Petrol theft expected to rise in Australia as police call for more CCTV and prepaid pumps 21. March 2026 (20:01) Amid a surge in fuel prices and fear of shortages, SA police chief signals officers might stop investigating ‘drive-offs’ unless service stations install prepaid pumpsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe rusty green fuel trailer hardly looks like it is worth stealing. But some time before 1 March it was hooked up to the back of a vehicle and taken from a property at Huntley, south of Orange, in the New South Wales central tablelands.It was just another in a series of thefts that police across Australia are keeping a watchful eye on. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens to send ICE to airports on Monday amid DHS funding standoff 21. March 2026 (19:11) President attacks ‘Radical Left Democrats’ after homeland security funding bill again sinks in SenateSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump threatened on Saturday to deploy federal immigration agents to US airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures aimed at strengthening security and immigration enforcement.“If the Radical Left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican says he lied about racist posts on porn site to protect Trump 21. March 2026 (18:05) Mark Robinson, who ran for North Carolina governor in 2024, tells podcast he had ‘obsession’ with porn and sexSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe former Republican North Carolina lieutenant governor Mark Robinson has admitted he misled voters during his unsuccessful 2024 gubernatorial campaign when he denied posting racist and offensive comments on a pornography website – suggesting he did so to protect Donald Trump’s successful presidential run.Robinson, who worked in furniture manufacturing before entering politics in 2020, told the After the Call podcast on Thursday: “I won’t say that I completely lied. Some of the things about the whole story – some of it — there’s some truth to it.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Minister claimed thousands of pounds on expenses for promotional videos 21. March 2026 (18:00) Videos of Labour’s Al Carns include him talking about his time as a marine and challenging a firefighter to pull-up contestLabour minister Al Carns has claimed thousands of pounds on parliamentary expenses for promotional videos including one showing him doing pull-ups at a fire station in competition with a firefighter.The veterans minister and former Royal Marine, who is tipped by some MPs as a leadership hopeful, claimed about £3,000, approved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), for the production of 17 videos that show him interacting with local businesses. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US man pleads guilty to defrauding music streamers out of millions using AI 21. March 2026 (16:14) Michael Smith, 52, charged after flooding platforms with thousands of AI songs and boosting them with botsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to defrauding music streaming platforms and his fellow musicians out of millions in royalties by flooding the services with thousands of AI-generated songs – and using automated “bots” to artificially boost the number of listens into the billions.As part of a deal with federal prosecutors in New York’s southern district, 52-year-old Michael Smith pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Justin Timberlake’s DWI arrest video is released despite his attempt to block it 21. March 2026 (16:12) Footage shows US musician struggling with field sobriety tests he calls ‘really hard’ before his 2024 arrest in New YorkJustin Timberlake struggled to perform field sobriety tests requiring him to walk a straight line and stand on one leg after the pop star was pulled over in New York’s Hamptons in 2024 by police officers who suspected him of driving drunk, according to video footage released on Friday.Timberlake tells officers at one point, “these are like really hard tests.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US counter-terrorism chief who resigned says he fears retaliation but has no regrets 21. March 2026 (15:12) Joe Kent, who left Trump administration over Iran war, tells Megyn Kelly ‘facts are on my side’ amid FBI investigationSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe counter-terrorism official who resigned from Donald Trump’s administration over the US and Israel’s war against Iran has said he is bracing for political retribution – but would do it all again anyway.Asked by conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly if he was concerned about a pre-existing FBI search investigating him for leaking classified information, Kent said he was ambivalent. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How the FBI can conduct mass surveillance – even without AI 21. March 2026 (15:00) Anthropic fought against the government’s misuse of its technology, but authorities are buying Americans’ data, enabling them to surveil citizens at scaleThe FBI declares it can conduct mass surveillance without AI, despite Anthropic’s protest.A central part of the standoff between Anthropic and the Department of Defense has revolved around the artificial intelligence firm’s refusal to allow its technology to be used for mass domestic surveillance. Yet even without the cooperation of AI firms, remarks this week from Kash Patel, FBI director, show how authorities are by any reasonable measure already operating a system that can surveil citizens at scale. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alabama student reportedly fell to his death in Barcelona waters by accident 21. March 2026 (14:42) Autopsy reveals James ‘Jimmy’ Gracey’s injuries consistent with repeatedly hitting breakwater’s rocks, Spanish media reportA University of Alabama student who was found dead in Barcelona after going missing while vacationing evidently fell into the sea on accident in view of surveillance cameras – and an autopsy revealed injuries on his body that were consistent with having repeatedly struck a breakwater’s rocks.Such details about James “Jimmy” Gracey surfaced in the Spanish media as a spokesperson for police in Barcelona told the Associated Press that “all signs point” to the 20-year-old’s death as having been an accident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Strictly’s longest-serving dancer, Karen Hauer, quits show after 14 years 21. March 2026 (14:09) Venezuelan-born dancer posts emotional video saying she plans to take on new projects in other areasStrictly Come Dancing’s longest-serving female professional dancer, Karen Hauer, has quit the show after 14 years.In a video posted on Instagram, Hauer said it was “the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I’m passionate about”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
