Almost a third of people in England use private dentists amid NHS dental crisis 09. March 2026 (10:57) Exclusive: Watchdog finds sharp rise in number of poorer households forced to pay for fillings and extractionsAlmost a third of people in England now use private dentistry, with a sharp rise in the number of poorer households forced to pay for fillings and extractions.The scarcity of NHS care means the proportion of people turning to private dental services jumped from 22% in 2023 to 32% late last year, the health service’s patient watchdog found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Glasgow Central station remains closed after major fire and building collapse 09. March 2026 (10:41) Fire, believed to have started in vape shop, gutted building next to station and destroyed shops, salon and cafeGlasgow Central is to remain closed until at least Tuesday after a building next door to Scotland’s busiest railway station collapsed during a major fire.National Rail said the station would remain closed with no estimate on when it would reopen after the fire, believed to have started in a vape shop in Union Street on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No immediate threat to UK gas supplies, says minister after ‘two days left’ reports 09. March 2026 (10:15) Steve Reed says situation in Middle East ‘clearly very concerning’ but there is no ‘cause for undue alarm yet’Middle East crisis – live updatesThere is no immediate threat to energy supplies in the UK despite rocketing oil prices, a senior minister has said, as Keir Starmer tried to reassure people about the impact of the crisis in the Middle East.The impact of US-Israeli strikes in Iran, and retaliatory attacks from Tehran elsewhere in the region, was “clearly very concerning”, Steve Reed, the communities secretary said, adding that much depended on how long hostilities continued. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says 09. March 2026 (09:06) Greens senator sounds warning as Labor expected to announce possible defence measures to protect Gulf countries within daysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Greens say sending military support to Gulf countries would only serve Donald Trump’s interests in the growing Iran war, as international law experts warn assistance would mean Australia was legally part of the conflict.Cabinet’s national security committee met on Monday to consider requests for Australia to provide help to countries feeling the brunt of Tehran’s missile attack, sparked by bombings ordered by the US president and Israel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
G7 to discuss release of emergency oil reserves as price tops $100 09. March 2026 (08:52) US among three countries so far backing measure triggered by Middle East war, according to reportsIran war drives oil prices above $100 a barrelBusiness live – latest updatesG7 finance ministers are preparing to discuss the release of emergency oil reserves, according to reports, after the US-Israel war with Iran sent the price of crude above $100 (£75) for the first time since 2022.The ministers will discuss the release of the reserves in a call coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), according to a report from the Financial Times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Average UK office attendance ‘settling’ at highest level since before Covid 09. March 2026 (07:00) Figure above 40% every week since early January as report says situation ‘no longer in freefall nor in recovery’Workers are heading back to offices across the UK in droves, pushing office occupancy to the highest since before the Covid-19 pandemic, as an expert described the numbers as “no longer in freefall nor in recovery mode but settling”.Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chasehave led the push with strict return-to-office mandates despite anger among many employees about being ordered back to the office five days a week. Companies in other sectors have also increased days in the office but many businesses, including law and accounting firms, still allow staff to work remotely two days a week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour in ‘deep trouble’ with Black voters, Operation Black Vote chair warns 09. March 2026 (07:00) David Weaver says proposed jury reforms and slow progress on equality risk eroding support in marginal seatsLabour is in “deep trouble” with Black voters, a former government adviser has warned, saying the party is at risk of being seen as “accepting the normalisation of racism”.David Weaver, who is the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), said the government’s plans to restrict juries would “heighten, normalise and embed” racial disproportionality in the justice system and that Black voters were saying: “We don’t know what Labour stands for any more.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram seeks order suppressing identities of family members 09. March 2026 (06:53) Lawyer for 24-year-old asks for identifying details of mother and siblings to be kept secret for their ‘mental and physical safety’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFamily members of the alleged Bondi attacker have been granted an interim order suppressing their names and home and work addresses to protect their mental and physical safety.The public defender Richard Wilson SC made the application for a permanent suppression order for Naveed Akram’s mother, brother and sister at Downing Centre local court on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ASX closes after $90bn wiped from sharemarket amid spike in oil prices over Middle East crisis 09. March 2026 (06:47) Benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closes down by 2.85%, marking the single biggest one-day drop since Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs announcementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian shares plunged on Monday, wiping about $90bn from the value of the ASX, after a sharp rise in oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict sparked concerns of a breakout in global inflation.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 2.85% to fall below the 8,600 point mark, marking the single biggest one-day drop since the announcement of Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgium at risk of becoming ‘narco-state’, judge warns 09. March 2026 (06:00) President of Antwerp court makes comments after anonymous judge warned country was turning into ‘a narco-state’International drug crime poses a danger to social stability in Belgium, a senior judge has said, after his colleague warned the country was evolving into “a narco-state” where mafia groups were forming “a parallel force” in society.Bart Willocx, the president of the Antwerp court of appeal, said Belgium was vulnerable to criminality from drug smuggling through the city’s vast port, one of the main entry points into Europe for cocaine smugglers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
