Trump allies defend US-Israel strikes on Iran as Democrats call it a ‘war of choice’ 01. March 2026 (17:41) Senators Tom Cotton and Lindsey Graham defend attack, Democrats say administration must answer vital questionsUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesDonald Trump administration allies reinforced on Sunday the administration’s messaging on the Israel-US strikes on Iran, while Democratsdecried it as a “war of choice” that required congressional approval.On Sunday talk shows, Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, and South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham defended the strikes, while Virginia senator Mark Warner, vice-chairman of the Committee on Intelligence, and other Democrats welcomed the elimination of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but said the administration must now answer vital questions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Celebration or grief? Khamenei’s death brings contrasting emotions in Iran 01. March 2026 (17:07) Some publicly mourn leader’s demise but videos also show jubilant response after violent crackdown in JanuaryUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesCelebration and mourning broke out across Iran in response to the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an extraordinary public response to the end of nearly four decades of the top cleric’s rule.In the squares of Tehran, crowds gathered to mourn the leader, chanting and holding placards with his image. But videos shared widely on social media also showed people celebrating, dancing, honking car horns and setting off fireworks as news of the leader’s death broke. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker seized in North Sea 01. March 2026 (17:02) Belgian special forces boarded the Ethera, which was sailing under the flag of Guinea, on Saturday nightBelgium has seized an oil tanker believed to form part of the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to circumvent western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.Special forces assisted by French helicopters boarded the ship in a clandestine operation in the North Sea on Saturday night, Belgium’s defence minister, Theo Francken, said on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Datacentre developers face calls to disclose effect on UK’s net emissions 01. March 2026 (17:00) Campaign groups write to technology secretary amid concerns that sites could double overall electricity demandDatacentre developers are facing pressure to reveal whether their projects will increase the UK’s net greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns the sites could double national electricity demand.Campaign groups have written to the UK technology secretary, Liz Kendall, warning that the energy required by new AI infrastructure poses a “serious threat to efforts to decarbonise the electricity grid”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump appears to link Iran attack to his 2020 election loss 01. March 2026 (17:00) President says in social media post that Iran tried to ‘stop Trump’ and now ‘faces renewed war with United States’US-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesDonald Trump on Saturday appeared to link the massive attack he ordered against Iran to his persistent claims about his 2020 election loss to former president Joe Biden, in a social media post about allegations that Tehran’s government interfered in the US president elections.“Iran tried to interfere in 2020, 2024 elections to stop Trump,” his Truth Social post said, “and now faces renewed war with United States”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US military says three of its service members killed in Iran operation 01. March 2026 (17:00) Five additional personnel have been reported seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury, US military saidUS-Israel war on Iran – latest updatesThree US service members have been killed in action as part of US military operations against Iran, the US Central Command said in a statement on Sunday. These are the first confirmed deaths since the US began launching strikes against Iran on Saturday.Five additional personnel have been reported seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury, the US military said. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the three soldiers who were killed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Professor who reportedly paused UK puberty blockers trial removed over bias claims 01. March 2026 (16:02) Regulator says Prof Jacob George will no longer be involved after gender-criticial social media posts from last yearA health official who reportedly intervened to pause a clinical trial on the use of puberty blockers has been removed from any further involvement due to accusations of bias.Prof Jacob George, who was appointed chief medical and scientific officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January, raised concerns that led to the Pathways trial being put on hold by the government, according to the Sunday Times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Green party membership in UK passes 200,000 after byelection victory 01. March 2026 (15:27) Party leader Zack Polanski says surge in numbers ‘proves that the future of progressive politics belongs to the Greens’The Green party said its membership had passed 200,000 this weekend in the wake of its victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection, in which it overturned a huge Labour majority.The party’s membership has tripled since September last year, when it was about 68,000, after the announcement of Zack Polanski as its leader. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Less lethal’ deaths: courts examine role of controversial police weapons before three Australians died 01. March 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Police forces argue bean-bag and foam baton rounds are less harmful than firearms, but the projectiles have been linked to deaths around the world Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least three people died within four months of one another after being shot with “less lethal” projectiles and stun guns at their homes, sparking a series of inquests and civil cases that could overhaul how police officers use force.Police forces have argued the projectiles – such as bean-bag and foam baton rounds fired from weapons similar to shotguns and other launchers – provide officers with a less harmful alternative to firearms. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Populist crusade and anti-Maga outrage as Texas Democrats do battle in Senate primary 01. March 2026 (15:00) James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett adopt contrasting strategies as party hopes to tap into Trump backlash in reliably red stateAt a packed town hall meeting last month in Laredo for James Talarico, the 36-year-old Democrat vying for a US Senate seat in Texas, Cristina Rodriguez took the microphone. Rodriguez, a 16-year Marine Corps veteran, said she had never cast a ballot. She didn’t identify as either a Democrat nor a Republican, and to her it didn’t matter. Regardless of what party the president belonged to, she had to obey orders.Her attitude changed after the re-election of Donald Trump, whom she viewed as spiteful and divisive. In Talarico, a state representative from the Austin suburb of Round Rock, she found the exact opposite – a former middle school teacher and current seminary student who speaks in measured tones and preaches mutual respect. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
