Matty Edwards

Israel’s Likud party has erected a campaign billboard in Tel Aviv depicting New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani alongside the leaders of Turkey, Iran and Hezbollah, urging voters not to let Netanyahu’s opponents win. The move escalates a dispute between Mamdani, who has called Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and urged enforcement of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant, and Netanyahu, who has accused Mamdani of fomenting religious hatred and undermining US support for Israel. The billboard comes as Netanyahu seeks to retain his coalition ahead of October elections and as US-Israeli negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire remain stalled over Israel’s refusal to withdraw troops before Hamas disarms.

Labour MP Bayo Alaba has been suspended from the party whip and referred himself for investigation over two Covid-era Bounce Back Loans taken by his businesses. Questions focus on whether Alaba Properties Ltd was eligible for the loans and why attempts to wind up the company were made in 2022 despite outstanding debts. Alaba says he is repaying the loans in full and will cooperate with the investigation, while Labour says it expects high standards from elected representatives. Conservative MP Mike Wood has called for Alaba and ministers to explain whether efforts were made to avoid repayment.

Voting opened in the Makerfield byelection, where Labour’s Andy Burnham is seeking to return to Westminster and potentially challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership. Although Labour has historically held the seat comfortably, Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon is presenting a serious challenge. Burnham’s allies reportedly favour Starmer stepping aside rather than triggering a leadership contest, while Starmer has rejected the prospect of resigning; Burnham’s team is also urging ministers not to resign prematurely to avoid government instability. The live coverage additionally reports Rachel Reeves defending Labour’s fiscal rules, criticism of Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s domestic-violence comments, Zack Polanski’s clearance in a council-tax inquiry, continuing local-government audit failures, research linking Brexit to a 12% reduction in UK exports to the EU, and Nigel Farage’s opposition to the Bank of England’s proposed digital currency.

Amber heat health warnings cover eastern England, London, the south-east and south-west from Thursday through Tuesday as temperatures are forecast to reach 34C, with heatwave conditions likely across much of southern and eastern England. Yellow alerts apply in the Midlands, while Scotland and northern areas remain cooler. The Met Office warns of oppressive humidity, possible thunderstorms and a 40% chance of exceeding the UK’s June temperature record. Authorities also reiterated water-safety advice after 16 deaths during the May heatwave, highlighting the risks of cold-water shock, strong currents and unsupervised swimming.

Roger Cook, the New Zealand-born, Australia-raised investigative journalist and broadcaster, has died aged 83 after a short illness. Best known for ITV’s The Cook Report, which ran from 1987 to 1999, Cook pioneered the television doorstep-confrontation format and used undercover investigations to expose corruption, criminality and injustice. His reporting contributed to police investigations and convictions, including the case of fraudster Johnny “Goldfinger” Palmer, and covered issues ranging from protection rackets in Northern Ireland to the Guatemalan adoption trade and the infected blood scandal. Cook received a special BAFTA award in 1997 and later won a libel settlement from the News of the World after it admitted publishing false claims about his work. ITV and his family paid tribute to his influential career and personal legacy.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports fresh US strikes on southern Iran against missile sites and Iranian boats allegedly laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington says the actions were defensive and the ceasefire remains in place for now. Iranian negotiators and the foreign minister held talks in Doha with Qatar’s prime minister on a possible peace agreement involving the strait, enriched uranium and frozen Iranian funds, although both sides played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough. Marco Rubio said the strait must reopen and that negotiations could take several days. Meanwhile, Israel intensified attacks in southern Lebanon as Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush Hezbollah, prompting displacement from Beirut’s southern suburbs; Hezbollah said its attacks on northern Israel were retaliation for ceasefire violations. Donald Trump also proposed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries join the Abraham Accords as part of any broader regional deal.

A 30-year-old woman died after being shot outside the One Four One bar on West Street in Sheffield during the early hours of a bank holiday Monday. South Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation and arrested three people: two 30-year-old men and a 32-year-old woman. Roads around West Street and Eldon Street remained closed as officers appealed for witnesses.

Netflix’s Adolescence dominated the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards, winning best limited drama and acting prizes for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco. Narges Rashidi won leading actress for Prisoner 951, while Code of Silence took best drama. Channel 4’s Gaza: Doctors Under Attack won in current affairs after the BBC dropped the documentary over impartiality concerns, prompting criticism of the BBC during the ceremony. Other major winners included Grenfell: Uncovered, The Celebrity Traitors, Amandaland, Here We Go, Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge programme, Last One Laughing UK and EastEnders.

Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure after Labour’s poor local election performance, with about 40 MPs calling for his resignation or an orderly exit plan. Angela Rayner says blocking Andy Burnham’s return to parliament was a mistake and urges Starmer to change Labour’s economic agenda, party management and political direction. Catherine West is threatening to pursue a leadership challenge if Starmer’s forthcoming speech does not provide a timetable for change, while Wes Streeting is reportedly prepared to stand if the premiership collapses. Labour figures warn that an immediate contest could produce a divisive or undemocratic succession process. The crisis is compounded by criticism over the cost of living, Labour’s perceived loss of working-class support, demands for proportional representation, and divisions over antisemitism and Reform UK’s handling of alleged racist comments by a councillor.

