US raises concern over Israel’s closure of Jerusalem holy sites

A Houthi missile attack on Israel raises concerns about Red Sea shipping routes being blocked

A missile attack on Israel by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saturday raises concern that Tehran's proxies may again try to block Red Sea shipping routes.

Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists

<p><strong>Exclusive: </strong>Environmental impact assessments are ‘incomplete’, say leaders, and private beach club could harm fragile ecosystems</p><p>Indigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading”.</p><p>The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/vanuatu-indigenous-leaders-lelepa-cruise-resort">Continue reading...</a>

European nations warn over Israel’s planned expansion of death penalty

Britain, France, Germany and Italy on Sunday voiced deep concern over Israeli plans to expand the use of the death penalty in a bill expected to be voted on next week. The Council of Europe’s rights body also opposed the draft law, warning it would significantly broaden capital punishment.

Israeli soldier killed in gunfight with Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, IDF says - The Jerusalem Post

California governor poll raises prospect of two Republicans contesting runoff

<p>Survey puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco ahead with Democratic vote split between large field of candidates</p><p>Republicans continue to lead the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/california">California</a> governor’s race amid a crowded field of Democrats, a <a href="https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CA-Voter-Index-Baseline-Survey-03.23.26.pdf">new poll</a> commissioned by the state’s Democratic party found, fueling concerns of a conservative win in the famously liberal state.</p><p>The party on Tuesday published the results of a large-scale poll of 2,000 likely voters conducted by Evitarus Research<strong> </strong>that revealed that 16% of participants would back the conservative political commentator Steve Hilton in the upcoming primary, while 14% would support Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/24/california-governor-election-republicans">Continue reading...</a>

White House AI rollout exposes widening rift

<p>A week after the White House unveiled its long-awaited national <a href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_blank">AI</a> legislative <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/white-house-ai-plan-trump-framework" target="_blank">framework</a>, Washington has renewed momentum to pass federal laws but no roadmap on how to get there.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The administration's loose AI playbook for Congress is exposing <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-rollout-ai-framework" target="_blank">cracks</a> beneath the GOP's apparent consensus.</p><hr><p><strong>What they're saying:</strong> At the Axios AI+DC Summit this week, attendees grumbled about a lack of clarity in the copyright section of the framework as Republican members of Congress showcased diverging opinions on AI's impact on voters and kids.</p><ul><li>White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director Michael Kratsios struck a hopeful tone about Congre...