Nearly three-quarters of England’s woods inaccessible to public, study finds 13. March 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: Campaigners call for government to introduce right-to-roam bill that allows people to walk around their local woodlandsNearly three-quarters of England’s woods are off-limits to the public, buried government documents show.The study by Forest Research, which is a government-funded quango, found that 73% of English woodland is publicly inaccessible. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: rescue effort under way after US refuelling plane with five onboard crashes in Iraq 13. March 2026 (05:52) US central command says aircraft lost in ‘friendly airspace’, adding that the crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire Middle East war creating ‘largest supply disruption in history of oil markets’How have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry is saying that two drones have been intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region.More now after reports of explosions in Dubai on Friday morning: thick black smoke rose over the financial hub’s skyline after what authorities described as a fire in an industrial area of the city-state. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rent pause for flooded Aboriginal communities: ‘We’re talking about the most disadvantaged people in the Territory’ 13. March 2026 (05:02) NT government says the rent freeze will be ‘applied automatically for eligible housing tenants’ as floodwaters break records in the Big Rivers regionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Northern Territory government will freeze rental payments for public housing tenants affected by historic floods spreading across the Big Rivers region.Monsoonal rainfall has inundated remote Aboriginal communities in the region over the past two weeks. The Daly River area was hit hardest on Wednesday, with Dorisvale Crossing reaching 23.93 metres by 1.30pm, the highest level ever recorded. The nearby Katherine River peaked at 19.2 metres last Saturday, its highest level since floods in 1998. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Iranian diplomat was granted asylum in Australia after defecting 13. March 2026 (04:44) Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran’s former charge d’affaires in Canberra, sought protection in 2023, government source confirmsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne of Iran’s former top diplomats in Australia has defected from the theocratic regime, with the revelations only coming to light this week after six members of the Iranian women’s football squad were granted protection.London-based news outlet Iran International, which is not tied to the Islamic Republic’s regime, reported on Friday that Mohammad Pournajaf, Tehran’s charge d’affaires in Canberra until at least 2023, had applied for asylum. Another Iranian diplomat had applied for asylum in Denmark, the outlet reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The kill line v Chinamaxxing: a window into how China and the US see each other 13. March 2026 (03:42) In China, one social media trend hangs on the idea that a life in the US is always one step from disaster, while another in the US has gen Z revelling in Chinese lifestyle hacksAcross two online worlds that are normally splintered, over the last few months there has been a mirroring of sorts. On TikTok and Instagram, young people are diving into the joys of Chinese culture – from drinking hot water to playing mahjong – all under the banner of “Chinamaxxing”. On the Chinese internet, however, the US is losing its decades-long grip on soft power, and is instead being replaced by a darker trend: the kill line.The kill line is a dangerous place to be. In gaming, the term refers to the point at which a player’s strength is so depleted that one more blow could lead to total wipeout. In China, the term refers to the risks that come with daily life in the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia to release nearly 20% of fuel stockpile as Bowen insists country ‘nowhere near’ running out 13. March 2026 (02:50) Energy minister cuts fuel companies’ minimum stock obligations to free up diesel and petrol which will be directed to regional Australia Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will begin releasing its stockpile of fuel after the government directed fuel companies to release nearly a fifth of reserve petrol and diesel supplies.The energy minister, Chris Bowen, acknowledged fuel supplies could face further pressure but ruled out a cut to the fuel excise or rationing fuel purchasing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC World Service funding freeze risks ‘opening door to hostile states’, MPs say 13. March 2026 (01:01) Cross-party committee says service is ‘jewel in crown of UK’s soft power’ but is diminished by poor governanceMinisters risk “opening the door to propaganda from hostile states” and diminishing international trust in the BBC World Service by allowing its funding to be frozen at a crucial time, parliament’s spending watchdog has said.The cross-party public accounts committee (PAC) said it was deeply troubled by the fact the service was still unclear about its funding just weeks before its current deal runs out.It also reiterated the BBC’s warnings about the rising influence of Russian and Chinese state-backed media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Redress schemes for Post Office Horizon scandal have serious failings, MPs find 13. March 2026 (01:01) Committee says thousands of victims still waiting for compensation and ‘face unacceptable delays and inadequate offers’The redress schemes for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal have “serious structural failings”, a parliamentary committee has found.Thousands of post office operators are still waiting for the compensation they are owed and face “unacceptable delays, inadequate offers, and administrative processes that ‘retraumatise’ those who have already been wronged”, a report by the business and trade committee said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
SUV drivers could face extra charges for driving in London 13. March 2026 (01:01) TfL are also poised to increase 20mph zones and cut speed limits on the capital’s fastest roads later this yearOwners of SUVs could face charges to drive in London, after the mayor and transport authorities said they were reviewing the increased danger posed by larger, heavier cars.Proposals to clamp down on the biggest vehicles could come later this year, with Transport for London (TfL) also poised to increase 20mph zones and cut the speed limits on its fastest roads from 50mph to 40mph to tackle road deaths. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Short tempers and legal threats: UK teachers report rise in problem parents 13. March 2026 (01:01) Rudeness, social media posts and AI-generated complaints among issues harming staff wellbeing, union survey findsTeachers are used to outbreaks of rudeness and defiance from their pupils, but are now saying parents are some of the worst offenders and affecting staff mental health, according to a headteachers’ union.More than 90% of headteachers and other senior leaders said they had been on the receiving end of “challenging behaviour” from parents including rude or disrespectful responses, while 60% have had verbal abuse and threats within the past 12 months, according to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
