Labour council accuses minister of ‘moral bankruptcy’ over social care dispute 02. March 2026 (06:00) Hartlepool leaders ‘furious and appalled’ after meeting with Steve Reed about growing cost of social careThe housing, communities and local government secretary, Steve Reed, has been accused by a Labour council of showing “arrogance, indifference and moral bankruptcy” towards children in social care.In an unusually forthright attack, Labour leaders of Hartlepool council said they were “furious and appalled” at Reed after a meeting with him last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US-Israel war on Iran live updates: conflict spreads to Lebanon as IDF strikes Hezbollah after attack on Israel 02. March 2026 (05:52) Iran-backed Hezbollah says it launched rockets and drones at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Ayatollah Ali KhameneiPodcast: The assassination of Iran’s ayatollah – and fears for a wider conflictFull report: Trump open to talks with Iran as conflict deepens in Middle EastHow have you been affected by events in the Middle East?Bahrain has said that one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. The death of a foreign worker at Salman Industrial City, working on a boat there, marks the kingdom’s first reported fatality in the war.Bahrain, home to the US navy’s 5th fleet, said it intercepted 61 missiles and 34 attack drones launched against it. It said some shrapnel had gotten through, striking buildings and the naval base. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Afghanistan says it thwarted Pakistan airstrikes on Bagram airbase 02. March 2026 (05:44) Sporadic clashes reported in several provinces in Afghanistan as both sides give conflicting death tollsAfghanistan has said it had thwarted Pakistan’s attempted airstrikes on Bagram airbase, the former US military base north of Kabul, as cross-border fighting between the two countries stretched into a fourth day.Months of clashes have flared up again since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched attacks along the frontier and Pakistani forces hit back on the border and from the skies. Pakistan has declared it is in “open war” with Afghanistan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK airbase in Cyprus hit by suspected drone strike causing ‘limited damage’ 02. March 2026 (05:37) The apparent attack on RAF Akrotiri came hours after the UK agreed to let the US use British military bases to attack Iran’s missile sitesThe UK’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was hit by a suspected drone strike, causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot authorities and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.A security alert put out to residents in the vicinity of Akrotiri by the British base’s administration advised residents to shelter in place until further notice “following a suspected drone impact”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Desperate first home buyers are fuelling price ‘up-crash’ at lower end of market, experts say 02. March 2026 (05:37) Biggest house price increases in February come in smaller capital cities as buyers undeterred by interest rate hikesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHot competition for cheaper Australian homes has powered a relentless “up-crash” in prices despite rising interest rates, economists warn.Desperate first home buyers have bid up the price of affordable properties as they face off against investors, who have borrowed big despite government warnings they could lose tax discounts and deductions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shark culls brought in after fatal attack cause division and anger in New Caledonia 02. March 2026 (05:20) Authorities say capture of bull and tiger sharks necessary to protect lives as environmentalists launch urgent legal challengeSome beaches in areas of New Caledonia are closed to swimming and the authorities have begun shark culling off the capital, Nouméa, after a fatal attack in the popular tourist spot – prompting a legal challenge to stop the operation and reigniting debate over public safety and marine conservation.The culling operation began on 23 February, after a man from New Caledonia riding a wing foil in a recreational area was attacked and killed. Preliminary investigations indicate the victim was attacked by a tiger shark that measured at least three metres. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Concerns for ‘declining’ fur seal spotted at Cooks River in inner Sydney 02. March 2026 (03:56) Long-nosed fur seal seen on banks of waterway in city’s inner west similar to those occasionally found outside Sydney Opera HouseFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA seal has been spotted in an inner western Sydney river, prompting a response from wildlife rescue teams who worry it may be in poor health.However the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said there were no obvious health concerns, and they were keeping track of the animal’s movements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon after Iran-allied group launches missiles over the border 02. March 2026 (03:43) Conflict spreads to Lebanon as Hezbollah targets Israel over killing of Khamenei and IDF responds with strikes on Beirut Latest updates: US-Israel war on Iran Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.Residents of Beirut were awoken by the sounds of about a dozen blasts at 3am on Monday, as Israel struck three different locations in the southern suburbs of the capital. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil prices jump as Iran war threatens shipping through strait of Hormuz 02. March 2026 (02:47) Brent crude rose by 13% during early trading and stock markets came under pressure as US-Israeli strikes on Iran raised fears of disruptionOil prices soared and stock markets came under pressure on Monday after intense US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted fears of significant global economic disruption.Brent crude jumped by as much as 13% during early trading – to hit $82 per barrel, a 14-month high – as the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, one of the most important arteries for global trade, intensified concerns over oil supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Disbelief as crocodile captured in Newcastle creek thousands of kilometres from natural habitat 02. March 2026 (02:30) The juvenile freshwater crocodile was first spotted by a group of teenagers in Ironbark Creek in the Australian city on SaturdayAn Australian freshwater crocodile has been captured in a city creek thousands of kilometres south of its normal range, after sightings shocked onlookers at a suburban park.The crocodile was first spotted in Ironbark Creek in Newcastle – about 100km north of Sydney – around midday on Saturday, by a group of teenagers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
