Republican chair immediately goes after Mullin at DHS nomination hearing; Trump blames Democrats for partial shutdown – live 18. March 2026 (14:53) Rand Paul probes Markwayne Mulling for past vote on funding for refugee welfare programs; Trump claims ongoing shutdown is ‘causing chaos at the airports’Mullin never served in military but talks as if he didSign up for Breaking US News US emailsRand Paul seemed immediately frustrated with Mullin as he opened the hearing. While he was speaking, he suggested that Mullin wasn’t listening to his remarks, where he pushed Trump’s nominee on his vote against Paul’s amendment to stop all funding for refugee welfare programs.“You decided to transfer the blame. You told the media that I was a ‘freaking snake’ and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted,” Paul said, referring to when he was attacked by a neighbor in Kentucky in 2017, which resulted in Paul breaking several ribs and developing pneumonia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zack Polanski says Greens would ditch GDP targets and focus on wellbeing instead 18. March 2026 (14:45) Leader uses first major economic speech to prioritise public services and reduction of inequality over growthUK politics live – latest updatesA government led by the Green party would not set targets for GDP growth but would instead focus on people’s mental health, social cohesion and community welfare, Zack Polanski has said in a major speech to set out his plans for the economy.In his first policy address since taking over as leader of the Greens in England and Wales six months ago, Polanski condemned what he called “rip-off Britain”, where a minority of asset owners benefited at the expense of people obliged to pay unaffordable sums for housing and other basics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Put him on trial’: pro-Kremlin loyalist turns on Putin in rare outburst 18. March 2026 (14:39) Ilya Remeslo sends Telegram post titled ‘Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin’ to his 90,000 followersFor years, Ilya Remeslo was a reliable pro-Kremlin operator, going after critics of the regime and smearing independent journalists, bloggers and opposition politicians.Then the 42-year-old lawyer abruptly turned on the country’s most powerful man. Late on Tuesday, Remeslo posted a manifesto to his 90,000 Telegram followers titled: “Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oscars ratings in US dip to four-year low, defying expectations 18. March 2026 (14:31) Hopes that Sinners and One Battle After Another would bring in a big audience dashed as viewers fell to 17.9m, a 9% drop on last year’s 19.7mHopes had been high that the popularity of big hitters Sinners and One Battle After Another would translate into a bigger audience for the Oscars ceremony telecast. Yet numbers hit a four-year-low in the US, where the show reached 17.9 million viewers on ABC and Hulu, down about 9% from last year’s 19.7 million.Many had presumed the five-year high that 2025 represented was the product of interest in cinema bouncing back post-Covid – all the more cheering given that the movie that dominated, Sean Baker’s Anora, had not been a major box office player. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Conservative MP Crispin Blunt charged with four drugs offences 18. March 2026 (14:27) Ex-MP for Reigate, 65, accused of one count of possessing a class A drug and three of possessing a class B drugThe former MP Crispin Blunt has been charged with four drugs offences, prosecutors said.The 65-year-old, who represented Reigate from 1997 to 2024, is accused of one count of possessing a class A drug and three of possessing a class B drug. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US contractors stranded in Iraq under threat of imminent attack: ‘We are sitting ducks’ 18. March 2026 (14:19) More than 200 Americans at Balad site say they have no evacuation plan as fears grow of a post-Ramadan assaultSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHundreds of US contractors are stranded on a major military base near Baghdad, Iraq, with no evacuation plan, while local Iran-backed militants are possibly making plans to attack the base, three sources said.The contractors are employed on the Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih Air Base, formerly Balad Air Base, to support the Iraqi government’s F-16 fighter jet program. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, never served in military but talks as if he did 18. March 2026 (14:16) Oklahoma senator has repeatedly made cryptic claims about ‘overseas’ work and war experience, while refusing to explain themMullin’s DHS nomination hearing – follow liveMarkwayne Mullin, the Oklahoma senator chosen by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security who will be considered by the Senate on Wednesday, has never served in the US military, but he routinely speaks as if he did in interviews.Two days after the US attacked Iran, for instance, Mullin told Fox News: “War is ugly. It smells bad. And if anybody has ever been there and been able to smell the war that’s happening around you and taste it, and feel it in your nostrils, and hear it, it’s something you’ll never forget. And it’s ugly.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lee Anderson filmed paid-for Cameo videos at parliament in possible rules breach 18. March 2026 (14:00) Reform MP made Valentine’s Day clips for platform despite previous warning about commercial filmingNewly unearthed Nigel Farage videos reveal support for rioter, neo-Nazi event and far-right slogansThe Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has used his parliamentary office to record paid-for personalised messaging videos, in a possible breach of rules that prohibit the commercial use of the Palace of Westminster.Anderson, who had already been warned about commercial filming in Westminster, sold two videos filmed from what he called the “beating heart of democracy in Westminster” in early February 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s intelligence minister ‘eliminated’ in overnight strike, Israel claims 18. March 2026 (13:56) Esmail Khatib said to be third senior Iranian figure killed in 24 hours as Israel authorises military to kill targeted officialsMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael claimed on Wednesday to have killed a third senior Iranian figure in 24 hours, stating that its forces had “eliminated” Tehran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an overnight strike.If confirmed, his death would follow those of Ali Larijani, the head of the supreme national security apparatus, and the commander of the Basij militia, Gholamreza Soleimani. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First Thing: Trump says US does not need Nato after strait of Hormuz rebuf | Clea Skopeliti 18. March 2026 (13:41) Snub comes as Iran vows revenge for killing of Ali Larijani. Plus, judge orders reinstatement of Voice of America staffDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump has said the US does not need Nato, after a number of the organization’s members rejected his call to send their warships to reopen the strait of Hormuz.How many people have been displaced in Iran? Up to 3.2 million people, according to the UN’s refugee agency. Here, Tehran residents speak about their daily life under bombardment.For the latest updates, follow our liveblog. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
