Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans 19. March 2026 (00:26) Admission came during questioning at Senate intelligence committee worldwide threats hearingThe Federal Bureau of Investigation has started buying location data on Americans, Kash Patel, FBI director, said under oath at the Senate intelligence committee worldwide threats hearing on Wednesday.Patel’s admission came in response to a question from the senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is a longtime opponent of the warrantless surveillance of Americans. Wyden told Patel that his predecessor, Christopher Wray, testified in 2023 that the FBI did not at that time purchase location data derived from internet advertising, although he acknowledged that it had done so in the past. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sadiq Khan urges Labour to campaign on rejoining EU at next election 19. March 2026 (00:02) Mayor of London says returning to EU now more desirable because of economic instability caused by Donald TrumpLabour should go into the next general election promising to rejoin the EU, Sadiq Khan has said.The mayor of London has repeatedly made the case for joining the customs union and single market, but went much further on Wednesday night by suggesting the party should promise full membership at next ballot. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Allan dismisses leadership whispers as gossip ‘from a few scallywags’; Cyclone Narelle builds to category four storm 18. March 2026 (23:57) Meanwhile Anthony Albanese says he is not ruling out negative gearing and CGT changes in the next budget. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAgriculture minister says government monitoring any price gouging of fertiliserJulie Collins, the federal minister for agriculture, said the government is monitoring any price gouging for fertiliser amid the turmoil in the Middle East.I think our government has been very clear that this should not be seen as a commercial opportunity for anybody. This is about what is in the national interest. This is a conflict that is impacting globally, and what we need Australians to do is to act in the national interest, and that includes everybody along that supply chain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lawmakers and community leaders react to ‘indefensible’ César Chávez sexual abuse allegations 18. March 2026 (23:12) New York Times report leads to multiple cancellations of events meant to celebrate the late labor organizerSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxLawmakers, union leaders and several community organizations expressed their shock and disgust after several women shared allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior and abuse by the late labor organizer César Chávez.The New York Times released an investigation on Wednesday detailing the allegations, which revealed that for years the co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union had groomed and sexually abused girls who were involved in the movement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nancy Mace draws White House ire over independent Middle East rescue efforts 18. March 2026 (23:01) Exclusive: Republican congresswoman started negotiations with Saudi Arabia without informing the White HouseSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxWhite House officials have grown increasingly frustrated with Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, accusing her of complicating efforts to evacuate Americans stranded in the Middle East by attempting to conduct her own rescue missions, according to people familiar with the matter.The irritation with Mace has been building for days after she traveled to the region to try and transport US citizens across international borders and engaged with foreign governments without informing the state department, which has been coordinating evacuation flights. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC World Service to get extra £11m a year in deal ending funding uncertainty 18. March 2026 (23:00) Corporation welcomes three-year settlement as it continues to push for government to take on all of service’s costsThe BBC World Service will be given increased government funding as part of a three-year deal after ministers concluded it was needed to counter the rise of global disinformation.The Guardian understands that Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, has agreed an additional £11m a year for the next three years on the government’s grant to the service. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Google co-founder spends $45m in fight against California billionaire tax 18. March 2026 (22:43) Sergey Brin gives $25m on top of $20m he’s already given to Super Pac trying to blocking state’s proposed 5% wealth taxA Google founder has more than doubled his financial contribution to the fight against a proposed wealth tax in California. New filings with the state show that former Alphabet president Sergey Brin donated $25m to a Super Pac dedicated to blocking the tax on top of $20m he had already given.Brin is not alone among Google’s top brass in upping his financial stake in the campaign against the ballot proposal. The company’s former CEO Eric Schmidt donated $1.02m, adding to a previous $2m contribution. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two men charged with allegedly spying on London Jewish community for Iran 18. March 2026 (21:53) Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and Alireza Farasati, 22, arrested after counter-terrorism investigationTwo men have been charged with spying for Iran over alleged surveillance of the Jewish community in London, police said.Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, a dual Iranian and British national, and Alireza Farasati, 22, an Iranian national, have both been charged with engaging in contact likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 9 July and 15 August last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fears 18. March 2026 (21:42) Jerome Powell resists Trump pressure as policymakers weigh energy shock against a weakening US jobs marketSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the second time this year, a widely expected move amid turmoil in the Middle East and rising energy prices.Fed officials faced a confluence of issues to consider in their meeting this week: soaring oil and gas prices, fluctuating inflation that still remains above the Fed’s target of 2%, and a weakened job market that unexpectedly saw 92,000 losses last month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kent meningitis outbreak has been contained, health officials believe 18. March 2026 (20:54) There is growing confidence that the 20 people diagnosed with the illness have not infected anyone outside the areaHealth officials increasingly believe they have contained the fatal outbreak of meningitis in Kent, with no cases emerging that are not linked to the original cluster of 20.In another boost to efforts to contain the infection, the bug that caused it has been identified as a known strain of meningitis B, the Guardian understands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
