Ralph Babet refuses to accept sanction over ‘offensive’ and ‘disrespectful’ comments on social media 03. March 2026 (15:00) United Australia party senator says commission findings are ‘dumb’ and he will not undergo ‘ridiculous’ sensitivity training after posting slurs onlineGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe United Australia party senator Ralph Babet has refused to accept any sanction from the parliamentary behaviour watchdog over “offensive” and “disrespectful” comments on social media, calling the findings “dumb”.The Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission reprimanded the Victorian senator for breaching the code of behaviour twice for the posts in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese government rejected advice on Tasmanian salmon farming impact before passing pro-industry laws 03. March 2026 (15:00) FOI documents show ministers ignored recommendation for fresh inquiry that could have reduced or paused farmingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government rushed through legislation to ensure salmon farming could continue in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour last year shortly after receiving advice warning of “substantial new information” about the industry’s environmental impact.Documents released under freedom of information laws show the environment department advised the government in late 2024 that it should revoke a 2012 decision that allowed salmon farming to expand in the vast harbour on the state’s west coast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded 03. March 2026 (14:48) Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas pricesBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves insisted Labour has “the right economic plan” for a world that has become “yet more uncertain” as she delivered a spring forecast that downgraded growth for this year.The chancellor was addressing MPs against the backdrop of surging energy prices, as investors fret about the impact of the spiralling conflict in the Middle East. The cost of a barrel of Brent crude was up another 7% on Tuesday, at $83.20. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sarah Everard’s mother pays tribute to ‘loving’ daughter on fifth anniversary of her murder 03. March 2026 (14:44) Susan Everard says her daughter ‘added to the beauty of the world’Sarah Everard’s mother said her daughter “added to the beauty of the world” as she paid tribute to her humour and principled nature on the five-year anniversary of her murder.Writing for British Vogue, alongside a picture of Sarah taken at V festival for an online street style series in 2010, Susan Everard said she “loved clothes and fashion” and had “her whole life ahead of her” when the photo was taken. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Full House and Senate to be briefed on Iran strikes – US politics live 03. March 2026 (14:32) Rubio, Hegseth and Caine to address lawmakersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe embattled homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, will answer questions from lawmakers on the Senate judiciary committee today.This will be the first time she’s addressed members of Congress since federal immigration officers fatally shot two US citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – during a surge of law enforcement in Minneapolis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minnesota launches investigation that could bring charges against US immigration officers 03. March 2026 (14:31) US county attorney is ‘confident’ her office will be able to pursue charges in cases which led to criticisms of use-of-force policiesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Minnesota state prosecutor announced an investigation Monday that may lead to charges against federal officers, including Greg Bovino, for misconduct during an immigration enforcement crackdown.Hennepin county attorney Mary Moriarty said in a news conference that her office is already looking into 17 cases, including one where Bovino, a border patrol official, threw a smoke canister at protesters on 21 January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Imperialist undertones’: global south condemns US-Israeli war with Iran 03. March 2026 (14:11) China calls it unacceptable to ‘kill leader of sovereign state’, while South Africa questions ‘pre-emptive’ justificationMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US-Israeli war on Iran has been condemned as illegal across much of the global south, with China saying it was unacceptable to “blatantly kill the leader of a sovereign state”.Many countries objected that negotiations between the US and Iran over its nuclear programme and missile capability were not given a chance to succeed before Washington and Israel began bombing, and analysts often saw the war in terms of a colonial-style exercise of might. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Benedetto Santapaola, notorious Italian mafia boss, dies in prison aged 87 03. March 2026 (14:03) Cosa Nostra leader, who controlled most of eastern Sicily, dies while serving multiple life sentences for murderBenedetto “Nitto” Santapaola, a Sicilian mafia boss and one of the most dangerous figures in Italian criminal history, has died aged 87.Santapaola, who was widely believed to have been the architect of a campaign of bloodshed that scarred Italy in the 1980s and 1990s, died on Monday in a Milan prison where he was serving multiple life sentences. An autopsy has been ordered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Texas votes in high-stakes primaries in test of appetite for change under Trump 03. March 2026 (14:00) Nominees for key Senate seat to be set while voters choose in congressional contests reshaped by GOP gerrymanderThe first votes of the 2026 midterm cycle will be cast on Tuesday, with a pair of high-stakes US Senate primaries in Texas that will test both parties’ appetite for political change in the Trump era.Voters across the state will decide their nominees for a critical Senate seat, as well as for several key congressional contests reshaped by a mid-decade gerrymander sought by Donald Trump to preserve the GOP’s fragile House majority. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK considers sending Royal Navy destroyer to Cyprus 03. March 2026 (13:59) Defence sources say deployment of HMS Duncan to better protect base on Mediterranean island is under discussionUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesJohn Healey, the defence secretary, is considering sending a Royal Navy destroyer to Cyprus to help defend British bases there after several apparently hostile drones targeted RAF Akrotiri on the island.Defence sources said a deployment of HMS Duncan, currently in Portsmouth, was under discussion as a way to better protect the base in Cyprus – though another said it was possible one of two other destroyers might be sent as an alternative. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
