Theatre critics in Scotland decry ‘London-centric’ reviewing policy for One Day musical 16. March 2026 (14:43) A letter from 15 critics to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh condemns ‘divisive move’ that saw non-Scottish publications excluded from reviewing the musical’s press nightTheatre critics in Scotland have written to the Royal Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh condemning a “divisive” and “London-centric” decision to not invite reviews from UK national publications for its new musical version of One Day.The show, based on the 2009 novel by David Nicholls, held a press night on Wednesday but only critics writing for Scottish publications were invited to review it. A separate press night for other critics is planned for a later date, when the show opens in London. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump backs FCC chair’s threat to pull licenses of news outlets over Iran war coverage 16. March 2026 (14:41) US president on social media said he was ‘thrilled’ that Brendan Carr was looking into broadcasters’ licenses Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump reinforced comments made by Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatening the broadcast licenses of news organizations that report unfavorably on the war in Iran.In a Truth Social post Sunday night, Trump said he was “thrilled” that Carr was “looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations. They get Billions of Dollars of FREE American Airwaves, and use it to perpetuate LIES …”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britons should strive to pay minimum tax legally possible, says Richard Tice 16. March 2026 (14:26) Reform UK’s deputy leader comments came as he was responding to questions raised about his own tax affairsAll Britons should do their best to pay the minimum tax possible, Reform UK’s deputy leader has argued as he dismissed a newspaper investigation over his own tax affairs as a smear.Richard Tice, who was presenting a press conference on Monday about Reform’s claims to have saved large sums of money in the English councils it runs, faced questions about a Sunday Times story which detailed a scheme the paper said had helped him avoid nearly £600,000 in corporation tax. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oldest-known whale song recording provides new insight into ocean sounds 16. March 2026 (14:05) Recording of humpback whale from 1949 could also provide new understanding of how the huge animals communicateA haunting whale song discovered on decades-old audio equipment could open up a new understanding of how the huge animals communicate, according to researchers who say it is the oldest such recording known.The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, said researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China ‘still communicating’ with US over Trump visit despite talk of delay 16. March 2026 (13:50) US president hinted that his trip could be put on hold if Beijing failed to help secure the strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesChina has said it is in communication with the US about Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing, despite hints from the US president that he might delay the trip if his prospective hosts do not help to unblock the strait of Hormuz.China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations. The two sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Afghan asylum seeker dies in ICE custody, US advocacy group says 16. March 2026 (13:34) Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, died on Saturday in Texas less than 24 hours after being detainedAn Afghan immigrant who previously worked with the United States military in Afghanistan and later sought asylum in the US died over the weekend in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody less than 24 hours after being detained in Texas, an advocacy group said on Sunday.Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, who was living in a Dallas suburb with his wife and six children while his asylum case remained pending, was arrested by federal agents outside his apartment on Friday morning while taking his children to school, said a statement from Shawn VanDiver, president of the military veteran-led group AfghanEvac. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Relative of US airman killed in Middle East crash calls war on Iran ‘uncalled for’ 16. March 2026 (13:34) Cousin of Tech Sgt Tyler Simmons, whose military refueling plane crashed in Iraq, says: ‘We didn’t need to be in this war’A relative of an Ohio airman who was killed recently in a military airplane crash in Iraq amid the US and Israel’s war in nearby Iran has said the conflict is “uncalled for”.“This could have been prevented,” Stephan Douglas said of the death of his cousin Tech Sgt Tyler Simmons, 28, in an interview with the Ohio news outlet WCMH. “We didn’t need to be in this war. This is uncalled for – and this is what we get.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Africa particularly vulnerable as Iran conflict disrupts supply chains, say experts 16. March 2026 (13:03) Food production in many African countries depends heavily on fertiliser imported from the Gulf through the strait of HormuzCountries in Africa, where farmers depend heavily on imported fertiliser and a large share of household income goes on food, are particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, experts have said.The conflict has drastically disrupted trade through the strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane not just for oil and gas but also for fertiliser, which is produced in vast quantities in the Gulf. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nicolas Sarkozy back in court for fresh trial over alleged Libya funding 16. March 2026 (11:53) Ex-French president, who was jailed last year for criminal conspiracy, to be tried at Paris appeal court on four counts Nicolas Sarkozy is due to appear at the Paris court of appeal to face a fresh trial over allegations he conspired to receive illegal election campaign funding from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.The former rightwing French president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, denies any wrongdoing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK ‘will not be drawn into wider war’ over Iran, says Starmer – UK politics live 16. March 2026 (11:49) PM says he wants conflict to end as soon as possible due to the impact on the cost of livingKeir Starmer is speaking at his press conference.The war is entering its third week, he says.First, we will protect our people in the region.Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.Moments like this also tell you about leadership … Now, there are others who would have made a different decision two weeks ago.They would have rushed the UK headlong into this war without the full picture of what they were sending our forces into and without a plan to get us out.It is no surprise that our closest and most important ally is so disappointed. The Labour government’s response to the crisis in Iran has been shameful.We should have been supporting our allies, not making it harder for them. Even now Starmer is still trying to sit on the fence, which is a complete failure of leadership. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
