Chaos signals Iran struggling to function as war turns into fight for survival 03. March 2026 (20:32) Strikes on Iranian leadership are putting Tehran under unprecedented military and diplomatic pressure Middle East crisis – live updatesThe war in the Middle East in maps, video and photosIran endured a day of unprecedented military and diplomatic pressure on Tuesday as US airstrikes pushed the death toll in the country above 800 and the offices of Assembly of Experts, the body due to select a replacement for the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, were bombed.It would be an extraordinary security lapse if it emerges that many of the 88 elderly clerics on the assembly had been in the building in Qom voting at the time. “There was another hit today on the new leadership, and it looks like that was pretty substantial,” Trump said at a White House event, although it was unclear what specifically he was talking about. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Half-truths and no truths: Trump’s latest claims on the UK factchecked 03. March 2026 (20:17) From the Chagos Islands to ‘windmills’ and sharia law, the US president’s comments do not bear much scrutinyDonald Trump has been opining about the UK again, saying on Tuesday that Keir Starmer was “not Winston Churchill” and repeating his complaint about the deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Here are some recent things the US president has said about British issues, and how they compare with reality. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge erases conviction for Detroit man whom police coerced to confess to 1999 murder 03. March 2026 (20:13) George Calicut Jr has been in prison for more than 25 years for murder, though there were no witnesses or evidence against himSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Detroit-area judge erased a 1999 murder conviction Tuesday of a man who was serving a life prison sentence after prosecutors acknowledged his confession was coerced by a rogue police officer.In addition, recent DNA testing “further supports the lack of any evidence” connecting George Calicut Jr to the murder of Virgie Perkins at her Detroit home, the Wayne county prosecutor’s office and his lawyers said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nottingham killer sought arrest at MI5 HQ before 2023 attack, inquiry told 03. March 2026 (19:39) Valdo Calocane approached security at Thames House in 2021 but did not meet threshold for further assessment, public inquiry toldA man who killed three people during a 2023 knife attack in Nottingham had attempted to hand himself into MI5 for arrest two years earlier, an inquiry has heard.Valdo Calocane, 34, fatally stabbed Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, during a stabbing spree in the city on 13 June 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Father of Georgia school shooting suspect found guilty of murder and manslaughter 03. March 2026 (19:35) Prosecutors argued Colin Gray gave 14-year-old son, who is accused of killing four in 2024 shooting, access to firearmSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe father of a teenage boy accused of killing two students and two teachers in a mass shooting at a Georgia high school in 2024 was found guilty on Tuesday of second-degree murder and other charges.After roughly two weeks of testimony, jurors deliberated for just a few hours before convicting 54-year-old Colin Gray on more than two dozen charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, related to the 4 September fatal shooting at Apalachee high school in Georgia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police misconduct cost New York City taxpayers more than $117m in 2025 03. March 2026 (19:31) More than 1,000 lawsuits were resolved last year, including multimillion-dollar payouts tied to overturned convictionsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMisconduct by the New York police department (NYPD) cost the city’s taxpayers more than $117m in 2025, a study of lawsuits resolved last year has found.The figure, in an analysis by the Legal Aid Society reported by the Gothamist, is the third highest yearly total since 2018. But it is lower than the 2024 settlement amount, which topped $200m. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ‘worrying’ rise in young jobless 03. March 2026 (19:18) OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK’s growth prospects for 2026 – while also warning of war uncertaintyUnemployment in the UK is set to peak this year at a higher rate than previously estimated, with a “worrying” increase in young people being out of work, the government’s official forecaster has said.The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said unemployment will peak at 5.3% this year, up from its previous forecast in November of 4.9%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Schools in England sidelining dressing-up for World Book Day, MPs hear 03. March 2026 (19:11) Literacy experts say move comes over cost concerns and fears costumes can detract from reading for pleasureSchools in England are moving away from pupils dressing up as their favourite literary characters for World Book Day, with experts telling MPs they feared the cost of costumes undermined efforts to increase reading for pleasure.Jonathan Douglas, the chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said schools were aware of the strains that preparing costumes could place on disadvantaged families, telling MPs on the Commons’ education select committee: “Many schools are incredibly sensitive to that, and are taking away the narrative around dressing-up on World Book Day.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian ambulance driver investigated on suspicion of murdering five patients 03. March 2026 (18:40) Prosecutors in the northern city of Forlì are investigating a 27-year-old man, currently suspended from the Italian Red CrossProsecutors in the northern Italian city of Forlì are investigating an ambulance driver on suspicion of murdering five elderly patients.All the suspicious deaths occurred while or soon after the patients were transported in an ambulance driven by the 27-year-old man, lawyers of the victims told the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why some British expats in Dubai insist it’s business as usual – despite Iran war 03. March 2026 (18:00) Amid schadenfreude back home as UK nationals express their fears, others say they are not leaving anytime soonUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesIt is not always seen as a positive when the ruling family of a dictatorship makes a public show of mingling among the people.On Monday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the royal who is both president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, joined Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, for a stroll around Dubai’s mall, before settling down alongside awkward looking officials on the banquette-style seating at one of its most visible cafes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
