Politics - Thursday, March 12, 2026

The threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are complicating President Trump’s calculations about how and when to end the war.

Michael Allen, a GOP attorney general candidate, said he was “shocked" by a Democratic proposal to legalize prostitution, saying it would “open the floodgates" to human trafficking.

Two Black female candidates may split Democratic primary voters in Illinois, and anger is growing at well-funded efforts to widen the divide.

PM has apologised for his handling of Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, but next tranche of files could contain further damaging details Keir Starmer could suffer further resignations when ministerial WhatsApp messages are published in the next tranche of the Peter Mandelson files, senior government sources have told the Guardian. With officials bracing for the subsequent releases – expected to include informal communications alongside formal messages like those in the first batch – Starmer apologised again on Thursday over his handling of Mandelson’s appointment, saying: “It was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of [Jeffrey] Epstein, and I do that.” Continue reading...

Former Sen. Joe Manchin accused John Cornyn of abandoning his long-standing support for the filibuster for political convenience, calling the reversal "deeply disappointing."

The head of the General Services Administration said a proposal to transfer control of courthouse buildings to the judiciary was a bad idea.

Defence secretary connects Middle East conflict to plight of Ukraine, sympathy for which remains relatively high Middle East crisis: live updates After a week or so of wearing media coverage about the deterioration of the Anglo-American relationship and the belated decision to deploy Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus, it was time to move the conversation on. On a visit to the UK’s permanent military headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, the defence secretary, John Healey, asked two senior British military officers if there was “any sign of a link between Russia and Iran” in the sprawling conflict that has suddenly engulfed the Middle East. Continue reading...

A fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, making it a critical choke point in global commerce.

Schumer allegedly ignored similar Pentagon luxury spending under Austin while criticizing Hegseth's $93.4 billion September expenses on various items.

The president called Mr. Paul, a boxer and provocative influencer, a “great guy” and predicted that he would run for an elected position.