The Guardian

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... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/14/limited-government-shutdown-congress Author : Edward Helmore Publish

The UK prime minister said stronger security relied 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 is 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... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/14/keir-starmer-munich-conference-closer-europe-defence-ties Author : Patrick Wintour in Munich Publish

Russia has shown ‘appetite for aggression’ and possible path for Europe’s future, UK prime minister saysRubio insists that the US “do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship.”He says “we do not want allies to rationalise the broken status quo rather than reckon with what is necessary to fix it.”“We do not want our allies to be weak, because that makes us weaker. We want allies who can defend themselves, so that no adversary will ever be tempted to test our collective strength. This is why we do not want our allies to be shackled by guilt

Rachel Reeves’s inheritance tax changes encourage more people to invest in previously unloved product The government’s “inheritance tax raid” on pensions has helped drive sales of retirement annuities to new highs.Industry data this week revealed they enjoyed a “record-breaking” 2025, with sales growing by 4% to £7.4bn and the average amount invested in an annuity surpassing £80,000 for the first time. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/feb/14/uk-pension-annuities-sales-rachel-reeves-inheritance-tax-invest Author : Rupert Jones Publish date : 2026-02-14 07:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The Canadian prime minister told residents of Tumbler Ridge that the country is ‘with you’Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has told residents of Tumbler Ridge that the country is “with you, and we will always be with you”, during a candlelight vigil for the eight victims of a mass shooting that has shattered the small mining town.The prime minister, holding hands with opposition leader Pierre Poilievre while flanked by First Nations chiefs and local officials, paid tribute to the families enduring the loss of loved ones, after the shooting at a local school that has become one of the most

Charges dropped against two Venezuelan men over January shooting as investigation opened into agents’ conductFederal authorities have opened a criminal investigation into whether two immigration officers lied under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month, as all charges were dropped against two Venezuelan men.ICE director Todd Lyons said on Friday that his agency opened a joint investigation with the justice department after video evidence revealed “sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements” about the shooting of one of the Venezuelan men during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown across the Minneapolis area. Continue reading...

President insists he will also restrict mail-in voting, even if Congress fails to pass the Save America ActDonald Trump threatened on Friday to impose a requirement that US voters present photo identification before being allowed to cast ballots in the upcoming midterm elections.Trump insisted he will push for the change even if Congress fails to pass the Save America Act, which cleared the House earlier this week but faces an uphill battle in the Senate. The bill would impose a national photo identification requirement to vote, in addition to requiring proof of citizenship to register and drastically limiting mail-in voting.

US homeland security eyeing 24 buildings, some as ‘primary locations’ for deportations, in escalation of Trump agendaUS Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expects to spend an estimated $38.3bn on a plan to acquire warehouses across the country and retrofit them into new immigration detention centers with capacity for tens of thousands of detainees, according to documents the agency sent to the governor of New Hampshire.The documents, published on the state’s website on Thursday, disclose that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates it will spend $158m retrofitting a new detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and an additional estimated $146m

School district says students will return next week after teachers demanded higher wages and more health benefitsSan Francisco teachers who staged their first strike in decades over wages and family health benefits have reached a tentative agreement with the school district.The San Francisco unified school district (SFUSD) announced on Friday schools would reopen to staff immediately, and to students on Wednesday, after two holidays. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/san-francisco-teacher-strike-ends Author : Sara Braun and agency Publish date : 2026-02-13 18:59:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Negotiations over funding bill stall as Democratic members of Congress try to force Republicans to consider measures on ICE and CBP behaviorThe annual rate of US inflation eased in January, according to the latest data consumer price index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over the last 12 months, the cost of goods has increased by 2.4% – down from 2.7% in last month’s report.Lawmakers in the House and Senate left Washington on Thursday as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) heads for another shutdown, when stopgap funding lapses tonight. Nearly all Democrats blocked a second attempt to

Economists predicted a slight easing of inflation, although it’s unclear whether Fed will again cut interest ratesUS inflation moderated in January to 2.4%, an easing after Donald Trump’s tariffs triggered price fluctuations last year.Prices rose 0.2% from December to January, according to data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday measuring the consumer price index (CPI), which measures the price of a basket of goods and services. Core CPI, which strips out the volatile food and energy industries, went up 0.3% over the month. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/13/january-inflation-tariffs-trump Author : Lauren Aratani Publish date :

Affected coastal regions experience heavy rain, high tides and strong winds, with farms and businesses left damaged Tropical Cyclone Mitchell hit the coast of Western Australia last week. It initially developed as a weak tropical low over the Northern Territory in early February, then tracked eastwards over Western Australia’s Kimberley region and eventually reached the Indian Ocean.Fuelled by warm waters, Mitchell intensified into a tropical cyclone and moved south-west, hugging the coast of Western Australia and eventually deepened to a category three storm. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/13/weather-tracker-tropical-cyclone-mitchell-hits-western-australia Author : Brendan Wood and Claire Jones for MetDesk Publish date

