MPs say Starmer’s UK-EU reset lacks ‘direction, definition and drive’ 04. March 2026 (01:00) Foreign affairs committee report finds summit improved political relationship but efforts lack ‘strategic priorities’Keir Starmer’s efforts to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU are lacking in “direction, definition and drive”, parliament’s foreign affairs committee has said.A report based on months of expert witness testimony found the summit between the UK and the EU at Lancaster House last May had “substantially improved the overall political relationship” after years of Brussels-bashing by the Conservatives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK puts emergency brake on study visas for four countries’ nationals 04. March 2026 (00:53) Shabana Mahmood says UK’s generosity abused as visas halted for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and SudanThe government has imposed an emergency brake on visas for the first time on nationals from four countries, as Shabana Mahmood accused them of exploiting Britain’s generosity to claim asylum.Study visas for nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan have been halted, in addition to work visas for Afghans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s Two Sessions: what are the meetings and why do they matter? 04. March 2026 (00:50) Annual political gathering kicks off this week in Beijing with the economy, technology and the military high on the agendaMore generals purged as Chinese delegates gather for eventChina’s annual Two Sessions meetings begin this week, with thousands of political and community delegates descending on Beijing from across mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau to ratify legislation, personnel changes and the budget over about two weeks of highly choreographed meetings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Can’t win? Drop out: California Democrats plead with governor hopefuls as party fears Republican surge 04. March 2026 (00:46) Party worries crowded field to replace Gavin Newsom – and quirk of primary system – could open door for Republicans in NovemberIt’s been three decades since Democrats last had a wide open contest for the California governorship, one of the most visible and most powerful positions in the US. Instead of relishing in the competition of a crowded field, though, party leaders worry that the race to succeed Gavin Newsom could blow up in their faces.On Tuesday, the state’s Democratic party chair, Rusty Hicks, wrote in an extraordinary open letter to the candidates: “If you do not have a viable path to make it to the general election, do not file to place your name on the ballot for the primary election.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kristi Noem refuses to retract statement calling Minnesotans killed by federal agents ‘domestic terrorists’ 03. March 2026 (23:45) Homeland security secretary was grilled in Senate hearing over immigration enforcement crackdown in Twin CitiesUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Kristi Noem, on Tuesday would not retract her statements calling the two US citizens who were killed by immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis earlier this year “domestic terrorists”, while also claiming that agents do not abide by quotas for arrests.Appearing before Congress for the first time since the killings, Noem evaded a question by the Senate judiciary committee ranking member, Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, about whether she would take back the false accusations about Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Zealand coalition votes to make English an official language as critics slam ‘cynical’ bill 03. March 2026 (23:29) Push to give English same status as Māori and NZ sign languages sparks backlash from opposition parties and linguistic expertsA bill to recognise English as an official language of New Zealand has cleared its first hurdle in parliament amid ridicule from opposition parties and linguists who say it is “unnecessary” and “cynical”.The bill seeks to give English, which is spoken by 95% of the country, the same official status as te reo Māori (Māori language) and New Zealand sign language. The bill said the status and use of the existing official languages would not be affected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Syngenta says it will stop making pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease 03. March 2026 (23:02) Company will halt production of controversial paraquat weed killer by end of June as it faces thousands of lawsuitsSyngenta, maker of a controversial pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease, said on Tuesday that it will stop making its paraquat weed killer by the end of June.The announcement comes as the company is facing several thousand lawsuits brought by people in the US who allege they developed Parkinson’s disease due to their exposure to Syngenta’s paraquat products. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most Reform members believe non-white UK citizens born abroad should be forced or encouraged to leave, poll finds 03. March 2026 (23:00) Nigel Farage’s attempts to appeal to centre-ground voters may cause tension in his party, according to Hope Not HateMore than half of Reform UK members believe non-white British citizens born abroad should be deported or encouraged to leave, according to the first publicly available poll of those in Nigel Farage’s party.The findings come as the Reform leader attempts to court centre-ground voters while facing pressure from his right flank, including a hardline new party launched by Rupert Lowe, who left Reform after falling out with Farage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eight-year-old Australian girl dies in snowmobile accident in Japan 03. March 2026 (22:42) Chloe Jeffries from the Gold Coast in Queensland was holidaying in the Hakuba Valley with her familyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian schoolgirl has died while on a family holiday at a Japanese ski resort.Eight-year-old Chloe Jeffries from the Gold Coast in Queensland was riding a snowmobile in the Hakuba Valley, in the northwest of Nagano prefecture, on Saturday when it rolled, fatally injuring her. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US troops were told war on Iran was ‘all part of God’s divine plan’, watchdog alleges 03. March 2026 (22:21) Religious freedom group says 200 troops sent complaints of superiors using extremist Christian rhetoric to justify warUS military commanders have been invoking extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify involvement in the Iran war to troops, according to complaints made to a watchdog group.The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces, including the marines, air force, and space force. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
