Top US army officer steps down after Hegseth reportedly demanded removal 03. April 2026 (00:37) Pentagon announces Randy George retiring from role as US army chief of staff, ‘effective immediately’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxRandy George, the US army’s top officer, is stepping down from his role after the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, reportedly requested that he retire immediately. The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that George, who had been serving as the army’s 41st chief of staff, was retiring.“General Randy A George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement,” Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement shared on social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia says it won’t raise drug prices after Trump’s 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported into US 03. April 2026 (00:24) Health minister Mark Butler says federal government is ‘not negotiating’ when it comes to removing price protections on common medicationsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will not cave in to pressure from pharmaceutical giants and the Trump administration by removing consumer price protections on common medications, the health minister, Mark Butler says.Donald Trump imposed a new 100% tariff on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the US overnight, Australian time, trying to force manufacturers to agree to drug-pricing deals or commit to making their products domestically. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
President of Wisconsin’s largest mosque detained by US immigration agents 03. April 2026 (00:13) Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born US green card holder, say he was targeted for criticizing IsraelSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident of the United States, was taken into custody by nearly a dozen US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Monday in Milwaukee after he left his home, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Epstein accusations and pressure from the boss: Bondi’s time as Trump’s chief enforcer 02. April 2026 (23:41) From attempts to prosecute president’s foes to claims of a cover-up, attorney general endured tumultuous tenureAnalysis: Bondi firing a reminder that even ultra-loyalists get dumped by TrumpDonald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, removing the nation’s chief law enforcement officer after months of mounting frustration over her handling of the Epstein files and her faltering attempts to prosecute the president’s political enemies.“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Thursday. He said she would be replaced by her deputy, Todd Blanche, on an interim basis. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal judge throws out most of Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni 02. April 2026 (23:34) Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, including claim of sexual harassmentSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA federal judge has thrown out the majority of Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni.In a court ruling on Thursday, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit against her co-star and director of the domestic violence film It Ends With Us. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens 100% tariff on US drug makers that don’t strike deals to lower prices 02. April 2026 (23:33) New tax will hit branded drugs and active ingredients while exempting generics for at least one yearSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical companies that have not struck deals to lower US drug prices.The new tariff will only apply to branded drugs and their active ingredients. Generic drugs, which make up more than 90% of medicines sold in the US, will be exempted from tariffs for at least one year. Orphan, veterinary and other specialty drugs are exempt if they are from trade deal countries or meet urgent public health needs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Maryland man receives 20-year sentence for pet crematorium scam 02. April 2026 (23:09) Rodney Ward returned debris instead of pets’ ashes and stored animals’ bodies in hearse or threw them out on roadSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Baltimore county man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of defrauding pet owners through his fake crematorium business, returning rocks and sand to grieving victims instead of ashes.On Tuesday, 56-year-old Rodney Ward was also ordered to pay $12,510 in restitution to victims. He had pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft and five counts of malicious destruction of property over $1,000, according to the Baltimore county state’s attorney’s office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
CPS considering 13 suspected cases of assisted dying in England and Wales 02. April 2026 (22:00) Data shows 209 cases recorded as assisted dying referred to CPS by police between 1 April 2009 and 31 March this yearThirteen cases of suspected assisted dying are being considered by prosecutors in England and Wales, according to the latest data.Encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person is against the law in England and Wales, under the Suicide Act 1961.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 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK drug exports to US spared tariffs under deal critics say will cost NHS billions 02. April 2026 (21:27) ‘Partnership’ on drug pricing also gives patients in Britain greater access to potentially life-extending treatments British drug exports to the US will escape tariffs imposed by Donald Trump as part of a controversial UK-US medicines deal that critics fear will mean less money for the NHS.The deal will also give patients in Britain greater access to potentially life-extending drugs because the rules have been relaxed to allow the NHS to pay more for particular treatments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump warns Tehran ‘more to follow’ after strike destroys Iran’s largest bridge 02. April 2026 (21:23) Eight people reported killed in attack on newly completed suspension bridge after strike splits structure in halfMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump claimed responsibility for destroying Iran’s largest bridge, a day after he threatened to bomb the country “back to the stone ages” if a deal to end the five-week-long war he started was not reached.The US president shared footage of part of the newly built 136 metre-high $400m B1 suspension bridge between Tehran and Karaj collapsing dramatically on to the causeway below amid a rising plume of black smoke. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
