A New Mexico jury on March 24, 2026, found Meta Platforms liable for misleading consumers about the safety of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and ordered the company to pay US$375 million in civil penalties. Jurors concluded Meta violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act, applying the statutory maximum of $5,000 per violation after finding “thousands” of breaches. The case, brought in 2023 by Attorney General Raúl Torrez, relied on an undercover probe that created decoy child accounts, internal Meta documents, testimony from whistleblowers and former employees, and expert witness evidence on algorithmic risks and youth mental health. Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and will appeal. A second, judge-led phase scheduled for May will consider public-nuisance claims and whether the company must make platform changes or fund public programs. The ruling arrives amid a wave of related lawsuits, including a high-profile bellwether trial in California over alleged social‑media addiction and youth harm.

Mohamed Salah confirmed on March 24–25, 2026 that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025–26 season, bringing a nine-year spell at Anfield to a close. Liverpool and the Egypt international reached an agreement allowing Salah — who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, won multiple domestic and European trophies and four Premier League Golden Boots — to depart with a year left on his contract. His agent Ramy Abbas Issa warned against speculation about his next club, saying neither he nor Salah knows where the forward will play next season. Media and bookmakers immediately linked Salah with the Saudi Pro League, MLS (notably Inter Miami and San Diego FC), and a handful of European suitors. The announcement comes amid reports of strained relations with manager Arne Slot earlier this season, a dip in form and a recent muscle injury. Liverpool have begun identifying replacements — names such as RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande have been mentioned — while reports suggest the Saudi league is also targeting Liverpool sporting executives. The club has postponed full tributes until the end of the campaign as Salah stays focused on remaining FA Cup and Champions League ties.

Mel Schilling, the Australian psychologist and relationship expert best known for her work on Married At First Sight in Australia and the UK, has died aged 54. Her husband, Gareth Brisbane, announced on Instagram that she passed away peacefully on 24 March 2026 surrounded by loved ones. Schilling was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023; surgeons removed a tumour described as the size of a lemon and she underwent rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The illness later recurred, with nodules appearing in her lungs and, over Christmas 2025, the disease spreading to the left side of her brain. Schilling publicly told fans on 12 March that her cancer was terminal and that there was “nothing further” doctors could do. Colleagues, former contestants and broadcasters paid tribute: Nine and Channel 4/E4 aired on-screen homages and co-stars including John Aiken and Paul C. Brunson shared personal remembrances. Her husband said in his statement that in her final moments she used her remaining strength to whisper a message to him and their daughter, Maddie. Broadcasters have said they will continue to air episodes of MAFS in line with Schilling’s and her family’s wishes.

Denmark’s snap election on March 24 left Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen politically weakened after her Social Democrats posted their worst result since 1903. With 100% of votes counted, the party won 21.9% (38 seats) and the left-leaning “red bloc” took 84 seats in the 179-seat Folketing; the right-leaning “blue bloc” won 77. Neither side reached the 90-seat majority, leaving the centrist Moderates, led by foreign minister and former premier Lars Løkke Rasmussen, with 14 seats in the kingmaker position. The anti-immigration Danish People’s Party surged to about 9.1% (16 seats) while the Liberal party Venstre suffered a historic low near 10.1%. Voter turnout was around 84%. Frederiksen met the king on March 25 to hand in her government’s resignation and will remain caretaker while party leaders begin the formal process of proposing a “royal investigator” to lead negotiations. Key campaign issues included cost-of-living pressures, migration policy, a proposed modest wealth tax, agricultural pollution and public services; the earlier Greenland standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump boosted Frederiksen’s profile but did not deliver a decisive “bounce.” Coalition talks are expected to be lengthy and politically complex.

Between March 24-25, 2026 Manchester United’s urgent summer planning intensified as interim boss Michael Carrick strengthened his case for the permanent job and INEOS prepare recruitment priorities. Carrick has won seven of his 10 matches in charge (23 points from 30) and United sit third in the Premier League, boosting prospects of Champions League revenue. The club reached an agreement with Casemiro in January to waive a contract clause that would have automatically extended him for a year if he reached 35 league starts; Casemiro will leave when his deal expires in June. United are closing on a new long-term deal for academy midfielder Kobbie Mainoo (reported until 2031) and plan to include teenage forward JJ Gabriel in next season’s pre-season tour. Recruitment focus is on midfield, with names repeatedly linked — Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson (sources say City are favourites and Forest value him at £90-100m), Sandro Tonali and others — while attacking and full-back needs are also being assessed. After heavy summer spending in 2025, INEOS and the sporting directors are said to favour a targeted, ‘realistic’ window rather than a wholesale rebuild.

Stephen Colbert will co-write a new Lord of the Rings feature, Warner Bros. and director Peter Jackson announced on March 25, 2026. The working title is The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. Colbert — joined on the project by his son Peter McGee and longtime franchise writer Philippa Boyens — said the story draws on six early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring (roughly “Three Is Company” through “Fog on the Barrow-Downs”), material not adapted in Jackson’s 2001 film. The logline places the film 14 years after Frodo’s passing and follows Sam, Merry and Pippin as they retrace their original journey while Sam’s daughter Elanor uncovers a secret that explains why the War of the Ring was nearly lost. Jackson’s announcement accompanied an update on Andy Serkis’s separate Lord of the Rings film The Hunt for Gollum, due Dec. 17, 2027. Colbert — whose Late Show run ends May 21, 2026 — said he will begin work this summer. The project will be produced by Jackson’s WingNut Films in association with Warner Bros./New Line; casting and a release date for Shadow of the Past have not been announced.