Labour to scrap government power over elections watchdog amid fears of abuse

03/03/2026 11:36 The Guardian

MPs and campaigners had warned law imposed by Tories could be used by future leaders to ‘undermine democracy’UK politics live – latest updatesMinisters are to repeal powers imposed by the Conservatives that allowed them control over the elections watchdog, after warnings they could be abused by a future government with authoritarian ambitions.Steve Reed, who as communities secretary is overseeing a new elections bill, announced the move to MPs, saying he would “repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission”. Continue reading...

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Trump claims US stockpiles mean wars can be fought ‘forever’; Kristi Noem testifies before Congress – US politics live

President claims in late-night social media post that US munitions stockpiles ‘have never been higher’; DHS secretary answers questions from lawmakersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxIn a late night post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said that the US m...

03/03/2026 14:34 The Guardian

UK considering sending warship to Cyprus; government to charter flight from Oman ‘in the coming days’– UK politics live

Multiple sources say the deployment of HMS Duncan is under consideration; Yvette Cooper says flight will take off from Muscat this weekEllie Chowns, the Green party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, has said she has tabled an “armed conflict (requirements) bill’” which would require any UK mil...

03/03/2026 14:27 The Guardian

Middle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh attacks on Tehran and Beirut

Israeli airforce attacking cities simultaneously with a ‘wave of extensive strikes’ as soldiers are deployed on the ground in southern LebanonUS strikes on Iran triggered by Israel’s plan to launch attack, Rubio saysAnger with Hezbollah boils as war returns to weary BeirutUS secretary of state...

03/03/2026 14:21 The Guardian

Airlines in Middle East rule out services resuming before Thursday

Some repatriation flights depart as governments around the world work to extract their citizens from the conflict-hit region US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesThe biggest Middle East carriers have ruled out resuming scheduled flights until at least Thursday as the US-Israeli war on Iran continue...

03/03/2026 14:14 The Guardian

Australian energy bills could surge as Iran conflict drives up global gas prices

Experts warn of similarities with 2022, when electricity prices went up by more than 40% due to the Russian invasion of UkraineGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe US-Israel strikes on Iran risk a repeat of the 2022 energy shock that forced power bills up by more than 40%,...

03/03/2026 14:00 The Guardian

Albanese government rejected advice on Tasmanian salmon farming impact before passing pro-industry laws

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...

03/03/2026 14:00 The Guardian

Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded

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 spri...

03/03/2026 13:48 The Guardian

Zelenskyy warns that Iran conflict could disrupt weapons flow to Ukraine – Europe live

Ukrainian president says that the US-Israeli war could hinder his country from defending itself against RussiaAhead of von der Leyen’s call with Zelenskyy later today, the European Commission was also asked about Ukraine’s 2027 target for joining the bloc.A spokesperson for the commission said t...

03/03/2026 13:29 The Guardian

‘Imperialist undertones’: global south condemns US-Israeli war with Iran

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 “bl...

03/03/2026 13:11 The Guardian

First Thing: Conflict spirals in Middle East as NGO says at least 700 Iranian civilians killed

Trump says the war could last weeks or ‘far longer’. Plus, what a high schooler detained by ICE for 10 months wants you to knowDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Iranian drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh as Tehran continued to launch waves of retaliatory st...

03/03/2026 12:54 The Guardian

Surprise jump in UK grocery inflation makes interest rate cut less probable

ECB says Middle East war could cause higher inflationary pressure and warns of potential ‘sharp drop in output’Business live – latest updatesShoppers faced a surprise jump in grocery inflation last month, as experts warned there was worse to come if there was prolonged war in the Middle East a...

03/03/2026 12:45 The Guardian

The war in the Middle East in maps, video and photos

How the US-Israeli war against Iran exploded into a regional conflict, as Tehran retaliated with strikes across the Middle EastUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesA US-Israeli war against Iran that began on Saturday with bombing and missile attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei...

03/03/2026 12:02 The Guardian

OpenAI amends Pentagon deal as Sam Altman admits it looks ‘sloppy’

ChatGPT owner’s CEO says it will bar its technology being used for mass surveillance or by intelligence servicesBusiness live – latest updatesOpenAI is amending its hastily arranged deal to supply artificial intelligence to the US Department of War (DoW) after the ChatGPT owner’s chief executi...

03/03/2026 11:35 The Guardian

US embassy in Riyadh hit by Iranian drones as Israeli troops enter southern Lebanon

Iran continues to target American bases and Hezbollah fires at Israel as conflict spreads across Middle EastUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesIranian drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh as Tehran continued to launch waves of retaliatory strikes at the Gulf and Israel, while Israeli soldiers bega...

