Mandating health star ratings is a win. But food lobbies still have too much power over our health 15. February 2026 (15:00) Our food environment has been built to put profit over health — Australians can’t overcome that without stronger regulation and accountabilityGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost 13 years ago – and after a decade-long battle between health experts and the food industry – state and federal ministers voted to introduce a health star rating system to help consumers make healthier food choices.It was voluntary, thanks to the food industry being at the bargaining table and the decision-makers being largely food, trade and agriculture ministers (rather than health). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Treasury considering changes to Australia’s contentious tobacco excise, as calls grow for a freeze 15. February 2026 (15:00) The tax has climbed by 60% since 2020 and accounts for three-quarters of the legal cost of a packet of cigarettesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastExperts say a freeze on the federal government’s contentious tobacco excise should be considered, after the Treasury revealed it was modelling the impacts of cigarette prices on demand amid a booming black market.Lachlan Vass, a research manager at the e61 Institute, said the Treasury’s examination of “price elasticity” and demand for tobacco would be a necessary step to costing potential reforms to the excise. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian man died in Bali after consulate refused to assist with medical transfer 15. February 2026 (15:00) Consular officials told son of unconscious, critically ill man they could not discuss the situation for ‘privacy’ reasonsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian man died in a Balinese hospital just days after the Australian consulate failed to issue an emergency passport that his son says could have saved his life.Wayne Harvey, an expat who had been living on the island since 2018, was 69 years old when he was admitted to the Puri Raharja hospital in Denpasar with suspected appendicitis on Christmas Eve in 2022. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Several Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza 15. February 2026 (14:24) Israel says strikes, which killed 10 in Jabaliya and Khan Younis, were in response to Hamas violations of truceAt least 12 Palestinians were killed and several more injured across the Gaza Strip on Sunday as the Israeli military said it carried out airstrikes in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas.The Gaza civil defence agency said five people were killed and several others hurt when an airstrike targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in the northern city of Jabaliya. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump touts climate savings but new rule set to push up US prices 15. February 2026 (14:00) Critics accuse administration of ‘cooking the books’ by claiming US would save $1.3bn from climate finding reversalThe Trump administration claims its latest move to gut climate regulations and end all greenhouse gas standards for vehicles will save Americans money. But its own analysis indicates that the new rule will push up gas prices, and that the benefits of the rollback are unlikely to outweigh the costs.On Thursday, the president and his environmental secretary Lee Zeldin announced the finalized repeal of the endangerment finding, a legal determination which underpins virtually all federal climate regulations. He claimed the rollback would save the US $1.3tn by 2055. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Maxwell’s clemency pitch: can Epstein accomplice talk her way out of prison? 15. February 2026 (14:00) Experts question convicted sex trafficker’s motivations as she claims she can reveal ‘truth’ in exchange for freedomWhen Ghislaine Maxwell refused to testify before Congress last week, she nonetheless insisted on her willingness to help.Maxwell, who was convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein draw teenage girls into a world of sexual abuse, dangled the prospect of revealing truth before Congress and American public – so long as she was freed from jail. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California’s billionaires pour cash into elections as big tech seeks new allies 15. February 2026 (14:00) As Gavin Newsom departs, ultra-wealthy flex wealth and influence to fight regulation and keep the boom goingTech billionaires are leveraging tens of millions of dollars to influence California politics in a marked uptick from their previous participation in affairs at the state capitol. Behemoths such as Google and Meta are getting involved in campaigns for November’s elections, as are venture capitalists, cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and Palantir’s co-founders. The industry’s goals run the gamut – from fighting a billionaire tax to supporting a techie gubernatorial candidate to firing up new, influential super political action committees (Pacs).The phenomenon squarely fits the moment for the state’s politics – with 2026 being the year that Politico has dubbed “the big tech flex”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Social media misleads young on gender transitioning, says UK review leader 15. February 2026 (13:51) Hilary Cass, who led youth gender identity services review, warns of ‘unrealistic images and expectations’The expert who led the review into youth gender identity services has said young people are being misinformed by “unrealistic” portrayals of transitioning on social media.Hilary Cass, the British paediatrician whose review of NHS gender care led to a significant shift including a ban on puberty blockers, warned of “unrealistic images and expectations on social media” when it came to “what transition would really mean and how hard it would be”, including “quite intensive medical treatments” and “sometimes quite brutal surgeries”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform and Greens undermining UK commitment to Nato, Cooper says 15. February 2026 (13:29) Foreign secretary says Reform not taking Russian threat seriously while Green leader leaves open possibility of leaving allianceThe foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, has accused Reform UK and the Green party of undermining Britain’s commitment to Nato.Cooper was speaking at the Munich Security Conference, where Keir Starmer used a speech at the weekend to claim that Labour’s populist rivals, Reform and the Greens, were “soft on Russia and weak on Nato”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ex-watchdogs warn rush to give power to local police in immigration crackdown risks ‘threat to civil rights’ 15. February 2026 (13:00) Critics say Trump administration’s rapidly expanding system is open to abuse and risks alienating communities from local policeHomeland Security watchdogs who were forced out of their jobs warn that the Trump administration’s “alarming” rush to deputize hundreds of local police departments to enforce federal immigration law – while gutting independent oversight – risks “a threat to civil rights nationwide.”When the experienced civil rights watchdogs had their jobs cut last year by the Trump administration, they were in the process of scrutinizing the controversial federal program allowing local police to conduct federal immigration enforcement work, an investigation by the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
