Prepares

Company had struggled to increase post-pandemic demand before war in Iran pushed up jet fuel costsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSpirit Airlines is preparing to cease operations after the beleaguered company ran out of cash and a rescue attempt by the Trump administration appeared to stall.The company struggled to make a deal with its creditors and secure funding to maintain operations, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading...

Company reported $111.2bn in revenue in first earnings report after announcement of Cook’s pending departureApple blew past Wall Street expectations in its first earnings report since it announced CEO Tim Cook would be stepping down.Cook reported Apple’s “best March quarter ever” and “double-digit growth across every geographic segment”. He also noted “extraordinary demand for the iPhone17 lineup”. Continue reading...

• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced plans on April 29, 2026, to suspend House primaries after a court ruling on congressional maps intensified redistricting fights. • The decision stems from ongoing battles over racial gerrymandering, with dozens more cases looming before midterms. • Suspension could delay elections and reshape GOP strategies in the state.

Fadi Saqr is accused of mass killings of civilians in Tadamon, Damascus, where people say he must face justiceA Syrian rights commission is preparing a case accusing Fadi Saqr, a militia leader within the Assad regime, of involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes, a senior Syrian official has told the Guardian.Saqr is a former commander of the National Defence Forces (NDF) militia and is widely accused of involvement in the mass killing and forcible disappearance of civilians in the Tadamon neighbourhood of Damascus, as well as other parts of the Syrian capital. Continue reading...

PM will face Kemi Badenoch and other MPs at final PMQs of the 2024-26 parliamentary sessionGood morning. Originally Keir Starmer was hoping that there would not be a need for a PMQs today, but we have got one, and it will definitely be the last of the 2024-26 parliamentary session. It will be a chance for Starmer to reflect on all the legislation passed.There is some relief that the government won the vote on Kemi Badenoch’s call for Starmer to be referred to the privileges committee with ease. Here is our overnight story by Pippa Crerar, Ben Quinn and Jessica Elgot. Continue reading...

Suspect in Saturday evening’s shooting – Cole Tomas Allen – expected to be formally charged in court todayGood morning, and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.The suspected gunman in the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday evening, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, from Torrance, California, is due to appear in court later today.He is expected to be formally charged with using a firearm during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Continue reading...

As treasurer Jim Chalmers weighs ‘extreme uncertainty’, one economic scenario sees global growth plunging to just 2% in 2026Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe International Monetary Fund has warned the US-Israel war on Iran risks creating an “energy crisis of an unprecedented scale” that could tip the global economy towards recession.The grim warning contained in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook comes as Jim Chalmers prepares to attend the organisation’s spring meetings in Washington DC this week, where he said he would be “joining with other countries continuing to call for an enduring end to the war”. Continue reading...

• OpenAI is finalizing an advanced cybersecurity product designed to defend critical systems, planning to release it first to a limited set of partners as reported by Axios. • The move represents a strategic shift for frontier AI firms to demonstrate their ability to support defensive security infrastructure amid growing concerns about offensive AI misuse. • AI companies face mounting pressure to prove their models can protect critical systems rather than enable attackers, reshaping how they frame commercial opportunities in the security sector.

Army deployed in Pakistan’s capital as negotiations set to begin. Plus, Melania Trump issues bafflingly timed denial of ties to Jeffrey EpsteinGood morning.As Pakistan prepared to host negotiations between Iran and the US, the already fragile ceasefire in the conflict showed further strain as Donald Trump accused Tehran of doing “a very poor job” in upholding promises on the strait of Hormuz, and Israel attacked Lebanon – which Iran claimed violated the truce.What about the strait of Hormuz? The agreement also included Iran lifting its near-total blockade of the strait, which has caused the worst-ever disruption to global energy supplies. Trump posted on Truth Social late Thursday that Iran was being “dishonorable” in not allowing oil to go through the strait. “That is not the agreement we have!” Trump wrote.This is a developing story. Follow our liveblog here.Why did she make this speech? The first lady’s surprise address created confusion about why she had chosen to speak out now – or whether her husband knew she was planning to draw attention to a subject he has called for the public to move on from.What did she ask for? In a final twist, Melania urged Congress to give Epstein survivors a public hearing to help uncover the truth, a call immediately endorsed by the Democrat Ro Khanna and the Republicans Majorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Continue reading...

