New Orleans attorneys found guilty in plot to stage vehicle accidents for payouts 21. March 2026 (00:44) Prosecutors say they paid ‘slammers’ to intentionally crash into tractor-trailers and file fraudulent lawsuitsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA federal jury in New Orleans has found two personal injury attorneys guilty of involving themselves in a scheme to stage collisions with 18-wheelers and then collect settlement payouts.The lawyers, Jason Giles and former Hollywood stuntwoman Vanessa Motta, were found guilty on Friday of fraud, obstruction of justice and witness tampering, local news outlets WVUE and WWL Louisiana – a Guardian reporting partner – reported. Their law firms were convicted of related charges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coroner ‘cannot be satisfied’ that Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life 21. March 2026 (00:10) Former boxing world champion’s cause of death was hanging but his intention was unclear, inquest concludesA coroner has said she “cannot be satisfied” that British former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life.Hatton, 46, was found dead in his home on 14 September, with the inquest concluding that the official cause of his death was hanging.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US judge blocks Pentagon’s restrictions on press after New York Times lawsuit 20. March 2026 (23:57) Lawsuit alleged changes gave DoD free rein to punish reporters and outlets over coverage it did not likeSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration’s restrictive Pentagon press access policy, which threatens journalists with being branded security risks if they seek information not authorized for public release.“Those who drafted the first amendment believed that the nation’s security requires a free press and an informed people and that such security is endangered by governmental suppression of political speech,” US district court judge Paul Friedman wrote in his opinion. “That principle has preserved the nation’s security for almost 250 years. It must not be abandoned now.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US has struck another alleged drug-smuggling boat, US Southern Command says 20. March 2026 (22:59) One person survived and two were killed, the military said, who were turned over to Costa Rican coast guardUS Southern Command announced on Friday that US forces carried out another “lethal kinetic strike” on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific which left one survivor and two people dead.After the strike, the military said that it “immediately notified US Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system” for three people who survived the strike. The coast guard said in a statement that one of its ships recovered two dead bodies and one survivor and turned them over to the Costa Rican coast guard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats outraged as Fetterman votes to advance Markwayne Mullin nomination 20. March 2026 (21:57) Calls for Pennsylvania senator – Trump’s ‘favorite Democrat’ – to resign after casting decisive committee voteDemocrats reacted with outrage to their party colleague John Fetterman’s decision to advance the nomination of Republican US senator Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary.Fetterman, the senior US senator from Pennsylvania, has in recent months broken with the party several times to support Republican proposals, and has routinely expressed staunch support for Israel. He cast the decisive committee vote on Thursday to advance Mullin’s nomination to succeed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RFK Jr overstepped in declaring gender-affirming treatments unsafe, judge rules 20. March 2026 (21:43) Judge rules that Trump’s health secretary did not go through proper procedures when issuing declarationRobert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, overstepped his power when he declared that gender-affirming treatments are unsafe, a federal judge has ruled.In a blow to the Trump administration’s attempts to limit access to gender transition procedures, Judge Mustafa Kasubhai ruled Thursday that Kennedy did not go through the proper procedures when issuing his 12-page declaration last December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former BBC Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray dies aged 75 20. March 2026 (20:49) Veteran broadcaster interviewed prominent female leaders including Margaret Thatcher and Hillary ClintonJenni Murray, the broadcaster who hosted BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than 30 years, has died at the age of 75.Murray joined the programme in 1987 and presented it until 2020, departing as its longest-serving presenter. She was awarded a damehood in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Top US Fema official claims to have teleported to a Waffle House before 20. March 2026 (20:38) ‘Teleporting is no fun,’ Gregg Phillips, picked to lead Fema’s office of response and recovery, has said on a podcastA far-right conspiracy theorist turned high-ranking official at the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) claims to have once teleported to a Waffle House.Gregg Phillips, who in December was appointed to lead Fema’s office of response and recovery, has spoken on “multiple podcasts” about being teleported against his will, CNN reported on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Home Office investigates firm linked to religious sect over immigration visas 20. March 2026 (20:36) Officials understood to be investigating use of visas by company linked to Ahmadi Religion of Peace and LightThe Home Office is investigating a company linked to a religious sect based in Cheshire over its use of immigration visas.The company under investigation is linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), a sect that blends tenets of Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens controlling US presidents. Followers believe the sect’s leader, Abdullah Hashem, can cure the sick and make the moon disappear. About 100 of his followers live in a former orphanage in Crewe, in the north-west of England. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK ministers begin contingency planning amid economic fears over Iran war 20. March 2026 (20:25) Anger grows within cabinet over impact of war begun by Donald Trump, who branded Nato allies ‘cowards’• Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has branded the UK and other Nato allies “cowards” but anger is growing among cabinet ministers that his war in Iran could jeopardise Britain’s fragile finances.Senior members of the government are in despair about the potential effects on the economy, with experts warning of higher energy prices and mortgage and borrowing costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
