No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real 15. February 2026 (07:00) Diplomats in Havana are preparing for an alternative Trump tactic: the country being starved until people take to the streets and the US can step inAmong the verdant gardens of Havana’s diplomatic quarter, Siboney, ambassadors from countries traditionally allied to the United States are expressing increasing frustration with Washington’s attempt to unseat Cuba’s government, while simultaneously drawing up plans to draw down their missions.Cuba is in crisis. Already reeling from a four-year economic slump, worsened by hyper-inflation and the migration of nearly 20% of the population, the 67-year-old communist government is at its weakest. After Washington’s successful military operation against Cuba’s ally Venezuela at the beginning of January, the US administration is actively seeking regime change. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese dismisses Aukus concerns as submarine shipyard cost revealed to be $30bn 15. February 2026 (06:13) Prime minister commits $3.9bn as ‘down payment’ for Adelaide facility to eventually build nuclear-powered vesselsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least $30bn will be spent building a construction yard to eventually build nuclear submarines for Australia under the Aukus agreement, despite doubts over the deal.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Sunday the federal government had pledged $3.9bn as a “down payment” to secure the future of the submarine construction yard in the northern Adelaide suburb of Osborne. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Liberal figure Charlotte Mortlock quits party amid feared backlash over dumping of first female leader 15. February 2026 (03:02) Some female Liberal members ‘incredibly worried’ after Sussan Ley’s ousting, with one saying: ‘The boys are back in charge’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal women are “incredibly worried” by a potential voter backlash to the ousting of the party’s first female leader, with the high-profile figure Charlotte Mortlock giving up her membership altogether.Just days after Sussan Ley lost the leadership, Mortlock announced on Sunday she was leaving the party and quitting Hilma’s Network – a grassroots group she established to bring “Liberal-minded women” together. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Unions and Labour MPs call on Starmer to end ‘narrow factional agenda’ 15. February 2026 (00:50) Letter signed by 25 rebel MPs claims approach from the top is ‘increasingly unpopular’ with publicUnion leaders and 25 Labour MPs have urged Keir Starmer to end a “narrow, factional agenda” within the Labour party.A letter signed by the MPs, by the leaders of several Labour-affiliated trade unions and by campaign groupings within the party, claimed the approach from the top was “increasingly unpopular with the public”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW gets extra public holiday for Anzac Day until at least 2027 14. February 2026 (23:44) Chris Minns announces change for minimum of two years as Anzac Day falls on weekends this year and nextGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPeople in Australia’s most populous state have been granted an Anzac Day long weekend for the next two years, and could be in line for more public holidays.The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has announced the state would have an extra public holiday in 2026 and 2027, when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday and Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 60 children infected in north London measles outbreak 14. February 2026 (23:33) Cases reported in seven schools and a nursery in Enfield amid concern over low levels of MMR vaccination in capitalMore than 60 children have been infected by a measles outbreak in north London, it has been reported.Seven schools and a nursery in Enfield reported the cases, with some children treated in hospital, according to the Sunday Times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French prosecutors to set up special team to review Epstein files 14. February 2026 (22:27) Magistrates will analyse evidence that could implicate French nationals and re-examine case of Jean-Luc BrunelThe Paris prosecutor’s office on Saturday announced it was setting up a special team of magistrates to analyse evidence that could implicate French nationals in the crimes of the convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.With Epstein’s known circle extending to prominent French figures after the release of documents by the US authorities, the prosecutor’s office said it would also thoroughly re-examine the case of former French modelling agency executive Jean-Luc Brunel, a close associate of the US financier, who died in custody in 2022. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BrewDog could be broken up as craft beer business put up for sale 14. February 2026 (21:58) Brewer last month said it was closing its distilling brands, prompting concerns for jobs at its Scottish facilityThe beer-maker BrewDog could be broken up after consultants were called in to help find new investors.The Scotland-based brewer, which makes craft beer such as Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, has appointed consultants AlixPartners to oversee the sale process. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four new astronauts arrive via SpaceX rocket at International Space Station 14. February 2026 (21:43) ISS now fully crewed after a medical issue forced the evacuation of four astronauts in JanuaryThe International Space Station (ISS) returned to full strength with Saturday’s arrival of four new astronauts to replace colleagues who bailed early because of health concerns.SpaceX delivered the US, French and Russian astronauts a day after launching them from Cape Canaveral. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nobel laureate transferred to prison in northern Iran without warning 14. February 2026 (21:02) Concern grows over Narges Mohammadi’s health, family says, after reports of ‘life-threatening mistreatment’Iranian authorities have without prior warning transferred Nobel peace prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to a prison in the north of the country as concern grows over her health, her family said on Saturday.Mohammadi, who won the peace prize in 2023 in recognition for more than two decades of campaigning, was arrested on 12 December in the eastern city of Mashhad after speaking out against Iran’s clerical authorities at a funeral ceremony. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
