Cancer death rate in Britain down by almost a third since 1980s 09. March 2026 (01:01) Huge improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment have driven the fall, Cancer Research UK saysThe rate of people dying from cancer in the UK has fallen by almost a third since the 1980s amid seismic progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, a report has found.About 247 in every 100,000 people die from cancer each year, a 29% drop from the peak in 1989 of about 355 per 100,000, according to an analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS England pauses new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment in under-18s 09. March 2026 (01:01) Review finds evidence does not back use of treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds with gender incongruence or dysphoriaThe NHS is pausing new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds after an in-depth review found there was insufficient evidence to support its continued use.Prescriptions for hormones had been available in England for under-18s with a diagnosis of gender incongruence or dysphoria who met certain criteria. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain’s job market ‘floundering’ as companies remain cautious about hiring 09. March 2026 (01:01) Data shows labour market is still in a fragile position due to economic uncertainty, with few signs of recoveryBritain’s jobs market is “floundering” amid weak hiring demand, with only limited signs of recovery, data has revealed.Companies remain cautious about hiring staff amid cost pressures and economic uncertainty, according to two reports released on Monday. They show the labour market continues to be in a fragile position. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rare items of Charles Dickens’ clothing to go on display in London 09. March 2026 (01:01) Exhibition includes linen shirt collar from when author suffered a fatal stroke along with other personal itemsRare surviving items of Charles Dickens’ clothing, including the linen shirt collar worn by the writer when he suffered his fatal stroke in 1870, are to go on display.Other items being exhibited include Dickens’ black silk stockings – part of his only surviving suit – as well as personal effects and items related to his personal grooming, including a set of six silver razors used for his daily shave, a perfume bottle, silver candle snuffers and a gold locket, containing photos and locks of hair from Dickens and his son, Henry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Quiz books are the answer to falling non-fiction sales, data shows 09. March 2026 (01:01) 2025 was the best year for quiz book sales since records began in 1998; while Bibles also proved popularIf the question is which genre bucked the prevailing trend in publishing to record a remarkable rise in readership last year, the answer is clear: quiz books.Spending on the titles increased by nearly a quarter in 2025, data from NielsenIQ BookData suggests. It was the best year for quiz books since records began in 1998, according to the company, which manages the ISBN and SAN agencies for the UK and Ireland. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Country Joe McDonald, Woodstock star and anti-war singer, dies aged 84 09. March 2026 (00:49) Musician behind Vietnam war protest hit I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag dead from Parkinson’s complications, his wife confirms“Country Joe” McDonald, a hippy rock star of the 1960s whose protest track I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag rebuked the Vietnam war and became a highlight of the Woodstock music festival, died on Sunday. He was 84.McDonald died in Berkeley, California. His death from complications of Parkinson’s disease was reported by Kathy McDonald, his wife of 43 years, in a statement issued by his publicist. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran war drives oil price above $100 a barrel for first time since 2022 08. March 2026 (23:19) Escalating military aggression in Middle East continues to wipe 20m barrels from market each dayGlobal oil prices surged past $100 (£74, AU$142) a barrel mark for the first time since 2022 as escalating military aggression in the Middle East continues to wipe 20m barrels of oil from the market each day.Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped 16.6% to $108.10 a barrel as the new week’s trading began in the Asia Pacific markets, the first time that market prices have soared above this key psychological threshold since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Tory minister Zac Goldsmith to launch new sports radio station 08. March 2026 (23:00) Exclusive: Goldsmith and brother Ben the major investors in trkradio, which is due to go to air next monthThe former Conservative minister Zac Goldsmith is launching a new sports radio station, trkradio, in the run-up to the men’s football World Cup this summer.The Track Radio Corporation is understood to have been granted a licence by Ofcom last week, with Goldsmith and his brother Ben, a financier and environmentalist, the major investors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fire near Glasgow Central station causes major rail disruption 08. March 2026 (22:32) Dozens of trains cancelled and station closed after blaze at building on Union StreetTrain passengers are facing major disruption after a fire broke out near Glasgow Central station.Dozens of trains were cancelled on Sunday evening after the blaze at a vape shop in Union Street. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Four-year-old clumber spaniel called Bruin wins best in show at Crufts 08. March 2026 (22:31) Owner Lee Cox describes the winner as ‘dog of a lifetime’ as he claims the crown at prestigious dog contest Bruin, a clumber spaniel, has won the best in show prize at Crufts, which took place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.His owner, Lee Cox, described the four-year-old Bruin as “a dog of a lifetime” as he won the competition and was met with roaring cheers from the audience. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
