‘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)
US and Israel launch joint attack on Iran as Trump urges regime change 28. February 2026 (10:36) US president calls on Iranian people to ‘take over your government’, as explosions heard across central TehranUS-Israeli attack on Iran – live updatesUS and Israel strikes on Iran – what we know so farIsrael and the US have launched a war on Iran, with Donald Trump declaring the start of “major combat operations” and calling on Iranians to rise up against their government.The US president’s comments came soon after explosions were heard across central Tehran. One apparent strike hit near the offices of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran is preparing a “crushing retaliation”, an Iranian official told Reuters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Crazy, without limits’: Paris disco haunt of Jagger and Grace Jones to reopen 28. February 2026 (10:00) Legendary nightclub Le Palace, where Serge Gainsbourg and Prince also performed, to rise againIn the late 1970s, Le Palace in Paris’s busy theatre district was one of continental Europe’s most famous nightclubs.On the opening night on 1 March 1978, Grace Jones stunned VIP guests with her rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic La Vie en Rose. Later, Serge Gainsbourg and Prince came to perform, Bob Marley was photographed there and Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol and Karl Lagerfeld were part of a glittering cast of international celebrities, politicians, designers and models who came to drink and dance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Deaths of 22 children in Channel due to ‘catastrophic failure’ by UK and France, NGO says 28. February 2026 (09:00) Project Play finds UK taxpayers are funding ‘record child fatalities’ and ‘repeated violence’ against children in northern FranceThe deaths of 22 children while trying to cross the Channel in the last two years, along with the mistreatment of thousands of others, were due to “catastrophic failures” of the UK and French governments, according to a new report.Project Play, an NGO that has worked with 2,192 children hoping to cross the Channel from northern France to the UK to claim asylum in the last two years, has documented the impact of the hostile conditions in northern France due to regular teargassing, evictions and dinghy-slashing by the French police. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Poisoned chalice? The BBC’s struggles to find a successor to Tim Davie 28. February 2026 (09:00) As the director general prepares to stand down, potential candidates have fallen away amid a series of crisesThere is an impressive shortlist circulating in Britain’s media circles, comprising some of the most talented executives in the business. Unfortunately for the BBC, it contains the names of figures no longer in the running to become its next director general.Those closely observing the corporation’s search for a successor to Tim Davie have been quick to note how the events of the past week help explain the alarming attrition rate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