British activists Alice Chapman and Zak Khan said they required hospital treatment after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters near Crete. They alleged beatings, the use of a rubber bullet and stun grenades, denial of water, harsh detention conditions and abuse of other detainees. Israel is still holding Spanish-Swedish national Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila, who have appeared in court without being charged. Flotilla organizers condemned the interception as piracy, while Israel described the mission as a provocative publicity stunt and said its actions complied with international law. Spain and Brazil condemned the detention of their nationals, and the UK urged Israel to comply with international law and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, travelling from Argentina toward Cape Verde, has killed three passengers, including a Dutch husband and wife, and sickened at least three others. One British passenger tested positive and was hospitalised in Johannesburg, while another patient was in intensive care. The WHO confirmed at least one case and is coordinating with national authorities and Oceanwide Expeditions on investigations, medical evacuations and repatriation. Cape Verdean authorities had not authorised disembarkation of symptomatic passengers, and laboratory testing and virus sequencing were ongoing.

The live coverage reports continued US-Israeli military pressure on Iran, uncertainty over a long-term peace deal and escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump ordered US forces to attack Iranian boats laying mines, claimed extensive US control of the strait and said Washington had struck most intended targets, while Iranian leaders rejected his portrayal of internal turmoil. Trump also extended the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks, despite continued Israeli strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks; the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil prompted accusations that Israel committed a war crime. The conflict has unsettled global markets, pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel and contributed to eurozone economic contraction. Italy rejected a suggestion that it replace Iran in the 2026 World Cup, while US officials said Iranian players could participate subject to restrictions on IRGC-linked accompanying personnel.

An inquest found that the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust failed to warn Gemma Lomas adequately about the risks of an unsafe home birth after a previous caesarean section. Her seven-day-old daughter, Poppy Hope Lomas, died in October 2022 after complications, probably caused by a lack of oxygen before birth. The coroner criticized the use of vague language such as “out of guidance,” recommended clearer risk disclosures, parental involvement in multidisciplinary discussions and signed consent forms, and the trust said it had introduced measures to improve communication and the transfer of mothers to hospital.

The UAE temporarily closed its airspace after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted, then announced that flight operations had returned to normal. The attacks came amid escalating US-Israeli military action against Iran, Israeli strikes on Tehran and Beirut, and a limited Israeli ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon that has reportedly killed hundreds and displaced more than a million people. The US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by an intense drone and rocket assault, while fires and damage were reported at UAE energy facilities and a nearby tanker. Donald Trump pressed Japan, South Korea, China, NATO and European allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but several governments rejected military involvement, warning against a wider war. The conflict has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and triggered concerns about fuel shortages and inflation.

Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed will host the first three episodes of Saturday Night Live UK, which launches live on Sky One on 21 March and will also stream on Now. The British spin-off will follow the US show's rapid production model, with topical sketches written and rehearsed during the week of broadcast, alongside opening monologues, live music and a British version of Weekend Update. Wet Leg, Wolf Alice and Kasabian are the opening musical acts. Created by a team led by executive producer Lorne Michaels, head producer James Longman and head writer Jonno Johnson, the series will feature 11 regular comedians and 20 writers performing for a London studio audience.

An invasive meningitis outbreak linked to the University of Kent and three schools in Kent has resulted in two deaths and 11 hospitalisations, with 13 cases reported since 13 March. One deceased person was a University of Kent student and the other was a sixth-former at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, identified by teachers as Juliette. The UK Health Security Agency is investigating, tracing contacts and providing antibiotics to people considered at risk, including visitors to Canterbury’s Club Chemistry on 5–7 March. The university has moved assessments for about 1,700 students online while keeping its campus open.

Two people have died and 11 others are reportedly seriously ill after 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease were detected among students and young people in the Canterbury area. One of the deceased was a University of Kent student. The UK Health Security Agency has supplied antibiotics to close contacts and warned that the fast-acting illness, which can cause both meningitis and septicaemia, requires urgent medical attention. The disease strain has not yet been identified, while the university and Meningitis Now urged students and staff to watch for symptoms and seek help quickly.

Zahira Byjaouane, 43, has been charged with murdering her 18-day-old daughter after the baby fell from a property on Horseferry Road in Westminster. The infant was treated at the scene and taken to a major trauma centre but later died. Byjaouane has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court.

Twelve people were arrested during rival al-Quds Day and pro-Israel, pro-American counterprotests on opposite banks of the Thames in London. More than 1,000 police officers separated the groups, and a march by the al-Quds demonstrators had been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The Metropolitan police are investigating chants led by Bobby Vylan supporting the deaths of members of the Israel Defense Forces, while arrests included allegations of support for a proscribed organisation, affray and threatening or abusive behaviour. The demonstrations highlighted deep divisions among Iranians in the UK over Iran’s government, Israel, the United States and the war.

Six companies for which Sarah Ferguson is the sole director are being wound down after newly released Epstein documents renewed scrutiny of her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The documents include messages Ferguson sent after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, including expressions of affection and apologies. Her charity Sarah’s Trust is also closing, while other charities have ended their association with her, and a book linked to her was cancelled after she lost her royal divorcee title.