Italy denies use of Sicily airbase to US planes carrying weapons for Iran war 31. March 2026 (15:17) Defence ministry says US failed to request authorisation in time for parliament to give approval as required by international treatyItaly has denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to US military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran after the US did not follow the required authorisation procedure.A source at the Italian defence ministry confirmed a report in Corriere della Sera that “some US bombers” had been due to land at Sigonella – one of seven US navy bases in Italy – before heading to the Middle East, but that use of the base had been denied because the US sought authorisation to land only while the aircraft were already en route to Sicily. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Deepwater discoveries: scientists find more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea 31. March 2026 (15:01) Brittlestars, sea anemones and a catshark among new-to-science species collected during expedition off the Queensland coastGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMarine scientists have discovered more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species in the Coral Sea – a figure they believe could exceed 200 as more are identified.The species were found in waters between 200 metres and 3km deep in the Coral Sea marine park, Australia’s largest marine protected area, which spans nearly 1m sq km to the east of the Great Barrier Reef. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Landlords ‘leveraging up’ by exploiting property tax rules are fuelling Australia’s housing affordability crisis, analysis finds 31. March 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Capital gains tax discount and negative gearing rules created ‘extra artificial incentive’ for property speculation, the e61 Institute has foundGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe combination of the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing rules has turbocharged debt-fuelled property speculation over recent decades, according to a new analysis of hundreds of thousands of property investments.The federal budget in three weeks’ time is widely expected to include changes to tax breaks for investors, in an effort to rebalance the tax system away from the wealthiest Australians and to take pressure off home prices. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Should never have been prescribed’: private UK cannabis clinics face call for tighter regulation 31. March 2026 (14:51) Family pushing for greater controls after inquest finds Oliver Robinson’s prescription was ‘obstacle’ to proper careOliver Robinson felt he had exhausted conventional therapies when he left the Priory, a private mental health facility where he was treated for depression and addiction between 2019 and 2022. Initially he found relief from a new kind of prescription elsewhere. But by the time he took his own life in November 2023, aged 34, his medicine was making him worse.In January, an inquest concluded that Robinson’s prescription for medicinal cannabis had “probably contributed to his death”. Catherine McKenna, the coroner for Manchester North, also ruled that his continued use of the prescription, first issued to him in May 2022 by Curaleaf Clinic, a private cannabis provider, “acted as an obstacle” to him receiving appropriate psychiatric and addiction care. His family understand this to be the first ruling of its kind. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Airport congestion eases as TSA workers receive backpay but record DHS shutdown drags on – US politics live 31. March 2026 (14:43) Union boss says workers have received some, but not all, of their paySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHegseth repeated the president’s frustrations with European nations for their reluctance to assist in the reopening of the strait of Hormuz. Earlier, we reported that Donald Trump chided countries like the UK to learn “how to fight for yourself” because the US “won’t be there to help you anymore”.We have more and more options, and they have less... in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive.Iran knows that, and there’s almost nothing they can militarily do about it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
King Charles’s state visit to US to go ahead despite Iran war concerns 31. March 2026 (14:42) Visit with Camilla to take place in late April amid calls for delay over conflict and Trump-Starmer tensions UK politics live – latest updatesKing Charles will go ahead with a state visit to the US in April, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, despite some politicians saying the trip will be a “humiliation” while Donald Trump’s war with Iran is ongoing.The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, said Keir Starmer had shown he was not prepared to stand up to the US president and cancel the visit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charlie Kirk bullet analysis finds no conclusive link to rifle found near scene 31. March 2026 (14:36) Tyler Robinson’s defense team may try to use analysis to clear him of blame, as prosecutors aim to show there’s enough evidence to proceed with trialSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAn analysis from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) could not conclusively connect a bullet fragment recovered during Charlie Kirk’s autopsy to the rifle found near the scene of the rightwing political activist’s killing – and the FBI is running additional tests, lawyers for Kirk’s accused murderer said in recent court filings.In the court filings, Tyler Robinson’s defense team also asked for a delay to a preliminary hearing scheduled in May, saying they need time to review the bullet analysis as well as an enormous amount of other material that could contribute to the suspect’s defense. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Eurovision expands into Asia with 10-nation song contest 31. March 2026 (14:33) As the original event faces discord and boycotts on its 70th anniversary, Bangkok will host the inaugural spin-offEurovision is seeking to expand into the Asian market by hosting a version of its song contest in Bangkok this year, just as the original annual event is being buffeted by discord and boycotts on the eve of its 70th anniversary edition.The grand final of the inaugural Eurovision song contest Asia will take place in Thailand’s capital on Saturday 14 November, the Switzerland-based organisation announced on Tuesday. Broadcasters from 10 countries have confirmed their participation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Founder of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company gets nine years in prison in forced labor conspiracy 31. March 2026 (14:19) Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc, also ordered to forfeit $12m, and seven victims were awarded restitutionThe leader of a sex-focused women’s wellness company that promoted “orgasmic meditation” was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for a scheme that a judge said exploited vulnerable women and coerced them into performing sex acts with the company’s clients and investors.Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc, was also ordered to forfeit $12m, and seven victims were awarded roughly $890,000 in restitution, federal prosecutors said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Some medicines could run out in weeks or even days, NHS England head warns 31. March 2026 (14:18) Jim Mackey tells LBC phone-in he is ‘really worried’ about supply issues amid US-Iran warMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe head of the NHS in England has said he is “really worried” about medicine supply issues.A number of experts have raised concerns about cost implications and supply disruption linked to the war in Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
