Several Labour MPs in talks with Greens about defecting to the party, sources say 12. March 2026 (16:45) Exclusive: none of the MPs are yet near point of crossing the floor and want guarantees they would be reselected for their seat at next electionUK politics live – latest updatesSeveral Labour MPs are in talks about defecting to the Greens, but are seeking guarantees they would be backed electorally by their new party, the Guardian has been told.Zack Polanski, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, has said publicly that he has chatted to Labour MPs about the idea of switching sides, with the leftwing party enjoying a surge in membership and having overtaken Labour in some recent opinion polls. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two plasma donors die at private Canadian clinics under federal investigation 12. March 2026 (16:24) Company that runs the sites says it has ‘no reason to believe there is a correlation between the donors’ passing and plasma donation’Two people have died in Canada after donating plasma at a chain of clinics that has been under scrutiny by federal inspectors for failing to keep accurate records, screen donors or maintain its machines.While experts say the deaths are exceedingly rare, critics say Canada’s embrace of private companies to handle blood products reflects a “slow collapse of a system that has been the envy of the world”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says 12. March 2026 (16:00) Senior British army officer tells John Healey Iranian pilots are flying Shaheds much lower, making them more effectiveMiddle East crisis – live updatesVladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” lies behind Iran’s military methods, the UK defence secretary, John Healey, has said, after a night in which drones struck a base used by western forces in Erbil, northern Iraq.Healey was speaking after British officers at the UK’s military headquarters in north-west London had told him that drone pilots from Iran and Iranian proxies were increasingly adopting tactics “from the Russians”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Venice Biennale risks losing EU funding over planned Russia involvement 12. March 2026 (15:00) European Commission says it will suspend €2m grant if organisers of arts festival go ahead with proposalsThe European Commission has warned it will cut funding for the Venice Biennale if organisers go ahead with plans to include Russia.The commission reiterated that any breach of ethical standards by the art festival would be treated as a violation of contract, leading to suspension of the €2m (£1.7m) agreement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iraqi official urges Australia to take back alleged IS fighters during meeting with ambassador 12. March 2026 (15:00) Iraq’s national security adviser Qassim al-Araji says he told Australian ambassador that countries should repatriate prisonersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA senior Iraqi government official has implored Australia to repatriate a group of suspected Islamic State fighters, raising the issue with Canberra’s top diplomat in Baghdad just weeks after the detainees were transferred out of Syria.In a post on X, Iraq’s national security adviser, Qassim al-Araji, said he met with ambassador Glenn Miles last week, and told him that foreign detainees should be returned to their home countries. This is despite such a task being made more difficult by growing instability in the region, caused by the war in Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Capital gains tax discount ‘overwhelmingly’ benefits investors in Australia’s richest electorates, analysis shows 12. March 2026 (15:00) Chief executive of Acoss, who undertook the study, says ‘it’s clear this tax break funnels billions into the wealthiest parts of our country’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInvestors who live in the wealthy electorate of Wentworth in Sydney’s eastern suburbs claimed about $1.8bn from the 50% capital gains tax discount, according to new research. It reveals how a handful of rich enclaves in Australia’s two biggest cities account for a fifth of the annual benefit from the tax break.The Australian Council of Social Services is lobbying for a halving of the CGT discount and has used analysis of Australian Taxation Office data from 2022-23 to highlight how the benefits “flow overwhelmingly to a small number of high-income, inner-city electorates in the eastern states”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW minister ‘not going anywhere’ as calls mount for independent inquiry into children living with convicted killer 12. March 2026 (15:00) Child welfare advocates demand accountability after revelations two children in care of state lived with triple killer Regina ArthurellFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales minister says she is “not going anywhere” amid mounting calls for an independent review into why the state government allowed a convicted triple killer to live in a home with two foster children.The NSW minister for families and communities, Kate Washington, apologised on 2GB radio on Wednesday morning after confirming that Regina Arthurell had been removed from a home on Monday where she lived alongside children aged 12 and 14. The removal came after the radio revealed the situation earlier that day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republicans add to pressure on Senate majority leader after Trump voter ID bill call – US politics live 12. March 2026 (14:59) Republicans join in with US president’s demand for John Thune to push through Save America act Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMy colleagues are covering the latest developments out of the Middle East, including the first statement from the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.In his first remarks, Khamenei called for national unity and said that all US bases in the region should close or face attacks. He added that the strait of Hormuz will remain closed in order to pressure Iran’s enemies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A massive headache’: Russians move to walkie-talkies as internet blackouts hit Moscow 12. March 2026 (14:43) Kremlin appearing to ramp up control over internet, as it tests new ‘whitelist’ restrictions and pushes people to state-owned appMuscovites have been turning to walkie-talkies and pagers amid unexplained disruptions to internet services in the capital, as the Kremlin appears to ramp up control over online activity in Russia.Users in central Moscow, as well as in St Petersburg, first reported difficulties accessing mobile internet about a week ago. Many said they were unable to load websites or apps, while some lost service altogether, leaving them unable to make phone calls. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Naples museum to allow visually impaired visitors to experience art through touch 12. March 2026 (14:26) Sansevero Chapel Museum will host day of guided tours where visitors will be able to feel marble sculptures The Sansevero Chapel Museum in Naples will allow dozens of visually impaired visitors to take part in a rare tactile experience, letting them touch the celebrated works of art including the Veiled Christ, which is widely regarded as one of the most striking masterpieces in the history of sculpture.On 17 March, the museum will host an initiative called La meraviglia a portata di mano – Wonder within reach – organised in partnership with the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Naples, offering about 80 blind and partially sighted visitors a chance to encounter the marble masterpieces. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
