Record 1,000 UK taxpayers under 30 earned more than £1m last year 14. February 2026 (17:00) HMRC figures show 11% rise in young million-pound earners, with influencers and tech pay cited as keyTheir generation is often derided for being work-shy, self-centred and overly sensitive. But when it comes to making money, people under 30 are proving they are something else entirely: successful.A record 1,000 taxpayers under 30 earned more than £1m last year, an 11% increase on the year before, HMRC records show. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Casey Wasserman to sell talent agency after links to Ghislaine Maxwell exposed in Epstein files 14. February 2026 (16:52) Clients including Chappell Roan and Abby Wambach cut ties to firm after communications came to lightCasey Wasserman, a leading Hollywood talent agent whose clients include Chappell Roan, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar, is selling his business after communications with Ghislaine Maxwell were exposed as part of the US justice department’s recent dump of investigative documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein.Wasserman, son of famed Hollywood dealmaker Lew Wasserman, said late on Friday he was putting his eponymous talent and marketing agency on the block, citing the impact on the company from “past personal mistakes” and telling staff he felt that he had “become a distraction” to its work. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US launches airstrikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria 14. February 2026 (16:50) Militant group’s infrastructure and weapons storage facilities were hit, as Washington praised Damascus for fresh coalition roleThe US military conducted 10 strikes on more than 30 Islamic State targets in Syria between 3 and 12 February as part of a campaign against the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement on Saturday that the US had struck IS infrastructure and weapons storage targets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen wins gold – and South America’s first Winter Olympics medal 14. February 2026 (16:25) Norwegian-born skier storms to historic slalom gold‘Your difference is your superpower,’ says 25-year-old As the snow fell in Bormio, and the fog settled in, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by becoming the first South American to win a Winter Olympic medal. Then, as the realisation that he had won gold for Brazil in the men’s giant slalom, he collapsed to the floor and allowed the tears to flow.“I just hope that Brazilians look at this and truly understand that your difference is your superpower,” he said, still sobbing away. “It may show up in your skin or in the way you dress. But I hope this inspires every kid out there who feels a bit different to trust who you are.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Nothing says love like chemicals’: Valentine’s roses often covered in pesticides, testing finds 14. February 2026 (16:00) Bouquets imported to Europe found to be heavily contaminated, often with chemicals banned in EU and UKStay away from roses this Valentine’s Day, environmental campaigners have warned after testing revealed them to be heavily contaminated with pesticides.Laboratory testing on bouquets in the Netherlands, Europe’s flower import hub, found roses had the highest residues of neurological and reproductive toxins compared with other flowers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labubus to burkinis: V&A unveils updated 21st-century design galleries 14. February 2026 (16:00) Museum’s revitalised galleries bring together 250 objects to show how design shapes modern lifeWhat do the first ever baby monitor, Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup kit, an 80s boombox, the smashed parts of Edward Snowden’s computer, a “Please offer me a seat” badge and a Labubu have in common? They are all included in the V&A’s Design 1990-Now galleries, which reopen to the public this week.The galleries, which run across two rooms on the upper floors of the museum, also house a collection of antique books. The displays cover six different themes including housing and living, crisis and conflict, and consumption and identity, rather than in a strict chronological order. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Limited government shutdown likely to linger for at least 10 days as Congress takes break 14. February 2026 (15:57) 13% of federal civilian workforce is affected, although DHS – which spurred budget standoff – remains fundedA limited US government shutdown came into effect on Saturday – the third of Donald Trump’s second term – after negotiations between the White House and Democrats in Congress failed to agree on new restrictions for federal immigration agents.The shutdown affects about 13% of the federal civilian workforce and is confined to agencies under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which screens airline passengers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior Reform UK figures attend launch of How to Launder Money book 14. February 2026 (15:33) Co-author George Cottrell is close aide to party leader Nigel Farage and served several months in US prisonAs a choice for a book title, How to Launder Money certainly caught the eye. But then again, its co-author George Cottrell claims to know what he’s talking about.A close aide to Nigel Farage, Cottrell served several months in a US prison after being convicted there in 2017 for wire fraud – a chapter in his life he referred to at his book launch party on Thursday night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police seal off road near Arizona home of Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother 14. February 2026 (14:57) Sheriff’s, FBI and forensics vehicles passed through roadblocks 2 miles from missing 84-year-old woman’s homeLaw enforcement investigating the disappearance of Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, sealed off a road near her home in Arizona late Friday night.A parade of sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics vehicles, passed through the roadblock that was set up about 2 miles (3.2km) from the house. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police set up national group to deal with UK-related Epstein allegations 14. February 2026 (14:10) Senior policing source says ‘tsunami’ of claims expected after US release of papers relating to disgraced financierBritish police have set up a new national group to deal with allegations that Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking of women had ties to Britain, as well as claims against his associates, such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.At least three British police forces are dealing with allegations triggered by the revelations about Epstein and his associates in documents released in the US, with more claims of wrongdoing expected by police officials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
