Business
Brighter UK economy gives Reeves a springboard for March statement
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
Record public finances accompany stronger retail sales and business activity but some analysts express cautionThe economic backdrop to Rachel Reeves’s upcoming spring statement appeared to brighten on Friday after a trio of reports painted a better-than-expected picture of the UK economy.Record monthly public finances, a surge in retail spending and accelerating business activity offered the most coherent picture of recovery since last autumn, economists said, and provided the chancellor with a more positive narrative before her 3 March statement. Continue reading...
UK ‘working with US’ to analyse impact of supreme court’s ruling against tariffs
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
Government ‘expects privileged trading position’ to go on as EU ‘seeks clarity’ over Trump administration’s next stepsBritain and the EU said they were assessing the implications of the US supreme court ruling against Donald Trump’s global tariffs, while business groups reacted to the court’s announcement with caution.A spokesperson for Downing Street said: “The UK government is working with the US to understand how the overturning of Donald Trump’s tariffs by the supreme court will affect the UK but expects our privileged trading position with the US to continue.” Continue reading...
‘It’s survival of the fittest’: the UK kebab chain seeking an edge with robot slicers
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
German Doner Kebab aims to open at 25 new sites this year with self-service screens and healthy options aimed at gen Z They are already packing our groceries and delivering shopping. Now robots are coming to the kebab shop, alongside self-service screens and loyalty apps, as takeaways look for ways to tackle rising costs.German Doner Kebab (GDK), a perhaps surprisingly British-owned chain that has been springing up across the country, has turned to technology to keep its fast food business buzzing in the face of rising costs and tough times on the high street. Continue reading...
Opinion
Technology
Mind launches inquiry into AI and mental health after Guardian investigation
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
Exclusive: England and Wales charity to examine safeguards after Guardian exposed ‘very dangerous’ advice on Google AI Overviews‘Very dangerous’: a Mind mental health expert on Google’s AI summariesMind is launching a significant inquiry into artificial intelligence and mental health after a Guardian investigation exposed how Google’s AI Overviews gave people “very dangerous” medical advice.In a year-long commission, the mental health charity, which operates in England and Wales, will examine the risks and safeguards required as AI increasingly influences the lives of millions of people affected by mental health issues worldwide. Continue reading...
Nascent tech, real fear: how AI anxiety is upending career ambitions
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
AI has convinced computer science students to shift majors and white-collar workers to change careers, while some are embracing itMatthew Ramirez started at Western Governors University as a computer science major in 2025, drawn by the promise of a high-paying, flexible career as a programmer. But as headlines mounted about tech layoffs and AI’s potential to replace entry-level coders, he began to question whether that path would actually lead to a job.When the 20-year-old interviewed for a datacenter technician role that June and never heard back, his doubts deepened. In December, Ramirez decided on what he thought was a safer bet: turning away from computer science entirely. He dropped his planned major to instead apply to nursing school. He comes from a family of nurses, and sees the field as more stable and harder to automate than coding. Continue reading...
Sport
Winter Olympics 2026: men’s 5000m relay final, Norway break record for golds and more – live
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
• Medal table | Live scores and schedule | Results | Briefing• Tell us your highlights from the Winter Olympic Games• Follow us over on Bluesky | And you can email TanyaThe first person down the half pipe was world champ, Finley Melville Ives, who lost a ski mid-air and is languishing at the bottom of the leader board.Ah, here comes Gus Kenworthy, he of the the urinated ‘fuck ICE’ snow message, and silver medallist in the 2014 ski slopestyle for the US, before switching to Team GB. He’s a brave guy, and has received death threats since his protest. Continue reading...
Winter Olympics showcase golden oldies, fourth-place pain and sliding-doors moments | Lizzy Yarnold
Posted on Friday February 20, 2026
Bravery on display has been inspirational, but behind the glamour and the glory it’s the humanity that captivates us Milano Cortina has been the first Games where I’ve been around town, not just being whisked from the sliding centre to the athletes’ village. It has given me the chance to really be present and feel the excitement and anticipation that sport brings, not to mention the importance it has in giving us something else to focus on in difficult times.As a TV pundit, it was hard to keep my emotions in check watching Great Britain’s skeleton success because I knew what it meant to Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker to become Olympic champions – Matt twice, of course. Their achievements are not only historic but the day-to-day impact will be so meaningful to both of them. I remember seeing kids’ drawings of me and people dressing up as “Lizzy” and now I’m seeing it from a different perspective. I’m incredibly proud of them. Continue reading...