Target says it will stop selling breakfast cereals with synthetic colors 27. February 2026 (20:17) US retailer’s decision comes as RFK Jr and Maha movement increase pressure on food industry to drop dyes like red 40The big-box US retailer Target announced on Friday that by 31 May it will only sell breakfast cereals made without certified synthetic food colors.The company is introducing the restriction amid increased pressure on the food industry from the Trump administration and the “Make America healthy again” (Maha) movement to stop using such ingredients, which they see as dangerous. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marco Rubio orders US officials to stop commentary that could strain Iran talks 27. February 2026 (19:59) Exclusive: memo came after Mike Huckabee’s remarks about Israel sparked alarm inside White HouseSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts direct to your inboxThe US secretary of state Marco Rubio told ambassadors in the Middle East to stop making public comments that could inflame tensions and undermine Donald Trump’s pressure on Iran to relinquish its capacity to produce a nuclear weapon, according to a memo obtained by the Guardian.“Given rising tensions in the region, Chiefs of Mission and embassies at addressee posts must refrain from public statements, interviews, or social media activity that could in any way inflame regional audiences, prejudice sensitive political issues, or complicate US relationships,” the cable said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Our own people hate us’: reality check for Labour as 13,000 majority vanishes 27. February 2026 (19:42) Party billed it as a two-horse race with Reform but Greens’ Hannah Spencer connected with voters in a way it could notFrom the outset of the Gorton and Denton byelection, Labour strategists were desperate to say the party was on course to win, but the trouncing at the hands of the Greens has made this look laughable in hindsight.Hollie Ridley, Labour’s general secretary, sent a note to No 10 at the end of January saying it was “clearly a two-horse race” with Reform UK, and only 3% of voters were saying they would stick with the Greens. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Demna brings sexy back in effort to reinvigorate Gucci 27. February 2026 (19:21) 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pakistan’s patience runs out after badly miscalculating over Taliban 27. February 2026 (19:12) Military reckoned ‘good’ Afghan insurgents were separate from ‘bad’ Pakistani insurgents but distinction has blurredDays after the Taliban swept to power in 2021, Pakistan’s then spymaster appeared in Kabul on what looked to many like a victory lap. Sipping tea in the lobby of the Afghan capital’s fanciest hotel, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed told reporters: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.”This week it became clear just how badly Pakistan had miscalculated how it could rely on the Taliban, as Islamabad unleashed airstrikes in Afghanistan and troops from both countries fought each other on the border. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour MPs demand Starmer change course after humiliating byelection loss 27. February 2026 (18:46) Scale of defeat to Greens has plunged party into fresh despair and again raised prospect of leadership challengeKeir 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour leadership truce holds for now but clock is ticking for Starmer 27. February 2026 (18:03) Countdown to May has begun and dejected Labour MPs want to see in that time PM is capable of changeUK politics live – latest updatesWhen Labour’s Scottish leader, Anas Sarwar, urged Keir Starmer to stand down two weeks ago, the prime minister’s closest advisers presented him with a choice: fight, flight or hand over his destiny to his party by calling a leadership contest.The prime minister chose the first option and his Downing Street team sprung into action to contain the threat. At the moment of greatest peril for Starmer, MPs peered over the precipice and didn’t like what they saw. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 55 Ghanaian men killed after Russia ‘lures’ them to fight Ukraine 27. February 2026 (17:42) Reports of African men being attracted to Russia by promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine’s frontlines have become more frequentAt least 55 Ghanaians have been killed in Russia’s war with Ukraine after being “lured into battle”, Ghana’s foreign minister has said after a visit to Kyiv in which officials raised the issue of Russian recruitment of African people.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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No more safe seats: the Greens take Gorton and Denton – podcast 27. February 2026 (17:39) In a stunning setback for Labour, the Green party has decisively won the Gorton and Denton byelection, with Reform UK finishing second. Does this result signal the end of Labour’s safe seats? And could it mark the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer? John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey unpack the fallout – and explore what might happen next Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gross green, chartreuse or phlegm? Hannah Spencer’s waistcoat is political and TikTok winner 27. February 2026 (17:26) Newly elected Gorton and Denton MP taps into colour meme of the moment with statement waistcoatUK politics live – latest updatesOf 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. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
