Dismay as ancient heritage sites across Iran damaged in US-Israel bombing 12. March 2026 (11:06) Golestan Palace in Tehran, a world heritage site, and buildings in historic city of Isfahan harmed, despite Unesco sending coordinatesMiddle East crisis – latest updatesThe governor of the historic Iranian city of Isfahan has accused the US and Israel of a “declaration of war on a civilization” as heritage sites across the country suffer damage in their bombing campaign.The most serious confirmed damage to date has been to Tehran’s Golestan Palace, dating back to the 14th century, and the 17th-century Chehel Sotoon Palace in Isfahan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Welsh Water apologises as Ofwat sets out £44.7m enforcement plan 12. March 2026 (11:05) Proposed package comes after regulator finds ‘serious and unacceptable breaches’ in how company operatesWelsh Water is to pay a proposed £44.7m after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.Ofwat said Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water failed to properly operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater network to ensure it could cope with levels of sewage and wastewater, and did not have adequate processes in place or oversight by senior bosses. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A few beatings won’t kill you’: judge rejects divorce request of woman abused by husband in Afghanistan 12. March 2026 (11:00) Under new Taliban laws, a husband is allowed to beat his wife as long as it is not done with ‘obscene force’, which the woman must prove in courtThe shocking level of physical violence against women permitted under the Taliban’s new laws has been revealed this week by the case of a woman in northern Afghanistan, who said she was beaten with a cable wire by her husband and told by a judge: “You want a divorce just because of that? … A little anger and a few beatings won’t kill you.”Farzana* said her husband was quick-tempered and often resorted to beating her. He regularly humiliated her and called her “disabled”, she said, because her right leg was slightly shorter than the left. She had tolerated the abuse for the sake of their children, but one evening, she said, his violence went too far. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘America’s mortal enemy’: Pete Hegseth expressed extreme antipathy toward Iran for years 12. March 2026 (11:00) Comments in books, speeches and videos shed new light on defense secretary’s personal commitment to war on IranThe US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has expressed a violent antipathy towards Iran for years in books, Fox News broadcasts, educational videos and a 2018 speech to an Israeli media conference in Jerusalem, a Guardian review has revealed.In a 2020 book, for example, Hegseth wrote that Iran’s leaders were “actively seeking the military means – especially nuclear weapons – to bring the West to its knees”. And in a 2017 video for PragerU, the hard-right media platform, Hegseth described Iran as “America’s mortal enemy”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jack Osbourne names baby daughter Ozzy to honour late father 12. March 2026 (10:57) TV star announces birth of Ozzy Matilda Osbourne on social media, alongside image of cuddly batJack Osbourne, the only son of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, has honoured his late father by naming his baby daughter after him.Jack, 40, announced the birth of Ozzy Matilda Osbourne on social media alongside his wife, Aree, who he married in 2023. The newborn Ozzy was pictured lying next to a cuddly bat toy: another reference to his father, who famously bit the head off a real bat during a 1982 concert believing it was made of rubber. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iranian regime-linked handler investigated by Australian police over alleged death threat 12. March 2026 (10:30) Protester alleges that Iranian handler ‘turned around and looked at us and then drew a line on his throat and pointed to us’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian police investigated a complaint involving an Iranian regime-linked handler for the country’s football team after a group of activists alleged he threatened to kill them at a Women’s Asian Cup match last week.The criminal investigation, confirmed by Queensland police, has led to renewed calls from the Iranian diaspora for tougher immigration screening processes to block people linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – a proscribed state sponsor of terrorism – from entering the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk’s Tesla given go-ahead to supply electricity in Great Britain 12. March 2026 (10:17) Ofgem licence means firm can replicate Texas setup of powering homes, businesses and EVsElon Musk’s Tesla has won approval to supply electricity to households and businesses across Great Britain, as the tech billionaire expands his energy ambitions.The energy regulator, Ofgem, has formally granted Tesla an electricity supply licence, enabling it to provide electricity to domestic and business premises in England, Scotland and Wales. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland’s ‘from the river to the sea’ laws likened to Bjelke-Petersen era anti-protest regime 12. March 2026 (09:14) Health minister Tim Nicholls corrects claim alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram used controversial phrase, as laws roundly criticisedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice arresting pro-Palestinian protesters for using the phrase “from the river to the sea” had “all the hallmarks of an authoritarian police state”, according to a Greens MP, amid widespread backlash against Queensland’s new hate speech laws.The controversial laws went into effect yesterday after passing a vote in parliament last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Orbán claims Ukrainians ‘threatened’ his family as anti-Kyiv campaign ramps up before election 12. March 2026 (09:04) Hungary’s prime minister made the claim as accusations mount that he is using a dispute with Ukraine for political gain in the run-up to elections next monthHungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has accused Ukrainians of plotting to attack his family, as an increasingly bitter standoff between Kyiv and Budapest continues. Orbán and his allies appear to be using the dispute for maximum political gain, before the election due next month that could bring an end to the 16-year rule of his nationalist government.Orbán released a video on Wednesday night purporting to show him speaking to his daughters on the phone. “I’m sure you’ll see on the news that the Ukrainians have threatened not only me but you as well,” he said, apparently emotional. “My kids and my grandkids … We have to take this seriously but we must not be scared,” he added. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Iran steps up campaign to disrupt energy markets as oil price spikes above $100 a barrel 12. March 2026 (08:48) Iran has set ablaze two tankers in Iraqi waters as it increased attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle EastIran escalates attacks on infrastructure and transport across the GulfHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?An Iranian source is denying the country will allow India-flagged tankers to pass through the vital strait of Hormuz, Reuters is reporting.The news agency a little earlier quoted an Indian source as saying Iran would in fact allow such tankers to pass through the strait, a key artery for global oil trade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
