The Tea Party

Posted by Jakub Krupa in Munich

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/14/munich-security-conference-live-marco-rubio-keir-starmer-eu-europe-ukraine-russia-latest-news-updates

Ukrainian president says ‘our unity is the best interceptor against Russia’s aggressive plans’

Rubio 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 and shame.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/14/munich-security-conference-live-marco-rubio-keir-starmer-eu-europe-ukraine-russia-latest-news-updates

Posted by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/14/uk-police-set-up-national-group-uk-jeffrey-epstein-allegations

Senior policing source says ‘tsunami’ of claims expected after US release of papers relating to disgraced financier

British police have set up a new national group to deal with allegations that Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking of women had ties to Britain, as well as claims against his associates, such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

At least three British police forces are dealing with allegations triggered by the revelations about Epstein and his associates in documents released in the US, with more claims of wrongdoing expected by police officials.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/14/uk-police-set-up-national-group-uk-jeffrey-epstein-allegations

Posted by Tim de Lisle

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/14/england-v-scotland-t20-world-cup-cricket-updates-live

• Group C game at Eden Gardens, 9.30am (GMT) start

• Follow us over on Bluesky | And get in touch: email Tim

One brings two! Another lifter, another skyer, this time looping straight to deep square, where Phil Salt barely has to move.

Jofra strikes! He drops short and Munsey can only get a top edge, safely pouched by Banton running in from midwicket.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/14/england-v-scotland-t20-world-cup-cricket-updates-live

Posted by Guardian staff and agency

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/14/alexei-navalny-poisoning-death-russia-frog-toxin

Former opposition leader’s death while in Arctic jail at age of 47 result of mixture of diseases, according to Moscow

The Foreign Office has blamed the Russian state for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which it said was the result of poisoning from a dart containing frog toxin.

The frog poison – called epibatidine – is said to have been used when Navalny, 47, died suddenly on 16 February 2024.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/14/alexei-navalny-poisoning-death-russia-frog-toxin

Posted by Tom Hunt

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/feb/14/best-supermarket-quiche-tasted-rated-filter

Which quiche egg-celled and which crumbled in the face of our rigorous taste test?

• The best supermarket extra-virgin olive oil

I learned to make quiche from one of the best chefs I know, Gill Meller, my old head chef at River Cottage HQ, about 20 years ago. His quiche is rich and creamy, with beautifully crumbly pastry, and my benchmark for these store-bought versions.

I tasted all of the quiches cooked according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Overall, the quality was lower than I’d hoped for, with many relying on ultra-processed ingredients, such as palm oil, emulsifiers and, often, caged-hen eggs. Free-range products didn’t always communicate this clearly on the packet, so it’s worth checking the ingredients list. Also, some described their pastry as “buttery” when they don’t contain any butter, and are instead made with vegetable shortening (palm and rapeseed oil). Encouragingly, however, a few gems emerged, with wonderfully simple ingredients, light and fluffy free-range custards, crisp all-butter pastry and generously filled.

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2026/feb/14/best-supermarket-quiche-tasted-rated-filter

Posted by Alaina Demopoulos

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/feb/14/joe-macken-new-york-city-model-replica

Queens-born Joe Macken’s hyperrealistic model, made with wood, cardboard and glue, is now on view at the Museum of the City of New York

In 2003, Joe Macken built a miniature model of a bridge out of popsicle sticks. He wanted it to look like a “hybrid” of the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges. Soon after, Macken, who grew up in Middle Village, Queens, moved his family to a small town upstate, more than 160 miles from the city. Macken loaded his bridge on the moving truck. It did not make the trip.

“It got destroyed, and I was kind of bummed,” said Macken, who is now 63. “So I figured, let me build something better.”

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/feb/14/joe-macken-new-york-city-model-replica

Posted by Barry Glendenning

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/14/burton-albion-v-west-ham-united-fa-cup-fourth-round-live

• Updates from 12.15pm kickoff (GMT)

• Follow us over on Bluesky | And get in touch: email Barry

A groundsman is called on to perform some crochet on one of the goal nets, which appears to be torn. As those repairs are carried out, a plane flies over the ground trailing a protest banner telling David Sullivan and Karren Brady to get out of West Ham.

Not long now: It’s a nice sunny Valentine’s Day in Staffordshire and the teams are out on the pitch in the compact Pirelli Stadium. West Ham are hoping to get the job done, Burton are hoping to make it to the fifth round for the first time in their history and kick-off is just a few minutes away.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/14/burton-albion-v-west-ham-united-fa-cup-fourth-round-live

Posted by Tim de Lisle

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/14/england-v-scotland-t20-world-cup-cricket-updates-live

• Group C game at Eden Gardens, 9.30am (GMT) start

• Follow us over on Bluesky | And get in touch: email Tim

One brings two! Another lifter, another skyer, this time looping straight to deep square, where Phil Salt barely has to move.

Jofra strikes! He drops short and Munsey can only get a top edge, safely pouched by Banton running in from midwicket.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/14/england-v-scotland-t20-world-cup-cricket-updates-live

Posted by Emillia Hawkins

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/14/fa-cup-news-and-buildup-efl-and-more-football-matchday-live

Tottenham confirmed the appointment of Igor Tudor until the end of the season, while Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães is facing eight weeks out

From Arsenal’s midfield conundrum to Newcastle’s misfiring attack, here are 10 things to look out for in the FA Cup this weekend.

Paris St Germain’s Ligue 1 title hopes suffered a blow with a 3-1 defeat by managerless Rennes at Roazhon Park. Luis Enrique’s side moved back into top spot ahead of Lens last weekend with a 5-0 hammering of Marseille, their seventh success in a row in the league, but they were swiftly brought back down to earth in Brittany.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/14/fa-cup-news-and-buildup-efl-and-more-football-matchday-live