Trump orders US agencies to stop use of Anthropic technology amid dispute over ethics of AI

Hours after exclusion of Anthropic, OpenAI announces fresh Pentagon deal, but says it will maintain same safety guardrails at the heart of the dispute

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

Donald Trump said Friday he will direct all federal agencies to “IMMEDIATELY CEASE” all use of Anthropic technology in the latest instalment of a very public clash over AI safety.

The Department of Defense and Anthropic hit an impasse with neither side backing down as a deadline for an agreement lapsed on Friday afternoon. The Pentagon had demanded the artificial intelligence company loosen ethical guidelines on its AI systems or face severe consequences.

Trump admin blacklists Anthropic as AI firm refuses Pentagon demands

"The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Bill Clinton says in House testimony he had ‘no idea’ about Epstein’s crimes

‘I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn’t do,’ former US president says after six-hour deposition

Bill Clinton told a congressional committee on Friday he “had no idea of the crimes” Jeffrey Epstein was committing and insisted he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with the convicted sex trafficker.

The former president’s remarks came in his opening statement in a deposition to the House of Representatives’ oversight committee, a day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, appeared before the same body and called the proceedings “partisan political theater” and “an insult to the American people”.

US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan

Taliban offer to resolve dispute via dialogue after Pakistan bombed cities in Afghanistan in latest escalation with its neighbour

Washington endorsed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after it bombed major cities across Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbours.

The Taliban government in Kabul stressed it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence intensified between the two countries.

Ukraine war briefing: Sweden jammed Russian drone near French aircraft carrier amid hybrid war fears

France suspects Russian ‘provocation’ amid worries Moscow will interfere in European elections as part of broader strategy against Ukraine. What we know on day 1,466

The Swedish military confirmed on Friday that a drone it jammed near a French aircraft carrier this week was Russian, amid concerns Moscow is deploying hybrid war tactics against European nations that have backed Kyiv. On Thursday a Swedish navy vessel jammed the drone 13km (eight miles) from France’s flagship, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, while it was in the Oresund stretch of water, between Denmark and Sweden. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot told journalists on the Charles de Gaulle on Friday that if Russian involvement was confirmed, “the only conclusion I would draw is that it would be a ridiculous provocation”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Barrot’s was “quite an absurd statement”. The Oresund incident follows a decision by Romania on Thursday to scramble fighter jets when a drone breached its national airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine. Nato’s easternmost countries have reported numerous drone sightings in recent months, with some blaming Russia.

Denmark’s intelligence service warned Friday that a foreign power may try to sway voters in the country’s general election on 24 March and that it was a priority target for Russia because of its support for Ukraine. Denmark’s police and military intelligence services said in a joint statement the Scandinavian country’s election campaign could be marked by disinformation and cyber-attacks. Prime minister Mette Frederiksen called the election on Thursday saying the shadow cast by Russia was one of Denmark’s biggest threats.

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, who lags in most polls, is using Ukraine as a distraction from the country’s fraying social services, rising cost of living and economic stagnation as Hungary heads to an election in April, policy analysts say. Orbán’s rightwing, populist government has used AI to generate billboard posters showing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU officials with their hands outstretched. “Our message to Brussels: We won’t pay!” the taxpayer-funded advert reads, echoing the messaging woven through spots on radio, television and social media.

The leaders of Ukraine and Slovakia agreed on Friday to hold a face-to-face meeting as they wrangle over a blocked pipeline that takes Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, officials said. Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán have accused Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of using “blackmail” over the pipeline through Ukrainian territory. Ukraine said the Druzhba pipeline was damaged in Russian airstrikes on 27 January. Slovakia and Hungary have since insisted that it has been repaired again. Orban has blocked an EU emergency loan to Ukraine as the dispute escalates.

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday said it had negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing restoration for a backup power supply to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It is the fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the IAEA between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, said Rafael Grossi, director general of the agency.

At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed in Russia’s war with Ukraine after being “lured into battle”, Ghana’s foreign minister said after a visit to Kyiv in which officials raised the issue of Russian recruitment of African people. The foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said in a post on X on Thursday: “We were informed that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been lured into battle since 2022 for which an estimated 55 have been killed and 2 captured as prisoners of war.” Reports of African men being attracted to Russia by promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine’s frontlines have become more frequent in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved. Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine. Ukraine says more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries are fighting in the Russian army.

Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI technology

President Trump said he will give federal agencies six months to phase out their use of Anthropic's AI products.

Bill Clinton at Epstein deposition: "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong"

Former President Bill Clinton denied any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes in an opening statement before the House Oversight Committee in New York.

At least 15 killed as cash-laden military cargo plane crashes in Bolivia

Riot police use teargas to disperse people gathering around wreckage of plane loaded with money from central bank

At least 15 people have died after a military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed on Friday near Bolivia’s capital, damaging about a dozen vehicles on a highway and scattering bills on the ground, an official has said.

Fire chief Pavel Tovar did not specify if those killed were in the plane or on the highway near the airport in La Paz. He said people had been injured.

Trump administration warns tariff refund process ‘will take time’

DoJ says it will not ask US supreme court to rehear tariffs case despite president’s complaint on Truth Social

The Trump administration said businesses seeking refunds of tariffs struck down by the US supreme court “will take time,” according to court documents filed by the justice department on Friday.