Former Viktor Orbán loyalist and his Tisza party have enjoyed meteoric rise as opposition movement growsAs a child growing up in Budapest, Péter Magyar had a poster of Viktor Orbán – at the time a leading figure in the country’s pro-democracy movement – hanging above his bed. Orbán was one of several political figures that adorned his bedroom, Magyar told a podcast last year, hinting at his excitement over the changes sweeping the country after the collapse of communism.Now Magyar, 45, is the driving force behind what could be another momentous political change in Hungary: the ousting of Orbán, whose 16 years in power has transformed the country into a “petri dish for illiberalism”. Continue reading...

In Pakistan’s capital, the army has been deployed, a public holiday has been declared and the streets are eerily emptyMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe streets of Islamabad were on strict lockdown as Pakistan’s capital prepared to play host to historic negotiations between Iran and the US that have dangled the promise of an end to war that has devastated the Middle East.Even as the US-Iran ceasefire looked increasingly precarious, amid Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon and disputes over the terms of the talks, Pakistani officials insisted that the make-or-break peace negotiations would be going ahead over the weekend as planned. Continue reading...

• The top-20 ranked University of San Diego men's tennis team heads to the NCAA championships, captained by senior Oliver Tarvet who recently competed at Wimbledon. • Tarvet's leadership positions USD as a contender in the national tournament. • This marks a significant milestone for the program's season performance.

• President Trump told allied nations to "go get your own oil" and stated it is not America's responsibility to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, shifting burden of regional security to countries dependent on the waterway. • Trump reiterated the US military could conclude its Iranian operations within two to three weeks and said America will have no further involvement in Middle East strait security following withdrawal. • The statements reflect Trump's isolationist stance on Middle East commitments, placing responsibility for maintaining critical shipping routes on regional allies rather than continuing US military presence and protection.

• Latino-focused neobank DNERO is gearing up for its U.S. market launch, highlighted among March 2026's top five fintech product debuts. • The platform aims to serve underserved Latino communities with tailored digital banking services amid rising demand for inclusive finance. • DNERO's entry reflects surging investment in niche fintech startups targeting demographic-specific needs in the competitive U.S. landscape.

• The US Pentagon is developing plans for a 'final blow' in the Iran war, involving ground troops and massive bombing, as reported by Axios citing two US officials and knowledgeable sources on March 27, 2026. • US Central Command confirmed an Israeli airstrike killed Iran's IRGC Navy commander, amid escalating naval tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. • The Wall Street Journal revealed considerations for deploying 10,000 additional US troops with armored vehicles to the Middle East, coordinating with existing Marines and the 82nd Airborne Division.

Fuel stocks at same level as when US and Israel launched their war on Iran a month ago, energy minister saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government is preparing for scenarios where global oil prices spike above US$120 a barrel, as diesel prices nationwide go past $3 a litre and the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, plans another national cabinet meeting to plan petrol supply.The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said one option under consideration was expanding ethanol mandates across the country, after Guardian Australia revealed the government was analysing increasing the biofuel’s supply. Continue reading...

Energy minister Michael Shanks reassures drivers ahead of chancellor’s statement to MPsGood morning. At lunchtime Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will give a statement to MPs that will cover what the government is doing, and (more tentatively) might do, in response to the soaring global energy prices caused by the Iran war. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, also creating a global energy shortage, the Conservative government ended up spending £40bn supporting families and firms with energy bills over the following winter. Reeves’s problem is that she has not got £40bn spare. With spring upon us, and people starting to turn down their central heating, the issue may not seem particularly pressing in many households (although heating oil and petrol prices are already soaring.) But, by the end of this year, this could be the sort of colossal economic crisis that gets remembered for half a century.As Chris Mason explains in a good preview, Reeves is expected to cover three points. She is expected to confirm that the government wants to give the Competition and Markets Authority new powers to deal with any potention profiteering by oil companies. She will confirm that the government wants to go “further and faster to secure the next generation of nuclear power and to reclaim Britain’s place as a leading nuclear nation” (as the Treasury puts it in its overnight preview).[Drivers] should do everything as absolutely normal because there is no shortage of fuel anywhere in the country at the moment. We monitor this every single day, I look at the numbers personally. There’s no issue at all with that …People should go about their business as normal. That’s what the RAC and the AA have said. It’s really important people do that. There’s no shortage of fuel and everything is working as normal.Look genuinely, people shouldn’t change their behaviour or their habits in the slightest. Continue reading...

