Starmer plans to ease impact of immigration policy changes after backlash from Labour MPs 18. March 2026 (20:43) PM will consider exempting large numbers from proposed changes, which would leave people waiting 10 years for settled statusKeir Starmer is hoping to soften the impact of his government’s changes to the immigration system after a backlash from Labour MPs and a dramatic intervention from his former deputy Angela Rayner.The prime minister is considering exempting large numbers of people from the proposed changes, which would make it harder to achieve settled status in the UK, as he attempts to keep his restive party onboard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AI software for smart glasses wins £1m prize for technology to help people with dementia 18. March 2026 (20:30) Glasses use verbal cues and floating text to assist wearers and are expected to be available in early 2027AI software that can be embedded into smart glasses has won a £1m prize for technology to help people with dementia.Built into chunky, black-rimmed frames that have a camera, microphone and speakers, the tech – known as CrossSense – guides wearers through everyday life by means of a chatty assistant called Wispy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gerry Adams tells high court he was stunned by 1996 Docklands bombing 18. March 2026 (20:10) Former Sinn Féin leader, who is being sued for symbolic damages, also denies any prior knowledge of the attackGerry Adams has told the high court he was stunned by the 1996 Docklands bombing as he denied being at the nerve centre of the IRA’s operations.The former Sinn Féin leader also denied having any prior knowledge of the bombing of the commercial district of east London, which shattered a 17-month-old ceasefire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stonehenge tunnel plan officially scrapped after years of protests 18. March 2026 (20:09) Campaigners have been fighting proposals to build traffic tunnel under the world heritage site since 1994A controversial plan to build a tunnel under the Stonehenge site has been officially cancelled after millions were spent on the doomed project.Campaigners have been fighting proposals to dig a tunnel for cars under the location of the world heritage site since the idea was first proposed in 1994. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US financial regulator issues long-awaited cryptocurrency guidance 18. March 2026 (20:03) SEC now classifies crypto into five categories, with securities laws only applicable to one: digital securitiesThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday issued an interpretation clarifying which types of cryptocurrencies are considered securities and how a “non-security” digital asset could meet certain conditions to become an investment contract.The SEC’s new interpretation – which the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission also joined – classifies crypto tokens into five categories: digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, stablecoins and digital securities, with the agency specifying that federal securities laws only apply to digital securities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, stokes fears of more Fema cuts 18. March 2026 (19:59) Senator backed restructuring the disaster agency but dodged questions on staffing, leaving officials uneasy over readiness and leadershipSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin, Donald Trump’s pick to replace Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), left disaster management officials and experts concerned about what his tenure would mean for the future of the main US disaster response agency.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which DHS oversees, coordinates federal response efforts to disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Death toll at start of Covid-19 pandemic likely higher than US count, study says 18. March 2026 (19:54) Finding suggests as many as 155,000 deaths, likely occurring outside of hospitals, not recognized as Covid relatedThe Covid-19 pandemic’s early death toll was much higher than the official US count, according to a new study that spotlights dramatic disparities in the uncounted deaths.About 840,000 Covid-19 deaths were reported on death certificates in 2020 and 2021. But a group of researchers – using a form of artificial intelligence – estimate that as many as 155,000 unrecognized additional deaths likely occurred in that time outside of hospitals. That would mean about 16% of Covid-19 deaths went uncounted in those years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz 18. March 2026 (19:52) Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soonMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over escorting merchant shipping through the strait of Hormuz but the situation remains too dangerous for it to happen soon.Iran is still considered to pose a threat and to have a wide range of weapons available – from cruise missiles to sea drones – despite 19 days of US-led bombing of its navy and coastal sites. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Damaged Russian tanker carrying natural gas floats into Libyan waters 18. March 2026 (19:51) Fears of ecological disaster as vessel continues to drift after being struck by suspected drone attackA severely damaged Russian tanker carrying liquified natural gas that has been adrift in the Mediterranean for two weeks, raising concerns of an ecological disaster, has floated into Libyan waters, Italy’s civil protection agency said on Wednesday.The Arctic Metagaz was part of a Russian “shadow fleet” used to circumvent sanctions imposed on the country’s oil and gas after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It was struck in a suspected drone attack close to Maltese waters earlier this month, causing a huge hole. The crew is believed to have been rescued between Malta and Libya. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada in push for joint G7 and Middle East effort to de-escalate Iran war 18. March 2026 (19:38) Foreign minister Anita Anand says she has drafted principles to reduce risk of regional spillover and wider shocksMiddle East crisis – live updatesCanada is pushing for a collective G7 and Middle East approach to de-escalating the Iran war, including off ramps that could bring an end to the conflict, the Canadian foreign minister, Anita Anand, has said.In London to meet the UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, after talks with the her Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Anand told the Guardian she hoped a G7 meeting chaired by France, this year’s president of the group, might start to build a broader collective approach to the crisis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