The justice department did not say it plans to ask the supreme court to rehear the case, despite Donald Trump’s comments earlier on Friday.

New Orleans police obtain new Shia LaBeouf arrest warrant in battery case

Actor, originally charged on two counts, accused of battery against third person in bar incident, sources say

New Orleans police on Friday obtained a new warrant to arrest actor Shia LaBeouf in connection with a case that had already left him facing two counts of battery.

The new warrant brings the number of people whom LaBeouf is accused of battering to three, multiple sources told Guardian reporting partner WWL Louisiana. The Guardian independently verified the information with a criminal justice source with direct knowledge of the warrant.

Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran situation and says military force is still an option

US president accuses Tehran of failing to ‘negotiate in good faith’ over its nuclear programme

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts direct to your inbox
  

Donald Trump says he has not made a final decision on whether to launch strikes on Iran but is “not happy” with the situation and military force – including regime change – remains an option.

“We’re not exactly happy with the way they [Iran] negotiated. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and we’re not thrilled with the way they’re negotiating,” Trump told reporters.

Trump says he's "not happy" with progress in Iran negotiations

President Trump said Friday that he is "not happy" with the pace of progress in negotiations with Iran.

North Dakota judge finalizes $345m judgment against Greenpeace in pipeline case

Judge slashed a $667m damages award to Energy Transfer over Greenpeace’s role in Dakota Access Pipeline protests

A North Dakota judge on Friday finalized a $345m judgment against Greenpeace in a lawsuit pursued by pipeline company Energy Transfer (ET.N) over the environmental group’s role in protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The final judgment by judge James Gion was in line with a decision he issued in October, in which he slashed by almost half a damages award of about $667m that a jury had awarded Energy Transfer in March.

2/27: CBS Evening News

Bill Clinton says "I did nothing wrong" in House deposition on Epstein; Hawaii man copes with gambling addiction by offering free surf lessons to strangers

A Hawaii man tackled his sports gambling addiction by offering free surf lessons

For Buddy Wiggins of Honolulu, Hawaii, the end result of a yearslong sports gambling addiction has come to this: soliciting strangers on the beach.

Alleged gunman's father accused in school shooting takes stand at trial

Colin Gray took the stand in his Georgia trial, where he's facing second-degree murder charges after buying his son a rifle the boy allegedly used to kill people in a school shooting. Skyler Henry has more.

Renee Good's family spent "hours in limbo" after she was fatally shot

Renee Good's family said they spent agonizing "hours in limbo," unsure of the details surrounding her fatal shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis last month.

Scouting America to alter policies to maintain military support, Hegseth says

Some of the changes mirror Scouting America's suggestions to the Department of Justice, including discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge.

What's at stake in the Pentagon-Anthropic dispute over AI guardrails

For days, one of America's leading artificial intelligence companies and the Pentagon have been in a standoff over this question: who gets ultimate control over the use of that powerful technology? Jo Ling Kent explains what's at stake.

Renee Good's family recounts shock after fatal ICE shooting, calls for change

Renee Good's parents and brothers sat down to talk about her death with Matt Gutman in their first on-camera interview since the 37-year-old was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.

Neil Sedaka, singer whose hits included "Laughter in the Rain," dies at 86

Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, known for his hits like "Laughter in the Rain," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" and "Calendar Girl," has died.

NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis moon program "to take down risk"

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced significant changes to the agency's Artemis program, which aims to land on the moon in 2028.

Los Angeles faces record high temperatures week after winter storm

By mid-afternoon, it was 91F (33C) in downtown LA, according to the National Weather Service

After a week of heavy downpours that left parts of Los Angeles flooded, the city is now facing unusually high temperatures for late February.

By mid-afternoon Friday, it was 91F (33C) in downtown Los Angeles, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). That breaks the daily record for 27 February, which was 88F (31C), set last year.

New York businesswoman sentenced to nine years for $30m political finance scheme

Sherry Xue Li ripped off millions from foreign investors and funnelled some stolen money into US political campaigns

A New York businesswoman was sentenced Friday to nine years in federal prison over a financial scheme that ripped off more than $30m from foreign investors and funnelled some of the stolen money into US political campaigns, including a Donald Trump fundraiser during his first presidency.

Sherry Xue Li was also ordered to forfeit $31.5m, as well as property at three locations, and to make restitution to her victims.

10 Epstein files conspiracy theories, debunked

Conspiracy theories about the Epstein files have racked up millions of views on social media. Here's what to know about 10 of the most viral claims.

10 Epstein files conspiracy theories debunked

Is Jeffrey Epstein alive in Israel? Is the real Ghislaine Maxwell in Canada, not jail?  Were they somehow involved with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the death of JonBenet Ramsey? CBS News Confirmed investigated 10 of the most viral conspiracy theories to come out of the Epstein files. Here's what we found.

Trump says he'd 'love not to' attack Iran, 'but sometimes you have to'

President Donald Trump expressed frustration at Iran's refusal to comply with American demands to curb its nuclear program.

