Sobering times: alcohol-free beer added to UK inflation basket 16. March 2026 (16:40) Hummus and pet grooming also join list of goods and services used to help judge the impact of rising pricesBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s increasing sobriety will be recognised from next month in the basket of goods used to calculate inflation after alcohol-free beer was added to a list by the Office for National Statistics totalling 760 items.Hummus and pet grooming were also included in the list of goods and services used to help judge the impact of rising prices on the cost of living. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour MPs have no reason to oppose new welfare reforms, says minister 16. March 2026 (16:30) Pat McFadden unveils £1bn youth employment scheme and appeals to backbenchers who rebelled last yearUK politics live – latest updatesLabour MPs have no reason to oppose a fresh government attempt to overhaul the welfare system, the work and pensions secretary has said, as he unveiled a £1bn youth employment scheme.The announcement by Pat McFadden, who said the public wanted the system to promote work and “value for money”, is regarded as a prelude to a renewed effort to change the welfare system after plans by his predecessor, Liz Kendall, were blocked by a Labour backbench rebellion last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US judge dismisses $100,000 suit over spiciness of New York taqueria’s sauce 16. March 2026 (16:16) A German tourist filed a lawsuit claiming he felt unpleasant symptoms after eating tacos with salsa at Los Tacos No 1A German tourist’s attempt to pursue $100,000 in damages from a New York City taqueria whose salsa he found to be too spicy has failed after a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.In a complaint filed in October 2024, German national Faycal Manz said he was visiting New York City two months earlier when he stopped at the Times Square location of Los Tacos No 1. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz 16. March 2026 (16:12) Leaders seek a diplomatic solution despite US president’s threat of ‘a very bad future’ for Nato unless it provides warshipsMiddle East crisis – live updatesEuropean countries have ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite threats from Donald Trump that Nato faces “a very bad future” if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway.Germany ruled out participation in any military activity, including efforts to reopen the strait. “This is not our war, we have not started it,” said the country’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: ‘Maybe we shouldn’t even be there’ 16. March 2026 (15:28) President made contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with allies to help US secure Strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump drew a backlash on Sunday for suggesting US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz were unnecessary – and that “maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all” because his country has plenty of oil of its own.The president made the contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with European and Nato allies to enter the war in Iran to help the US secure the strait amid the largest oil supply disruption in history. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Replacing 1m petrol cars with EVs could cut Australia’s reliance on foreign fuel by 1bn litres a year 16. March 2026 (15:00) Electric vehicles reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and shift energy consumption to electricity largely produced domestically, expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia could reduce its reliance on foreign fuel by more than 1bn litres a year if we replaced 1m petrol-fuelled cars with electric vehicles, as experts say boosting EV adoption is part of securing the nation’s long-term economic security.Hussein Dia, a professor of transport technology and sustainability at the Swinburne University of Technology, said electric vehicles can play a meaningful role in improving Australia’s energy sovereignty, as well as contributing to the national net zero emissions goal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How did a vape trigger an urgent call on a Virgin Australia domestic flight? 16. March 2026 (15:00) What happened on board, and are vapes considered a fire risk on flights? Here’s what you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after landing on Sunday afternoon, after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.The pilots of Virgin Australia flight VA328 issued a “pan” call after a vape activated in the cabin during descent, with smoke seen coming from the device. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oakland homicides fall to 25-year low – how did it stem the violence? 16. March 2026 (15:00) Despite Trump’s claims, California city has found success in lowering deadly violence, thanks to pioneering efforts to steer people down a different pathIn the summer of 2025, as Donald Trump rolled out his plan to deploy the national guard to Washington DC and Chicago, he suggested other American cities were overrun with violence and could soon see federal troops: Memphis, Los Angeles, New York.Oakland, the president argued, was beyond saving. “And then you have, of course, Baltimore and Oakland. They’re so far gone. We don’t even talk about that any more,” Trump said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mayor unveils £1.5bn ‘People’s Network’ transport plan for South Yorkshire 16. March 2026 (14:45) Trams, buses and hire bikes will be integrated under molten orange and asphalt black brand highlighting industrial heritage, says Oliver CoppardSouth Yorkshire’s transport system will be known as the “People’s Network”, with trams, buses and hire bikes all coming under public control.The plan was unveiled on Monday by the region’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, who said it would create an affordable, joined-up network in molten orange and asphalt black colours. A large fleet of electric buses and 25 new trams will be introduced over the next five years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump attacks supreme court over tariffs again in late-night social media post – US politics live 16. March 2026 (14:44) President accuses court of having ‘unnecessarily RANSACKED’ the US and claims he has ‘absolute right’ to impose new tariffsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe only Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hit back at chair Brendan Carr’s threats over the weekend to cancel broadcasters’ licenses for pushing “hoaxes and news distortions”.Carr added that “fake news” outlets now “have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up”.Such threats violate the First Amendment and will go nowhere. Broadcasters should continue covering the news, fiercely and independently, without fear of government pressure. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
