A lone battle: Why is Pedro Sánchez the only European leader to take on Trump? 06. March 2026 (06:00) As the Spanish PM decries the war in Iran, other politicians are unable – or unwilling – to speak against the US presidentOn Wednesday morning, Pedro Sánchez delivered a 10-minute televised address with the rather bland title: “An institutional declaration by the prime minister to assess recent international events.”The speech’s words, however, were anything but beige. Hours after Donald Trump had threatened to cut off trade with Spain over its government’s refusal to allow two jointly operated bases in Andalucía to be used to strike Iran, Sánchez set out his thinking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW’s top prosecutor scores legal win in bias claim against senior judge 06. March 2026 (06:00) Recusal application against district court judge Penelope Wass yet to be determined amid row with DPPFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales’ top prosecutor has been given the green light to continue her fight to get a senior judge removed from a historical sexual offences trial on the grounds of apprehended bias.The ruling from the NSW supreme court is the latest development in a long-running row between the director of public prosecutions, Sally Dowling SC, and district court judge Penelope Wass. The dispute went before the NSW court of appeal last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jimmy Lai will not appeal conviction, paving way for political negotiations over release 06. March 2026 (05:09) Decision marks end of years-long legal saga for 78-year-old critic of Chinese Communist partyJimmy Lai, the prominent pro-democracy activist who was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong, has said he will not appeal his conviction.The decision marks the end of a years-long legal saga for the 78-year-old critic of the Chinese Communist party (CCP), and opens the door for political negotiations to his release. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Porn websites begin blocking Australian users as deadline for age verification compliance looms 06. March 2026 (04:03) Several sites now state they are ‘not currently accepting new account registrations in your region’ when accessed from AustraliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA number of adult websites have begun blocking users in Australia in preparation for new codes requiring age verification from Monday.Guardian Australia has confirmed RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8 all had notices on their sites when visited from an Australian IP address on Friday stating they are “not currently accepting new account registrations in your region”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ukraine to help US and its allies counter Iranian drones in Middle East, says Zelenskyy 06. March 2026 (02:36) Ukrainian president orders equipment and expertise to be provided to US in return to diplomatic support against Russia, saying ‘we help to defend from war those who help us’The United States and its allies in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.Various countries, including the US, have approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones, Zelenskyy said late on Wednesday. He said he has spoken in recent days to the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US grants waiver to allow India to buy Russian oil amid Iran war 06. March 2026 (02:09) ‘Stopgap measure’ designed to keep oil flowing into global market as Middle East crisis disrupts crude shipmentsThe US treasury issued a 30-day waiver on Thursday allowing India to buy Russian oil currently stuck at sea.“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the treasury department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement posted to social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bernard LaFayette, civil rights leader who helped launch Voting Rights Act, dies aged 85 06. March 2026 (02:09) Early in a life of service, LaFayette did the risky groundwork for the voter registration campaign in Selma, AlabamaBernard LaFayette, the advance man who did the risky groundwork for the voter registration campaign in Selma, Alabama, that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, has died.Bernard LaFayette III said his father died Thursday morning of a heart attack. He was 85. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three Australians were onboard US submarine that sank Iranian warship, PM says 06. March 2026 (01:30) Anthony Albanese confirms ADF members were on vessel but says ‘no Australian personnel’ took part in attacks on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australians were on a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship, after the Labor government earlier refused to comment on reports that emerged on Thursday.The prime minister said the Australian defence force personnel were on the submarine as part of an Aukus training program. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Removing homeless encampment from local park breached human rights, Queensland supreme court rules 06. March 2026 (01:26) City of Moreton Bay blocked from clearing tent city after successful legal challenge by group living in parkFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA council breached human rights by clearing homeless people from a park in Brisbane’s north, the state’s supreme court has ruled in what has been hailed as an “historic victory for the basic rights of Queenslanders”.A group of 11 residents, who had been living in a park off Goodfellows Road, Kallangur, challenged eviction notices issued against them by the City of Moreton Bay last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
