French police launch murder inquiry after far-right activist’s death in Lyon 16. February 2026 (19:02) Quentin Deranque, 23, who was on sidelines of a protest, died from a brain injury after attack that has fuelled political tensionsFrench police have launched a murder inquiry after a far-right activist died in hospital having been beaten up in an attack that has fuelled political tensions in France.Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old mathematics student, died from a severe brain injury at the weekend. The Lyon prosecutor, Thierry Dran, said Deranque was assaulted by at least six masked individuals. Police were working to identify suspects and no arrests had been made, Dran said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Far-right character’s monologue prompts violent scenes at German theatre 16. February 2026 (18:42) Actor shouted down and pelted with fruit during Catarina, or the Beauty of Killing FascistsAn actor at a theatre in Germany was at the weekend shouted down, pelted with fruit and subjected to an attempted stage invasion as he delivered a final monologue in character as a far-right activist.The violent scenes came on Saturday during the German premiere of the Portuguese playwright Tiago Rodrigues’s work Catarina, or the Beauty of Killing Fascists in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Was Navalny poisoning by frog toxin meant to send a message? 16. February 2026 (18:06) Yvette Cooper may think so, and use of epibatidine may seem exotic, but experts say situation is more ambiguousIt was a very particular choice of weapon, but experts say it remains unclear whether the dart frog toxin used to kill the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was intended to convey a message.Known as epibatidine, the poison is produced by wild dart frogs native to parts of South America – meaning Navalny could not have accidentally taken the poison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein ranch in New Mexico bought by family of ‘Trump Republican’ candidate 16. February 2026 (17:55) Property where abuse took place purchased for $13.4m in 2023 by Texas businessman Donald Huffines’ familyThe family of a self-identified “Trump Republican” running for office in Texas bought Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico ranch where the sex trafficker abused teenage girls and young women, according to new documents.A spokesperson for Donald Huffines, a Texas businessman and former GOP state senator now running for comptroller, confirmed the purchase to the Santa Fe New Mexican, a local media outlet. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Government cancels plan to delay local council elections in England 16. February 2026 (17:26) Polls in 30 areas had been due to be postponed as part of the government’s shake-up of English councilsUK politics live – latest updatesMinisters have dropped plans to delay 30 local elections this May after receiving legal advice that doing so might be unlawful.The government had planned to delay elections in England while local authorities are reorganised, which is likely to lead to some authorities merging or being subsumed into others. Ministers argued against holding elections for councils that could cease to exist in a year or two. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Savannah Guthrie makes new appeal for missing mother: ‘It’s never too late to do the right thing’ 16. February 2026 (17:06) Instagram post by TV host whose mother disappeared 15 days ago in Arizona says ‘you’re not lost or alone’The TV news anchor Savannah Guthrie issued a fresh appeal to anyone who knows the whereabouts of her missing mother, saying that “you’re not lost or alone” and “it is never too late to do the right thing”.The Today anchor, who is stepping away from NBC’s morning broadcast, urged “whoever has her or knows where she is” to come forward, but did not make reference to any ransom demands or communication with any abductor. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Single dose of potent psychedelic drug could help treat depression, trial shows 16. February 2026 (17:00) Researchers find DMT – used in shamanic rituals – in tandem with psychotherapy has significant effect People with major depressive disorder can see a rapid and lasting improvement after a single dose of the psychedelic drug dimethyltryptamine (DMT) when it is combined with psychotherapy, doctors have said.A small clinical trial involving 34 people found that psychedelic-assisted therapy prompted a swift reduction in depressive symptoms that endured long after the drug had worn off, with some still feeling the benefits six months later. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
National Gallery to make major cuts in effort to stem ballooning deficit 16. February 2026 (16:31) Move could mean fewer free exhibitions and paid-for shows and more expensive ticketsThe National Gallery is to make significant cuts in the face of an £8.2m deficit in the coming year, which could mean fewer free exhibitions and ticketed shows, less international borrowing of artworks and more expensive tickets.As a result of considerably increased running costs and stagnant income, the gallery has said it will be looking to cut spending in areas “such as public programmes, and activities where, for a number of reasons beyond our control, we can no longer justify their costs”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
KPMG partner fined for using artificial intelligence to cheat in AI training test 16. February 2026 (15:36) Firm says person fined A$10,000 is one of over two dozen staff in Australia caught using AI in exams since JulyBusiness live – latest updatesA partner at the consultancy KPMG has been fined for using artificial intelligence to cheat during an internal training course on AI.The unnamed partner was fined A$10,000 (£5,200) for using the technology to cheat, one of a number of staff reportedly using the tactic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain ‘needs to go faster’ on defence spending, Starmer says 16. February 2026 (15:06) PM says ‘we need to step up’ but sources clarify that is unlikely to mean spending 3% of GDP before next electionUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has said Britain “needs to go faster” on defence spending, though any increase to military budgets in this parliament would probably not be as high as the £15bn suggested in an overnight report.At a press conference in south-west London, the prime minister was asked to comment on a BBC report that No 10 wanted to increase the defence budget to 3% of GDP by 2029. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
