Rubbish and recycling in England: what’s changing and why it matters 31. March 2026 (06:00) Nationwide reforms aim to standardise collections and expand food waste recycling to tackle stagnating ratesRecycling rules across England have long been inconsistent – but that will change from Tuesday when the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation comes into effect. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fair Work abolishes junior pay rates, with half a million young Australians to be paid more 31. March 2026 (05:28) Union celebrates ‘landmark decision’ that will mean adults aged 20 or younger are no longer paid lessFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHalf a million young Australians working in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors are set for a wage increase after the Fair Work Commission abolished junior pay rates for those aged 18 and over.The wage rises will be phased in over four years in a landmark change that unions compared to the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California Republican sheriff halts inquiry into alleged voter fraud in Prop 50 election 31. March 2026 (04:07) Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff also running for governor, had seized 650,000 ballotsChad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff, has halted a contentious investigation into a alleged voter fraud that has drawn opposition from the state’s attorney general.The move marks a major reversal for Bianco, a prominent Donald Trump supporter who is one of the top two Republican candidates running for the governorship of California. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ron DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach airport after Donald Trump 31. March 2026 (03:26) If approved, move is latest in series of buildings, warships, institutions, programs and currency named after presidentHe has buildings, institutions, government programs, warships, currency, and now Donald Trump is getting an airport that bears his name even as he looks forward to a towering Trump presidential library in Miami.Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed a bill on Monday saying the Palm Beach international airport was being renamed to the President Donald J Trump international airport. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Debit and credit card surcharges to be removed in Australia by October 31. March 2026 (02:58) Treasurer Jim Chalmers says changes will help with cost of living and ‘Australians hate paying’ the surchargesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDebit and credit card surcharges will be gone by October under Reserve Bank reforms, with big banks likely to foot the bill for the cost-of-living measures.The new rules, announced on Tuesday, will enable businesses to remove added fees on Mastercard, visa and eftpos card payments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian politics live: MP celebrates end to ‘rip off at the checkout’ as RBA moves to end credit card surcharges by October 31. March 2026 (02:44) Meanwhile PM explains his reaction to news of Dezi Freeman death. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhat’s the trigger for stage three under the national plan?The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says we’re still on stage two of the national plan agreed to at yesterday’s national cabinet, reiterating that so far any cancelled fuel shipments have been replaced (he’s referring to the six tankers that he announced were cancelled on 22 March).The trigger … says ongoing supply disruptions mean we will focus on getting fuel where it’s needed most. Now, ongoing supply disruptions really means the fuel supply to Australia has been impacted. That hasn’t happened.Early on in this conflict, I reached out to counterparts in the region who are our primary suppliers of liquid fuels … I reached out to Korea, to Singapore, to Malaysia, but we’ll continue to do that.We believe we’re reliable, and we ask for reliability in return. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists 31. March 2026 (02:40) Exclusive: Environmental impact assessments are ‘incomplete’, say leaders, and private beach club could harm fragile ecosystemsIndigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading”.The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sad faces all round as Bolivia’s clowns protest over decree threatening their livelihoods 31. March 2026 (02:01) Clowns in Bolivia have been upset by a new school mandate that cuts off the events from which they earn a livingDozens of clowns marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital on Monday to protest against a government decree that limits extracurricular activities in schools, threatening their livelihoods.Wearing full face paint and their signature red noses, the clowns gathered in front of the ministry of education in La Paz to oppose a decree published in February. The new mandate says schools must comply with 200 days of lessons each year – in effect banning schools from hosting the special events where the entertainers are frequently employed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California to impose new AI regulations in defiance of Trump call 31. March 2026 (01:59) Gavin Newsom signs order to prioritize public safety and rights as president seeks to prevent ‘cumbersome’ rulesCalifornia will impose new standards on artificial intelligence companies seeking to do business with the state, defying Donald Trump’s demands to keep the controversial industry as deregulated as possible.Democratic governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Monday that gives the state four months to develop AI policies that prioritize public safety. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
