Inquiry launched into HMRC anti-fraud scheme that wrongly cut child benefits 16. March 2026 (07:00) Flawed Home Office travel records identified thousands of parents suspected of claiming while living abroadThe UK’s public spending watchdog has launched an investigation into a controversial government anti-fraud scheme that resulted in thousands of families being wrongly stripped of their child benefit payments.The National Audit Office (NAO) will examine how HM Revenue and Customs designed and implemented a scheme that used flawed Home Office travel records to identify parents suspected of living abroad while still claiming child benefit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 100 Labour MPs call on PM to stop assisted dying bill being blocked 16. March 2026 (07:00) Letter sent to Starmer claims ‘small number of peers have been using procedural tactics’ to stymie its progressMore than 100 Labour MPs have called on Keir Starmer to stop the House of Lords from blocking the assisted dying bill and give it more time to return to the Commons, with the legislation now certain to fall owing to lack of time.The private member’s bill, sponsored by Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, will fall when the parliamentary session comes to an end in May because peers have used multiple amendments and lengthy debates to prevent it from being put to a vote. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
High levels of debt on essential UK bills are the ‘new normal’, warn campaigners 16. March 2026 (07:00) Average arrears for housing, utilities and council tax for low-income households all rose last yearHigh levels of debt on essential bills have become the “new normal” for many low-income households, the charity StepChange said on Monday, with average arrears for housing, utilities and council tax all going up last year.People’s budgets have been stretched in recent years as they have faced higher prices for many goods and services, and the crisis in the Middle East has led to concerns over a new wave of increases. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fewer Britons giving to charity, study says, with donations down by £1.4bn 16. March 2026 (07:00) Charities Aid Foundation says giving no longer a ‘deeply embedded cultural norm’ amid rising cost of livingBritain is rapidly losing the charity habit, with public donations to good causes plummeting by more than £1.4bn last year and millions of people saying they can no longer afford – or do not want – to give, according to an analysis.The Charities Aid Foundation (Caf) said in its annual report that, while the British remained generous at heart, society was witnessing a big transformation in attitudes towards charitable giving. Just half of people gave to charity in 2025, down from 61% a decade earlier. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump claims he has ‘absolute right’ to impose new tariffs after supreme court blow 16. March 2026 (06:09) US supreme court has ‘ransacked’ the country, president argues, in wake of its ruling against his trade agendaDonald Trump has claimed he has “the absolute right” to impose new tariffs after the US supreme court ruled many of the import duties he imposed last year were illegal.The president attacked the court in a late night broadside on Sunday, accusing it of having “unnecessarily RANSACKED” the US – and failing to show him sufficient loyalty. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump increases pressure on allies over strait of Hormuz; Israel says it still has ‘thousands of targets’ in Iran 16. March 2026 (05:49) Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future if US allies fail to assist in opening the vital oil route; Israel says thousands of targets in Iran remain – follow it liveHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?Japan said on Monday it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency indicated earlier that the release would begin in Asia and Oceania before other regions.Japan, which depends on the Middle East for 95% of its oil imports, said on Monday in a notice in its official government gazette – cited by the AFP news agency – that the level of oil reserves in the country “is being lowered”.We still have thousands of targets in Iran, and we are identifying new targets every day.We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Author Craig Silvey facing more charges after being accused of producing child exploitation material 16. March 2026 (05:30) Jasper Jones author also charged with additional count of possessing child exploitation materialFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian author Craig Silvey has been charged with more child exploitation offences.The 43-year-old was previously charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material in early January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virgin Australia flight met by firefighters at Melbourne airport after smoke seen coming from vape 16. March 2026 (05:26) Passenger on Flight VA 328 alerted the crew who responded by ‘containing the device’ before plane landedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.Flight VA 328 landed safely and all passengers disembarked normally after a vape “activated” in the cabin shortly before landing at about 4pm on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, Melbourne airport said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nine-year-old Australian boy allegedly caught driving car at 1.30am on major highway 16. March 2026 (04:55) NSW police allege child was sitting on lap of 45-year-old man who was experiencing ‘significant fatigue’ but was operating pedals while boy steeredFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA nine-year-old boy has allegedly been caught steering a car after 1am on a major highway in New South Wales.NSW police alleged that a 45-year-old driver was experiencing “significant fatigue” and “operating the pedals” while the boy steered on his lap. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Free Palestine and ICE out: how this year’s Oscars got political 16. March 2026 (04:55) As One Battle After Another swept the Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson, Javier Bardem and Conan O’Brien gave a welcome reality check to the glitzy ceremonyOscar winners 2026: the full listIn his opening monologue to the 98th Academy Awards, host Conan O’Brien issued a note of caution to easily offended viewers.“I warn you, tonight could get political,” O’Brien said. “If that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternative Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock at a Dave & Buster’s down the street.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
