Putin likely to stage another Salisbury-style attack, exiled oil tycoon says 30. March 2026 (16:25) Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Russian security services may seek to create a ‘sense of vulnerability’ in BritainVladimir Putin is likely to stage another Salisbury-style attack on UK soil unless the government adopts more aggressive tactics against the Kremlin, the exiled Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky has said.The former oil tycoon has emerged as a leading figure in Russian diaspora opposition circles and claims to be well-informed about current thinking and developments among Moscow’s elite. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer pledges to tackle new cost of living crisis at May elections campaign launch 30. March 2026 (16:11) Prime minister says 7 May vote is coming at time of ‘war on two fronts’ as Labour braces for heavy losses at pollsUK politics live – latest updatesThe 7 May elections are taking place against a backdrop of “war on two fronts”, Keir Starmer has said, as he pledged action to tackle the resurgent cost of living crisis.Launching Labour’s English local elections campaign in Wolverhampton on Monday, the prime minister said: “We’re facing a war on two fronts – the Ukraine war, now four and a bit years in … and now the Iran war, which I know is causing huge concern. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians may not see cheaper fuel for weeks despite Labor’s excise cuts 30. March 2026 (16:00) Flow-on effect will depend on how quickly service stations sell more expensive fuel, experts warn, leaving Easter travel plans up in the airGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians expecting relief from punishing fuel prices in time for Easter travel are set to be disappointed, with the industry predicting the effects of Labor temporarily halving the excise will take days or weeks to reach some bowsers around the country.The halving of the fuel excise, which begins on Wednesday and lasts until the end of June, means the federal government will now collect 26.3c from every litre over the next three months instead of 52.6c a litre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Distancing himself from Trump and a badly waged war in Iran might be the smartest move Albanese can make 30. March 2026 (16:00) The US president thumbs his nose at concerns about the most serious energy crisis in global history. But Australia, like other countries, is paying a high priceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGently, about 10 days ago, Anthony Albanese tried to send Donald Trump a message about the escalating war in Iran.In a Hobart radio interview, the prime minister said the US had achieved its original justifications and should bring hostilities in the Middle East to an end. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Succulent Chinese meal’ speech added to Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive 30. March 2026 (16:00) Jack Karlson’s rallying cry of ‘democracy manifest’ added to national collection of sound recordings that hold historical, cultural and aesthetic significanceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThirty-five years ago, when Jack Karlson was hauled into a police car outside a Chinese restaurant in Queensland, he couldn’t have known his bombastic speech would be watched by millions around the world, become a meme and now, be preserved for ever in Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive.Karlson’s declaration – “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest! … What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?” – is one of nine pieces of audio that have been added to the NFSA’s Sounds of Australia collection this year, along with a pedestrian crossing signal and Missy Higgins’ 2004 hit Scar. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most gen Z fathers in Australia believe it’s solely their job to provide financially, research finds 30. March 2026 (16:00) Survey also found 65% of gen Z think ‘things are better if men do paid work and women do care work’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastYounger fathers are more likely to cling to outdated ideas that frame men as the money earners and women as caregivers, new research has found.The Australian State of the World’s Fathers report is based on a global survey of 8,000 parents, with 533 from Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
FCA to release details of UK car finance scandal compensation scheme 30. March 2026 (15:47) Redress programme for 14m motor finance agreements will be set out by regulator on Monday afternoonBusiness live – latest updatesMillions of drivers will discover how much can they claim over the car finance scandal on Monday, as the City regulator sets out the final terms of its compensation scheme.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will release the details of its redress programme for 14m motor finance agreements after 4.30pm, ensuring that the information comes out after stock markets close for trading. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Recent $167m lottery winner arrested for allegedly stealing $12,000 in Kentucky 30. March 2026 (15:32) Burglary arrest was James Farthing’s latest run-in with the law after winning the Powerball jackpot last yearSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA man who recently won a $167m Powerball lottery jackpot stands accused of stealing the relatively paltry sum of $12,000 after breaking into a house in his home state of Kentucky on Saturday, according to authorities who arrested him.James Farthing’s arrest on Saturday on counts of burglary and illicit marijuana possession reportedly was at least his third since winning Kentucky’s most lucrative lottery prize ever. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance says aliens are ‘demons’ and details obsession with UFOs 30. March 2026 (15:29) Vice-president promises ‘to get to the bottom of’ reports of US government files about unidentified flying objectsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxJD Vance, the vice-president of the United States, said this weekend that he considers aliens to be “demons”.As the war in Iran continues, petrol and grocery prices soar and chaos continues at US airports as a partial government shutdown endures, Vance appeared on the conservative Benny Show podcast, released Saturday, to promise that he would spend time looking into what he called his “obsession” with UFOs and extraterrestrial visitors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amnesty International warns Fifa World Cup risks becoming ‘stage for repression’ 30. March 2026 (14:58) Human rights group says US is facing an ‘emergency’ICE director said agency will play ‘key part’ at tournamentAmnesty International has warned that the World Cup, spread across three North American countries, risks becoming a “stage for repression”. The human rights organisation published a report on Monday – “Humanity Must Win” – calling on Fifa and the host countries, the US, Canada and Mexico, to take urgent action to protect fans, players and other communities.Fifa has promised a tournament where everyone “feels safe, included and free to exercise their rights”. But Amnesty said that pledge sat in “stark contrast” to conditions in all three host nations, especially the US, which hosts three-quarters of the 104 matches. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
