Hundreds of GPs have told the BBC they have never refused a patient’s request for a sick note related to mental health concerns, highlighting growing pressures within the current system. In a questionnaire to which 752 responded, 540 said they had never declined such a request, while 162 reported refusing at least one. Many doctors expressed frustration that issuing fit notes has become a difficult part of their role, placing them in the position of both patient advocate and gatekeeper for access to sick pay and benefits. NHS data shows the number of fit notes issued has risen significantly in recent years, with more than 956,000 citing mental health or behavioural disorders as the main reason last year. Some GPs said it was challenging to assess mental health conditions objectively and sometimes easier to issue a note than face conflict with patients. Government officials are now exploring possible reforms to the system, including greater involvement from employers and occupational health services.
A new UK-wide poll suggests that many Britons believe moving further away from the nation’s Christian foundations could harm future generations. The Whitestone survey of two thousand adults found that 52% think distancing Britain from its Christian roots would negatively affect society’s future, including nearly one-third of respondents with no religious affiliation. A majority of those questioned (58%) said Christianity still offers something positive for how the country is governed, morally or practically. At the same time, 60% believe Britain has lost a meaningful shared sense of right and wrong, with only 11% saying the nation currently possesses strong shared moral values. Interestingly, younger adults appear more open to Christianity’s influence than often assumed, with studies showing that many people aged 18–24 are receptive to Christian moral guidance in shaping society. The findings were released at an Oxford conference examining the role of Christian thought in Britain’s future.
On 5 March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged two hundred prisoners of war, with a further exchange of three hundred the next day. The swap, agreed during talks in Geneva in February, marks one of the latest humanitarian steps during the long-running conflict between the two countries. Volodymyr Zelensky said the return of the Ukrainian prisoners brought relief to many families who had waited months or years for news of their loved ones. Images released by officials showed returning soldiers embracing relatives and celebrating their release. Russian authorities also shared footage of their soldiers returning home. Prisoner exchanges have occurred periodically since the war began, offering moments of hope even while efforts to secure a broader peace settlement remain stalled amid disagreements over territory and security guarantees. More recently, Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has made significant gains in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, and that Russia is losing 35,000 soldiers a month: see
Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to international law after her remarks on 9 March about a changing global order sparked controversy. She had said that Europe could ‘no longer be a custodian for the old world order’, suggesting that shifting geopolitical realities require new approaches. Some supporters viewed the comment as a realistic assessment of global tensions, while critics feared it might weaken Europe’s defence of international rules. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez responded that the key challenge is maintaining an international order rather than allowing disorder. Von der Leyen clarified that recognising global changes does not lessen the EU’s principles. She emphasised that the EU remains committed to peace, multilateral cooperation, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Her remarks come as European leaders are sharply split over the legality of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Tensions have risen between Hungary and Ukraine ahead of Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary election on 12 April. Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of attempting to influence the vote and even preparing hostile actions against his country. Ukrainian officials reject the claims, saying the accusations are part of a political campaign intended to rally support for Orbán’s Fidesz party, which currently is behind in the polls. Meanwhile, reports suggest a Kremlin-linked group may also be planning disinformation efforts aimed at influencing Hungarian public opinion. A key issue in the dispute is the disruption of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline after Russian drone strikes damaged infrastructure in western Ukraine in January. Orbán claims that the pipeline is intact and that Ukraine is deliberately withholding supplies, a claim rejected by Ukrainian officials. Campaign messaging inside Hungary has increasingly focused on the war and fears of wider conflict.
A series of videos shared by the White House has sparked debate after mixing footage of the war with Iran with scenes from films, video games, and professional sports. The posts combine real explosions with clips from entertainment franchises and popular culture, including action movies and gaming titles. Critics say the approach risks turning a deadly conflict into spectacle. Actor Ben Stiller and voice actor Steve Downes both objected to the use of their work without permission, calling for the clips to be removed. Church leaders also voiced concern, including Blase J Cupich, the Catholic archbishop of Chicago, who warned that portraying war like a video game diminishes the suffering experienced by those affected. Supporters of the videos argue they highlight the actions of American forces and communicate messages in a digital age shaped by media and entertainment. Meanwhile, Trump has said his ‘excursion’ will soon be over, but ‘not yet’: see
Iran: a new Supreme Leader
12 Mar 2026
Iran’s clerical leaders have moved quickly to appoint a new Supreme Leader after Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and American strikes on the opening day of the conflict. His successor is his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei. For years he has been influential behind the scenes, often described as a gatekeeper to his father and closely connected to key centres of power. His wife Zahra was reportedly killed in the same Israeli air strike that killed his father. Although he lacks broad public recognition and has never held elected office, reports indicate he has the backing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the powerful security force which underpins the state. His appointment is likely to reinforce the existing direction of Iran’s leadership during a period of intense regional conflict and internal pressure. Observers note that many Iranians who have called for reform will see little sign of change in this appointment, which might give Donald Trump a strategic advantage in his war of words with Tehran. Breaking news: on 12 March, a message was read out on state television, said to come from the new Supreme Leader, vowing that Iran would fight on. See
More than 300 people, including many women and children, have been abducted after militant fighters attacked the town of Ngoshe in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state. Local officials say the assault likely came in retaliation for the recent killing of three Boko Haram commanders by Nigerian forces. The attack forms part of a wider wave of violence across the region, with additional assaults reported in several nearby communities. Although the military says troops repelled some attacks, soldiers were also killed during the fighting. Mass kidnappings have become increasingly common in Nigeria, particularly in remote areas where security is limited. Armed groups often arrive on motorbikes, raid villages quickly, and disappear into remote bushland before troops can respond. Among the militant groups operating in the region are Boko Haram, IS, and other armed gangs which engage in kidnapping and illegal mining. Analysts warn that cross-border militant cooperation and new technologies such as drones are strengthening these groups, while many communities remain vulnerable to ongoing violence.