Rising anger over ‘lop-sided’ and ‘immoral’ US health funding pacts with African countries 27. February 2026 (08:00) Zimbabwe refuses to sign agreement and Kenya faces a court case over data sharing as new aid deals come under scrutinyA series of bilateral health agreements being negotiated between African countries and the administration of President Donald Trump have been labelled “clearly lop-sided” and “immoral” amid growing outrage at US demands, including countries being forced to share biological resources and data.It emerged this week that Zimbabwe had halted negotiations with the US for $350m (£258m) of health funding, saying the proposals risked undermining its sovereignty and independence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Switching energy deal can save £200 as price cap falls, say experts 27. February 2026 (08:00) Households on a default dual-fuel tariff in Great Britain could cut costs by moving to a fixed dealExperts have told households whose energy bills are pegged to the price cap not to “rest on their laurels” as they could save more than £200 a year on a fixed deal.This week, Ofgem said the price cap in Great Britain would drop by 7% from April. This usually only matters if you are on a default tariff, but this time the reduction applies to everyone because the government is removing green charges from bills. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Firefighters in Sicily rescue 400 rare library books from precipice after landslide 27. February 2026 (07:00) Landslide in Niscemi in January tore away entire slope of town and carved 4km chasmFirefighters in Sicily have rescued about 400 rare books from a library in Niscemi that hangs on the edge of a mudflow, after a devastating landslide in January tore away an entire slope of the town and carved a 4km chasm.The library stands on the lip of the precipice gouged out by the landslide, with part of the building in effect hanging in mid-air. The recovery operation, which began on Monday, was preceded by a detailed study of floor plans and interior photographs to map the position of the books. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Korea’s ‘most beloved’ child: what the key congress revealed about Kim Jong-un’s succession plans 27. February 2026 (06:53) Many observers believe North Korean leader has decided daughter Kim Ju-ae will succeed him, but others say gender politics could block her path to powerWhen North Korea’s ruling party held a top-level meeting this month there were predictable boasts of unstoppable nuclear development and, more unexpectedly, a suggestion by Kim Jong-un that his country and the US “could get along” – provided that Washington recognised North Korea as a legitimate nuclear power.But for many North Korea watchers, the Workers’ party congress – held over several days just once every five years – was a rare opportunity to speculate over the identity of the country’s future leader. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hannah Spencer wins Gorton and Denton for the Greens, Labour comes third – UK politics live 27. February 2026 (06:04) Turnout in Gorton and Denton byelection over 47%, with 36,903 verified votes cast. Reform UK finished second with 10,578 votes.Full story: Resounding victory for Green partyReform activists are “hearing Matt Goodwin has all but conceded defeat to the Greens”, the UK poll aggregator Britain Elects has posted on X.The Green party has predicted a “seismic moment” in UK politics, with a party source telling the Press Association:Things are feeling positive. Not wanting to get ahead of ourselves, but everything that we thought that was going to be happening looks like it’s happening … Whatever happens, I think it’s fair to say that Greens are here to stay now as a progressive voice in British politics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A living, moving exhibition’: Ukraine Museum opens in Berlin air-raid bunker 27. February 2026 (06:00) Exhibits pay homage to Ukrainians’ resilience and bring home the reality that war is going on in EuropeDescending into the windowless basement of a second world war air-raid bunker built for civilians in central Berlin is arguably an eerie enough evocation of what it means to endure life in a conflict.But in a modern twist, before they have even walked into the first room of the city’s new Ukraine Museum inside the bunker, visitors are “targeted” by a Russian drone just before its operator prepares to release the lethal shot, and see themselves in the firing line on the screen of the weapon’s camera. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Last weekend of summer brings sparkle and stars to Sydney with Mardi Gras parade, Bad Bunny and Grace Jones 27. February 2026 (05:47) More than 350,000 people expected to turn out on Saturday for blockbuster lineup of music and culture eventsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Mardi Gras annual parade, Bad Bunny and Grace Jones will headline a bumper nightlife lineup in Sydney on Saturday that will draw more than 350,000 people and test the city’s security and transport systems.Sydney’s Mardi Gras showpiece, its sequin-spangled parade, will transform Oxford Street with 170 floats, 10,000 marchers and 250,000 spectators, its organisers estimated on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW government denies ‘covering up’ deadly fungal outbreak at major hospital 27. February 2026 (05:34) Health minister says cluster of infections at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred hospital was not publicised to avoid ‘unnecessarily scaring people’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales health minister has denied “covering up” a deadly fungal outbreak at one of Australia’s largest hospitals, saying it was not publicised to avoid “unnecessarily scaring people”.The cluster of infections caused by aspergillus, a common mould, killed two patients and left four others unwell in the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) hospital’s transplant unit in late 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Green party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place in blow to Keir Starmer 27. February 2026 (05:32) Hannah Spencer elected as party’s first MP in northern England, as Labour sees a 25.3% drop in vote compared to 2024Follow our UK politics live blogThe Green party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection in a significant blow to Keir Starmer.Hannah Spencer, a local plumber and Green party councillor, was elected as the party’s first MP in northern England after overturning Labour’s 13,000-vote majority. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Negative gearing changes on the table before May budget, Jim Chalmers confirms 27. February 2026 (04:43) Treasurer says ‘not unusual’ for his department to examine options but stresses that no decision has been madeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government has again opened the door to reforms to negative gearing as it weighs up potentially sweeping tax changes to raise revenue and help address the housing crisis.The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, confirmed that changes were being examined in the lead-up to the May federal budget after reports his department was modelling rules that would limit negative gearing to two investment properties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
