WHO warns of health crisis ‘unfolding in real time’ across Middle East 26. March 2026 (06:00) Hostilities should halt and healthcare facilities must be treated as ‘safe havens’, WHO’s regional chief has saidMiddle East crisis – live updatesA total stop to hostilities in the Middle East is needed to halt a “health crisis unfolding in real time”, the World Health Organization’s chief in the region has said.Hospitals and other healthcare facilities must be treated as “safe havens”, urged Dr Hanan Balkhy, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Parents of Send pupils without EHCPs are least satisfied with schools, survey in England finds 26. March 2026 (06:00) Only 38% of parents without care plans felt teachers in mainstream schools had the tools to deal with special needsParents of children with special needs in England feel alienated from their schools if they don’t have legal protection, according to the biggest representative survey of its kind.In a finding that will cause consternation among government ministers, the survey of parents found that those of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) but no education, health and care plan (EHCP) were the least satisfied group in the education system. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump insists Iran wants a deal despite initial rejection; China sees ‘glimmer of hope’ for talks 26. March 2026 (05:59) US president claims Iranian negotiators fear being killed by their own side; Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says US and Iran ‘signalling a willingness to negotiate’Iran rejects US ceasefire plan and submits its own amid push for talksAnalysis: Trump pitches Iran peace plan but military buildups rarely veer to off-rampThe Israeli military has detected a new Iranian ballistic missile attack after a lull of nearly 15 hours, the Times of Israel has just reported.It said:Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel and the Jerusalem area in the coming minutes.The fighter was evacuated to receive medical treatment at the hospital, and his family was notified. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell to stand trial after allegedly leading attack on Melbourne Indigenous camp 26. March 2026 (04:00) Sewell pleaded not guilty to five charges over alleged group assault on Camp Sovereignty last yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNeo-Nazi figure Thomas Sewell has been committed to stand trial after allegedly leading an attack on an Indigenous protest site in Melbourne last year.Sewell, 33, appeared into Melbourne magistrates court via video link on Thursday morning after being charged over the Camp Sovereignty incident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ABC boss’s ‘utterly offensive’ comments condemned as broadcaster comes back online after strike 26. March 2026 (03:00) Staff urge managing director to retract comments after he describes industrial action as ‘playing games’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastABC staff and union representatives have urged the managing director, Hugh Marks, to retract “utterly offensive” comments after he said staff had treated taking industrial action as “a bit of a game”.Marks made the comments just hours before the end of the 24-hour strike that saw more than 2,000 staff members walk off the job on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
House of Lords push for Australian-style social media ban for under-16s 26. March 2026 (02:09) Peers, in vote of 266 to 141, reject Keir Starmer’s proposals for public consultation to decide if social media ban should be introduced in UKThe House of Lords has backed an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s.Peers, in a vote of 266 to 141, rejected Keir Starmer’s proposals for a public consultation to decide whether a ban should be introduced. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Hastie open to 25% tax on gas profits and says multinationals have ‘had a really good run’ on Australian wealth 26. March 2026 (02:00) Exclusive: Speaking with the Australian Politics podcast, the Liberal frontbencher says a sovereign wealth fund would set Australians up for generations to comeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie says he is open to a new 25% tax on soaring gas profits as part of a Scandinavian-style sovereign wealth fund to strengthen the federal budget amid the global energy crisis.Budget leaks suggest the Albanese government is modelling the effects of placing a flat 25% tax on gas profits, as well as possible further changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) and corporate income tax. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump housing chief requests new criminal investigation into Letitia James 26. March 2026 (01:41) Bill Pulte reportedly urges examination of alleged fraud as New York attorney general’s lawyer attacks ‘vendetta’ The Trump administration’s federal housing director Bill Pulte is asking prosecutors to investigate New York attorney general Letitia James for insurance fraud, according to criminal referrals reported by MS Now and CBS News.The referrals to prosecutors in Florida and Illinois allege that James may have committed mortgage insurance fraud. The allegations center on applications made to Universal Property Insurance company, which is based in Florida, and Allstate in Illinois. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s trip to meet Xi Jinping in China rescheduled for May due to Iran war 26. March 2026 (01:39) US president says he will host Chinese leader in a reciprocal visit later this yearDonald Trump will meet Xi Jinping in May during the US president’s first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip that had been postponed due to the Iran war.Trump was initially slated to travel next week, but will now visit Beijing on 14 and 15 May, he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday. Trump said he would host the Chinese leader in a reciprocal visit in Washington later this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers consider charging tourists to access UK national museum collections 26. March 2026 (01:01) Government says proposed levy for international tourists is part of initiative to improve arts fundingMinisters are considering charging international tourists to access permanent collections at national museums as part of an initiative to improve arts funding.The government said there was a need for long-term options to fund the struggling arts sector in its response to a review of Arts Council England, which distributes public funding to the arts. Among the options cited was a hotel levy, a policy being consulted on. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