03/03/2026 09:26 The Guardian

Trump rebukes Starmer over UK refusal to back strikes on Iran

US president says ‘relationship is not what it was’ after PM defends decision not to allow use of British basesMiddle East crisis – live updatesUS-Israel war on Iran: what we know on day fourDonald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer again over the UK’s refusal to aid the offensive strikes on...

03/03/2026 08:18 The Guardian

Tuesday briefing: ‘An historic rupture’ as the Middle East crisis spreads

In today’s newsletter: senior international correspondent Julian Borger on what next as Iran targets its Gulf neighbours and the conflict escalatesGood morning. The regional war many countries had long feared is here.On Saturday, global attention turned to Iran after an extraordinary joint aerial...

03/03/2026 06:39 The Guardian

Iran war heralds era of AI-powered bombing quicker than ‘speed of thought’

Speed and scale of US military’s AI war planning raises fears human decision-making may be sidelinedThe use of AI tools to enable attacks on Iran heralds a new era of bombing quicker than “the speed of thought”, experts have said, amid fears human decision-makers could be sidelined.Anthropic...

03/03/2026 06:00 The Guardian

Rachel Reeves’s plans could be hit by Middle East conflict, say economists

Warning comes as OBR projections in the spring forecast are expected to show public finances moving in the right directionSoaring global energy prices as a result of the widening Middle East conflict will jeopardise Rachel Reeves’s plan to conquer inflation and rekindle growth, economists have war...

03/03/2026 05:00 The Guardian

Fire at US embassy in Riyadh after drone strike – as it happened

This blog is closed. Follow news and updates from the US-Israel war on Iran in our new live blog hereUS-Israel war on Iran live: latest news and updatesBahrain has said that one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. The death of a foreign worker at Salman Industrial City, workin...

03/03/2026 04:57 The Guardian

Australian troops safe after drone strikes air base near Dubai as Hastie says rules-based order a ‘fantasyland’

Liberal MP says rules are irrelevant when Trump acts as an ‘apex opportunist’, following a drone strike at UAE’s Al Minhad airbase where Australian troops are basedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCoalition frontbe...

03/03/2026 04:50 The Guardian

Trump’s show of force in the Middle East creates a weakness China can exploit

Beijing can again leverage its critical minerals dominance over an increasingly busy US military, as Taiwan slides further down the White House list of prioritiesUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesAs the US and Israel opened a new chapter of chaos in the Middle East, China stands to benefit from...

03/03/2026 04:36 The Guardian

Top Democrat slams Trump officials’ ‘totally insufficient’ answers in closed-door briefing about Iran operation – live

State secretary frames strikes as necessary to protect US forces from retaliation; Chuck Schumer tells reporters ‘this is Trump’s war’ and ‘he has no strategy’Hegseth says US won’t get ‘bogged down’ in IranWhat is the legality of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran?Sign up for Breakin...

03/03/2026 02:57 The Guardian

US strikes on Iran triggered by Israel’s plan to launch attack, Rubio says

Democrats disturbed by rationale that Trump ordered pre-emptive strikes out of concern about Tehran retaliationUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesIsrael’s determination to attack Iran and the certainty that US troops would be targeted in response forced the Trump administration to take pre-empt...

03/03/2026 02:50 The Guardian

International students accuse Australia of treating them like ATMs after fees for one visa double without warning

Union says students blindsided after non-refundable visa fee rose from $2,300 to $4,600Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInternational students say they feel like “ATMs” after the federal government quietly doubled ap...

03/03/2026 02:07 The Guardian

Civilian deaths in Iran pass 200 amid fear of bombs and regime clampdown

As US-Israeli airstrikes hit their cities, people tell of how the authorities are warning them off the streets At least 200 civilians have been killed since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran last weekend, according to rights groups, as people inside Iran told the Guardian they were fearful of a...

02/03/2026 22:46 The Guardian

Sixth American service member killed in Iran operation

US military also says three US fighter jets were shot down in ‘friendly fire’ incident, all six crew members survivedUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSix US service members have been killed in the US military opera...

02/03/2026 22:27 The Guardian

Australia politics live: RBA says war ‘supply shock’ could add to inflation; Coalition claims mosques mourning ayatollah may breach new laws

PM tells ABC’s 7.30 that the late Iranian leader should not be mourned. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGovernment takes conflict ‘a day at a time’Moving across to ABC News Breakfast, Richard Marles say the government is taking the conflict...

02/03/2026 21:58 The Guardian

US markets see-saw as investors keep close eye on Iran war

Major US indexes recover after falls earlier in the day amid concerns of rising gas pricesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxUS stocks see-sawed on Monday as investors tried to keep abreast of the news on the first day of trading since the US and Israel atta...

