Australia news live: Trump lashes out at Australia over absence of allies against Iran; Cyclone Narelle forms in Coral Sea 17. March 2026 (21:10) US president says his country does not ‘need or desire’ the help of Nato, Japan, Australia or South Korea. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, it’s a rainy morning over in Sydney. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Let’s get to it.Victoria to release final planning controls for inner-Melbourne ‘activity centres’ Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK prepares to sue Abramovich over £2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale 17. March 2026 (20:59) 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...(The Guardian)
United Farm Workers union cancels Cesar Chavez events over abuse allegations 17. March 2026 (20:56) Union says claims involving young women and minors are serious enough to halt annual tributes and open an inquirySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe United Farm Workers union has cancelled celebrations honoring Cesar Chavez, the organization’s co-founder, following “troubling allegations” that Chavez was involved in the abuse of young women or minors.“We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations,” the UWF said in a statement on Tuesday. “However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Europe must prepare for drone strikes by terrorists and criminals, warns Zelenskyy 17. March 2026 (20:38) Ukraine’s president says mass attacks on civilians are no longer the preserve of a ‘madman like Putin’European nations should prepare for attacks by non-state actors including criminal networks, terror groups and lone attackers as drone technology advances, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned.The Ukrainian president said it was no longer just “a wealthy madman like Putin” who could afford mass attacks as he demonstrated the latest technology to British MPs and peers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform UK may breach data laws with free energy bills competition 17. March 2026 (20:34) Experts say Nigel Farage’s party is not being transparent about how it will use data it collects on people’s voting habitsReform UK risks breaching data protection laws with its competition to win free energy bills for a year, lawyers and data experts have warned.Nigel Farage announced the lottery on Tuesday as a way to advertise his latest policy to cut energy bills. The Reform leader encouraged British people to sign up via a website for a chance to have their energy bills paid for a year, as well as those of their entire street. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kemi Badenoch calls Trump’s repeated criticisms of Starmer ‘childish’ 17. March 2026 (20:28) Tory leader says US president’s words ‘completely wrong’ as she tries to distance herself from his war on IranKemi Badenoch has called Donald Trump’s repeated criticisms of Keir Starmer “childish”, as the Conservative leader continued her recent moves to distance herself from the US president and his military action against Iran.Speaking shortly before Trump yet again singled out Starmer for condemnation to say the prime minister had not been sufficiently supportive of the US war, Badenoch used a social media video to describe Trump’s actions as counterproductive. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil flows again through controversial California pipeline after Trump order 17. March 2026 (20:27) Pipeline, closed since 2015 after huge oil spill, reopens after president cites need to boost US supply amid war on IranOil has begun to flow from a controversial California pipeline system for the first time in an more than decade following a Trump administration order, despite state officials decrying the move.Sable Offshore Corporation, the Houston-based owner of the coastal pipelines, announced on Monday that offshore oil was now flowing through its Santa Ynez unit and Santa Ynez pipeline system, which runs through several California counties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s threats to ‘take’ Cuba signal rising US pressure as island grapples with power crisis 17. March 2026 (20:18) National power outage is making life extremely difficult and may force Havana into biggest economic changes in 67 yearsJust a few hours after a nationwide electricity blackout struck Cuba, Donald Trump hinted at an even darker future for the island’s rulers.The country’s entire electricity system had collapsed on Monday afternoon, leaving about 10 million people without power. Emergency teams were still struggling to restore it when the US leader made his latest threat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump says US does not need Nato after being rebuffed over strait of Hormuz 17. March 2026 (20:06) Amid escalation of Middle East crisis, US president describes rejection of call for help as a ‘foolish mistake’Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has said the US does not need Nato after being rebuffed by a number of the organisation’s member countries over his appeal for a multinational naval force to reopen the key strait of Hormuz trade route closed by Iran.Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, the US president described the rejection of his calls as a “very foolish mistake”, adding without evidence: “Everyone agrees with us, but they don’t want to help. And we, you know, we as the United States have to remember that because we think it’s pretty shocking.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Meteor over Ohio causes large boom heard as far away as Pennsylvania 17. March 2026 (20:04) An NWS office posted video of the meteor shooting across the sky, but says no report of debris found as it likely burnedA meteor over Ohio caused a large boom that jolted people as far away as Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) and reports.The meteor entered the atmosphere at about 9am local time on Tuesday, producing a sonic boom felt across a wide swath of northern Ohio and beyond. Reports poured in from Cleveland and other sectors as far east as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and into New York state. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
