Britons feeling ‘dismal’ about finances amid mounting debts, survey finds 16. February 2026 (13:38) Consumer confidence at its lowest level in two years, as young people in particular face money pressuresBusiness live – latest updatesThe mood among UK households about their finances is “dismal”, according to research which suggested consumer spending remains sluggish and debts are mounting.Consumer confidence in the UK is running at its lowest level in two years, a survey by S&P Global found, as households worry about their debts, their future financial prospects, and their savings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein sympathized with Kavanaugh during supreme court confirmation, emails show 16. February 2026 (13:00) Files show convicted sex abuser messaged with Ken Starr and others about Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey FordJeffrey Epstein sympathized with Brett Kavanaugh during the then-supreme court nominee’s contentious 2018 confirmation and even suggested Republicans should have been harder on Christine Blasey Ford, who had accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.Emails and text messages released by the Department of Justice show Epstein was closely monitoring the confirmation and seemed to believe that Ford’s allegation of sexual assault could derail the process. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fertility treatment given special emphasis as Trump Rx site goes live 16. February 2026 (13:00) Experts say discounts on IVF procedures an attempt to fulfil campaign promise but savings only a fraction of total cost TrumpRx, the US president’s much-anticipated drug discount program, went live earlier this month with coupons available for just 43 medications, including four required for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, and experts say this is probably a half-measure to fulfill Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to make IVF treatment universally accessible.“We’ve been hearing about TrumpRx for a long time,” said Dr Richard Paulson, a professor of reproductive medicine at the University of Southern California. “TrumpRx was supposed to fix all of the problems in terms of prescription drug costs and so on, and it has not done that. The only two classes of drugs that are actually cheaper on Trump RX are the GLP-1 agonists – those are the obesity medications – and fertility drugs.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukrainian civilian casualties rose by 26% in 2025, researchers say | First Thing 16. February 2026 (12:49) Figures said to reflect increased Russian military targeting of cities and infrastructure. Plus, the week the Cuban crisis got realDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Civilian casualties in Ukraine caused by Russian strikes surged by 26% in 2025, reflecting increased Russian targeting of cities and infrastructure in the country, according to a global conflict monitoring group.What did the AOAV say about the figures? Iain Overton, executive director of AOAV, said the figures showed “Ukraine fits a wider collapse of restraint that is now visible across multiple wars”, and respect for the distinction of proportionality in war “has broken”.Does her father still face deportation? Days before Ofelia died, a judge ruled that Torres Maldonado’s deportation would be blocked, due to the hardship it would bring his family, opening the door to a potential pathway to permanent residence and eventual citizenship. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republicans and Democrats unite to condemn Trump’s attacks on allies 16. February 2026 (12:00) American politicians break rank at Munich Security Conference to hit out at ‘destructive’ president and urge Europe to stand up to TrumpDonald Trump’s most unbridled critics at this weekend’s Munich Security Conference have not been Europeans but Americans – and not just Democrat politicians.A few Republicans, out of earshot of the US president’s favoured Fox News, have had the courage to challenge Trump’s diet of tariffs and unpredictability. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer says government remains ‘open-minded’ about social media ban for under-16s – UK politics live 16. February 2026 (11:45) Prime minister says outcomes of consultation on social media ban should be implemented quickly as technology minister says Australia-style ban is not inevitableQ: Do you support in inquiry into Labour Together commissioning an investigation into journalists?Starmer says there will be a Cabinet Office investigation into this. “And quite right too,” he adds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian women and children released from Syrian detention camp 16. February 2026 (11:38) The group of 34 – families of dead or jailed extremists – could return to Australia after being held since 2019Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian women and children held for years without charge in a squalid detention camp in north-east Syria have been released ahead of their expected repatriation to Australia.The 34 women and children in the group are the wives, widows and children of dead or jailed Islamic State fighters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Harry Styles to curate Meltdown festival at London’s Southbank Centre – and play an intimate gig 16. February 2026 (11:36) The pop superstar will oversee the annual music and art celebration in June, marking the festival’s 31st edition and the venue’s 75th anniversaryHarry Styles is to curate the Meltdown festival at London’s Southbank Centre, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the venue.The 32-year-old pop star follows Little Simz as curator of the 2025 event, and previous editions led by artists including Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers and Robert Smith of the Cure. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Warner Bros Discovery weighs new sale talks after fresh Paramount offer 16. February 2026 (10:57) Board considering whether to re-engage in move that could prompt a second bidding war with NetflixBusiness live – latest updatesWarner Bros Discovery (WBD) is reportedly weighing reopening sales talks with Paramount Skydance, in a move that could spark a fresh bidding war with Netflix for the Hollywood film and TV company.Members of the board of WBD are discussing whether to re-engage with Paramount, which is pursuing a hostile $108.4bn (£76.8bn) cash takeover directly with shareholders in a bid to derail an agreed deal with Netflix, according to Bloomberg. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italy’s famous Lovers’ Arch collapses into the sea on Valentine’s Day 16. February 2026 (10:48) Rock structure which served as backdrop to countless proposals disappears into the Adriatic after stormThe famous arch of the sea stacks at Sant’Andrea in Melendugno, Puglia, Italy, popularly known as Lovers’ Arch, collapsed on Valentine’s Day after strong storm surges and heavy rain swept across southern Italy.The rocky arch, one of the best-known natural landmarks on the Adriatic coast, got its name as it served as a backdrop for wedding proposals, selfies and postcards, and was one of the most recognisable symbols of the Salento, one of Italy’s most heavily visited tourist areas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