02/03/2026 21:32 The Guardian

Starmer vows to avoid ‘mistakes of Iraq’ that have haunted Labour for decades

Prime minister does not believe US has a plan beyond ‘shock and awe’ stage, as some MPs dread what lies ahead• US-Israel war on Iran – live updates• What we know so far on day three of the Iran war• A visual guide to strikes on Iran and Tehran’s responseTony Blair’s support for the U...

02/03/2026 20:26 The Guardian

Iran’s Shahed drones have brought terror to Ukrainian skies – now they are being deployed in the Middle East

Bulky and noisy Iran-made unmanned attack drones have hit buildings in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and elsewhere US-Israel war on Iran – live updatesA visual guide strikes on Iran and Tehran’s responseIran’s noisy $50,000 delta-winged Shahed 136 drones have long been an unwanted sight over the skies...

02/03/2026 20:16 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

03/03 14:35 - Global Markets Tumble as Iran War Intensifies 03/03 14:34 - Trump claims US stockpiles mean wars can be fought ‘forever’; Kristi Noem testifies before Congress – US politics live 03/03 14:28 - UK considers sending Royal Navy warship to Cyprus 03/03 14:27 - UK considering sending warship to Cyprus; government to charter flight from Oman ‘in the coming days’– UK politics live 03/03 14:21 - Middle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh attacks on Tehran and Beirut 03/03 14:18 - War in Iran 'is impacting European interests across the board', researcher says 03/03 14:18 - War in the Middle East: Trump faces backlash as endgame undefined 03/03 14:18 - Live updates: U.S. closes two gulf embassies as Iran widens strikes; Israel bombs Lebanon 03/03 14:17 - Operations suspended at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant – Rosatom 03/03 14:14 - Airlines in Middle East rule out services resuming before Thursday 03/03 14:13 - Israeli troops seize new positions in Lebanon, army says creating buffer zone 03/03 14:00 - Australian energy bills could surge as Iran conflict drives up global gas prices 03/03 14:00 - Albanese government rejected advice on Tasmanian salmon farming impact before passing pro-industry laws 03/03 13:58 - Israeli military says it has hit Iran's presidential office 03/03 13:52 - No excuse for Ukraine not to restart Druzhba pipeline supplies – Orban 03/03 13:48 - Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded 03/03 13:44 - ‘Russian oil will be sought’: What are Moscow’s gains from the war in Iran? 03/03 13:44 - ‘Russian oil will be sought’: What are Moscow’s gains from the war in Iran? 03/03 13:42 - Trump to meet Germany's Merz for talks eclipsed by Middle East war 03/03 13:41 - Zelensky fears Trump's Iran war could hurt Ukraine 03/03 13:30 - Jeremy Bowen: Three days in, we still have no idea where this war is heading 03/03 13:29 - Zelenskyy warns that Iran conflict could disrupt weapons flow to Ukraine – Europe live 03/03 13:20 - Al Jazeera investigation: Iran girls’ school targeting likely ‘deliberate’ 03/03 13:20 - Al Jazeera investigation: Iran girls’ school targeting likely ‘deliberate’ 03/03 13:11 - ‘Imperialist undertones’: global south condemns US-Israeli war with Iran 03/03 13:01 - Trump admin offers scant evidence on Iranian threat in ‘America First’ war 03/03 13:01 - Trump admin offers scant evidence on Iranian threat in ‘America First’ war 03/03 12:54 - Qatar says Iran didn’t warn of missile attacks, no comms with Tehran 03/03 12:54 - Qatar says Iran didn’t warn of missile attacks, no comms with Tehran 03/03 12:54 - First Thing: Conflict spirals in Middle East as NGO says at least 700 Iranian civilians killed 03/03 12:45 - Surprise jump in UK grocery inflation makes interest rate cut less probable 03/03 12:31 - War in the Middle East: Iran's broad retaliation in the Gulf 03/03 12:13 - US embassy in Saudi Arabia hit by Iranian drones 03/03 12:08 - ‘Trump didn’t follow legal proceedings to launch this war’ 03/03 12:08 - ‘Trump didn’t follow legal proceedings to launch this war’ 03/03 12:07 - Lebanon sucked deeper into war as Hezbollah, Israel trade blows 03/03 12:06 - Israel and US say Iran war will not be “endless” 03/03 12:05 - US & Israel hit Iran for a fourth day, at least 787 civilians killed 03/03 12:02 - The war in the Middle East in maps, video and photos 03/03 11:56 - UN chief warns of Israeli-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid war on Iran 03/03 11:56 - UN chief warns of Israeli-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid war on Iran 03/03 11:43 - Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf: Will it spike energy cost? 03/03 11:43 - Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf: Will it spike energy cost? 03/03 11:37 - Trump faces MAGA mounting criticism on Iran war 03/03 11:36 - Labour to scrap government power over elections watchdog amid fears of abuse 03/03 11:35 - OpenAI amends Pentagon deal as Sam Altman admits it looks ‘sloppy’ 03/03 11:32 - How deeply have Trump’s Iran strikes split America? 