Families condemn UK ‘impotence’ over UAE ‘social media misuse’ detentions 01. April 2026 (18:00) Ministers accused of being too fearful of offending Emirates to help Britons detained for sharing images of warMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe families of UK citizens held in the United Arab Emirates over allegations that they shared images of the conflict with Iran have voiced frustration at the British government’s failure to help.Several British citizens are among more than 100 foreign nationals who have been detained under draconian Emirate rules that outlaw publishing or sharing material that could “disturb public security”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Success or ‘total flop’? Report on Germany’s cannabis legalisation fails to settle debate 01. April 2026 (17:46) Policy is still divisive two years in, with SPD hailing it while CDU minister claims it is risk to young people’s healthGermany is divided over how the legalisation of cannabis two years ago is going, with critics and proponents at odds over its impact on consumption, youth welfare and organised crime.On 1 April 2024 the previous centre-left-led government made Germany the first big EU country to legally allow personal recreational use of cannabis for over-18s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Italian coastguard recovers 19 bodies from boat in sea near Lampedusa 01. April 2026 (17:29) Fifty-eight other people found alive during rescue involving inflatable craft in early hours of WednesdayThe bodies of 19 people have been recovered from an inflatable boat south of the island of Lampedusa by the Italian coastguard, a spokesperson told AFP.Fifty-eight other people, including five children, were found alive during the rescue in the early hours of Wednesday and transported to Lampedusa by the coastguard, according to Roberto D’Arrigo. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain to host 35 countries for strait of Hormuz talks, says Starmer 01. April 2026 (17:18) US understood not to be invited directly to talks that will explore ways of reopening critical waterwayMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe UK will convene 35 countries – excluding the US – to explore ways to reopen the strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran.Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said the next phase of discussions in the joint British and French efforts to secure the waterway would be held on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Royal Navy captain steps back from duties over link to MP whose husband faces China spy claims 01. April 2026 (16:40) Joani Reid MP reportedly swapped flirtatious messages with senior officer in charge of nuclear-armed submarineA Royal Navy captain in charge of one of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines stepped back from his duties over his relationship with the MP Joani Reid, whose husband faces allegations of spying for China.The married senior officer was investigated by the navy last year over his contact with Reid after the messages, described as inappropriate, prompted an assessment of a potential blackmail risk, the Financial Times first reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
In Europe, lobbyists are using soaring fuel prices to make the case for more dirty energy 01. April 2026 (16:30) The argument for transitioning to renewables seems stronger than ever – and yet, attacks mount on the carbon price scheme that underpins the EU’s success at cutting pollution• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereOn the one hand, experts say, Europe is better prepared for this energy crisis than the last. On the other, it is still waging a culture war against the most obvious path out.Fuel prices have soared to ruinous levels since the Iran war left ships of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stranded in the Gulf. The pain is most acute in Asia, but high energy prices are already causing panic in Europe. Shortages could hit the continent this month, oil company Shell warned last week. Donald Trump’s “go get your own oil” comments on Tuesday sent prices to their highest level since the start of the US-Israel attack on Iran. They briefly dipped below $100-a-barrel on Wednesday amid hopes that the war may soon end. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Politician alleges NSW corrections illegally snooped on her calls with prisoners 01. April 2026 (16:00) Exclusive: Greens MLC Sue Higginson tells parliament that Corrective Services knew things ‘which made it very clear they had monitored our conversation’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales parliamentarian has alleged prison officers unlawfully listened to her calls with inmates and then threatened those who had sought her help.The Greens’ justice spokesperson, Sue Higginson, alleged that her phone calls were “routinely” monitored despite it being against the law for corrective services officers to listen to calls between parliamentarians and prisoners. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior Queensland judge criticises ‘glacial’ years-long delays in serious criminal trials 01. April 2026 (16:00) Exclusive: Justice Jim Henry published data from his own court revealing recent cases took more than a year to reach committalGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Queensland supreme court judge says serious criminal cases are taking “excruciatingly longer” to finalise due to “glacial” delays in the state’s magistrates court, where some matters are spending several years in procedural limbo.Justice Jim Henry, who is based at the supreme court in Cairns, published data from his own court revealing that of 31 recent criminal cases he finalised between November and February, on average each case took more than a year (370 days) in the lower courts before a committal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal government claims some states standing in the way of ‘getting those guns off our streets’ 01. April 2026 (16:00) PM’s deadline to establish the biggest gun buyback in 30 years passes with half of the nation’s governments refusing to joinGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has accused state and territory leaders who refuse to sign up to its proposed national gun buy back scheme, of “standing in the way” of efforts to get dangerous weapons off Australian streets.Anthony Albanese’s end of March deadline to establish the biggest gun buyback in 30 years has now passed with half of the nation’s governments refusing to join. There is no timeline for the buyback, announced in the weeks after the Bondi terror attack, and it remains unclear how costs will be split. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Fossil-fuel imperialism’: Trump’s hankering for Iranian oil runs deep 01. April 2026 (16:00) Experts say the US believes it is entitled to resources it desires – a perspective president has supported for decadesDonald Trump said this past weekend he wants to “take the oil in Iran” by seizing control of a key export hub, echoing a refrain he has returned to for over a decade.It’s a sign of his disregard for international law and belief in “fossil-fuel imperialism”, experts say. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
