Leading

Sewell pleaded not guilty to five charges over alleged group assault on Camp Sovereignty last yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNeo-Nazi figure Thomas Sewell has been committed to stand trial after allegedly leading an attack on an Indigenous protest site in Melbourne last year.Sewell, 33, appeared into Melbourne magistrates court via video link on Thursday morning after being charged over the Camp Sovereignty incident. Continue reading...

• A late-night cloture vote on March 20, 2026, failed to advance the FY-2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leaving TSA underfunded amid high travel volumes. • Daily TSA passenger throughput exceeds 2.4 million due to spring-break and March Madness demand, with missed connections at 8% versus a normal 1.6%, prompting three-hour early arrivals for domestic flights. • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer plans a Saturday vote on a TSA-only continuing resolution, but GOP leaders signal they will block it, risking Easter travel chaos.

• Tech sector layoffs have surpassed 45,000 jobs in the first months of 2026, with the US accounting for the majority of global cuts announced so far this year. • Job reductions in Europe have been limited but noticeable, reflecting broader industry pressures amid economic shifts. • The wave of cuts highlights ongoing challenges in tech hiring post-boom, affecting major firms across the US.

The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, 2026, with an 89-10 bipartisan vote, marking the first major housing reform in a decade and including LeadingAge-supported policies for affordable senior housing. The bill creates grants for planning affordable housing, streamlines environmental reviews, and updates manufactured home standards to increase supply. It represents key wins by empowering state and local governments to revise zoning and regulatory barriers hindering development. Further reforms and House action remain needed to fully address senior housing shortages.

Charles Schwab stock rose 1.8% on March 13, 2026, amid gains in financial services, health care, and consumer goods sectors during a choppy session. About 61% of S&P 500 stocks advanced, with Schwab benefiting from defensive positioning. This resilience contrasts tech declines, pointing to rotation into value areas. Sector performance may persist if volatility continues.

MARA Holdings jumped more than 12% on March 13, 2026, driven by renewed interest in digital asset mining amid broader market volatility. Crypto-related firms outperformed as AI, semiconductors, and EV stocks showed mixed resilience, with Intel up 1.7% on chip production optimism and NIO rising 4%. This momentum underscores investor rotation toward high-growth sectors despite S&P 500's weekly 1.1% decline. Traders eye sustained crypto interest if oil stabilizes over the weekend.

Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for adults under 50 in the United States, yet a national survey by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance reveals only half of Americans know about convenient at-home screening options available to them. The survey found that nearly one-third of all Americans and almost half of adults under 45 reported doctors dismissing their stomach or bowel symptoms, indicating potential gaps in clinical recognition of warning signs in younger populations. More than one-quarter of adults don't follow through with recommended screening, with cost, fear, and lack of knowledge cited as primary barriers, though over 60 percent of respondents indicated they would pursue screening with better understanding of personal risk factors. March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to address these critical knowledge gaps and encourage adoption of accessible screening methods.