Kyrsten Sinema says in court filings she had a ‘romantic’ relationship with guard 13. March 2026 (23:02) Former US senator’s admission comes after Heather Ammel sued her under North Carolina’s ‘homewrecker’ lawKyrsten Sinema, a former US senator, admitted in court filings to having a “romantic and intimate” relationship with a married man who was a member of her security detail during her final year in office – but argues that his estranged wife should not be able to sue her over it.The admission to the multi-state affair came in response to a lawsuit filed by Heather Ammel, who accused the former Arizona senator in federal court of breaking up her marriage under North Carolina’s so-called “homewrecker” law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK petrol retailers claim ‘inflammatory language’ of ministers led to staff abuse 13. March 2026 (19:50) Trade body attends meeting with Rachel Reeves, hours after saying it was pulling out over suggestions of price gouging• Watchdog puts UK fuel retailers ‘on notice’ over profiteering from Iran warThe trade body for the UK’s petrol station industry has got into a row with the government after claiming the “inflammatory language” used by ministers to describe rising pump prices may have incited abuse against forecourt staff.The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said ministers had for several days suggested that forecourts might be “price gouging” and “ripping off” motorists as global oil markets have surged in response to the war in Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bolivia arrests alleged drug kingpin accused of putting hit on Paraguayan prosecutor 13. March 2026 (19:37) Bolivian interior ministry says Sebastián Marset is being extradited to US, where he’s wanted for money launderingSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSebastián Marset, an alleged Uruguayan drug trafficker and one of South America’s most wanted criminals, has been arrested in Bolivia.Marset, 34, is accused of trafficking tonnes of cocaine from South America to Europe, and also of having ordered the murder of a Paraguayan prosecutor who was shot dead as he honeymooned on a Colombian beach in 2022. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rachel Reeves to set out extra support for UK households facing surge in heating oil costs 13. March 2026 (19:31) Exclusive: Chancellor plans help for vulnerable and low-income customers due to conflict in Middle East Rachel Reeves will set out extra support next week for households across the UK facing a surge in the cost of heating oil due to the conflict in the Middle East.The chancellor is expected to set out plans to assist those on low incomes or with other vulnerabilities, particularly in rural areas. The help will be delivered in England via councils using the new crisis and resilience fund. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘No clear goal’: lack of Iran war plan has unleashed chaos and could stymie US military for decades, say critics 13. March 2026 (18:51) White House contends with reality of shoddy preparations for war and unclear conditions for victoryMiddle East crisis – live updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailAs US and Israeli jets descended to deliver the opening salvos of the war in Iran, Donald Trump’s back-of-the-envelope plan for regime change in Tehran was about to run into the reality of the largest US intervention in the Middle East since the start of the Iraq war in 2003.That reality came quickly. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Jeffrey Epstein 13. March 2026 (18:02) Trio captured relaxing around a wooden table in photo believed to have been taken on Martha’s Vineyard Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson have been pictured in bathrobes alongside Jeffrey Epstein, in the first known photograph of them together.The trio were captured relaxing outside at a wooden table with mugs decorated with the American flag in the newly unearthed photograph believed to have been taken on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off Cape Cod in Massachusetts that is favoured by the wealthy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sadiq Khan may give up armoured car as part of clampdown on SUVs in London 13. March 2026 (17:42) Mayor says he will encourage Met to scale down his official vehicle alongside plans for new charges for big carsThe London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said he would be encouraging the Met to abandon his armoured car in favour of a smaller vehicle as he signalled a clampdown on driving SUVs in London.Khan and Transport for London are considering options including additional charges on outsize vehicles to tackle the increasing numbers of SUVs on London’s roads, primarily to address road safety but also to address concerns about parking and congestion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spirals 13. March 2026 (17:38) Tehran residents report relentless bombing with US and Israeli planes launching wave of attacks Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has said Iran will be hit “very hard” in the coming days, describing leaders of the regime as “deranged scumbags” who it was a “great honour” to kill, as Tehran residents reported relentless bombing and violence continued to spiral across the Middle East.The US president’s comments, which signaled an intensification of the US-Israeli campaign, came as Israeli and US warplanes launched successive waves of attacks on the Iranian capital and elsewhere on Friday. One strike reportedly hit close to a square near Tehran University where crowds were gathered in support of the Iran’s regime. The area is home to many government buildings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Apple cuts China App Store commission fees after government pressure 13. March 2026 (17:37) The move, which lowers fees to 25%, is a breakthrough for Chinese developers Tencent and ByteDanceSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxApple announced late on Thursday it would lower the commission fees collected in its App Store in mainland China. The move follows pressure from regulators in the tech company’s second-largest market, as well as global scrutiny of its payment requirements.Fees for in-app purchases and paid transactions will be lowered to 25% from 30% starting on Sunday, Apple said in a statement on its blog for developers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pete Hegseth’s cheerleading of attacks on Iran tempered by his belligerence to the US press 13. March 2026 (17:36) US defense head is eager to frame operation as a success – and slam journalists for not portraying it in a positive lightSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPete Hegseth on Friday again claimed the US military campaign against Iran has been an unprecedented success, using a Pentagon press conference to accuse journalists of downplaying Washington’s supposed gains on the battlefield.Speaking alongside the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, the US defense secretary claimed Iran had been left without a functioning air force, navy or missile defense network after 13 days of strikes, and said the combined US-Israeli air campaign had hit more than 15,000 targets since the war began. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
