Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a temporary ban on political donations made in cryptocurrencies and a cap on gifts from British citizens living abroad following the publication of the Rycroft review into foreign financial interference. The government said it will legislate the measures in the Representation of the People Bill, applying the moratorium retrospectively once approved. Communities Secretary Steve Reed confirmed an immediate cap of £100,000 a year on donations from overseas electors and said parties would have a limited window to return interim payments before criminal penalties apply. The review by former civil servant Philip Rycroft recommended the moratorium to allow regulators and the Electoral Commission to catch up with the risks of crypto — including mixers and donation-splitting techniques that can conceal sources — and urged further steps such as banning foreign‑funded online political ads, tougher donor verification and lower thresholds for reporting. The moves are expected to hit Reform UK, which has received multimillion‑pound donations from Thailand‑based donor Christopher Harborne and is one of the few parties to accept crypto contributions.

Mel Schilling, the Australian psychologist and long‑time relationship expert on Married At First Sight in Australia and the UK, has died at 54 after a battle with cancer, her husband Gareth Brisbane announced. Schilling was first diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2023, underwent surgery to remove a 5cm tumour and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and later learned the disease had metastasised to her lungs and, over Christmas 2025, to the left side of her brain. In early March she told followers the illness had become terminal; her husband said she passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, “surrounded by love” and whispered a final message to him and their 10‑year‑old daughter. Tributes poured in from colleagues including John Aiken, Paul C Brunson and Alessandra Rampolla, and broadcasters including E4 and Channel Nine. E4 said it was Schilling’s wish that Married At First Sight continue to air and paid an on‑air tribute. Her death has also prompted renewed public conversation about colorectal cancer awareness and earlier diagnosis.

Democrat Emily Gregory, a first‑time candidate and small‑business owner, was projected to win a March 24 special election for Florida House District 87, narrowly defeating Trump‑endorsed Republican Jon Maples by roughly 2.4 percentage points (about 51% to 49%, a margin of roughly 797 votes). The coastal district includes President Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago estate and had voted strongly Republican in 2024. Gregory ran a locality‑focused campaign on affordability, housing and health care. On the same night Democrats also captured a Republican‑held state Senate seat (SD‑14), where Brian Nathan led by a few hundred votes. The results add to a string of special and off‑cycle wins for Democrats since Trump’s return to the presidency — trackers put the number of state legislative flips at roughly 29–30 — while Republicans have recorded few or no reciprocal gains in that period. Despite the symbolic significance, Florida’s legislature remains under GOP control. Gregory is expected to be seated in early April and is likely to run for a full term in November.

Tiger Woods made a surprise competitive appearance in the TGL finals on March 24-25, but his Jupiter Links side was routed 9-2 by Los Angeles Golf Club as the SoFi Cup was decided. Woods hit several long tee shots, missed a short putt that swung momentum, and said afterward that while he feels ‘‘fine physically’’ the state of his body — following a ruptured Achilles and a lumbar disc replacement — means a Masters entry remains undecided. Los Angeles, led by Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala, took the $9 million team prize; Jupiter Links earned $4.5 million. Separately, attention shifts to the Texas Children’s Houston Open (March 26-29) at Memorial Park, a last competitive chance before the Masters. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler withdrew this week because his wife is due to give birth; his exit and other late changes expanded opportunities for players such as Matt Kuchar and Séamus Power. Defending champion Min Woo Lee is among the favorites in a $9.9m purse event that is drawing interest from contenders seeking form and, for some, a pathway into Augusta National.

Manchester United have confirmed a four-day training camp in the Republic of Ireland from April 6-9 as interim head coach Michael Carrick prepares the squad for the seven-game Premier League run-in. The decision follows talks to shelve a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia and comes as the club chase Champions League qualification. United and Casemiro agreed in January to waive a contract clause that would have triggered a one-year extension if the midfielder reached 35 Premier League starts; the Brazil international will leave when his deal expires in June but is free to start the remaining fixtures and is reportedly close to agreeing his next club. Recruitment priorities are already shaping up: targets linked include left-backs Lewis Hall and Alphonso Davies, wingers Yan Diomande and Iliman Ndiaye, and midfield options Elliot Anderson (reported to be a strong Manchester City target), Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Hugo Larsson. The club are also working to tie down academy midfielder Kobbie Mainoo with talks said to be at an advanced stage over a contract to 2031. Carrick has won seven, drawn two and lost one of his 10 games in charge, boosting his chances of permanent appointment.