Neil Sedaka, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do singer and pop song hitmaker, dies aged 86

Musician died after being taken to hospital in Los Angeles, with his family remembering him as a ‘true rock and roll legend’ and ‘inspiration to millions’

Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter behind Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Oh! Carol, Calendar Girl and Bad Blood as well as many hits performed by other artists including Stupid Cupid and Love Will Keep Us Together, has died aged 86.

A representative confirmed his death to Variety on Friday, hours after he was reportedly taken to hospital in Los Angeles. No cause of death was given.

Netflix drops bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, paving way for Paramount Skydance

Streaming giant Netflix declined to match Paramount Skydance's $31 per share offer for Warner Bros. Discovery.

How the federal government is painting immigrants as criminals on social media

Experts say this kind of media campaign is unprecedented and paints a distorted picture of immigrants and crime

White House gives Democrats new DHS funding offer as partial government shutdown drags on

The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since Feb. 14 as immigration enforcement negotiations drag on.

Robots, already in hospitals, are ready to roll in other industries

In the years to come, robots will help offset worker shortages in health care, manufacturing and other industries, experts say.

How Amazon's massive stake in OpenAI could boost its AI and cloud businesses

The deal could ease some of Wall Street's fears about Amazon's monster $200 billion capex spending, and accelerate its development of AI tools.

House Democrats grapple with Trump’s threats to U.S. elections: 'This is a five-alarm fire'

President Donald Trump recently called to "nationalize" federal elections, ban mail voting and impose voter-ID requirements ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Nvidia's stock wraps up tough week as Wall Street focuses more on competition than growth

Meta will use AMD's chips and is reportedly interested in Google processors, while OpenAI is turning to Amazon silicon, as Nvidia faces increasing competition.

Two transgender men sue Kansas over ‘dehumanizing’ driver’s license law

Law demanding IDs must match ‘sex at birth’ invalidated the driver’s licenses of about 1,700 trans people in the state

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

Two transgender men are suing Kansas over a new law that invalidated their driver’s licenses and about 1,700 others for reflecting people’s gender identities and not their sex assigned at birth, arguing that the measure is “dehumanizing”.

The men filed their case Thursday, the same day the law took effect, and argue that it violates rights to privacy, personal autonomy and due legal process guaranteed by the Kansas state constitution. The men also are challenging the law’s tough, new enforcement provisions for the state’s three-year-old policy of barring transgender people from using public restrooms or other single-sex facilities associated with their gender identities.

Paramount Skydance wins Warner Bros Discovery bid after Netflix walks away from deal

Streamer said ‘deal no longer financially attractive’ at price required to match offer by David Ellison’s firm

Paramount Skydance has beaten Netflix to take over Warner Bros Discovery’s storied Hollywood studios and streaming business after the streaming giant refused to increase its bid.

The $110bn deal ends a high-stakes bidding war between the two media companies, but the takeover still faces regulatory hurdles and a backlash from critics worried about a rightward tilt in US media.

Bobby J Brown, US actor known for The Wire, dies in barn fire

Brown, 62, third member of hit HBO series to die since December, was trying to jumpstart car at home at time of blaze

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

The Wire actor Bobby J Brown died recently in a barn fire at his Maryland home, making him the third cast member of the acclaimed HBO show to pass away since December.

According to authorities and a statement on social media from his daughter, Reina, the 62-year-old Brown had gone into a barn at his residence in the St Mary’s county community of Chaptico at about 10pm on 24 February to try to jumpstart a car. It evidently ignited during the attempt, and Brown asked his wife for a fire extinguisher.

Dual Gomes goals ensure Wolves beat Aston Villa and unwanted points record

As Wolves applied the seal to only their second Premier League victory of the season, Rodrigo Gomes doubling their lead over Aston Villa deep into second-half stoppage time, Rob Edwards hared down the touchline, yelling into the stands as his players started a celebratory pile-on a few yards behind him. It was a moment of catharsis for Edwards, who beat his chest and wellied an advertising hoarding, but for Unai Emery it was a different kind of cue.

As those in old gold savoured a win over near neighbours that takes them to 13 points, ending any fears that they may not eclipse Derby’s record-low tally of 11 in 2007-08, Emery marched straight down the tunnel before the post-match handshakes.

This week on "Sunday Morning" (March 1)

A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley.

WBD employees fear coming wave of job losses as Paramount tops Netflix's bid to acquire company

WBD employees fear potential job cuts, culture clashes and high debt loads as Paramount supplants Netflix as the company's acquirer.

Josh Sargent’s messy transfer saga ends with $22m move from Norwich to Toronto

• Striker was demoted to under-21s after refusing to play

• Recent club form has not translated to USMNT

Josh Sargent joined Toronto FC from Norwich City in England’s second-tier Championship on Friday, ending a difficult situation in which the striker was exiled to the under-21 squad after he refused to play in an FA Cup match last month.

Sargent, 26, was signed as a designated player through the 2030-31 MLS season. He had eight goals this season and 56 goals in 157 appearances with the Canaries overall.

Scouting America to reinstate ban on trans children to appease Pentagon

Former Boy Scouts cave to Pete Hegseth as he laments move from ‘focus on God as the ruler of the universe’

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

Scouting America will alter several policies at the urging of the Pentagon, including one targeting transgender children, the defense secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday as he pushes a campaign against military support for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Some of the changes mirror what the organization suggested to the defense department in January, which included discontinuing its citizenship in society merit badge and introducing a military service merit badge as well as waiving registration fees for the children of military personnel.

