Flatterers out in force to fill Trump’s head with Venezuelan statue dreams 26. March 2026 (21:37) President’s popularity top of mind at another weird and wild cabinet meeting – riff on merits of Sharpies includedThey have become so notorious for displays of flattery and obsequiousness that critics have drawn comparisons with North Korea. Thursday’s cabinet meeting at the White House was no different.Doug Burgum, the US interior secretary, outflanked his fellow praise singers by saying he believes that Venezuela – which the US attacked in January – intends to honour the president with a statue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS bosses say resident doctors’ strike will cause ‘maximum harm’ 26. March 2026 (21:14) BMA’s decision to withdraw from talks with government and NHS chiefs has sparked a war of wordsNHS bosses have accused resident doctors of seeking to cause “maximum harm” to patients by striking for six days next month over pay and jobs.Wes Streeting has given resident – formerly junior – doctors in England until 2 April to reconsider their rejection on Wednesday of his “generous” offer to end the dispute. It would have given them £700m in extra pay over the next three years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rachel Reeves urged to raise taxes on companies profiting from war on Iran 26. March 2026 (21:00) Charities say taxes should rise for banks, defence and energy companies which stand to make windfall profitsMiddle East crisis liveRachel Reeves is being urged to raise taxes on businesses generating “windfall” profits linked to the US-Israel war on Iran to fund emergency cost of living support for UK households.With the government under pressure to respond, a group of leading charities, campaigners and trade unions said the chancellor could raise billions by taxing “excess profits” linked to the conflict. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News live: Tropical Cyclone Narelle bears down on WA towns; Trump takes another swipe at ‘not great’ Australia 26. March 2026 (20:55) Cyclone has re-intensified to category-four storm off the coast near Exmouth. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn today’s press conference at the White House, the US president has taken another swipe at Nato, the UK and Australia for not being more involved in his war against Iran.We have covered the Nato comments here:[Starmer] did something that was shocking: he didn’t want to help us.And maybe in particular that country, you know, the longest bond, the longest ally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
YouGov withdraws survey said to show rising church attendance in England and Wales 26. March 2026 (20:53) Research suggested resurgence in Christianity, especially among young people, but some respondents found to be ‘fraudulent’A YouGov survey showing a significant rise in church attendance in parts of the UK has been withdrawn after some respondents were found to be fraudulent.The poll was central to a Quiet Revival report, published by the Bible Society last year, which prompted news stories about an apparent resurgence in Christianity, particularly among young people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump urges Iran to negotiate end to war or face further assassinations 26. March 2026 (20:39) Tehran denies it is ‘begging to make a deal’ and continues strikes across swathe of Middle EastMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has urged Iranian leaders to negotiate an end to the near-month-long war or face further assassinations of senior officials amid intensified military action by the US and Israel.The latest threat on Thursday came as Israel said it had had “blown up and eliminated” the Revolutionary Guards’ naval commander, Alireza Tangsiri, and several senior officers in a strike on the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
PM rejects ‘far-fetched’ scepticism about Morgan McSweeney phone theft 26. March 2026 (20:36) Keir Starmer responds after Kemi Badenoch spokesperson says she ‘raised eyebrow’ in relation to account of theftKeir Starmer has said it is “far-fetched” to suggest that the theft of his former chief of staff’s mobile phone is somehow connected to a subsequent push for the release of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.Downing Street has come under pressure to say whether key messages between Morgan McSweeney and the former ambassador were lost after it emerged that the government-issue phone was stolen last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hertfordshire police to reinvestigate Andrew Tate sexual abuse claims 26. March 2026 (20:30) Announcement comes after IOPC said it was examining force’s response to allegations made in 2014 and 2015A police force under investigation over its handling of sexual abuse claims against the self-professed misogynist Andrew Tate has reopened an inquiry into allegations against him.Hertfordshire police said they had made the decision to reinvestigate alleged rape and sexual assault offences in the light of previous failures in 2014 and 2015. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour failing to live up to ambition to overhaul public services, analysis finds 26. March 2026 (20:06) Ministers not on course to meet their objectives, including to shift power from Whitehall to local areas, says IfGKeir Starmer’s drive to overhaul public services is failing to live up to its aims of shifting power from Whitehall to local areas, a report from the Institute for Government (IfG) has found.Last summer, the government set out its three guiding principles for reform aimed at making public services such as the NHS, court system and children’s social care easier to access and better at helping people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California lawmakers vote to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day 26. March 2026 (19:48) Gavin Newsom set to sign bill to rename 31 March holiday following sexual abuse allegations against labor leaderCalifornia lawmakers have voted to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day in an effort to reconcile the Latino labor leader’s legacy with explosive sexual abuse allegations before the state holiday on 31 March.The state’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, is expected to quickly sign the bill. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
