‘The kinetic energy is palpable’: Manchester embraces its first Brit awards 28. February 2026 (07:00) Event’s first venture outside London aims to recognise geographical diversity of UK’s music talentVisitors to Manchester this week have been visibly amused to be arriving into Olivia Deansgate station, with many posing for selfies in front of the temporary sign. The tribute to the chart-busting musician is just one indication of how Manchester is embracing the arrival of the Brit awards on Saturday, the event’s first venture outside London in its five-decade history.Stacey Tang, theBrit awards chair, said the move to the Co-op Live arena was about recognising the geographical diversity of the country’s music talent. “Creativity doesn’t happen in one postcode in the UK … so the idea that the biggest night in music should always be in London, I think, is ageing out,” she said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia may interfere in Danish election, exploiting chaos sewn by US, spies warn 28. February 2026 (06:26) US threats to seize Greenland have created ‘new international fault lines’ that can be used to spread disinformation, Danish intelligence agencies sayDenmark’s intelligence services have warned that a foreign power may try to sway the general election on 24 March, saying the main threat was from Russia over support for Ukraine but also citing the chaos caused by US efforts to seize Greenland.The PET police intelligence service and FE military intelligence said in a joint statement the election campaign could be marked by disinformation and cyberattacks “to sow division, influence the public debate or to target candidates, parties or specific political programmes”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Colander-wearing Pastafarian strains the rules with Queensland driver’s licence photo 28. February 2026 (06:23) Syaban Shadikillah told to get new driver’s licence after being issued one using photo of him with colander on his headGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA “Pastafarian” in rural Queensland has vowed to fight to keep his driver’s licence featuring a photo of him wearing a colander on his head, arguing it’s a matter of freedom of religion.But the state government has told him he must hand it in and get a new one, as it was issued “in error”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I could see myself stepping into that void’: Gavin Newsom on fighting Trump and running in 2028 – podcast 28. February 2026 (06:00) The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is widely regarded as one of the Democratic party’s leading contenders for the 2028 presidential election. He has also published a new book, Young Man in a Hurry, reflecting on his childhood and his path to the governor’s mansion.This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Newsom about why he believes the Democrats suffered such heavy losses in 2024, why the party needs to be less judgmental, and whether he intends to run for president in 2028 Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘You can’t hide from the invisible’: why Bangkok police make arrests in disguise 28. February 2026 (06:00) Critics claim the operations are geared at social media, but police say they have enabled real arrestsPolice officers from Bangkok’s metropolitan bureau had less than 24 hours to prepare for their latest undercover operation. They would be starring as performers of a lion dance at a temple fair held for the lunar new year. Their mission: track down and arrest a suspected thief who had a history of evading officers.“The dance was spontaneous. We just did what we did,” said the police captain Lertvarit Lertvorapreecha, adding that nobody had time to practise. In his haste, he accidentally picked up his colleague’s male mask, which he wore with a red silk dress, trousers and tactical shoes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan 28. February 2026 (05:13) Taliban offer to resolve dispute via dialogue after Pakistan bombed cities in Afghanistan in latest escalation with its neighbourWashington 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 15 killed as cash-laden military cargo plane crashes in Bolivia 28. February 2026 (04:05) Riot police use teargas to disperse people gathering around wreckage of plane loaded with money from central bankAt 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration warns tariff refund process ‘will take time’ 28. February 2026 (03:56) DoJ says it will not ask US supreme court to rehear tariffs case despite president’s complaint on Truth SocialThe 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Orleans police obtain new Shia LaBeouf arrest warrant in battery case 28. February 2026 (03:49) Actor, originally charged on two counts, accused of battery against third person in bar incident, sources sayNew 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
