Home Office may forcibly remove child asylum seekers from UK in handcuffs 06. March 2026 (11:24) Move is part of scheme to target families for expedited voluntary removals before enforced removal proceedingsChildren may be forcibly removed from the UK in handcuffs to “overcome noncompliance” as part of proposals Home Office is considering to send more asylum seeker families back to their home countries.Since coming into office, the government has pledged to deport more migrants and has increased both voluntary and enforced returns, although some of those who have left the UK voluntarily did so without informing the Home Office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weight-loss jab could be made for $3 a month, study finds 06. March 2026 (10:00) Cheap semaglutide, the drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, could help millions with diabetes and obesity in 160 countriesWeight-loss jabs such as Wegovy and Ozempic could be made for just $3 a month, according to new analysis, potentially making the treatment available to millions in poorer countries as patents expire.More than a billion people live with obesity worldwide, with rates rising fast in lower-income nations as they shift to westernised diets and more sedentary lifestyles. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leak from secret UK meeting about US attacks on Iran a travesty, says Lammy 06. March 2026 (09:58) Justice secretary calls for inquiry into reports of cabinet splits at national security council over use of British basesMiddle East crisis – live updatesDavid Lammy has said it is an “absolute travesty” that details were leaked from a top secret national security meeting on the US-Israel attacks on Iran and has called for an investigation.There were reports last weekend of cabinet splits at a national security council meeting, which is protected by the Official Secrets Act, over allowing the US to use British bases for the strikes against Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW coroner ‘very troubled’ by health policy change after Stolen Generations member dies in custody 06. March 2026 (09:47) Yuin man Gregory Merriman did not have a chronic health screening before suffering a fatal heart attack in Silverwater prison in 2022Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA NSW coroner who investigated the death in custody of a member of the Stolen Generations has criticised plans to delay health screenings for Indigenous inmates, saying it could result in problems being missed.Gregory Merriman, a 58-year-old Yuin man and direct descendant of revered Yuin leader Umbarra, died at Silverwater’s Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre (MRRC) in Sydney’s western suburbs in December 2022.Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four men arrested suspected of spying for Iranian intelligence in London area 06. March 2026 (09:39) Counter-terrorism police say investigation linked to alleged spying on locations and people linked to Jewish communityFour people have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran on locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area, Scotland Yard has said.The men – one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals – were arrested on Friday at addresses in Barnet and Watford on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, namely Iran, the Metropolitan police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Philippines orders energy cuts in response to Middle East war 06. March 2026 (09:26) South-east Asian country limits air conditioning and travel for public officials amid soaring fuel pricesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Philippines is searching for ways to conserve energy in response to surging fuel costs, with public officials ordered to cut back on air conditioning usage and reduce travel.All national government agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government branches have been told to reduce fuel consumption by at least 10% in response to the crisis in the Middle East.
Government offices have been told to adopt flexible work arrangements, and to set air conditioning units no lower than 24 degrees. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Geopolitical uncertainties’ amid Iran war could slow fall in mortgage rates, says Halifax 06. March 2026 (09:19) UK house price growth slowed in February as value of typical home rose 0.3% to £301,151Business live – latest updatesHalifax has warned that the US-Israel war on Iran could slow mortgage rate decreases this year, as it said that house price growth eased dramatically in February.Halifax, which is part of Lloyds – Britain’s biggest mortgage lender – said the conflict in the Middle East was likely to affect global economies, stoke inflation and reduce the likely rate of interest rate cuts that influence borrowing costs for homebuyers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Paul Keating savages Nine on anniversary of ‘irresponsible prediction’ Australia faced looming China war 06. March 2026 (08:59) The ‘Red Alert’ series warned in 2023 that Australia needed to be ‘ready to fight in just three years’ – and Keating has again taken his fight to the newspaper groupFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPaul Keating has again accused the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age of misleading the public with their “irresponsible prediction” three years ago of a Chinese attack on Australia.The former prime minister took the opportunity of the third anniversary of Nine newspapers’ Red Alert series to repeat his disdain for the reporting and its primary author, international editor Peter Hartcher. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW police admit to making ‘very unfortunate’ wrong claim after officer shot man dead 06. March 2026 (08:00) Inquest into fatal shooting of Steve Pampalian told statement by assistant commissioner he was ‘known to police’ was incorrectA man shot dead by a NSW police officer after he ran at him with two knives was not known to police, a coroner says, despite a “very unfortunate” claim to the contrary made by the assistant commissioner of the force immediately after the incident.Steve Pampalian, 41, was shot three times by a police officer in the driveway of his home on a quiet suburban street in Sydney’s North Willoughby on 25 May 2023 after he had a psychotic episode. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US and Venezuela move to restore diplomatic ties two months after Maduro’s capture 06. March 2026 (07:59) Re-establishing diplomatic relations will support Venezuela’s economy, US state department claims, amid push for minerals accessVenezuela and the US are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolás Maduro.The announcement came as US interior secretary Doug Burgum wrapped up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US president Donald Trump’s push for greater access to the country’s mineral wealth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
