UK plans to send minesweeping drones to help reopen strait of Hormuz 15. March 2026 (23:30) Government reluctant to dispatch ships amid concerns complying with Trump’s demands could escalate Iran crisisMinisters are drawing up plans to send minesweeping drones to the strait of Hormuz amid concerns in Whitehall that complying with Donald Trump’s demand to send ships could escalate the crisis.The government is considering dispatching aerial minesweepers to help clear the vital waterway of mines in an attempt to allow the flow of oil exports to resume. However, officials said that sending ships, as requested over the weekend by the US president, could worsen the situation given the volatile nature of the war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First-round of French local elections sees strong showing for National Rally and LFI 15. March 2026 (23:26) Far-right and radical left parties likely to increase their local presence in advance of next year’s presidential raceThe first-round of the French municipal elections have seen a strong showing for Marine Le Pen’s far-right the National Rally (RN), as well as for Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s radical left, with both parties likely to increase their local presence ahead of next year’s French presidential race.The French local elections, which now go to a final round runoff on 22 March, are seen as a crucial test of the political temperature before next year’s presidential election. Emmanuel Macron’s two terms in office come to an end in spring 2027 and there is uncertainty about who will next lead the EU’s second-largest economy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother charged with murder of 18-day-old baby girl in central London 15. March 2026 (22:38) Zahira Byjaouane, 43, arrested on Saturday after reports baby fell from property on Horseferry Road in WestminsterA mother has been charged with murdering her 18-day-old baby girl, who fell from a height at a property in central London.Zahira Byjaouane, 43, was arrested on Saturday morning after reports that a baby had fallen from a property on Horseferry Road in Westminster. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fifth Iranian football player leaves Australia after initially accepting offer of asylum 15. March 2026 (22:07) Minister Tony Burke confirms another member of Iran’s women’s football team left Australia late Sunday nightFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA fifth member of the Iranian women’s football squad has left Australia after withdrawing her claim of asylum.The office of the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed on Monday that the woman had left late on Sunday night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Restraining and sedating dementia patients ‘routine’ in hospitals in England, study finds 15. March 2026 (22:00) Patients experiencing raised bedside rails, doors and pathways blocked by furniture and physical interventionsPeople with dementia are being subjected to restraints and non-consensual sedation while in hospitals in England, according to the first study of its kind.These restrictive practices were found to be an “embedded aspect of routine ward care”, according to the analysis, with such examples including dementia patients having their bedside rails raised, doors and pathways blocked by furniture, experiencing verbal commands to sit down or go back to bed, and physical interventions such as non-consensual sedation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Salman Rushdie says he is tired of being ‘free speech Barbie’ after 2022 attack 15. March 2026 (21:21) Author says he doesn’t ‘feel symbolic’ and hopes to steer narrative to his books after surviving assassination attemptSalman Rushdie said he’s tired of being everyone’s “free speech Barbie” four years after the author survived an assassination attempt that left him blinded in his right eye.“It’s a subject I’m anxious to change,” Rushdie said Friday during a talk with the Atlantic’s George Packer at Tulane University’s New Orleans book festival. “I don’t feel symbolic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican rebukes FCC chair’s threats to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war 15. March 2026 (20:13) Senator Ron Johnson pushes back, saying he’s not in favor of government meddling in freedom of speechThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair, Brendan Carr, is facing pushback from a Republican lawmaker after warning on Saturday that broadcasters could lose their licenses if they run what the federal agency deems “fake news” over the Iran conflict.Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said in an interview on the Sunday Briefing on Fox News that he was not in favor of the government control of private enterprise or efforts to meddle with freedom of speech protected under the constitution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Initiative may be slipping away from US and Israel as Middle East crisis deepens 15. March 2026 (19:50) There is little sign of imminent regime change in Iran as its blockade of strait of Hormuz shocks global economyMiddle East crisis – live updatesFew doubt that in the first days of the new war in the Middle East, the initiative belonged to the US and its ally Israel. Now it seems less sure, however.Mohsen Rezaee, a senior officer in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, on Sunday said “the end of the war is in our hands” and called for the withdrawal of Washington’s forces from the Gulf and compensation for all damage caused by the assault. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Twelve arrests at al-Quds Day rally and counterprotest in London 15. March 2026 (19:49) Metropolitan police say they are also investigating chants led by Bobby Vylan at pro-Palestine protest next to ThamesTwelve people were arrested as hundreds joined a pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day demonstration on one side of the Thames, while hundreds more gathered on the opposite bank to back Israeli and American attacks on Iran.Al-Quds Day is an international demonstration of support for Palestinian rights. The event takes its name from the Arabic for Jerusalem and was established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after Iran’s 1979 revolution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown and pay airport TSA officers 15. March 2026 (19:29) Nearly month-long funding lapse has disrupted US air travel and caused long wait times amid security officers’ absencesThe CEOs of major US airlines urged Congress on Sunday to move quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning it could further disrupt US air travel.Absences by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers had already disrupted travel at some major airports over the previous week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
