Dissatisfaction with life in UK unchanged since Covid, wellbeing data shows 27. February 2026 (17:23) Average life satisfaction still below pre-pandemic peak despite improving economic outlook, reports ONSThe proportion of people in the UK who feel dissatisfied with life has failed to improve since the pandemic despite the economic outlook improving, official figures show.The Office for National Statistics said its quarterly survey of personal wellbeing in the UK shows that average life satisfaction remains below its pre-pandemic peak, despite the rate of GDP per person rising over the same period. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anger at Detroit police U-turn over officers’ call to border agents 27. February 2026 (17:00) Police chief accused of caving to Republican demands by reversing decision to fire implicated duoA Detroit police department decision to reverse course on firing two officers who allegedly violated local law by coordinating an arrest with federal immigration agents has ignited outrage and accusations that the chief caved to Republican demands.It has also played into a debate in the US around the role of local law enforcement amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown as many police departments – especially in large Democratic-run cities such as Detroit – have a policy of not co-operating with federal immigration operations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Six planets due to parade across night sky in rare celestial spectacle 27. February 2026 (15:59) Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Neptune and Uranus will all be visible at same time in curved line across skySix planets will parade across the sky this weekend in a rare celestial spectacle, experts have said.For the next few days, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Neptune and Uranus will all be visible at the same time in the night sky – although binoculars or a telescope will be needed to spot the latter two planets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats outraged at US military’s downing of CBP drone near Mexico border 27. February 2026 (15:37) Second time in two weeks military used laser to attack what it mistakenly thought was a threat, disrupting air trafficSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDemocratic members of Congress have expressed astonishment and anger at what they claim is the incompetence of the Trump administration after the US military used a laser on Thursday to shoot down what it thought was a threatening drone on the US-Mexico border in Texas but later turned out to belong to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).The apparent confusion between two entities in the US government led to airspace being closed around Fort Hancock, right along the border. It was the second time in two weeks that air traffic was disrupted in the region as a result of a high-energy laser being deployed against drones. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two staff stabbed after US contractor used Kia Carnival to transfer Australian immigration detainee: ‘You might as well hire an Uber’ 27. February 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Home affairs department intervened about the use of non-modified people movers after 500 detention centre staff flagged safety concernsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe American private prison operator running Australia’s immigration network used an unsecured and unmodified Kia Carnival to transport a detainee who allegedly stabbed two of its staff during the journey and fled.Guardian Australia can also reveal that concerns about the vehicles being used by Management and Training Corporation (MTC) had prompted an intervention by the department of home affairs and warnings from almost 500 detention centre staff. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters 27. February 2026 (15:00) EPA rolls back rules as chemical firms claim provisions in RMP protection system too expensive to implementThe Trump administration is slowly dismantling the federal disaster management system that protects the nation from chemical catastrophes, such as fires and explosions at high-risk facilities.The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Response Management Program (RMP) requires over 12,500 high-risk facilities to develop protocols to prevent catastrophes, or limit fallout, and was largely designed to protect workers, first responders, and fence-line communities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested after Churchill statue outside UK parliament sprayed with graffiti 27. February 2026 (14:47) Met arrests man on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after slogans including ‘Zionist war criminal’ sprayedA 38-year-old man has been arrested after the statue of Winston Churchill outside the Houses of Parliament was defaced with graffiti calling the former prime minister a “Zionist war criminal”.The Metropolitan police said the man was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage on Friday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bill Clinton to face congressional questions over Epstein ties – US politics live 27. February 2026 (14:45) Clinton follows his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who testified on Thursday calling for Donald Trump to appear before the panelSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts direct to your inboxA higher percentage of Americans now sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis in the Middle East, a new Gallup poll released today shows.According to the poll, 41% of Americans say they sympathize more with Palestinans, compared to 36% who sympathize more with Isrealis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pakistan declares state of ‘open war’ after bombing major Afghan cities 27. February 2026 (14:44) Wave of strikes came after Taliban forces attacked Pakistani border troops following earlier action from IslamabadPakistan has bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul, with Islamabad’s defence minister declaring that the hostile neighbours were in a state of “open war” as a cycle of retaliatory attacks escalated further.Witnesses in Kabul and Kandahar, the southern Afghan city, reported explosions and jets overhead until dawn, while the Taliban government said later that Pakistani surveillance aircraft were still flying over Afghanistan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We defeated the parties of billionaire donors’: Hannah Spencer’s victory speech 27. February 2026 (14:43) ‘We don’t have to fight dirty to fight for change,’ said Green party’s new MP after Gorton and Denton byelection winUK politics live – latest updatesHannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, has been elected as the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Here is her victory speech:I didn’t grow up wanting to be a politician. I’m a plumber. And two weeks ago, during all this, I also qualified as a plasterer. Because even in chaos, even under pressure, I get things done. I am no different to every single person here in this constituency. I work hard. That’s what we do. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