Hegseth says Pentagon canceling troops' attendance at top universities

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon would be canceling troops' attendance at some of the nation's top universities.

Small business owner is already giving her customers a tariff refund

"If somebody charges you something and it's unlawful, they should give you your money back," Dame CEO Alexandra Fine said.

DOJ charging 30 more people for roles in anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church

The criminal civil rights case has also ensnared journalist Don Lemon.

Photo of Lutnick on Epstein's island removed from DOJ files now restored

A photo released last month as part of the Epstein files that showed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Epstein's island was removed from the DOJ's website before being restored Thursday night.

Renee Good's dad: I would take those bullets a thousand times to protect her

In an interview airing tonight on "CBS Evening News," Renee Good's family said they would trade their lives for hers if they could.

Pentagon puts Scouts 'on notice' over DEI and girl-centered policies

After threatening to sever ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts, Defense Secretary Hegseth announced a 6-month reprieve

NASA redirects Artemis moon mission program, postponing a planned astronaut landing

In shaking up its Artemis lunar program, NASA's new moon plan looks more like the Apollo missions of the 1960s. Instead of landing on the surface on Artemis III, NASA hopes to do so on Artemis IV.

Mamdani’s meeting with Trump was a Trojan Horse triumph at the White House

Mamdani wooed the president with much property talk and showed the real ‘art of the deal’ might have been soft power via Photoshop

• US politics live – latest updates

In the hours after Zohran Mamdani met with Donald Trump for an undisclosed sit-down in the Oval Office on Thursday, a meme quickly circulated on X.

It resembled the screengrab of a TikToker who doles out dubious financial advice, but instead had the mayor’s picture front and center. On the left it read “I receive 12,000 homes” and “the release of a constituent kidnapped by ICE” and on the right “you receive fake newspaper cover”.

MLS's experimental rule changes that cut time-wasting, sped up play are going global

• Ifab expected to adopt changes at meeting this weekend

• MLS added timed sub, off-field treatment rules in 2024

• New rules could make for faster play at the World Cup

Four years ago, MLS Next Pro implemented a pair of rules geared towards eliminating time-wasting. Now, just months ahead of the 2026 World Cup, MLS’s experimentation is set to be adopted globally. The International Football Association Board (Ifab), the sport’s rule-making body, is set to meet this weekend and is widely expected to adopt both changes.

The first of the two, commonly referred to as the timed substitution rule, forces a team to play a man down for a minute if a player takes longer than 10 seconds to leave the pitch. The second of the guidelines, dubbed the off-field treatment rule, removes a player from the match for a minute if they spend more than 15 seconds on the ground after an injury.

Suicide forum found to be in breach of Online Safety Act after failing to block UK users

Ofcom says that after provisional ruling it could apply to courts to demand internet providers stop access to site

A suicide forum linked to deaths in Britain has been ruled provisionally in breach of the Online Safety Act after it failed to properly block access to UK users when ordered to do so last year.

Ofcom, the online regulator, said it could now apply to the courts to demand internet service providers block access to the site in the UK. This will depend on how the site, which also faces fines, responds over the next 10 days.

President Trump bans U.S. government from using Anthropic

The Pentagon also ordered all military contractors to stop doing business with Anthropic. The company says it will challenge the move in court.

Rosenior has talent to be Chelsea’s answer to Arteta but can chaos club hold their nerve?

Volatility and unusual structure at Stamford Bridge leave club’s young manager with a big test to rebuild like his rival has at Arsenal

Arsenal’s journey under Mikel Arteta has long been a reference point for Chelsea’s owners. It is part of the club’s shift towards youth and potential after the Roman Abramovich era. Chelsea have built with a long-term view and, seeing how Arteta has reversed Arsenal’s decline since his appointment as manager in December 2019, have been keen to find a young coach capable of becoming a similarly galvanising force at Stamford Bridge.

It is not an easy task. Chelsea briefly thought they had their rising star when they hired Graham Potter in September 2022, only for his reign to end after seven months. Now there is hope that Liam Rosenior can become Chelsea’s answer to Arteta. Rosenior is young, confident, talented and a little unconventional in the way he presents himself. It is early days but the 41-year-old has made an encouraging start, winning eight of his first 12 games, and has transmitted enough authority to keep jibes about his inexperience at bay so far.

Jacks and Ahmed find dramatic late blitz to earn England unlikely win over New Zealand

• Super 8s: England, 161-6, bt New Zealand, 159-7, by 4 wkts

• Late flurry of runs from all-rounders proves crucial

A game played on a turning wicket and dominated by spin was decided, appropriately, after a decisive, savage twist. Just as it looked as if England’s unconvincing progress through the World Cup was the one thing destined to remain on its predictable path Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks spun the game, and the group, in their team’s favour.

England’s pursuit of a target of 160 was appearing increasingly forlorn until its 18th over, bowled by Glenn Phillips, which started with them needing an improbable 43 off 18 and ended, two sixes and a couple of fours later, with a manageable 21 required off 12. Ahmed started the next with another boundary to keep the momentum going and before the penultimate delivery the batters conferred. “I said: ‘I’ll get a single and you just have a free hit,’” Jacks said; he got his single and Ahmed deposited the final delivery into the stands. “That six pretty much won us the game,” said Jacks.

