End to two-child benefit cap offers £300-a-month lifeline to cash-strapped families 28. March 2026 (08:00) From 6 April, low-income families can claim universal credit payments for all children living in the householdThe two-child benefit policy has been described as a “cap on childhood” and as it comes to an end, Claire* hopes to throw a birthday party for her son.It is a celebration most children may take for granted, but Claire and her partner run out of money at the end of every month, skipping meals so that their three children can eat. Her son, now in his final year at primary school, has never had a party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pope Leo heads to Monaco 488 years after the last papal visit 28. March 2026 (07:00) Decision to choose small, wealthy – but very Catholic – state for first European trip has baffled some Vatican observersPope Leo will travel to Monaco, the semi-enclave famous for casinos and superyachts, on Saturday on his first European trip since being elected pontiff, causing bemusement among some Vatican observers, not least because it comes 488 years after the last papal visit.Leo will travel from the Vatican by helicopter for the one-day trip, and will be greeted at Monaco’s heliport by Prince Albert and his wife, Princess Charlene, before being taken to the palace, which has been the residence of the Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century. It is the first time a pontiff has visited Monaco since Pope Paul III in 1538. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gulf countries warn of rising threat from Iran-backed militias and proxies 28. March 2026 (06:00) Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and IsraelMiddle East crisis – live updatesGulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East.In a joint statement this week, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cyclone Narelle downgraded to tropical low but severe weather warnings remain for storm-ravaged WA 28. March 2026 (04:15) Flash flooding threatens the wheatbelt region and Perth, as weather system expected to continue south-east from Geraldton on SaturdayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEx-Tropical Cyclone Narelle was downgraded to a tropical low on Saturday morning after making landfall in Western Australia on Friday.Storm-ravaged communities were warned not to let their guard down, however, as residents along the state’s coastline prepared to assess the trail of damage along the Pilbara and North West Cape. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
KP Sharma Oli: Nepal’s former prime minister arrested over alleged role in deadly protest crackdown 28. March 2026 (02:57) At least 77 people killed in anti-corruption youth uprising in September, which began over a brief social media banPolice in Nepal arrested former prime minister KP Sharma Oli early on Saturday over the deaths of dozens of people during violent protests in September that toppled the government and resulted in new elections.Authorities arrested the powerful communist leader at his residence on the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu. They also arrested Ramesh Lekhak, the former home minister who has been accused of ordering authorities to fire on protesters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three killed as tourist helicopter crashes on Hawaiian island of Kauai 28. March 2026 (00:44) Two others injured after sightseeing aircraft comes down on remote beach on Na Pali CoastA tourist helicopter crashed on a remote beach off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, killing three people and injuring two others, authorities said.The helicopter was carrying one pilot and four passengers when it crashed on Thursday afternoon at Kalalau Beach, the Kauai fire department said. The beach is on the Na Pali coast on Kauai’s north shore. The area is otherwise reachable only by hiking or boat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Break your silence’: Jane Fonda leads rally against Trump crackdown on arts and media 28. March 2026 (00:41) Actor outside Kennedy Center urges Americans to ‘stand tall against authoritarianism’ and resist free-speech threatsThe actor Jane Fonda joined journalists, musicians and writers outside Washington’s John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday in urging US citizens to “break your silence” and “stand tall against authoritarianism”.At a damp but defiant rally hosted by Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment, around a hundred invited guests gathered to hear speakers and singers rail against book bans, political censorship and other threats to free speech under Donald Trump. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor to underwrite Australian fuel imports under new security powers to ensure supply 28. March 2026 (00:28) PM did not rule out later fuel rationing or work-from-home measures but said he strongly preferred ‘voluntary arrangements’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government will take on the financial risk of importing essential products affected by the war in the Middle East to get additional supplies of petrol, diesel and fertiliser into the country.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced the new fuel security powers on Saturday after a month of soaring diesel and petrol prices and widespread shortages at service stations, particularly in regional Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Breonna Taylor shooting: charges dismissed against ex-police officers for falsifying warrant 27. March 2026 (23:15) Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany were accused of lying on document used to enter Taylor’s house on night of shootingA federal judge has dismissed charges against two former Louisville police officers accused of falsifying the warrant used to enter Breonna Taylor’s apartment the night police shot her to death.Charles Simpson, a US district judge, issued a one-page ruling on Friday throwing out charges against Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, two former officers involved in crafting the Taylor warrant. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Connecticut officer fired after shooting man in mental health crisis as others tried to de-escalate 27. March 2026 (23:11) Mayor of Hartford has fired a white police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a mental health crisis nine timesSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA white Connecticut police officer who fatally shot a Black man 30 seconds after arriving at the scene, where three fellow officers had spent several minutes trying to de-escalate the situation, was fired Friday.Arunan Arulampalam, Hartford’s mayor, said in a statement that he terminated Officer Joseph Magnano effective immediately in connection with the 27 February shooting of Steven Jones, who was on a city street holding a knife. The killing came eight days after a different Hartford officer fatally shot another man in a mental health crisis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