• D.C. United faces Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 21, in their third road match of the 2026 MLS season in Atlanta, Georgia. • D.C. recently won 2-1 at Chicago Fire, with Tai Baribo scoring 3 goals this season and Matti Peltola netting his first MLS goal. • Atlanta sits 1-3-0 with 3 points, led by Alexey Miranchuk's 3 goals and Miguel Almiron's 3 assists.

Thousands of police prepare to deploy to South Korea’s capital ahead of K-pop’s most anticipated comebackSeoul has stepped up security ahead of BTS’s huge comeback concert on Saturday, which more than a quarter of a million fans are expected to attend, with authorities raising the terror alert in the area and preparing to deploy thousands of police to the capital.South Korean president Lee Jae Myung warned at a cabinet meeting this week that “the issue is safety” and urged heightened vigilance by the interior ministry and emergency services to prepare for every possibility. He described the concert as an important occasion to reaffirm the country’s global cultural standing. Continue reading...

Russian billionaire accused of missing ‘last chance’ to release money to help victims of Ukraine warUK officials are preparing for a possible court case against Roman Abramovich after he missed a deadline to release £2.4bn he raised from selling Chelsea FC.The Russian billionaire failed to hand over the money by the deadline of 17 March, amid a dispute over how it will eventually be used. Continue reading...

Sweeping bill would require proof of US citizenship for new voters passed by House but faces steep odds in SenateUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA sweeping restrictive voting bill that would require proof of US citizenship for new voters, among other measures, could be debated in the Senate as early as Tuesday.The Save America Act is a rebranded version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility act, or the Save Act, a bill that has been circulating through Congress in some iteration for more than two years. Continue reading...

Congressional Republicans, backed by President Donald Trump, are advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in the Senate next week after House passage last month, mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration alongside photo ID requirements. The bill's strict documentation rules, lacking a phase-in period, could immediately impact midterm elections, potentially burdening millions including married women, people of color, and rural voters who may lack easy access to birth certificates or passports. Critics like Rebekah Caruthers of the Fair Elections Center warn it denies eligible Americans their voting rights, moving the U.S. opposite representative democracy, while Republicans claim it bolsters election integrity against rare noncitizen voting. If signed by Trump, the provisions apply without delay for November midterms.

Congress is slated to debate the Save America Act next week, a Trump-backed bill mandating citizenship proof for voter registration and restricting mail-in ballots. The proposal aims to enhance election integrity amid partisan divides. Critics warn of disenfranchisement risks for millions, while supporters cite fraud prevention. Passage could reshape 2026 midterms and beyond.

Iranian missile and drone strikes have halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as of March 14, 2026, prompting US Navy plans to escort oil tankers amid surging global prices. President Trump directed military options to keep the strait open, with officials confirming anticipation of such blockades. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting 28 Iranian drones targeting its defenses. The move aims to mitigate impacts on US energy markets and economy.

The US Navy is considering escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, closed by Iranian missile and drone strikes disrupting 20% of global oil trade. President Trump anticipated the blockade and directed military options to reopen the vital chokepoint, with oil prices surging as a result. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet China next week on trade amid energy market chaos from the two-week war. The move aims to mitigate economic impacts on Americans from the Hormuz disruption.

The US Navy is considering escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively closed it with missile and drone attacks, surging global oil prices. President Trump anticipated the blockade and directed military options to keep the vital chokepoint open, impacting one-fifth of world oil trade. Saudi Arabia intercepted 28 Iranian drones while facing retaliatory strikes. Officials confirm all US military assets focus on destroying Iran's offensive capabilities.

Traditionally jovial affair poses potential debacle for Irish leader at odds with US over foreign policy, tax and immigrationFor Ireland’s leaders, it has long been the highlight of the political calendar: a love-fest in Washington with hosts who sport shamrocks and toast Saint Patrick.Irish delegations are traditionally received on Capitol Hill and at the White House in a blaze of goodwill and backslapping that has them wishing every day was 17 March. Continue reading...

Comedian Andy Richter spent a day in Hollywood preparing to livestream the 2026 Oscars on TikTok, as Conan O'Brien hosts the ceremony this Sunday. Good Morning America followed Richter's preparations amid heightened excitement for the awards show. Industry buzz focuses on predictions and red carpet prep, with ESPN's Kelley Carter sharing her Oscar forecasts on ABC News Live. Viewers can expect live coverage starting Sunday night from the Dolby Theatre.