Billie Eilish set for big screen acting debut in Sarah Polley’s adaptation of The Bell Jar 11. March 2026 (19:29) Grammy-winning singer is in advanced talks to lead an adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s novel for Oscar-winning writer-directorGrammy-winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is set to make her big screen acting debut in an adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar.According to Deadline, the 24-year-old will take on the lead role for Sarah Polley, the writer-director who previously won an Oscar for her Women Talking screenplay. Eilish is reportedly in advanced talks for the part. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran escalates attacks on infrastructure and transport networks across the Gulf 11. March 2026 (19:27) Iranian officials warn of ‘war of attrition’ and global economic chaos as energy supplies are throttledMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran dramatically escalated its strategy of striking civilian infrastructure and transport networks across the Gulf on Wednesday, attacking commercial ships travelling through the Gulf and targeting Dubai’s international airport, as US and Israeli warplanes launched new waves of strikes on the Islamic Republic.Senior Iranian officials struck a defiant tone, warning of a long “war of attrition” that will threaten global economic chaos as energy supplies from the oil and gas rich region are throttled. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three Norwegian brothers arrested over US embassy blast in Oslo 11. March 2026 (19:26) Trio held on suspicion of ‘terrorist bombing’ that caused minor damage but no injuriesThree Norwegian brothers have been arrested on suspicion of a “terrorist bombing” at the US embassy in Oslo that caused minor damage at the weekend but no injuries.The police prosecutor Christian Hatlo told a press conference that the brothers, who were Norwegian citizens of Iraqi origin, had been arrested in Oslo and that police were investigating the motive. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Meta disables over 150,000 accounts in crackdown on south-east Asian scam networks 11. March 2026 (18:14) Company also launches tools to spot scammers as Thai police arrest 21 peopleMeta disabled more than 150,000 accounts and Thai police arrested 21 people in a sweeping international crackdown on south-east Asian criminal scam centers that targeted people around the world, the social media company said Wednesday.The operation was led by Thailand’s Royal Thai police anti-cyber scam center, alongside the FBI and the US justice department’s scam center strike force, with Meta investigators acting on intelligence shared in real time by law enforcement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former spy chief quits royal commission into antisemitism and Bondi attack 11. March 2026 (18:11) Just a fortnight after its opening hearing, Dennis Richardson has resigned without any explanationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former spy chief Dennis Richardson has resigned without explanation from the royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi terror attack, just a fortnight after its opening hearing.The commissioner, Virginia Bell, released a statement on Wednesday night announcing Richardson’s surprise departure from his role as special adviser to the inquiry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘The shine has been taken off’: Dubai faces existential threat as foreigners flee conflict 11. March 2026 (17:57) Tens of thousands of residents and tourists have left UAE since the US and Israel started bombing Iran two weeks ago, leaving beach bars, malls and hotels eerily emptyIn the playground of the rich, nobody wanted this war. For decades, Dubai built itself up as a sanctuary of unadulterated consumerism visited by tourists the world over.But now, the city in the United Arab Emirates faces an existential threat, as the war between the US and Israel and Iran has shaken the foundations of the “Dubai dream” that so many foreigners had bought into. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
What the Mandelson documents reveal – and what we still don’t know 11. March 2026 (17:49) What have we learned from release of files relating to former peer’s appointment – and sacking – as UK ambassador to Washington?UK politics live – latest updatesWe now have the first tranche of documents promised by the government connected to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington – 147 pages from a mass of information believed to total in the hundreds of thousands.Mandelson has previously denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers have said that he does not intend to make any further statement at this time. Here is what we have learned from the files – and what we do not yet know. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Texas to execute man who killed his girlfriend and her eight-year-old son in 2013 11. March 2026 (17:35) Supreme court recently rejected Cedric Ricks’ claim that potential jurors in his trial were eliminated based on raceSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA north Texas man faces execution on Wednesday for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her eight-year-old son nearly 13 years ago.Cedric Ricks was sentenced to death for the May 2013 killings of 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez and her son Anthony Figueroa at their apartment in Bedford, a suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Sanchez’s 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was injured during the attack. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US vaccine panel retreats from mRNA Covid review ahead of midterms 11. March 2026 (17:25) Advisers to RFK Jr drop the plan to end federal guidance amid Republican worries about the political impactUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA major federal panel that advises the government on vaccines has stepped back from efforts targeting Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, a change that comes as some Republicans reportedly caution that additional shifts in vaccine policy could hurt the party in the upcoming midterm elections.Several vaccine advisers selected by Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, had been exploring the possibility of ending federal recommendations for mRNA covid shots. That initiative is no longer going forward, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to the Washington Post. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iran school, preliminary inquiry says 11. March 2026 (17:21) Strike that killed at least 175 people, most of them children, reportedly due to targeting mistake by US military plannersMinab school bombing: a visual guideA preliminary US military investigation has reportedly determined that Washington was responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in February that killed scores of children.According to the New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials and others familiar with the initial findings, the investigation has concluded that the strike on 28 February on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building was the result of a targeting mistake by the US military planners. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
