Oman claims Israel pushed US into Iran war when deal was possible 19. March 2026 (16:50) Foreign minister claims Israel convinced Donald Trump to make ‘grave miscalculation’ of waging war on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesOman’s foreign minister has claimed the US has “lost control of its own foreign policy” and accused Israel of persuading Donald Trump’s administration to go to war with Iran – a conflict he described as a “catastrophe” and a “grave miscalculation”.Writing in the Economist, Badr Albusaidi, the Omani minister who mediated the latest nuclear talks between Iran and the US, offered an unusually damning assessment of events leading up to the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran and the war it has triggered across the Middle East. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
WA police investigate flyers targeting LGBTIQ+ community distributed to homes 19. March 2026 (15:00) The anonymous leaflets display pictures of LGBTIQ+ people along with accusations of crimes such as drug trafficking and paedophiliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice in Western Australia are investigating flyers distributed to homes across Perth targeting members of the state’s LGBTIQ+ community.The flyers, which are anonymous, display photographs of LGBTIQ+ people and falsely accuse them of crimes such as paedophilia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bernardi vows to pay for flights taken with Hanson on Rinehart’s plane amid confusion about SA’s donations ban 19. March 2026 (15:00) World-leading laws to be tested ahead of South Australian state election, complicated by Hanson and Bernardi’s political statusGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCory Bernardi says he will pay for multiple flights with Pauline Hanson in a plane registered to Gina Rinehart’s company amid confusion about whether the trips may contravene South Australia’s new laws banning political donations.Saturday’s SA election is the first since the new laws came into effect. There are a range of exemptions to the ban, but it is not clear if any of them apply to One Nation as parties, candidates and the electoral commission work through the “world-leading” laws for the first time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘One in, one out’ asylum seekers sent to France return to UK in lorries 19. March 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: At least four people have travelled back to the UK by lorry in the last two weeksAsylum seekers who arrived in the UK in small boats and were forcibly returned to France under the controversial “one in, one out” deal have returned to the UK in lorries, the Guardian has learned.When asked about the recent returnees, the Home Office said that people who came back to the UK after removal to France were detained and returned to France at the earliest opportunity. Amnesty International UK has called for “one in, one out” to be scrapped. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats move to impeach Pam Bondi after ‘fake’ Jeffrey Epstein briefing – US politics live 19. March 2026 (15:00) Anger grows after a closed-door briefing from attorney general where she refused to commit to testify under oath despite subpoenaDemocrats walk out in protest at Epstein briefing from BondiSign up for the Breaking US News US emailAnswering a reporter’s question on Iran’s missile capabilities, considering the country has managed to strike numerous states in the Gulf, Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, said Tehran retains “some capability” to attack American assets.“They came into this fight with a lot of weapons.,” he said, adding that the US continues to be “as aggressive and assertive” in striking Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Some of the world’s poorest countries to lose UK aid due to 56% budget cut 19. March 2026 (14:57) UK’s bilateral aid to Africa, which funds programmes such as schools and clinics, to be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29Some of the world’s poorest countries will lose out on UK aid which funds programmes such as schools and clinics due to budget cuts set out by the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper.The UK’s bilateral aid to Africa will be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29 – a 56% cut – part of more than £6bn in cuts which must be delivered to fund an increase in defence spending. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British schoolgirl stranded in Denmark after return flight blocked over UK border rules 19. March 2026 (14:31) Exclusive: Hanne, 16, from Sussex, was denied board on flight to London after weekend in CopenhagenA 16-year-old British schoolgirl has been left stranded in Denmark after she was refused board on a flight to London because of new UK border rules introduced on British dual nationals.Hanne*, from Sussex, was stopped from boarding a flight home on 8 March after a weekend seeing her British father, who is an academic on a short work stint at a university in Copenhagen.Has your child been refused board on a flight because of the new rules? If you want to share your story, email: lisa.ocarroll@theguardian.com* Names have been changed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Horizon IT scandal compensation scheme set up for families of victims 19. March 2026 (14:19) Close relatives of affected post office operators will be able to make claim over harm scandal caused families Family members of post office operators affected by the Horizon IT scandal will be able to claim compensation under a new government scheme.Campaigners have lobbied for compensation in relation to the harm the scandal has caused to the mental health and wellbeing of close relatives, who have not been eligible under the redress schemes being run by the Post Office and the government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe’s biggest airlines say fuel price spike caused by Iran war will drive up fares 19. March 2026 (14:04) Carriers warn they cannot hold off passing on costs for long, while some airlines plan to increase flights via AsiaBusiness live – latest updatesEurope’s biggest airlines have said the spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East will drive up fares and are advising passengers to book early.While carriers have partly hedged the price of jet fuel, bosses said they could not keep avoiding passing on additional costs to passengers for long. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BoE delivers message Britons don’t want to hear as inflation – and rates – look set to rise 19. March 2026 (13:56) Decision to hold interest rates is backed by gloomy assessment of economy as Iran war pushes up oil pricesBank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%Business live – latest updatesThe US-Israel attack on Iran has already driven prices higher and not just at the petrol pumps, the Bank of England said on Thursday in a gloomy assessment of the UK’s economic outlook.An inflation rate that was on track to fall from 3% to the Bank’s 2% target in the coming months is now expected to rise to 3.5%. That is one probable impact of the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
