Merz criticised after calling for Syrians in Germany to ‘go back’ home 31. March 2026 (19:24) The German chancellor has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own governmentFriedrich Merz has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own government after he called for the vast majority of Syrians living in Germany to “go back to their homeland”.The German chancellor, who was elected last year after promising a tough line on immigration in a bid to beat the far right, made the remarks during a visit to Berlin on Monday by the interim Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost half of primary teachers in England see pupils with eating disorders, survey finds 31. March 2026 (19:17) Poll of 10,000 teachers also finds ‘overwhelming’ exam anxiety and rising absenteeism linked to poor mental healthAlmost half of primary school teachers are seeing pupils with eating disorders “at least occasionally”, rising to four in five at secondary level, according to a survey by the UK’s largest education union.The findings emerged in a poll of 10,000 teachers in English state schools about pupils’ mental health, which also revealed “overwhelming” exam anxiety in secondaries and dwindling numbers of counsellors to support students. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Get your own oil’: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran war 31. March 2026 (19:06) Many countries in Europe have called the conflict illegal, with some blocking Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspaceDonald Trump has launched a tirade against European countries that refused to join his war against Iran, calling out the UK and France, as transatlantic relations soured from the spiralling conflict that has wreaked havoc on the global economy.On his Truth Social website, the US president told governments worried about fuel prices to “go get your own oil” by force from the Gulf, comments that sent oil prices even higher. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Marmite maker Unilever agrees $44.8bn deal to combine food arm with McCormick 31. March 2026 (18:41) Core focus will be on beauty, personal care and home products after spinning off brands such as Hellmann’s and Pot NoodleUnilever has agreed to combine its food business with US-based McCormick in a $44.8bn deal that will give the Marmite-to-Hellmann’s mayonnaise owner majority control of a food empire.The Anglo-Dutch company will control 65% of the new spin-off, which will combine brands such as Knorr and Pot Noodle with McCormick’s condiments and spices including French’s mustard, Old Bay seasoning and Cholula hot sauce. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US marine detained after TSA finds live explosive round in checked bag 31. March 2026 (18:27) Marine told investigators he found the round ‘in the field’ about a year ago and kept it, thinking it wasn’t liveSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA US marine was detained at a California airport after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel found a live 25mm explosive round in his checked baggage, police said.The round was found during the screening process of checked luggage at the Palm Springs international airport on Monday, the Palm Springs police department said in a news release. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK sends more troops to Gulf amid Trump jibes over British military role 31. March 2026 (18:24) John Healey says extra deployment is defensive response to ‘expanding threat’ from IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK is sending more military support to the Gulf, taking the total deployment to 1,000 troops, amid more jibes from Donald Trump about Britain’s refusal to get involved in offensive operations against Iran.Speaking from Qatar where he met UK troops, the defence secretary, John Healey, said the extra deployment was in response to an “expanding threat” from Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Human remains found on California beach in 2022 identified as missing man 31. March 2026 (18:18) DNA testing confirmed bones found on Salmon Creek beach belonged to Walter Karl Kinney, a man last seen in 1999Human remains discovered in the summer of 2022 on a beach in California recently were identified as those of a former banker who disappeared in 1999.The DNA Doe Project (DDP) on Thursday announced that bones found on Salmon Creek state beach in northern California in June 2022 – by a family searching for seashells – belonged to 59-year-old Walter Karl Kinney, a former banker who lived in nearby Santa Rosa. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Penguin to sue OpenAI over ChatGPT version of German children’s book 31. March 2026 (18:13) Publisher alleges AI research company’s chatbot violated its copyright over Coconut the Little Dragon seriesPenguin Random House has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging its chatbot ChatGPT violated copyright by mimicking and reproducing the content of a popular series of German children’s books.The lawsuit, which was filed on Friday with a Munich court against OpenAI’s Ireland-based European subsidiary, states Penguin Random House’s legal team had prompted ChatGPT to write a story in the vein of Penguin author and illustrator Ingo Siegner’s Coconut the Little Dragon series. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel vows to occupy swathes of southern Lebanon to expand buffer zone 31. March 2026 (18:10) Defence minister outlines plans to destroy all homes and villages in area ‘in accordance with the model in Gaza’Middle East crisis live – latest updatesIsrael says it will occupy swathes of south Lebanon and destroy the homes along the border to prevent the return of about 600,000 residents, prompting concerns of long-term forced displacement.The defence minister, Israel Katz, said that when fighting with Hezbollah ended, Israel would occupy the area under the Litani River, about 19 miles from the Israel-Lebanon border, as part of its so-called buffer zone inside southern Lebanon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Discriminatory’ Israeli death penalty law sparks international criticism 31. March 2026 (17:59) EU, Spain and Germany, as well as rights groups, condemn law to execute Palestinian convicted terroristsA vote in the Israeli Knesset approving a bill sanctioning the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks, but not Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes, has been greeted with widespread international condemnation.“The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU,” the EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in Brussels. “This is a clear step backwards – the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