Are Jack Dorsey's aggressive job cuts the start of an AI jobs apocalypse? Economists weigh in

Economists question whether such moves signal a broader shift in the labor market or simply reflect company-specific adjustments.

CoreWeave stock slides as quarterly revenue guidance disappoints

The company's quarterly revenue forecast fell short of consensus.

Two dead and 38 injured after tram derails in Milan

Investigation under way after vehicle ploughs into building

A tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan on Friday, killing two people and injuring 38 others.

One of the dead was hit by the tram as it derailed while the second victim was a passenger, the city’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, told reporters at the scene.

Winter getting shorter in 80% of major US cities, new data shows

Researchers find that across 195 US cities, winters are on average nine days shorter than they were in 1970-1997

For the millions of people across the United States who have spent the last month digging themselves out of above-average levels of snow and ice, this winter has felt especially long and harsh. But the typical winter is actually getting shorter in 80% of major US cities scrutinized by researchers, according to new data released by Climate Central, an independent climate science and communication group.

Researchers found that across 195 US cities, winters are on average nine days shorter today than they were from 1970 to 1997, as the climate crisis progresses.

The week around the world in 20 pictures

Russian airstrikes in Kyiv, Ramadan in Gaza, Trump’s State of the Union address and snow in New York City – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalists

Bill Clinton on Jeffrey Epstein: 'I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong'

The House Oversight Committee forced Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify about Jeffrey Epstein. It has not called for testimony from President Donald Trump.

Inside in the Mexican town where drug lord ‘El Mencho’ was killed – video dispatch

Fires are still burning in the Mexican town of Tapalpa four days after the cartel boss known as 'El Mencho' made his last stand.

The Guardian correspondent Tom Phillips drove to the locations of fierce clashes between police and gang members who dug trenches, set fire to shops and sparked a forest blaze that was still burning days later.

Despite their efforts to distract security forces, the 59-year-old drug lord was wounded and he died in a helicopter on the way to the hospital

• Shell-shocked and tense: inside the Mexican tourist town where ‘El Mencho’ made his last stand

• Violence in Mexico after military kills notorious drug cartel boss – a visual guide

Old photograph helps identify U.S. soldier who died in Korean War

When dental records and DNA matches failed, investigators turned to an older technology.

Demna brings sexy back in effort to reinvigorate Gucci

Designer’s first catwalk for the brand in Milan flirts with bad taste with short, tight dresses and a diamante G-string

Demna is fashion’s dark lord of apocalyptic streetwear. Gucci is the glossy sex kitten of Milan. Put the two together, and what do you get? Sex appeal that flirts with bad taste.

At Demna’s first Gucci catwalk show, staged in Milan on Friday afternoon in front of an audience including Donatella Versace and Paris and Nicky Hilton, dresses were so short and tight that Emily Ratajkowski periodically yanked down a handful of disco-ball sequins to cover her bottom as she walked. There were lapdance-bar tinsel hair extensions, and Kate Moss in a diamante G-string. A certain sketchiness in the roll of the hips, a model who pulled his phone out of his bumbag and scrolled his way down the catwalk.

Nasa announces Artemis III mission no longer aims to send humans to moon

Plans to return humans to the moon will come in later mission as agency grapples with delays and glitches

Nasa announced on Friday radical changes to its delayed Artemis III mission to land humans back on the moon, as the US space agency grapples with technical glitches and criticism that it is trying to do too much too soon.

The abrupt shift in strategy was laid out by the space agency’s recently confirmed administrator, Jared Isaacman. Announcing the changes on Friday, he said that Nasa would introduce at least one new moon flight before attempting to put humans back on the lunar surface for the first time in more than half a century, in 2028.

Robert Carradine obituary

Hollywood actor for more than five decades best known for 1980s cult film Revenge of the Nerds and the teen comedy series Lizzie McGuire

Of the four sons who followed their father, John Carradine, into acting, Keith had the most prestigious career, David netted the largest audience thanks to his early-1970s TV series Kung Fu, and the little-known Bruce amassed a meagre handful of minor credits. The youngest, Robert Carradine, acted continuously without ever becoming a star. He has taken his own life aged 71, after suffering from bipolar disorder, which was exacerbated by David’s death in 2009.

He had small roles in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973), where he was the long-haired gunman who shoots dead the drunk played by David, and as a tracker in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained (2012). He also joined David and Keith as the three Younger brothers in Walter Hill’s western The Long Riders (1980), which populated its cast with other sets of real-life siblings, such as James and Stacy Keach playing Frank and Jesse James. Carradine’s aptitude with a gun led to him competing under the alias Bob Younger in quick-draw competitions organised by the Single Action Shooting Society.

The Guardian view on Gorton and Denton: a warning shot across Labour’s bows | Editorial

Hannah Spencer’s win was more than protest. It signalled that Labour’s moral language and coalition are up for grabs in its safest terrain

The Greens have every reason to celebrate their victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection. From a standing start in a Manchester constituency, Zack Polanski’s team tripled his party’s vote to capture a seat that had effectively voted Labour in every election but one since 1906 – the year Labour was born. Labour coming third behind Reform UK is not routine midterm turbulence. A 20-point collapse in the party’s vote is extraordinary.

