Britons living in EU face repayment hikes amid Reeves student loans row
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

Exclusive: UK graduates in Germany, Belgium and possibly other countries informed of rises as salary threshold is cutBritons living in some European countries face a huge rise in their student loan repayments later this year, the Guardian can reveal, in a move that threatens to trigger a fresh backlash for Rachel Reeves.UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – have been told that their monthly repayments will increase from April, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...

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Plug-in hybrids use three times more fuel than manufacturers claim, analysis finds
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

While most hybrids are said to use one to two litres of fuel per 100km, a study claims they need six litres on averagePlug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) use much more fuel on the road than officially stated by their manufacturers, a large-scale analysis of about a million vehicles of this type has shown.The Fraunhofer Institute carried out what is thought to be the most comprehensive study of its kind to date, using the data transmitted wirelessly by PHEVs from a variety of manufacturers while they were on the road. Continue reading...

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UK inflation falls to 3%, boosting hopes of early cut in interest rates
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

January annual drop is lowest level since March 2025, although still above Bank of England’s 2% targetBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation tumbled to 3% in January, giving a boost to hopes of an early cut in interest rates by the Bank of England.The slowdown was in line with a majority of City economists’ forecasts and marks the lowest level since March 2025. Continue reading...

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Hazardous substances found in all headphones tested by ToxFREE project
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

Substances include chemicals that can cause cancer, neurodevelopmental problems and the feminisation of malesYou wear them at work, you wear them at play, you wear them to relax. You may even get sweaty in them at the gym.But an investigation into headphones has found every single pair tested contained substances hazardous to human health, including chemicals that can cause cancer, neurodevelopmental problems and the feminisation of males. Continue reading...

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China’s dancing robots: how worried should we be?
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

Eye-catching martial arts performance at China gala had viewers and experts wondering what else humanoids can doDancing humanoid robots took centre stage on Monday during the annual China Media Group’s Spring Festival Gala, China’s most-watched official television broadcast. They lunged and backflipped (landing on their knees), they spun around and jumped. Not one fell over.The display was impressive, but prompted some to wonder: if robots can now dance and perform martial arts, what else can they do? Continue reading...

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Winter Olympics 2026: USA v Sweden men’s ice hockey, speed skating and glory for Shiffrin – live
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

Medal table | Live scores and schedule | Results | BriefingFollow us over on Bluesky | And you can email JamesWomen’s aerials: the qualifying rounds of accelerating down a ramp and flying through the air. Hanna Huskova, gold medallist in 2018, does a triple somersault, or the “the kiss arse blaster” in the commentator’s words, but it is only enough to leave her seventh.Women’s curling: Back to the brushes, where Rebecca Morrison posts the final stone of the sixth end into perfect position, Team GB take two and go into a 4-3 lead against the USA with four ends left. Continue reading...

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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal: Premier League – live
Posted on Wednesday February 18, 2026

⚽ Premier League updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off⚽ Live scores | Follow us on Bluesky | And email Scott2 min: It’s not a pleasant evening weather-wise. It’s raining in the West Midlands, and that rain could turn to sleet or snow later. Slapstick entertainment not yet off the menu.Wolves get the ball rolling. “A quiet night is wanted, I think, from all parties, at least in the sense of avoiding the ghastly shenanigans on view in the notorious match last night,” begins Charles Antaki, who speaks for us all. “Raucous is good, animated is fine, full bloodedness welcome, but none of the other stuff, please. British football has been pretty free of it these last years, for which we should all be grateful.” Continue reading...

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