NHS urges patients not to put off care as doctors in England prepare for strike 06. April 2026 (01:02) People encouraged to ‘come forward as normal’ when BMA members begin industrial action over pay on TuesdayThe NHS is urging patients not to put off seeking the care they need when resident doctors press ahead with strike action from Tuesday, a stoppage that the health secretary has called “disappointing”.Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are to stage a six-day strike after the government took a key part of its offer off the table. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Blue badge permits now held by 1 in 15 adults in England 06. April 2026 (01:02) Councils urged to crack down on misuse of parking permits that help people with disabilities and health conditionsCouncils in England have been urged to crack down on the misuse of blue badge parking permits – legitimate and counterfeit – as the proportion of people holding them has reached one in 15.The AA called for more to be done to detect offences such as people using fake or stolen badges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New UK farm inheritance tax rule will cause ‘significant challenges’, say accountants 06. April 2026 (01:01) Levy on inherited farms and family businesses worth £2.5m or more comes into force 6 AprilA new inheritance tax regime for UK farms and family businesses comes into force on Monday and will present “significant challenges” for those affected, according to accountants.In October 2024 the government announced plans to levy inheritance tax on farms – prompting an outcry in many quarters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hubs to help young people away from crime and into work to open in England 06. April 2026 (01:01) Announcement of eight young futures hubs made as concerns grow over the number of knives on the streetsEight young futures youth hubs aimed at giving young people support towards work and away from street crime are to open across England, ministers have announced.The youth centres are supposed to help people aged up to 18 with employment advice, health and wellbeing, and are also aimed at preventing them from falling into a life of crime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fuel tanker erupts in flames after toppling power lines in Texas 06. April 2026 (00:18) Driver treated for burns after truck was carrying 9,000 gallons of gasoline at time of collision outside Fort WorthAn 18-wheel fuel tanker crashed into another vehicle, toppled power lines, then burst into flames outside Fort Worth early Sunday morning, according to local authorities.The truck was carrying 9,000 gallons of gasoline at the time of the collision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian Human Rights Commission investigates alleged racial discrimination by NSW government 05. April 2026 (22:00) South Asian Muslim and caste-oppressed Hindu community representatives accuse multiculturalism minister and department of discriminationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian Human Rights Commission is investigating a complaint against the New South Wales multiculturalism minister and his department over allegations of racial discrimination against organisations representing south Asian Muslims and caste-oppressed Hindu communities.According to an email seen by Guardian Australia, the Human Rights Commission last month accepted the complaint, against Steve Kamper and his department, for investigation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thousands in Texas protest against border wall through national park: ‘big love for Big Bend’ 05. April 2026 (21:10) Rally met with bipartisan support after US border patrol revealed plans for steel wall across parts of beloved parksThe story is co-published with Public Domain, an investigative newsroom that covers public lands, wildlife and governmentThousands of people gathered at the steps of the Texas capitol on Saturday to protest against the construction of a border wall through Big Bend, in a show of bipartisan opposition to the White House’s plans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer attacks Greens, saying vote for Labour rivals puts new workers’ rights at risk 05. April 2026 (20:51) PM also criticises business figures and opponents of changes, many of which come into force on MondayWorkers, pensioners and children: all better off. Ignore the critics – we really are standing up for working peopleKeir Starmer has used a series of new workers rights that come into force on Monday to attack the Green party, saying a vote for Labour’s rivals puts such progress on sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts at risk.The prime minister also took a swipe at business figures and opponents of what he described as the biggest strengthening of workers’ rights in a generation, dismissing “vested interests” who had warned against them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran strikes Kuwait’s oil infrastructure before Opec+ supply talks 05. April 2026 (20:22) Members reportedly agree a rise of 206,000 barrels a day in May, but move symbolic while strait of Hormuz is effectively closedMiddle East crisis – live updatesIranian drones have struck Kuwait’s oil infrastructure, causing “severe material damage” that threatens to further disrupt oil supplies already hit by the US-Israel war on Iran.The drone strikes on Sunday came hours before members of the Opec+ group of major global oil suppliers gathered to discuss how to bolster output despite Iran’s effective closure of the strait of Hormuz shipping route. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump warns Iran to reopen strait of Hormuz by Tuesday or face ‘hell’ 05. April 2026 (20:20) President shifts deadline again for attacking power plants and bridges in expletive-ridden social media postMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump issued an expletive-laden warning on Sunday that Tehran had until Tuesday night to reopen the strait of Hormuz or the US would obliterate Iran’s power plants and bridges.Iran’s parliament speaker responded with a warning that the US president’s “reckless moves” would mean “our whole region is going to burn”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)