Sir Keir Starmer was abandoned by a coalition of young progressives, working-class former Labour voters and Muslims. May’s Scottish and Welsh parliamentary as well as English council elections will paint the map in many colours. Not a lot of it will be red if this result is anything to go by. Labour’s vaunted ground game can’t save it if the ground has shifted. The party can’t turn out voters who’ve already tuned out.

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

The Guardian view on Trump’s war on science: Europe should pick up talent fleeing the US | Editorial

The president’s cuts have defunded and alienated thousands of American scientists. Europe can benefit, if it makes the right offer

Donald Trump has spent much of his second term at war with science and scientists. He is cutting staff at institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by a third, and has cancelled or frozen up to 8,000 federal research grants. This hasn’t just hurt individual research programmes, it has damaged America’s credibility as a reliable partner in the scientific community. It is not surprising that many researchers – one poll last year by the journal Nature gave the number of 75% – say they are considering leaving the US entirely.

However, it is one thing to express dissatisfaction, and quite another to up sticks and leave. If the UK and EU want to attract elite scientific talent, their approach must be twofold: appealing directly to scientists concerned with political interference in their research, and offering stable, ringfenced money.

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

HUD proposes time limits and work requirements for rental aid

The rule would allow housing agencies and landlords to impose such requirements "to encourage self-sufficiency." Critics say most who can work already do, but their wages are low.

Labour MPs demand Starmer change course after humiliating byelection loss

Scale of defeat to Greens has plunged party into fresh despair and again raised prospect of leadership challenge

Keir Starmer is facing an ultimatum from his own party to change direction or risk a leadership challenge within months after the Greens humiliated Labour with a historic byelection victory in Gorton and Denton.

Overturning a 13,000 Labour majority from the general election, Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green councillor, became the party’s fifth MP on Friday. Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin was second, just ahead of the Labour candidate, Angeliki Stogia.

Epstein files: Rep. Mace says she'll call Trump Commerce chief Lutnick to testify

Rep. Nancy Mace's comments came before the House Oversight Committe was to question ex-President Bill Clinton about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

Paramount and Warner Bros' deal is about merging studios, and a whole lot more

The nearly $111 billion marriage would unite Paramount and Warner film studios, streamers and television properties — including CNN — under the control of the wealthy Ellison family.

Seth Meyers on Team Trump’s Iran threats: ‘These guys speak like they’ve been hit on the head’

Late-night hosts addressed US-Iran tensions, Trump’s failed businesses and Hillary Clinton’s ‘ridiculous’ Epstein hearing

On Thursday night, late-night hosts remarked on the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, the threat of a US attack on Iran and Donald Trump nominating a wellness influencer as the next US surgeon general.

Block shares soar as much as 24% as company slashes workforce by nearly half

Block said Thursday it's laying off more than 4,000 employees, or about half of its head count.

Martin Rowson on the Greens’ victory in Gorton and Denton – cartoon

Continue reading...

Rubio to travel to Israel to discuss Iran, other issues, State Dept. says

The United States has been pressuring Iran to curb its nuclear program, but talks between the two countries have not led to a breakthrough so far.

Excruciating but worth it: how a decades-old cult dating book helped me find love

Years of singlehood, dating apps and humiliating set-ups left me skeptical. But Calling in ‘the One’ – surprisingly – worked

In January 2023, a friend recommended I read a dating self-help book with her. “I think we need to read this,” she said. “My friend did it and that’s how she met her husband.”

But when the book arrived, I discovered it wasn’t a recommendation so much as an enlistment.

Gross green, chartreuse or phlegm? Hannah Spencer’s waistcoat is political and TikTok winner

Newly elected Gorton and Denton MP taps into colour meme of the moment with statement waistcoat

• UK politics live – latest updates

Of course the Green candidate wore green, though the correct term – the 2026 TikTok one – is “gross green”.

Coined by New York magazine, and seen all over the high street as well as on the cover of Caro Claire Burke’s forthcoming satirical novel Yesteryear, it’s actually chartreuse. But where’s the fun in calling it that? And it’s not so much a colour as a mood.

Trump angering MAHA with glyphosate order gives Democrats an opening

Democrats once counted many of the health-conscious followers of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among their own ranks.

Champions League last 16: tie-by-tie analysis and predictions | Jonathan Wilson

Arsenal and Liverpool will fancy their chance of making the quarter-finals, while Manchester City and Newcastle face tougher routes

The Club World Cup final victory over Paris Saint-Germain last summer was probably Enzo Maresca’s finest hour as Chelsea manager. He devised a gameplan, pinging balls over Nuno Mendes for Cole Palmer to chase, backed up by Malo Gusto, that tore the European champions apart in the first half. Liam Rosenior may try to exploit the same vulnerability, but this is a Chelsea that look weary, their exertions in the US perhaps having left them fatigued.

