Sobering times: alcohol-free beer added to UK inflation basket

• President Trump is threatening to delay his summit with China's President Xi Jinping unless Beijing helps secure the Strait of Hormuz, with US and Chinese trade negotiators meeting in Paris to discuss the issue. • The conflict has entered its third week with Operation Epic Fury killing more than 1,300 people in Iran and 13 US service members dead, while Gulf states report new missile and drone attacks on Sunday after Iran threatened to expand its military campaign. • Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations to send warships to keep the Strait open and safe, warning the US will "remember" countries that don't help. • China has shown preliminary goodwill by signaling openness to purchase additional US agricultural products including poultry, beef, and non-soybean crops beyond previously pledged soybean purchases.

• President Trump demanded on March 15 that NATO and allied nations help secure the Strait of Hormuz with military vessels, warning that NATO could face a "very bad future" if allies refuse to assist in keeping the critical waterway open. • Trump warned that the US "will remember" countries that do not contribute to securing the strait, applying diplomatic pressure to allies amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East and warnings of potential sanctions waivers if the conflict prolongs. • The demand reflects Trump's strategy of leveraging the energy crisis and geopolitical instability created by the Iran conflict to mobilize international support for US-led efforts to maintain global shipping routes.

• Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan immigrant who aided US forces, died on March 14 in ICE custody less than 24 hours after arrest outside his Dallas-area home while taking his six children to school. • Paktyawal's asylum case was pending; his death marks the 12th in ICE detention this year under Trump's mass deportation policy, following 31 deaths in 2025, the highest in two decades. • AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver highlighted the tragedy, criticizing ICE's role in Trump's immigration crackdown amid rising detention fatalities.

• A rocket attack struck Baghdad International Airport on Sunday, which houses a US diplomatic facility, wounding five people according to Iraqi authorities. • The attack represents continued escalation in regional tensions amid the broader US-Israeli conflict with Iran. • The incident underscores the expanding scope of the Middle East crisis beyond direct US-Iran military engagement into broader attacks on US diplomatic and military infrastructure in Iraq.

• President Trump issued a stark warning to NATO allies on March 16, stating they face a "very bad future" if they do not assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. • The warning came as the US and Israel work to secure the strategic waterway, which has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict with Iran. • Trump's ultimatum reflects growing pressure on international allies to support US-led efforts to restore normal shipping operations and stabilize global energy markets.

President made contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with allies to help US secure Strait of HormuzSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump drew a backlash on Sunday for suggesting US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz were unnecessary – and that “maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all” because his country has plenty of oil of its own.The president made the contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with European and Nato allies to enter the war in Iran to help the US secure the strait amid the largest oil supply disruption in history. Continue reading...

Despite Trump’s claims, California city has found success in lowering deadly violence, thanks to pioneering efforts to steer people down a different pathIn the summer of 2025, as Donald Trump rolled out his plan to deploy the national guard to Washington DC and Chicago, he suggested other American cities were overrun with violence and could soon see federal troops: Memphis, Los Angeles, New York.Oakland, the president argued, was beyond saving. “And then you have, of course, Baltimore and Oakland. They’re so far gone. We don’t even talk about that any more,” Trump said. Continue reading...

Electric vehicles reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and shift energy consumption to electricity largely produced domestically, expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia could reduce its reliance on foreign fuel by more than 1bn litres a year if we replaced 1m petrol-fuelled cars with electric vehicles, as experts say boosting EV adoption is part of securing the nation’s long-term economic security.Hussein Dia, a professor of transport technology and sustainability at the Swinburne University of Technology, said electric vehicles can play a meaningful role in improving Australia’s energy sovereignty, as well as contributing to the national net zero emissions goal. Continue reading...

What happened on board, and are vapes considered a fire risk on flights? Here’s what you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after landing on Sunday afternoon, after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.The pilots of Virgin Australia flight VA328 issued a “pan” call after a vape activated in the cabin during descent, with smoke seen coming from the device. Continue reading...

US president hinted that his trip could be put on hold if Beijing failed to help secure the strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesChina has said it is in communication with the US about Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing, despite hints from the US president that he might delay the trip if his prospective hosts do not help to unblock the strait of Hormuz.China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations. The two sides are maintaining communication regarding President Trump’s visit to China.” Continue reading...

Trams, buses and hire bikes will be integrated under molten orange and asphalt black brand highlighting industrial heritage, says Oliver CoppardSouth Yorkshire’s transport system will be known as the “People’s Network”, with trams, buses and hire bikes all coming under public control.The plan was unveiled on Monday by the region’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, who said it would create an affordable, joined-up network in molten orange and asphalt black colours. A large fleet of electric buses and 25 new trams will be introduced over the next five years. Continue reading...