03/03 11:17 - Papers discuss future of Ukraine after Trump's 'Iran gamble' 03/03 11:09 - Iran mourns 165 girls, staff killed in school strike during US-Israel war 03/03 11:09 - Iran mourns 165 girls, staff killed in school strike during US-Israel war 03/03 11:03 - An Emboldened Israel Is Seizing Opportunities to Remake Region 03/03 11:00 - White House rationale for war keeps shifting 03/03 11:00 - News24 | Drones hit US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Trump warns: ‘You’ll find out soon’ in response 03/03 10:52 - Israel orders troops to seize new positions in Lebanon 03/03 10:19 - India, Europe feel fuel crunch as Gulf gas supplies disrupted amid war 03/03 10:19 - India, Europe feel fuel crunch as Gulf gas supplies disrupted amid war 03/03 10:07 - The aftermath of ongoing Israeli and US strikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran 03/03 10:07 - The aftermath of ongoing Israeli and US strikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran 03/03 10:06 - Pizza Hut Take Fans on a Trip to the Past 03/03 09:57 - Texas Republicans back Trump over Iran - but some wary of 'a quagmire' 03/03 09:57 - Americans warned to flee Middle East 03/03 09:26 - US embassy in Riyadh hit by Iranian drones as Israeli troops enter southern Lebanon 03/03 08:44 - Video: Top Democrat says there was no imminent threat to the US from Iran 03/03 08:44 - Video: Top Democrat says there was no imminent threat to the US from Iran 03/03 08:18 - Trump rebukes Starmer over UK refusal to back strikes on Iran 03/03 07:49 - Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last? 03/03 07:26 - Trump claims US can wage war ‘forever’ 03/03 07:23 - Ireland wary but focused before Wales challenge 03/03 07:01 - The Iran war could have unexpected consequences in Ukraine 03/03 06:52 - Cuba leaders' days 'are numbered', warns top Republican 03/03 06:39 - Tuesday briefing: ‘An historic rupture’ as the Middle East crisis spreads 03/03 06:27 - How Russia could benefit from the US-Israeli war on Iran 03/03 06:27 - How Russia could benefit from the US-Israeli war on Iran 03/03 06:12 - Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon as front boils over amid wider war 03/03 06:12 - Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon as front boils over amid wider war 03/03 06:00 - Iran war heralds era of AI-powered bombing quicker than ‘speed of thought’ 03/03 05:08 - As bombing continues, Israel’s war aim in Iran becomes clear: Regime change 03/03 05:08 - As bombing continues, Israel’s war aim in Iran becomes clear: Regime change 03/03 05:00 - Rachel Reeves’s plans could be hit by Middle East conflict, say economists 03/03 05:00 - News24 | Israel issues Lebanon evacuation orders, Netanyahu promises ‘quick and decisive’ Iran war 03/03 04:57 - Fire at US embassy in Riyadh after drone strike – as it happened 03/03 04:50 - Australian troops safe after drone strikes air base near Dubai as Hastie says rules-based order a ‘fantasyland’ 03/03 04:36 - Trump’s show of force in the Middle East creates a weakness China can exploit 03/03 04:07 - News24 | No timeline, rising risks: US plays down ‘endless war’ fears as Iran conflict intensifies 03/03 02:57 - Top Democrat slams Trump officials’ ‘totally insufficient’ answers in closed-door briefing about Iran operation – live 03/03 02:50 - US strikes on Iran triggered by Israel’s plan to launch attack, Rubio says 03/03 02:42 - Investigators Examine Iran War as Possible Motive in Austin Shooting 03/03 02:40 - U.S. Sends More Troops to the Mideast as Iran War Expands 03/03 02:07 - International students accuse Australia of treating them like ATMs after fees for one visa double without warning 03/03 01:47 - Macron Expands French Nuclear Arsenal and Vows Protection for Neighbors 03/03 01:44 - How much could the Iran war cost the US? Here’s what we know 03/03 01:44 - How much could the Iran war cost the US? Here’s what we know 03/03 01:26 - Trump Embraces U.S. Military Power After Years of Caution 03/03 00:34 - UN chief calls for ‘way out’ of Iran war 03/03 00:34 - UN chief calls for ‘way out’ of Iran war 02/03 23:21 - Watch: The third day of the US-Israeli war with Iran 02/03 23:19 - Trump dismisses negative polling on Iran attack 02/03 22:56 - Trump Foresees an Extended War 02/03 22:53 - Gulf states are reportedly begging Trump to end his war on Iran soon - here's why 02/03 22:46 - Civilian deaths in Iran pass 200 amid fear of bombs and regime clampdown