Issue

Pressing tasks for new director general also include an expiring royal charter, and finding a new top teamMatt Brittin may have only just been announced as the new BBC director general, but his inbox is already overflowing. Here are his immediate challenges: Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. "obliteration" of key energy infrastructure, escalating the ongoing conflict into its fourth consecutive week. • U.S. stock index futures fell sharply Sunday evening: S&P 500 futures declined 0.3% to 6,542.25 points, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4% to 24,008.0 points, and Dow Jones futures dropped 0.16% to 45,821.0 points, reflecting market anxiety over potential military escalation. • Major indexes have posted cumulative losses of 4-7% over the past 30 days as concerns mount over the long-term economic impact of prolonged conflict, compounded by stronger-than-expected inflation data reducing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

Exclusive: Lack of enforcement is allowing people to drop rubbish with complete impunity, says Clean Up BritainScores of councils across the UK have in effect ended enforcement of fines for littering, while others are letting litterers off lightly and many more are neglecting to enforce fines for fly-tipping.At least 71 councils failed to issue a single fine for littering last year, while a further 67 issued fewer than 10, according to data from the Clean Up Britain campaign. Continue reading...

SEC now classifies crypto into five categories, with securities laws only applicable to one: digital securitiesThe US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday issued an interpretation clarifying which types of cryptocurrencies are considered securities and how a “non-security” digital asset could meet certain conditions to become an investment contract.The SEC’s new interpretation – which the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission also joined – classifies crypto tokens into five categories: digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, stablecoins and digital securities, with the agency specifying that federal securities laws only apply to digital securities. Continue reading...

Pat McFadden says Trump running a ‘transactional presidency’ and that ‘our job is to navigate this’Good morning. Keir Starmer is holding a press conference in Downing Street this morning. As Kiran Stacey reports, the PM’s main intention will be to announce support for people most hit by rising energy prices, particularly householders reliant on heating oil. The measures are expected to be worth tens of millions of pounds.But, inevitably, most of the focus likely to be on how Starmer responds to the latest provocations from Donald Trump. Continue reading...

• U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates released a security alert on March 15, 2026, urging Americans to stay vigilant amid potential threats. • Instructions to follow local authorities and review embassy guidance; limited commercial options available for departure. • Alert tied to broader Middle East instability from Iran conflict, affecting U.S. citizens in Gulf region.

Demonstrators on Sunday will be arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action or intifada chants, says MetPolice have warned demonstrators that they will be arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action or intifada chants at a protest on Sunday.About 12,000 people are expected to take part in the annual al-Quds Day rally in London, an international demonstration of support for Palestinian rights. The event takes its name from the Arabic version of Jerusalem and was created by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after Iran’s 1979 revolution. Continue reading...