Joe Biden warns that Donald Trump will try to ‘steal’ midterm elections 28. February 2026 (16:11) In a rare public address, former president said US is experiencing ‘dark days’ and urged Americans to voteSign up for This week in Trumpland, a free newsletter on the latest from the Trump administrationJoe Biden has warned that his presidential successor, Donald Trump, will attempt to “steal” the midterm elections, in a rare public address.Speaking in South Carolina, where he was being honored for his lifetime achievement in politics, Biden also asserted that the US is experiencing “dark days”, in a speech made hours before the Trump administration launched attacks on Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
It’s been decreed: something must be done about student loans in England 28. February 2026 (16:00) The education secretary wants a fairer system and the Tories have leapt in with their own plan – but why now?For anyone who attended university in England in the last 15 or so years, the idea of student loans feeling like some sort of debt trap is hardly news. But three weeks ago, when the journalist Oli Dugmore discussed this on the BBC’s Question Time, it felt like a moment.It was less the size of the initial debt, he explained, than the way above-inflation interest rates meant the interest charged alone was now almost as much as the original sum. “So was it mis-sold to me?” he asked, rhetorically. “Yes, I’d say so.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man charged with criminal damage after Churchill statue sprayed with graffiti 28. February 2026 (14:48) Caspar San Giorgio to appear in court after defacing London statue with slogans including ‘Zionist war criminal’A 38-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage after Winston Churchill’s statue outside the Houses of Parliament was sprayed with graffiti labelling the former prime minister a “Zionist war criminal”.The Metropolitan police arrested Caspar San Giorgio, of no fixed address, shortly after 4am on Friday. He was charged in the early hours of Saturday morning and is due to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates court in London. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Decision to allow UK exports to Armenian firm under review over Russian links 28. February 2026 (14:00) Cygnet Texkimp was approved to export machines to Rydena, but ministers examining deal after Guardian highlighted founders’ links to Kremlin military supply chainMinisters are reviewing a decision to allow a British company to export hi-tech equipment to Armenia after the Guardian uncovered links to the Russian military supply chain.Cygnet Texkimp, based in Cheshire, was weeks away from exporting two machines that produce carbon fibre “prepreg”, a lightweight material that can be used in a range of civil and military applications. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Viruses don’t know borders’: US anti-vaccine rhetoric could impact global measles crisis 28. February 2026 (14:00) Experts say global measles vaccination rates are falling as Trump officials signal a deprioritization of the virusThe US government has amplified anti-vaccine rhetoric and signaled that it does not consider measles to be a priority, which could have global ramifications as countries around the world have lost or are on the brink of losing measles elimination status.The World Health Organization announced in late January that six European countries: the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan had all officially lost their measles elimination status, which means the virus has been circulating continuously in those countries for more than 12 months. In order to contain measles, at least 95% of children should be fully vaccinated against it, according to health recommendations, but vaccination rates have been falling across Europe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran has no mandate – or legal basis 28. February 2026 (13:43) US president violates UN charter just days into his Board of Peace era, and chooses to take the biggest gamble of his administrationUS-Israeli attack on Iran – live updatesUS and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so farThe first war of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace era has begun – an unprovoked attempt at regime change in collaboration with Israel, with no legal foundation, launched in the midst of diplomatic efforts to avert conflict, and with minimal consultation with Congress or the American public.Trump’s recorded eight-minute address after the first bombs had fallen, made clear that this would be no limited strike aimed at cajoling Tehran into concessions at the negotiating table. He warned that if Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) did not surrender they would be killed, and the country’s armed forces, its missile and navy would be smashed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer chairs Cobra meeting after strikes by US and Israel on Iran 28. February 2026 (12:54) Prime minister calls together emergency committee to decide UK’s response to latest fighting in Middle EastUS-Israeli attack on Iran – live updatesUS and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so farKeir Starmer is chairing a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra emergency committee as Britain decides how to respond to the US-Israeli bombing of Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation against bases in the Gulf.The UK did not participate in the first wave of strikes early on Saturday but had deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar to protect the al-Udeid airbase in the country and other allied military facilities in the region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Poorly regulated clinics in England are putting children with ADHD at risk, warn doctors 28. February 2026 (12:00) Private providers accused of prescribing powerful stimulants without examining young patients properlyChildren with ADHD are being put at risk by poorly regulated private clinics that prescribe powerful stimulants without key physical examinations, doctors have warned.A surge in remote-only assessments has led to what one clinician described as “widespread and unsafe practice”, where children are being diagnosed and medicated via video link. The clinical warnings have now forced health authorities in Greater Manchester to overhaul prescribing rules, mandating face-to-face checks to protect the safety of children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yet another mid-talks attack jeopardises chances of Iran taking Trump seriously 28. February 2026 (11:13) Second Israeli-US attack during nuclear negotiations may finally jettison any chance of agreementUS-Israeli attack on Iran – live updatesUS and Israel strikes on Iran – what we know so farThe attack mounted jointly by Israel and the US on Iran had been planned for months, but the timing, in the midst of negotiations between Iran and the US, will again raise questions about whether Washington was ever serious about striking a deal with Tehran.In June last year, Israel, with the US later in tow, launched a 10-day attack on Iran just three days before Iran and the US were due to meet for a sixth set of talks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Adventurism has had its day’: speedboat shootout leaves Miami’s exiled Cubans bewildered 28. February 2026 (11:00) Few clues as to how 10 heavily armed men intercepted on stolen speedboat came together from across Florida or what they hoped to achieve Foot traffic was slow outside the Bay of Pigs Museum on Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood. A few tourists in T-shirts and shorts bypassed the gallery dedicated to one of the most fateful days in Cuba’s history and headed instead to nearby Máximo Gómez Park to take photographs of Cuban exiles playing dominoes.This is the street at the heart of the Cuban expat community of more than 1 million people where tens of thousands partied through the night in November 2016 to celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, and where they gathered in sorrow almost exactly 30 years ago to mourn four Cuban-Americans shot down by the communist country’s air force as they conducted a mission for the humanitarian exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
