Pope Leo urges an end to violence
Pope Leo (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Pope Leo on Sunday urging an end to the violence in the Middle East and renewed efforts to open space for dialogue.
Speaking at the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said the conflict was fuelling fear and hatred as he raised concerns that it could spread further, dragging other countries, including “dear Lebanon”.
“Let us raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the roar of bombs may cease, that weapons may fall silent, and that space may be opened for dialogue in which the voices of peoples can be heard”, he said.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 11:45
Emirates pledges to resume all flights despite Dubai airport attack
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
The biggest airline in the Gulf, Emirates, is resuming flights at scale – despite its hub at Dubai airport being the target of an Iranian attack.
Following fresh drone strikes in the UAE city, flights were briefly suspended on Saturday and passengers were taken into tunnels at the airport, which is normally the busiest global hub in the world.
But Emirates said it would continue to ramp up its operations to and from its hub at Dubai.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 11:30
Trump blames Iran for deadly strike on girls’ school that reportedly killed 175
US forces were likely responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls school that killed scores of children, US officials have told Reuters.
But Trump, without citing evidence, told reporters on Saturday that Iran was responsible.
Trump blames Iran for deadly strike on girls’ school that reportedly killed 175
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 11:20
Blair sparks row with Starmer after claiming UK ‘should have backed Trump from the beginning’ in Iran
The former prime minister told a private Jewish News event on Friday that Sir Keir should have let the Trump administration use British airbases to strike Iran.
He reportedly added: “If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security….you had better show up”.
Sir Tony’s comments were made in private on the understanding that he would not be quoted, but they have since appeared in the Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 11:10
US and Israel have broken international law, Swiss minister says
The United States and Israel have broken international law with their attacks on Iran, Swiss defence minister Martin Pfister said in an interview published on Sunday, becoming the latest European leader to raise concerns about the conflict.
Legal experts have said many countries will consider the attacks unjustified under the United Nations Charter, under which member countries must refrain from using force or the threat of force without UN authorisation or unless acting in self-defence.
“The Federal Council is of the opinion that the attack on Iran constitutes a violation of international law,” Pfister told SonntagsZeitung, referring to the Swiss cabinet.
“In our view it constitutes a violation on the prohibition of violence,” he added, calling on all parties involved to halt the fighting to protect the civilian population.
Pfister said he was referring to all the countries not complying with the prohibition on violence, including the United States and Israel.
“The Americans and Israel have attacked Iran from the air. In doing so, they, like Iran, violated international law,” Pfister said.
The comments chime with those of German vice chancellor and finance minister Lars Klingbeil, who told the RND newspaper network that he had “serious doubts that this war is legitimate under international law.”
Klingbeil also came out strongly against the idea of any potential German participation in the war: “I say clearly: this is not our war. We will not participate in this war.”
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 10:57
IDF colonel says ‘we will not hesitate to target you as well’ as Iran selects new supreme leader
IDF colonel and spokesperson Avichay Adraee says Israel will target Iran’s new supreme leader and those appointing him.
In a post on X, he said: “I would like to emphasise that the long arm of the State of Israel will continue to pursue the Caliph and everyone who attempts to appoint him.
“We warn everyone planning to participate in the session to select the Caliph: We will not hesitate to target you as well.”
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 10:44
Cooper hits back at Trump over UK’s lack of involvement in Iran’We Have To Learn The Lessons From Iraq’ Cooper Hits Back At Trump Over UK’s Lack Of Involvement In Iran
Daniel Haygarth8 March 2026 10:35
Full story: Iran says it has chosen new supreme leader as new wave of strikes pound the Gulf
Iran has elected a new supreme leader following a meeting of its Assembly of Experts, a senior Iranian official has said.
Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the panel, told state media that a leader had been chosen after an election – without naming who had been selected.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 10:24
Israeli military says it will pursue every successor to Ali Khamenei
The Israeli military has warned it would pursue every successor of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in strikes on the country.
In a post on X in Farsi, the Israeli military, also warned it would pursue every person who seeks to appoint a successor for Khamenei, referring to the clerical body charged with choosing the next leader.
According to the BBC, Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, has said that a new leader has been elected.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 10:12
BREAKING: Iran elects new leader, reports
The BBC reports that Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, has said that a new leader has been elected.
The semi-official Mehr news agency has said that the head of the Secretariat of the Assembly of Experts, Hosseini Bushehri, is now responsible for publicly announcing the decision.
Dan Haygarth8 March 2026 10:08