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Feb 12, 2026 - World

After state sees four deaths and 40 hospitalizations, public health officials and foraging experts urge cautionA wet winter in California has produced a surge of wild fungi – a shroom boom that would typically have foragers cheering. But among the chanterelles and porcinis, a much more dangerous fungus called the death cap – also known as the Amanita phalloides – is causing alarm.The state health department reports that, between late November 2025 and early February 2026, there have been four deaths and 40 hospitalizations linked to consumption of dangerous mushrooms, an outbreak the department describes as “unprecedented”. That’s far above the average for the state, which typically sees fewer than five mushroom-poisoning cases annually. Continue reading...

Feb 12, 2026 - World

Hundreds of thousands Ukrainians without power, heat and water after strikes targeting energy infrastructure The United Nations has called on Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sites, which have plunged entire cities into darkness in the coldest winter of the four-year war.Moscow has stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure, and conducted another nationwide attack on energy facilities overnight that killed two people, AFP reported.The relentless attacks by the Russian Federation on energy infrastructure across Ukraine are depriving an already long-suffering civilian population of adequate warmth, water and electricity in an unbearably bitter and dark winter.Last night, the Russian Federation again carried out a large-scale attack targeting energy infrastructure across Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of civilians woke up without electricity and heating.The targeting of civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international humanitarian law. I call upon the Russian Federation to immediately cease these attacks. Continue reading...

Feb 12, 2026 - World

Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language developmentChildren’s vocabulary is shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, according to the lexicographer Susie Dent, who is urging families to read, talk and play word games to boost language development.The Countdown star’s warning comes as the government prepares to issue advice to parents for the first time on how to manage screen use in under-fives, amid concerns that excessive screen time is damaging children’s language development. Continue reading...

Feb 12, 2026 - World

Labour mayor of Greater Manchester joins those criticising Ratcliffe over his comments Here is video of Jim Ratcliffe making his comment about the UK being “colonised” by immigrants.Kemi Badenoch has urged Keir Starmer to delay the departure of Sir Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, so that he remains in post to oversee the release of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s time as ambassador to Washington.It is hard to escape the conclusion that the cabinet secretary is simply the latest person to be thrown under a bus by this prime minister.It is all the more concerning to be changing cabinet secretary in the midst of the ongoing scandal over the appointment of Lord Mandelson and his conduct in office.Changing the cabinet secretary in the middle of this scandal – or more precisely forcing out the incumbent without any clear process – would be an extraordinary thing to do.Any individual appointed in the circumstances, without a full process to point to and in midst of managing a scandal, could find it difficult to demonstrate impartiality. Continue reading...

Feb 12, 2026 - World

Twenty-seven entries shortlisted in 21 categories including website of the year and newspaper of the yearThe Guardian has been nominated for more than 20 honours at this year’s Press Awards, including for website of the year, daily newspaper of the year and newspaper of the year (daily and Sunday).Twenty-seven entries from the Guardian have been shortlisted across 21 different categories by the judges of the UK’s prestigious journalism awards. Continue reading...