Middle East crisis live: Trump increases pressure on allies over strait of Hormuz; Israel says it still has ‘thousands of targets’ in Iran 16. March 2026 (05:49) Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future if US allies fail to assist in opening the vital oil route; Israel says thousands of targets in Iran remain – follow it liveHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?Japan said on Monday it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency indicated earlier that the release would begin in Asia and Oceania before other regions.Japan, which depends on the Middle East for 95% of its oil imports, said on Monday in a notice in its official government gazette – cited by the AFP news agency – that the level of oil reserves in the country “is being lowered”.We still have thousands of targets in Iran, and we are identifying new targets every day.We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Author Craig Silvey facing more charges after being accused of producing child exploitation material 16. March 2026 (05:30) Jasper Jones author also charged with additional count of possessing child exploitation materialFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian author Craig Silvey has been charged with more child exploitation offences.The 43-year-old was previously charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material in early January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Virgin Australia flight met by firefighters at Melbourne airport after smoke seen coming from vape 16. March 2026 (05:26) Passenger on Flight VA 328 alerted the crew who responded by ‘containing the device’ before plane landedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after smoke was seen coming from a vape on board.Flight VA 328 landed safely and all passengers disembarked normally after a vape “activated” in the cabin shortly before landing at about 4pm on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, Melbourne airport said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nine-year-old Australian boy allegedly caught driving car at 1.30am on major highway 16. March 2026 (04:55) NSW police allege child was sitting on lap of 45-year-old man who was experiencing ‘significant fatigue’ but was operating pedals while boy steeredFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA nine-year-old boy has allegedly been caught steering a car after 1am on a major highway in New South Wales.NSW police alleged that a 45-year-old driver was experiencing “significant fatigue” and “operating the pedals” while the boy steered on his lap. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Free Palestine and ICE out: how this year’s Oscars got political 16. March 2026 (04:55) As One Battle After Another swept the Academy Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson, Javier Bardem and Conan O’Brien gave a welcome reality check to the glitzy ceremonyOscar winners 2026: the full listIn his opening monologue to the 98th Academy Awards, host Conan O’Brien issued a note of caution to easily offended viewers.“I warn you, tonight could get political,” O’Brien said. “If that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternative Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock at a Dave & Buster’s down the street.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ACM to brief staff after co-owner Antony Catalano charged with assault of a woman 16. March 2026 (04:49) Australian Community Media says employee ‘wellbeing’ top priority amid ‘shock and deep concern’ over 59-year-old’s chargesAustralian Community Media will hold a staff meeting on Monday afternoon to share the regional media group’s response to the arrest of its part-owner Antony Catalano who is facing charges of assault of a woman.On Sunday the board and executive leadership team of ACM distanced itself from the 59-year-old newspaper mogul, saying they were “shocked and deeply concerned” about the charges. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Battle After Another sweeps the Oscars as Michael B Jordan and Jessie Buckley win big 16. March 2026 (03:43) Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary epic took home six awards while Sinners scored four including for best actorOscar winners 2026: the full listPaul Thomas Anderson’s counter-culture caper One Battle After Another has won the Oscars war, taking home six awards after a hotly contested season.The big-budget comedy thriller, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, was named best picture and also won director, supporting actor for Sean Penn, adapted screenplay, editing and the first ever Oscar for casting, a category long-petitioned for within the industry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News live: no Australian ships will head to strait of Hormuz, minister says; three fishermen found dead off SA coast 16. March 2026 (02:48) Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDiscovery of fire ant nest at New Farm park reflects growing need to deal with threat, group saysLast week, the Invasive Species Council said fire ant nests had been detected and destroyed in World Heritage rainforest in the Gold Coast hinterland. The ants have also been detected on sporting fields across Brisbane and surrounds, including at Mount Gravatt, Rocklea, Coorparoo and the Redlands.That’s an iconic location in Brisbane. If we don’t eradicate fire ants, this is going to happen everywhere in the country. Brisbane is getting a taste of it now.Local sporting clubs need to be alert to this. For the time being it’s an increased maintenance burden for them.An insecticide which instantly kills fire ants was injected directly into the nest. The affected area was temporarily closed while treatment was under way but has since reopened and is safe to use. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mr Nobody Against Putin wins the best documentary Oscar 16. March 2026 (02:19) Primary school teacher Pavel Talankin’s record of the indoctrination of his pupils to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine beats contendersOscars 2026 – follow the action live!The winners: the full list – updating liveMr Nobody Against Putin, a primary school teacher’s record of the indoctrination of his pupils to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has won the Oscar for best documentary.Pavel Talankin, who is now in exile in Europe, picked up the award alongside the film’s US co-director, David Borenstein. It beat favourite The Perfect Neighbor to take the prize, along with other contenders The Alabama Solution, Come See Me in the Good Light and Cutting Through Rocks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Barbra Streisand pays tribute to Robert Redford at the Oscars 16. March 2026 (01:58) The actor and singer remembered her co-star in 1973’s The Way We Were, who died in SeptemberOscars 2026 – follow the action live!The winners: the full list – updating liveBarbra Streisand has paid tribute to her friend and former co-star Robert Redford at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.The actor and singer, 83, sang a portion of the title song from their 1973 romantic drama The Way We Were, directed by Sydney Pollack, after remembering the pair’s respect and affection for one another. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
