Russia killed Alexei Navalny with frog toxin, UK and allies say 14. February 2026 (14:05) Former opposition leader’s death while in Arctic jail at age of 47 result of mixture of diseases, according to MoscowAlexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, was killed by dart frog poison administered by the Russian state two years ago, a multi-intelligence agency inquiry has found, according to a statement released by five countries, the UK, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.The US was not one of the intelligence agencies making the claim. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer stresses ‘urgency’ of closer defence ties with Europe at Munich conference 14. February 2026 (13:17) The UK prime minister says stronger security relies on greater cooperation and integration across the continentMunich Security Conference – live updatesKeir Starmer said there was an urgent need for a closer UK defence relationship with Europe, covering procurement and manufacturing, so that the UK would be at the centre of a stronger European defence setup.In a rare visit to the Munich Security Conference, the British prime minister told the audience, to applause, “we are 10 years on from Brexit. We are not the Britain of the Brexit years.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ban on Palestine Action ‘massively backfired’, says group’s co-founder 14. February 2026 (13:04) Huda Ammori calls for proscription to be lifted after high court finds it to be very serious interference with protest rightsThe co-founder of Palestine Action has said the ban on the group “massively backfired” and called for its proscription to be suspended after the high court found it to be unlawful.Three senior judges ruled on Friday that the ban was disproportionate and constituted very serious interference with the rights to protest and free speech. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Venezuelan deportee welcomes chance of US return but fears repeat of ordeal 14. February 2026 (13:00) Luis Muñoz Pinto, 27, who was sent to notoriously brutal prison in El Salvador would like to clear his name after US judge’s rulingA US federal judge’s order that some of the Venezuelan men sent by the Trump administration to a notorious prison in El Salvador must be allowed to return to the United States to fight their cases has been greeted with hope and a sense of vindication – but also fear – by one of the deportees.
US district judge James Boasberg ruled on Thursday in Washington DC that the Trump administration should facilitate the return of deportees who are currently in countries outside Venezuela, saying they must be given the opportunity to seek the due process they were denied after being illegally expelled from the US last March.Boasberg added that the US government should cover the travel costs of those who wish to come to the US to argue their immigration cases. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US fixation on the hard-hat economy and making manufacturing great again makes little sense 14. February 2026 (13:00) The dream of greasy overalls is driven by nostalgia and doesn’t justify policies that harm US consumersThe exhortations to protect America’s industrial muscle have resonated in the US at least since maverick presidential candidate Ross Perot brought up the supposed “giant sucking sound” of jobs pulled to Mexico by the Nafta trade agreement back in 1993.They flourished under Donald Trump’s first presidency and his promise to restore jobs lost to trade agreements. Joe Biden, too, put “rebuilding the backbone of America: manufacturing, unions and the middle class” at the center of his agenda. And in 2024, Trump reheated his old promise that “jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Danish state could face legal action over deal that gives US powers on its soil 14. February 2026 (13:00) Claims that agreement is unconstitutional could pose problems in talks with Washington over GreenlandDenmark could face legal action over an agreement that gives the US sweeping powers on Danish soil, over claims it is “unconstitutional” and could pose problems in talks with Washington over Greenland.The agreement, which was signed under the Biden administration in 2023 and was passed by the Danish parliament last year, gives the US “unhindered access” to its airbases and powers over its civilians. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gisèle Pelicot plans to meet ex-husband in prison for answers on other allegations 14. February 2026 (12:12) Pelicot says she wants to look Dominique Pelicot ‘straight in the eye’ over potential abuse of daughter and case of estate agent who was raped and murdered in 1991Gisèle Pelicot has said she needs to visit prison to look her abusive ex-husband “straight in the eye” after his conviction for drugging her and inviting dozens of men to rape her in a case that shocked France and the rest of the world.Pelicot, 73, said she needed “answers” from Dominique Pelicot over the potential abuse of their daughter and the case of an estate agent who was raped and murdered in 1991, which he is under investigation for. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US man who fled jail and pleaded to Trump and Kim Kardashian gets 60-year term 14. February 2026 (12:00) Antoine Massey was convicted on charges of rape and kidnapping before New Orleans jailbreakA man who joined nine others in fleeing a New Orleans jail – then publicly pleaded for help from Donald Trump, a rapper whom the president pardoned and reality TV star Kim Kardashian while on the run – recently got a 60-year prison sentence for kidnapping and raping his ex-girlfriend.Antoine Massey, 32, received his punishment on Thursday at a suburban New Orleans state courthouse, months after his jailbreak-related capture and subsequent conviction at trial of prior charges.Guardian reporting partner WWL Louisiana contributed Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Attia appears to be staying at CBS News despite Epstein communications 14. February 2026 (12:00) Staffers believe network has decided to retain Attia, who issued apology after inappropriate Epstein emails, as on-air analystTwo weeks after a trove of files revealed extensive – and inappropriate – communications between Jeffrey Epstein and a recently named CBS News contributor, the longevity expert Peter Attia, the network appears to have settled on keeping him.“Everyone internally unofficially concluded he was staying as of about a week ago,” one CBS News staffer told the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubio tells Europe US wants renewed alliance – but on Trump’s terms 14. February 2026 (11:21) Secretary of state calls the US ‘a child of Europe’ and urges continent to back a new world orderMunich security conference live: Europe must be ready to fight Russia as ‘warning signs are there’, says StarmerThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has described America as “a child of Europe” and made an emotional but highly conditional offer of a new partnership, insisting the two continents belong together.In a much-anticipated speech at the annual Munich Security Conference, he said the US was intent on building a new world order, adding “while we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe”. The US and Europe, he said “belong together”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
