Chuck Norris, prolific action star and martial arts champion, dies aged 86

• The U.S. and allies intensified operations on March 20, 2026, deploying low-flying attack jets and Apache helicopters to target Iranian naval vessels and drones in the Strait of Hormuz. • Iran's IRGC released video of a U.S. F-35 struck over Iranian airspace, forcing an emergency landing at a U.S. base; Pentagon confirms the $100 million jet incident. • This battle threatens global energy supplies, with oil prices seesawing and predictions of $150-$200 per barrel if unresolved, exacerbating a crisis three weeks into the war.

• On March 20, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon's request for $200 billion in extra funding, stating 'it takes money to kill bad guys'. • The request supports ongoing U.S. offensives, including jet patrols and helicopter strikes against Iranian forces in key waterways. • Funding comes amid surging oil prices from Iranian attacks on facilities, prompting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to propose lifting sanctions on Iranian oil.

• President Trump met Japan's prime minister on March 20, fielding questions from Japanese media on why allies were not warned before US strikes on Iran. • Meeting occurs as US redirects focus to Middle East, potentially weakening joint priorities with Japan on trade and security issues. • Discussions highlight differing US-Israel goals in the conflict, with Trump denying plans to deploy ground troops.

• An Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet was hit by enemy fire during a combat mission over Iran, with sources confirming the pilot is now in stable condition after ejection. • The incident highlights risks to advanced US aircraft as the US-Israeli air campaign enters its third week, targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure. • Israeli PM Netanyahu claimed on March 19 that Iran has lost all uranium enrichment and ballistic missile production capacity due to sustained strikes.

Move follows the granting of a worldwide asset freezing order on company’s founder, Paresh RajaWhat is the £1.3bn MFS mortgage scandal and what is private credit?The UK’s financial regulator has launched an investigation into Market Financial Solutions (MFS), the mortgage lender that collapsed last month amid allegations of fraud.The move follows the granting of a £1.3bn worldwide asset-freezing order on MFS founder Paresh Raja on Wednesday, as creditors successfully gained court orders in London and Dubai barring the tycoon from dissipating assets. Continue reading...

Peter Coates’s family welcome end to years pursuing answers after he died when outage stopped oxygen machineA family has welcomed a coroner’s conclusion that ambulance delays possibly contributed to their father’s death in 2019 after enduring “years of distress trying to pursue answers”.The family of Peter Coates said they had been met with “delays and resistance” from a regional ambulance service as they tried to discover the full circumstances of his final minutes. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Chris Bryant says policy agreements are being done in bits and pieces but a greater vision is needed by both sidesIt was all smiles and warm handshakes when the two men in charge of renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU met in Brussels this week.Maroš Šefčovič and the UK minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, sharing a stage on the third floor of the vast European parliament building, were at pains to show the cross-Channel relationship was in a good place after years of rancour. Continue reading...

Late-night hosts panned Trump’s joke about the 1941 attack, addressed new unredacted Epstein emails and talked popular puppy namesWith The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on hiatus until at least 27 March, late-night hosts on Thursday discussed Donald Trump’s snafu while meeting Japan’s prime minister, his caginess over Iran, and new findings in the Epstein investigations. Continue reading...

Stuart Niven suspended after it emerged he had been struck off as a company director over financial allegationsReform UK has suspended one of its Scottish candidates after it emerged he had been struck off as a company director, and the party faces growing attacks for fielding candidates making Islamophobic remarks.Reform confirmed on Friday morning it had suspended Stuart Niven, its candidate for Dundee West, after the Herald revealed he had been struck off after diverting tens of thousands of pounds of Covid grants into his personal account. Continue reading...

In Denmark, the spread of solar panels in rural areas has become a divisive issue among voters, especially in rural areasIn one telling of the story, the golden fields of a proud farming nation are under attack. Besieged by an industrial sprawl of solar panels, they are being smothered at the behest of an urban elite.That narrative has failed to thrive in conservative heartlands such as Texas and Hungary, which have embraced solar power while lambasting green rules. But it is taking root in Denmark, the most climate-ambitious nation on Earth. “We say yes to fields of wheat,” said Inger Støjberg, the leader of the rightwing populist Denmark Democrats in a speech in 2024. “And we say no to fields of iron!” Continue reading...

Senior public servant wrote ‘police will be dispersing them if numbers exceed capacity’ while premier says protesters confronted after attempting to marchGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice planned to disperse the crowd at a Sydney protest against the visiting Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, if it exceeded 6,000 people, according to correspondence between senior New South Wales public servants.The messages released under freedom of information (FoI) laws contain information not referenced in public comments by the NSW premier, Chris Minns, and the police commissioner, Mal Lanyon. Continue reading...