Hungary charges journalist after claims minister was in touch with Moscow 26. March 2026 (19:37) Investigative reporter Szabolcs Panyi covered story alleging foreign minister had passed information to Sergei LavrovThe Hungarian government has filed charges against one of the country’s most prominent investigative journalists, accusing him of spying for Ukraine, as officials grapple with the fallout of allegations that Budapest shared confidential EU information with Moscow.The claims of espionage cap off a tumultuous week in Hungarian politics, in which relations with the EU plummeted to new lows and polls suggested that Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party is still lagging behind in support before next month’s election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump describes UK aircraft carriers as ‘toys’ in latest anti-Nato jibe 26. March 2026 (19:37) US president says he is ‘very disappointed’ as he again lashes out at allies’ lack of involvement in Iran warMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has dismissed British warships as “toys” in his latest jibe at Nato countries for their lack of involvement in the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, he claimed he had told the UK: “Don’t bother, we don’t need it.”Trump has previously alleged that he requested two aircraft carriers from the UK that Keir Starmer had initially rejected and then offered to send. No 10 has denied that a request was made or denied. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US House speaker gives Trump so-called ‘America First’ award amid global chaos 26. March 2026 (18:46) Critics mock Mike Johnson and Republicans for presenting the president with the newly concocted awardSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxAmid an aggressive war in Iran, heightening and devastating pressure on Cuba, immigration enforcement operations throughout the country and a partial government shutdown, the lead Republican in the House has given Donald Trump a newly concocted award.Democrats, lawmakers and commentators are criticizing and ridiculing the “America First” award given to Trump on Wednesday evening during the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nepal’s PM-to-be uses rap to call for unity in first post-election message 26. March 2026 (18:43) Balendra Shah, 35, is a symbol of change in country whose government was toppled last year in youth-led uprisingNepal’s rapper turned politician Balendra Shah, who is about to be sworn in as prime minister, has issued his first post-election message in the form of a rap urging unity.Hours before the release he swore an oath as a newly elected lawmaker, and he is due to become the Himalayan republic’s new prime minister on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The delusion of easy victory from the air may have seduced the US into another war 26. March 2026 (18:30) Air superiority is supposed to deliver a quick triumph. But history has shown that promise to be written on the windMiddle East crisis – live updatesTo explore the roots of Donald Trump’s Iran military strategy and the pugnacious rhetoric of his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, means looking back 105 years. In 1921, a year before Benito Mussolini and his blackshirts marched on Rome to launch the Fascist era, an Italian general named Giulio Douhet published The Command of the Air, proposing a revolution in warfare.Victory in the future, he said, would no longer come from the grinding trench combat of the great war. Instead it meant large-scale aerial bombardments, targeting not just combatants but civilians and civilian infrastructure and logistics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MEPs back plans for ‘return hubs’, raising fears of ‘human rights black holes’ 26. March 2026 (18:23) European parliament votes in favour of sending refused asylum seekers to offshore hubs, in ‘historic setback for refugee rights’People with no right to stay in the EU could be detained for up to two years or sent to offshore centres described by experts as possible “human rights black holes” under plans voted for by the European parliament on Thursday.An alliance of mostly centre-right and far-right lawmakers voted for a proposal to increase returns of undocumented migrants to their home countries, in a further sign of strain on the grand coalition of centrist political forces that has traditionally driven EU lawmaking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Finnish MP convicted for saying homosexuality is ‘developmental disorder’ 26. March 2026 (18:18) Christian Democrat Päivi Räsänen, who was fined €1,800, was supported by conservative US group Alliance Defending FreedomA Finnish member of parliament has been found guilty by the country’s supreme court of inciting hatred after claiming that homosexuality was a “developmental disorder”, in a conviction that prompted criticism from far-right government ministers.Päivi Räsänen, of the Christian Democrats, made the claims in a pamphlet first published in 2004 and reproduced on the website of the Luther Foundation Finland and the Finnish Evangelical Mission Diocese in 2007. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Next says Middle East conflict could raise clothing prices by up to 10% 26. March 2026 (17:54) Retailer says higher fuel and factory costs may hit supply chains and lead to ‘significant increase in prices’ Business live – latest updatesThe boss of Next has said clothing prices could rise by 4% to 10% if conflict in the Middle East extends into the autumn and factories are hit by higher fuel and fabric costs.Simon Wolfson said the clothing and home retailer had so far seen little disruption to its supply chain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US passengers enraged by hours-long lines and missed flights: ‘Absolutely insane’ 26. March 2026 (17:49) Some people are opting not to travel at all amid what they call ‘a manufactured crisis by the Trump administration’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPassengers across the US have had their travel plans upended by the latest Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has triggered widespread staffing shortages at airports as security employees go weeks without pay.“We are returning from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands to Boston today and it took fully three hours to get through US customs. Absolutely insane,” Boston-based passenger John Hildebrandt told the Guardian. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s Maha agenda stalled as top CDC and surgeon general roles sit empty 26. March 2026 (17:43) Trump has yet to nominate a permanent CDC director and the Senate confirmation of his pick for top doctor is in limboSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Trump administration’s “Make America healthy again” (Maha) agenda appears to be stalled as two of the government’s most influential public health positions sit empty.The president has yet to nominate a permanent director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leaving an agency that has been plagued by turmoil for the past year without a leader. At the same time, Trump’s controversial pick for surgeon general, Casey Means, remains in limbo as her nomination stalls in the Senate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