Bruno Mars: The Romantic review – you’re better off listening to the songs he’s blatantly imitating

(Atlantic)
Harking back to Oye Como Va, Move On Up and other 20th-century classics, Mars’s homages are beautifully performed but bereft of new ideas

It is 10 years since Bruno Mars last released a solo album. An eternity in pop music, and yet you’d struggle to describe the follow-up to the umpteen-platinum 24K Magic as eagerly awaited: not for reasons of snark, but simply because the world has hardly been starved of Bruno Mars in the intervening decade.

With Anderson .Paak, he co-piloted Silk Sonic’s hit album An Evening with Silk Sonic. He variously collaborated with Cardi B, Gucci Mane, Sexy Redd and Ed Sheeran. Die With a Smile, 2024’s soft rock duet with Lady Gaga went on to become the most streamed song of last year. Meanwhile, he also recorded the most globally successful song released in 2025, the infernally catchy APT., with Blackpink’s Rosé. There have been two world tours, two Las Vegas residencies, the opening of his own Vegas bar, an appearance on online game Fortnite and the 2026 ambassadorship for Record Store Day.

Dóra Maurer obituary

Hungarian artist and teacher whose avant-garde works ranged from painting and photography to performance

Talking to the Art Newspaper in 2019, Dóra Maurer made a surprising claim. Her work, she told the interviewer, benefited “from a lack of market”.

It seemed an odd thing to say. The Hungarian artist, who has died aged 88, was about to have her second show at White Cube in London. If an exhibition at Jay Jopling’s fabled gallery was the stuff of dreams – its stable includes such multimillion-pound giants as Anselm Kiefer and Damien Hirst – this was not, however, reflected in Maurer’s own prices. One of her paintings had been auctioned at Sotheby’s three years earlier for £8,000 – a bargain basement figure for a major contemporary artist.

Tell us what Pokémon means to you

As Pokémon turns 30, we would like to hear what the franchise means to you

It is 30 years since the game Pocket Monsters was released for the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan. Many more video games, trading cards, toys, an animated series and films followed as the franchise became a worldwide hit. With this in mind, we would like to hear what Pokémon means to you after three decades.

If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

Jeep maker Stellantis posts first annual loss in company history after EV write-downs

The results come shortly after the auto giant scaled back its EV ambitions following a major strategic shift.

OpenAI announces $110 billion funding round with backing from Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank

OpenAI's latest funding round is even bigger than its prior financing, which was a record amount for private tech companies.

Stakes are huge for Celtic and Rangers in derby that could yet shape title race

By refusing to fold in Germany, O’Neill’s side showed the resilience that could serve them well in Sunday’s derby at Ibrox

A European occasion that appeared ominous for Celtic instead provided evidence that it is never wise to write off Martin O’Neill. His side exited the Europa League in Stuttgart but the scale of spirit and togetherness visible during their 1-0, playoff second-leg victory emphasised that tales of their demise may be overstated.

Celtic’s key attribute during a critical week, which begins at Ibrox on Sunday, is course and distance specialism. The shortcomings within, and patched-up nature of, O’Neill’s squad are blindingly obvious. This is, however, a club that has become accustomed to dominating Scottish football over more than a decade. Much earlier, O’Neill had demonstrated he could emerge successful from title scraps. Contrary to giddy analysis, there is nothing miraculous or remarkable about O’Neill’s work during his second short-term stint of the season. It is, though, immediately striking how a 73-year-old can achieve such buy-in from players. Faith in O’Neill within Celtic is absolute.

Appeal court rejects latest challenge to adding VAT to UK private school fees

Parents opposing plans told they can home school their children if they object to sending them to state schools

The court of appeal has rejected the latest challenge to the addition of VAT to private school fees, telling parents they have the option to home school their children if they object to sending them to state schools.

The appeal was launched by families and leaders of four independent Christian faith schools, aiming to overturn a high court ruling last year by arguing that the decision to add 20% to fees would make small faith schools unviable and unaffordable, depriving children of their right to an equivalent education.

Democrats plan to force Iran war powers vote next week

The president has commanded a massive military buildup in the region, as he negotiates a new nuclear deal with Iran.

Netflix CEO Sarandos visited White House right before streamer said WBD deal is off

President Donald Trump last weekend demanded that Netflix fire former Obama administration official Susan Rice from its board or else “pay the consequences.”

Hiding in plain sight: everyone from Meghan to the Beckhams wants a funnel neck

Popped collar worn by Duchess of Sussex and Rama Duwaji is rising in popularity, with searches at John Lewis up 1,000%

Shoppers are avidly searching for jackets that cover half your face – so much that searches are up 1,000% year on year at John Lewis.

The funnel-neck jacket is boxy, generously cut and comes with a permanently popped collar, between 9cm and 14cm high running from clavicle to nose; high enough to cover your mouth, low enough to see out – just.

‘Watching my six year old deadlift 35kg was pretty cool’: meet the children who work out

A growing number of parents are letting their young children train with weights. But is it a good – or safe – idea? We ask the experts to weigh in

Most parents remember the first time their baby smiled or when they took their first steps. Eve Stevenson recalls different milestones. “Watching my daughter, Madison, deadlift 35kg at the age of six was pretty cool,” she says, grinning with pride from her living room in south-west London.