German chancellor Friedrich Merz among key figures to speak as three-day security gathering opens Guardian staff:The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said he will have a chance to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy at this week’s Munich Security Conference. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/13/munich-security-conference-rubio-flies-in-amid-testing-times-for-us-europe-ties-live Author : Jakub Krupa in Munich Publish date : 2026-02-13 08:43:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Number of males at RSPB Abernethy rises to 30, after ‘huge amount of work’ by conservationists in Highlands forestsAfter decades of decline, there are signs of hope for the capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds.Populations of the charismatic grouse, which is found only in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, have increased by 50%, from 20 males in 2020 to 30 in 2025 at RSPB Abernethy. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/13/small-signs-of-recovery-scotland-rare-capercaillie-bird Author : Patrick Barkham Publish date : 2026-02-13 06:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Keir Starmer was on the brink of a leadership contest this week, but he pulled it back. That does not mean his rivals have gone away. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to Kiran Stacey about one of the most hotly tipped contenders: Wes StreetingKeir Starmer was on the brink of a leadership contest this week, but he pulled it back. That does not mean his rivals have gone away, with one of the most hotly tipped leadership candidates the health secretary, Wes Streeting.Earlier this week, Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, held an astonishing press conference calling for Starmer to resign. Meanwhile,

Despite premier’s objection to any inquiry, Law Enforcement Conduct Commission says it is in public interest to investigate ‘alleged misconduct’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality at the Sydney protest against Isaac Herzog’s visit will examine “incidents of alleged misconduct on the part of officers”.The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc) said on Friday it would examine the police response after receiving “a significant number of complaints”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/13/police-watchdog-to-investigate-alleged-police-brutality-at-sydney-protest-against-isaac-herzog-ntwnfb Author : Caitlin Cassidy Publish date : 2026-02-13 01:09:00

Obama, who was president when this finding was made public, says Americans will be ‘less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change’ after Trump’s repeal of greenhouse gas regulationTrump’s EPA repeals landmark climate finding in gift to ‘billionaire polluters’Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan kicked off his press conference today announcing that the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota has “yielded the successful results” they were looking to achieve.Homan also noted that Immigation and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not made any arrests at hospitals, elementary schools or churches. However, many people in the Twin Cities have told the Guardian

Angus Taylor expected to defeat Sussan Ley. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMulti-million dollar boost for support services for Stolen GenerationsMembers of the Stolen Generations will receive a multi-million dollar boost in support services, as the anniversary of the national apology is commemorated, Australian Associated Press reports.The apology didn’t just look to the past – it was a call to action for the future. A call that was, at its heart, deeply patriotic, true to our abiding instincts for better, fairer, stronger Australia.We need to have a sense of feeling like we’ve

Wormald steps down ‘by mutual consent’ after a year in post with Antonia Romeo expected to succeed himKeir Starmer has forced out his cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, with Antonia Romeo likely to succeed him and become the first woman in the job.The prime minister announced on Thursday that Wormald was stepping down “by mutual consent” after just over a year in the job. He is likely to receive a significant payout, with his salary having been about £200,000 a year. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/12/chris-wormald-steps-down-cabinet-secretary-starmer Author : Rowena Mason Whitehall editor Publish date : 2026-02-12 17:30:00 Copyright for syndicated

From his public persona to a sense that he sold the country a pup, many factors seems to feed a sense of ‘great dislike’UK politics live – latest updatesIn yet another confusing and chaotic period for British politics there is one thing on which just about everyone can agree: Keir Starmer is unpopular. Very, very unpopular.His net favourability rating, the difference between those who have a generally positive or negative view of the prime minister has been, depending on the pollster, anything from -50 to -57, a nadir only beaten by Liz Truss. Recent focus group descriptions of Starmer include

Hundreds of thousands Ukrainians without power, heat and water after strikes targeting energy infrastructure While Ukraine is reeling from last night’s barrage of attacks, the Kremlin said it expected the next round of peace talks to happen soon.“We have a certain understanding (of the details), and we will keep you informed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/12/ukraine-russia-strikes-odesa-power-drone-strikes-zelenskyy-putin-portugal-floods-europe-live-news Author : Taz Ali Publish date : 2026-02-12 12:28:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Labour mayor of Greater Manchester joins those criticising Ratcliffe over his comments Sir Simon McDonald, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, has urged No 10 to do “more due diligence” as it prepares to replace the cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, with Antonia Romeo, the frontrunner for the role. Rowena Mason has the story.Steven Swinford from the Times says McDonald’s comments have provoked a furious backlash from people within government. He has posted this comment from a government source.This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into

ONS reports GDP growth increased in final three months of 2025 after 0.1% growth in previous three monthsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK economy expanded by 0.1% in the final three months of last year, according to official data, despite signs that tax speculation around Rachel Reeves’s budget had dampened spending.Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the economy grew at the same rate of 0.1% as the previous three months. Economists had been expecting a rise of 0.2%. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/12/uk-economy-grows-rachel-reeves-budget-ons-gdp-growth Author : Tom Knowles Publish date : 2026-02-12 07:01:00 Copyright for syndicated

The call for a leadership ballot followed a wave of resignations from the shadow frontbench on Thursday morningFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSussan Ley’s embattled leadership has suffered a major blow, with key backer and Queensland senator James McGrath resigning from the frontbench in order to back Angus Taylor.Taylor’s supporters are growing increasingly confident the former shadow defence minister will win Friday’s Liberal leadership ballot, set down for 9am at Parliament House. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/12/angus-taylor-liberal-party-spill-motion-sussan-ley Author : Dan Jervis-Bardy and Tom McIlroy Publish date

Chris Minns doubles down on support for NSW police, stating officers would ‘never have disrupted a prayer service … unless it was in the middle of a riot’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, says he will not apologise to the Muslim community after police disrupted a group of men praying during a Sydney protest against the visiting Israeli president, Isaac Herzog.Muslim groups including the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) and the Australian Federal Imams Council (Afic) have called on the premier and