‘Convincing’ AI scams drove UK fraud cases to record 444,000 last year 12. March 2026 (01:01) Criminals using artificial intelligence tools to take over mobile, bank and online shopping accounts, says CifasCriminals are increasingly exploiting AI technology to take over people’s mobile, banking and online shopping accounts, the UK’s leading anti-fraud body has warned.Last year, a record number of scams were reported to the national fraud database, fuelled by AI, which allows for large-scale deception on “industrialised” levels, according to Cifas, the fraud prevention organisation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s rubber-stamp parliament set to approve ‘ethnic unity’ law 12. March 2026 (01:00) New legislation will require schools to use Mandarin by default, taking priority over minority ethnic languages such as Tibetan, Uyghur and MongolianChina’s National People’s Congress (NPC), the state legislature, will vote on Thursday on a suite of new laws agreed at this year’s annual two sessions gathering, including a piece of legislation that will diminish the role of minority ethnic languages in the education system.NPC delegates are expected to approve a new ethnic unity law, along with a new environmental code and the 15th five-year plan, the economic planning document for 2026-2030. Delegates have spent the last week debating Beijing’s proposed bills, which they are all but certain to approve. The NPC, which is often described as a rubber-stamp parliament, has never rejected an item on its agenda. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump officials kick off process to try to replace tariffs struck down by supreme court 12. March 2026 (00:51) Administration opens new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countriesThe Trump administration on Wednesday opened a new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countries – an effort that comes after the supreme court struck down Donald Trump’s previous use of tariffs by declaring an economic emergency.The US president and his team have made clear that they’re seeking to replace the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenues after the supreme court’s February ruling by using different laws to establish new tariffs . Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Sly stowaway’ fox finds new home at Bronx Zoo after illicit transatlantic trip 12. March 2026 (00:49) The fox is said to be ‘settling in well’ after mischievous 3,400 mile journey from Southampton to New YorkA sly fox slipped on to a cargo ship and travelled from Southampton to New York, according to officials at Bronx Zoo.The zoo, which is looking after the animal, said it appears healthy after early examinations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump tells Kentucky rally Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities degraded 12. March 2026 (00:39) While offering no details to hundreds of supporters, US president seemed to suggest conflict would not end soonSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump told hundreds of supporters assembled inside a packaging plant in northern Kentucky on Wednesday that Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities had been significantly degraded.“Their drones are down 85%, we’re blowing up their factories,” he told an ecstatic audience in Hebron. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US to release 172m barrels of oil from strategic petroleum reserve 12. March 2026 (00:24) Energy secretary says move is part of broader release as oil prices soar due to supply shocks from US-Israel war on IranThe United States will release 172m barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve in a bid to reduce oil prices that have soared due to supply shocks from the US-Israeli war with Iran, US energy secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday.Wright said the release is part of a broader release of 400m barrels of oil agreed to by the 32-country International Energy Agency earlier in the day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia politics live: Dennis Richardson says he was ‘way overpaid’ for work on royal commission into antisemitism 11. March 2026 (23:48) Former spy chief resigned just a fortnight after royal commission’s opening hearing. Follow updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDennis Richardson says his decision to resign from the royal commission into antisemitism had nothing to do with the government, but says he came to the decision that he was “surplus” to the needs of the body.He spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying:I think probably there wasn’t enough discussion right at the beginning about the precise way things would work, and ultimately I came to the [decision] that I was surplus to requirements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US intelligence sees direct attacks by Iran on oil tankers as greater risk than mines 11. March 2026 (23:04) Strait of Hormuz, key transit passage for global oil trade, has been effectively shut down by Islamic Revolutionary GuardSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxUS intelligence reporting sees direct attacks by Iran as the greatest threat to oil tankers going through the strait of Hormuz, the key transit passage for the global oil trade that has been effectively shut down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.The Trump administration, spooked by possible preparations by Iran to mine the strait, carried out strikes against 16 mine-laying vessels near the strait on Tuesday. US Central Command posted a video showing munitions hitting nine vessels, most of which were moored as they were struck. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Atlassian lays off 1,600 workers ahead of AI push 11. March 2026 (22:55) Australian company’s restructuring plan to push into artificial intelligence and enterprise salesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian software giant Atlassian has announced it is laying off about 10% of its workforce, or roughly 1,600 positions, as part of a restructuring plan to push into artificial intelligence and enterprise sales.Shares of the company rose more than 4% in extended trading on the Nasdaq. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump hits back at Republican Senate majority leader over Save America act 11. March 2026 (22:36) John Thune refusing to alter rules to force a vote as US president says he won’t sign any legislation until bill is passedSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDonald Trump hit back at Republican Senate majority leader John Thune over the latter’s refusal to alter rules to force a vote on the Save America act, a sprawling bill that would upend elections for American voters amid the midterms.Trump delivered a blunt message for Thune to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday: “He’s got to be a leader.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