As a personal trainer (PT) and former British weightlifting champion, her daughter’s achievements shouldn’t really be that surprising. Still, Stevenson has been on the receiving end of some harsh opinions about her daughter and three-year-old son, Beau, doing resistance training with her. “People tell me it will stunt their growth or that it’s dangerous,” she says. She is also often accused of forcing her children to train, when actually it all started the other way round. “What child doesn’t look at their parents and want to do what they’re doing?” she asks. And although to many people the idea of a small child strength training or competing might feel jarring, Stevenson is among a growing number of parents who see value in helping their children build muscles.

Anthropic faces lose-lose scenario in Pentagon conflict as deadline for policy change looms

Anthropic has just hours to decide whether it will accede to the Defense Department's demands that it be able to use the company's AI models how it sees fit.

Russia and Ukraine agree local truce to allow repairs at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant

Russian forces have controlled the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant since early 2022, shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Core wholesale prices rose 0.8% in January, much more than expected

The core producer price index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.8%, more than the 0.6% gain in December.

Pakistan declares state of ‘open war’ after bombing major Afghan cities

Wave of strikes comes after Taliban forces attack Pakistani border troops following earlier action from Islamabad

Pakistan has bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital, Kabul, with Islamabad’s defence minister declaring that the hostile neighbours were in a state of “open war” as a cycle of retaliatory attacks escalated further.

Witnesses in Kabul and Kandahar, the southern Afghan city, reported explosions and jets overhead until dawn, while the Taliban government said later that Pakistani surveillance aircraft were still flying over Afghanistan.

Football Daily | Dortmund v Bayern Munich: will Der Klassiker live up to its name?

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!

La Liga has El Clásico, France has Le Classique, and Argentina goes full gun with its Superclásico. English football has no true equivalent, with Liverpool and Manchester United fans unable to agree on a name for their grand-slam meetings. Up in the land of fitba, there’s this weekend’s 450th Old Firm/Glasgow derby (delete as applicable according to your stringency on Scottish company law). And Germany has Der Klassiker, between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga marketing suits have been out in force this week for the one game, played on Saturday evening, that brings extra eyeballs. Though questions are often raised over whether this is a true, classic rivalry; Dortmund have not won a league title since Jürgen Klopp was making his rounds in 2012.

I just hope the hapless Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini (yesterday’s Football Daily) does not follow my path. I too was directly responsible for four opposition goals in one game: one came from my taking a corner that curved behind every one of my teammates, allowing five of the other lot to advance on our puffing centre-back; another was me slicing a clearance so badly that instead of arcing down the touchline, it went at 90 degrees, landing at the feet of an opponent with enough time and space at the edge of our box for his own Grand Designs project. I never again played any form of competitive sport” – Michael Hann.

I feel compelled to point out that Ramy Bensebaini played left-sided centre-back of a back three against Atalanta rather than left-back (yesterday’s Football Daily). I noticed this because of the body language of his teammate Daniel Svensson each time Bensebaini recklessly served a goal up on Wednesday. Svensson was the recovering left wing-back at the Algerian’s side, head bowed and shoulders increasingly drooping” – Matthew Parham.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the collection of words at the bottom of Football Daily’s full email edition (that rarely makes any sense to me) are a form of the popular location app what3words and give the venue of that evening’s secret ‘drinks’ for the hard-working hacks. It hasn’t escaped me that, when there are more than three words, my theory sheds more water than something that sheds water” – Shaun.

Regarding yesterday’s last line ‘Hot Parents’ Chat Ahoy’ (full email edition), am I the only one wondering if it is the chat or the parents that are hot? Pray tell” – Martyn Shapter [neither – Football Daily Ed].​​​​

This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

What we’re reading: writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in February

Francis Spufford, Manish Chauhan and Guardian readers discuss the titles they have read over the last month. Join the conversation in the comments

I’ve been reading a very short book by Claire Baglin, translated by Jordan Stump, On the Clock. Set on the edge of somewhere in Brittany, all run-down blocks, dual carriageways and drive-in eateries, it’s a dark, sometimes funny story of a working-class family and a young woman starting work in a fast-food restaurant. Through a few short scenes we get a real insight into the quotidian soullessness of the work.

Living with hyperphantasia: ‘I remember the clothes people wore the day we met, the things they said word-for-word’

It’s hard to know what people can see in their own mind’s eye. But for Maddie Thomas there was no doubt: she had especially vivid mental imagery

• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

I close my eyes and picture a boat making its way towards the mainland. Lit only by moonlight, a silhouette walks towards a post box and mails three letters, one by one. Then, the familiar tune of ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) starts to play, and the musical begins.

Sometimes as a child I had trouble falling asleep. But from age 11 and through my early teenage years, recreating the film Mamma Mia! in my head frame-by-frame was my remedy. Running each line of dialogue through my mind and bringing to life the colour of the characters’ clothes, usually by the time they arrive flustered from their journey, I would drift off.

Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters

EPA rolls back rules as chemical firms claim provisions in RMP protection system too expensive to implement

The Trump administration is slowly dismantling the federal disaster management system that protects the nation from chemical catastrophes, such as fires and explosions at high-risk facilities.

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Response Management Program (RMP) requires more than 12,500 high-risk facilities to develop protocols to prevent catastrophes, or limit fallout, and was largely designed to protect workers, first responders, and fence-line communities.