Anthony Albanese addresses the nation on the Middle East crisis – read the speech in full

• President Trump told allied nations to "go get your own oil" and stated it is not America's responsibility to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, shifting burden of regional security to countries dependent on the waterway. • Trump reiterated the US military could conclude its Iranian operations within two to three weeks and said America will have no further involvement in Middle East strait security following withdrawal. • The statements reflect Trump's isolationist stance on Middle East commitments, placing responsibility for maintaining critical shipping routes on regional allies rather than continuing US military presence and protection.

• US and Israeli forces conducted strikes Tuesday on major Iranian steel facilities, including the Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan and the Khuzestan Steel Company, marking continued escalation of military operations. • President Donald Trump stated American forces will withdraw from Iran within "two to three weeks," signaling a potential end to the ongoing military campaign that began last month. • Iran reported at least 249 women and 216 children killed in US-Israeli attacks since the war's start, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected ceasefire proposals and demanded a complete end to hostilities.

• Equity markets reacted positively after Iranian state media indicated willingness to end the conflict with the US, contingent on certain conditions, as reported in Bloomberg coverage. • President Trump described potential US exit from Iran as 'very soon,' predicting sharp drops in gasoline prices and improved safety from neutralized nuclear threats. • The month-long war has spiked fuel costs, affecting grocery prices as noted by industry figures like Stew Leonard Jr.

• President Donald Trump stated on March 31 that the US military campaign against Iran could conclude within two to three weeks, saying 'We'll be leaving very soon' from the Oval Office. • Trump emphasized no diplomatic deal with Tehran is required, insisting the goal is to render Iran unable to develop nuclear weapons and 'put into the stone ages' before withdrawal. • The announcement signals an extension beyond the initial four-to-six week timeline amid reordered Middle East dynamics, disrupted global energy markets, and impacts on Trump's presidency.

Judge says in verdict against Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham that conditions imposed were lawful and necessaryTwo prominent leaders in the Palestine solidarity movement in Britain have been found guilty of breaching protest conditions.Ben Jamal, 62, the director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and Chris Nineham, 63, vice-chair of the Stop the War Coalition, were accused of failing to comply with conditions imposed on a protest on 18 January 2025. They were subsequently charged with public order offences. Continue reading...

Sandhu Ponnachan appears in court on charges of dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harmA 36-year-old man has been remanded into custody after appearing in court accused of dangerous driving after seven people were injured when a car hit pedestrians in Derby on Saturday night.Sandhu Ponnachan, from the Alvaston area of the city, appeared at Southern Derbyshire magistrates court on Wednesday having also been charged with six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm, and one count of possession of a bladed article. Continue reading...

Some European countries have blocked Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace. Plus, a rocket heads to the moon on Wednesday for the first time since 1972Good morning.Donald Trump has launched a tirade against European countries that refused to join the Israel-US war against Iran, calling out the UK and France, as transatlantic relations continue their downward spiral and the war wreaks havoc on the global economy.What pushback has there been from Europe? France has blocked Israeli planes from flying weapons through its airspace, while Italy refused last-minute permission for US bombers to land in Sicily. Spain has already denied the US use of its bases and airspace. The UK, however, has allowed the US to use its bases for a war that its government says is illegal.For the latest updates, follow our live blog. Continue reading...

Company chaired by Trump ally Larry Ellison seeks to reassure investors that bet on AI infrastructure will pay offOracle is cutting thousands of jobs as the US technology company seeks to reassure investors that its bet on AI infrastructure will pay off.The $420bn firm, headquartered in Austin, Texas, started letting employees go on Tuesday, with thousands of Oracle’s 160,000-strong workforce expected to leave. Continue reading...

PM to focus on European defence and economic partnership for ‘dangerous world’ in pivot away from USUK politics live – latest updatesBritain’s long-term national interest requires closer partnership with the EU, Keir Starmer has said, citing war in the Middle East and the increasingly “volatile” international situation.The prime minister indicated that the conflict had re-focused the government on “ambitious” new ties with Europe, economically and in defence, and said that how Britain emerged from the crisis “would define us for a generation”. Continue reading...

Court case will weigh the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship President Donald Trump will watch the US supreme court hear a landmark case today weighing the constitutionality of his contentious bid to end birthright citizenship – an extraordinary and possibly unprecedented move for the nation’s highest office.Trump signed an executive order on his return to the White House decreeing that children born to parents in the United States illegally or on temporary visas would not automatically become US citizens.Trump signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting across the US with a series of new requirements, including the establishment of a national voter list.The move was unprecedented and likely unconstitutional, according to experts. The Brennan Center said in response, “He has no lawful authority to write the rules that govern our elections. He tried a year ago; we sued him; we won. A year later, he has tried again. He can expect the same result.”Several states and Democratic officials criticized the order, describing it as an illegal attack that amounted to voter suppression ahead of the midterms, and said they will take legal action to stop the president, including California.Trump continued to fume over today’s ruling from a US judge that halted the construction of his $400m White House ballroom, and sharply criticized the decision during a press briefing and on social media.Pete Hegseth lifted the suspension of the crew of the military helicopters that hovered near the home of singer Kid Rock, and said there would be no investigation. Continue reading...

Trump issued executive order in January 2025 that seeks to undo birthright citizenship, overriding the constitutionSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US supreme court will hear arguments on Wednesday over whether Trump can reverse generations of precedent and deny birthright citizenship to babies born on US soil, which would impact hundreds of thousands of children annually.On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order that sought to undo birthright citizenship, overriding the US constitution – or, as his administration has argued, interpret the constitution correctly, in defiance of supreme court precedent. Continue reading...

Our wildlife series Young Country Diary is looking for articles written by children, about their spring encounters with natureOnce again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months we ask you to send us an article written by a child aged 8-14.The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a marauding toad, a fascinating flower or a garden bird. Continue reading...