribute to Jesse Jackson 17. February 2026 (17:53) Kamala Harris, Al Sharpton, Donald Trump and more react to the death of the civil rights leader at the age of 84Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader, dies aged 84Jesse Jackson tributes – latest updatesPolitical leaders have celebrated Jesse Jackson as a “titan” of the civil rights movement and “one of America’s greatest patriots” after the announcement on Tuesday of his death at the age of 84.The former US president Joe Biden said history would remember Jackson as “a man of God and of the people”, calling him in a post on X: “Determined and tenacious. Unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our Nation.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gotta watch ‘em all? Pokémon-style app for birdwatching launches 17. February 2026 (17:42) Users of Birdex get points for each bird they see and can compete with friends, with 200,000 sightings logged so farA new app has launched that aims to gamify birdwatching by allowing people to collect digital cards of UK bird species whenever they record seeing one.Users of Birdex accumulate points for each bird they see, with less common and rare species yielding the greatest rewards. It is possible to add friends and compete over bird sightings. The app has got birdwatchers talking online – though it has raised hackles among some for its use of AI-generated artwork. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A binge and a prayer: Italian monks told to avoid Netflix and social media 17. February 2026 (17:01) Prior of hermitage says digital technologies are designed to be addictive and present ‘challenge for monastic life’The prior of a hermitage in Tuscany has urged monks living in the secluded retreat to avoid the use of social media and streaming services, arguing that their rooms are sacred places for prayer and “not for Netflix or other platforms”.Father Matteo Ferrari, the prior general of the Camaldolese congregation and of the Camaldoli monastery and hermitage in Arezzo, Tuscany, said such digital technologies were “specifically designed to create addiction” and “should absolutely be avoided”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Mexico approves truth commission on alleged Jeffrey Epstein ranch abuse 17. February 2026 (16:37) Lawmakers say the panel will compel testimony to uncover what happened at Epstein’s Zorro ranch and who knewNew Mexico has approved a “truth commission” to investigate abuse on Jeffrey Epstein’s ranch outside Santa Fe, amid ongoing calls for transparency about the late sex-offender’s crimes.The move by legislators on Monday follows the justice department’s release of millions of investigative documents into Epstein last month, which has renewed interest into the financier’s Zorro ranch. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cheshire council leaders urged to resign after proposing new town without local support 17. February 2026 (16:33) Opposition councillor says 20,000-home development in Adlington put forward with ‘no consultation, no scrutiny’A Cheshire council leader is being urged to resign after it emerged he had written a letter backing a new town of 20,000 homes for the area, which led to it being listed on the government’s list of proposed sites and has since sparked a huge backlash.Residents said they were blindsided when Adlington appeared on the government’s list of 12 proposed sites for new towns across England, with work on at least three due to start this parliament. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Colbert accuses Trump administration of censorship after CBS pulls interview 17. February 2026 (16:08) Host says lawyers barred him from discussing decision to drop Texas Democrat segment amid FCC rules scrutinyThe talkshow host Stephen Colbert has accused the Trump administration of censoring critics after CBS pulled his interview with a Texas Democrat on Monday, apparently at the behest of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).Colbert told viewers of the Late Show that network lawyers told him he was also prohibited from talking about their refusal to air his interview with James Talarico, a Texas state representative seeking his party’s nomination to challenge the Republican incumbent, John Cornyn, for a Senate seat in November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘An insult to our name’: AfD urged to stop using Simson mopeds at events 17. February 2026 (16:02) Descendants of Jewish brothers forced to sell company to Nazis say appropriation by German far right is ‘repulsive’The Jewish descendants of a German motorbike manufacturer that was forced by the Nazis to be relinquished have voiced their repulsion at the appropriation of the vehicle by far-right populists.Members of the family, whose ancestors were forced to flee Germany in the 1930s, say they consider the use of the bike’s name by the anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) as a “mockery of our history”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nigel Farage unveils Reform UK frontbench team and warns over dissent 17. February 2026 (15:31) Leader says move should end claims of one-man band and shows party is ‘creating a machine for government’Nigel Farage has unveiled the first part of Reform UK’s frontbench team, saying it shows that the party is no longer reliant entirely on him – while also warning that he will not tolerate any dissent from his colleagues.Two of the four appointees are recent defectors from the Conservatives: Robert Jenrick, who takes on the Treasury brief, and Suella Braverman, whom Farage has put in charge of education, skills and equalities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Will Tony Abbott return to frontline politics? The Liberal party’s most polarising figure can imagine a way 17. February 2026 (15:00) The former PM is open to resurrecting his parliamentary career, if Angus Taylor does what Peter Dutton wouldn’t and actively drafts him inGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn June last year, the Liberal party’s federal executive met to discuss the next phase of an intervention into the troubled New South Wales division.The meeting will be a short footnote in the modern history of the Liberal party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Building 1.2m homes will barely put a dent in Australia’s housing affordability, one expert says. Here’s why 17. February 2026 (15:00) Thinking ‘supply is the answer’ lets politicians dodge a much more difficult conversation about tax – for investors and ownersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIs building more homes the answer to Australia’s housing crisis?No, it’s not. Not even close. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
