- Israel launches new strikes on Tehran as Trump pauses Iran energy attacks The Guardian
- Iran Update Special Report, March 22, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- IDF says it struck Islamic Guards HQ in Tehran; man lightly wounded as Iran keeps up strikes The Times of Israel
- ‘Unprecedented’: Israel, US carry out extensive strikes across Iran Al Jazeera
- Israeli military says it is conducting strikes in Tehran Reuters
New Zealand to give cash payments to some low income families as global fuel crisis worsens
Policy begins on 1 April and is aimed to ease financial pressure as the price of fuel surges due to conflict in the Middle East
Nearly 150,000 New Zealand families will soon receive a weekly cash payment to help them afford petrol, the government has announced, in what is believed to be the world’s first fuel relief package that directly pays citizens since the Iran war began.
On Tuesday, prime minister Christopher Luxon and finance minister Nicola Willis announced roughly 143,000 families with children will get an extra NZ$50 ($29.20; £21.80) a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit – a payment to families with dependent children where at least one parent is in paid employment and neither parent receives benefits. Another 14,000 families on slightly higher incomes will also be eligible for payments, but will receive less than $50 per week.
Continue reading...Hezbollah Rocket Narrowly Misses Kiryat Shmona Shliach – Anash.org
- Hezbollah Rocket Narrowly Misses Kiryat Shmona Shliach Anash.org
- Israel Says Its Own Artillery Killed a Farmer, Not a Hezbollah Rocket The New York Times
- Woman declared dead after Hezbollah rocket attack, say first responders The Times of Israel
- First Israeli civilian killed in Lebanon border war was hit by Israeli fire Reuters
- As Hezbollah Steps Up Attacks, Who Really Calls The Shots? Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Colombian military plane crash kills at least 66, wounds dozens – Al Jazeera
- Colombian military plane crash kills at least 66, wounds dozens Al Jazeera
- Military transport plane crashes in Colombia with 121 on board, dozens dead France 24
- At least 66 killed in military plane crash in Colombia, head of armed forces says NPR
- At least 66 killed after Colombian military plane crashes in southern Amazon The Guardian
- Colombia military plane crash kills 66, four still missing Reuters
Hong Kong police can demand phone and computer passwords under amended national security law
Refusing to comply could lead to year in jail and hefty fine, while providing false information carries up to three years in prison
Hong Kong police can now demand that people suspected of breaching the city’s national security law provide mobile phone or computer passwords in a further crackdown on dissent.
The amendments to the law also empower customs officers to seize items that are deemed to have “seditious intention”, regardless of whether any person has been arrested for an offence endangering national security because of the items.
Continue reading...Ultimatums, diplomacy and a trip to Graceland as Trump eyes a deal with Iran
America may be a nation at war, but the president's activities have been a mix of diplomacy and diversions - with the occasional swing toward the surreal.
Ultimatums, diplomacy and a trip to Graceland as Trump eyes a deal with Iran
America may be a nation at war, but the president's activities have been a mix of diplomacy and diversions - with the occasional swing toward the surreal.
‘Absolute moral rigour’: new Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s ideals face stern test – The Guardian
- ‘Absolute moral rigour’: new Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire’s ideals face stern test The Guardian
- France's Socialists hold on to power in major cities in election boost for mainstream BBC
- French Far Right Falls Short of Statement Win in Yardstick Local Races The New York Times
- France municipal elections pose a key test for far right ahead of 2027 presidential race NBC News
- After 25 years of socialist rule, where does Paris go now? CNN
General McChrystal warns Trump’s in over his head – alternet.org
General McChrystal warns Trump's in over his head alternet.org
US Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin as homeland security chief
The US senator will now oversee the embattled department after a series of immigration enforcement blunders.
Kim vows to ‘irreversibly’ cement North Korea’s nuclear status – AP News
- Kim vows to ‘irreversibly’ cement North Korea’s nuclear status AP News
- Kim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons CNN
- Kim vows to 'irreversibly' cement North Korea's nuclear status NPR
- North Korean dictator says government will keep cementing nation's 'irreversible status as a nuclear power' Fox News
- How North Korea’s Kim Jong-un Is Using the Iran War to Justify His Nuclear Arsenal The New York Times
US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers
There are almost no major brands of internet routers that are manufactured in the US.
Saudis and UAE Take Steps Toward Joining Iran War, WSJ Reports – Bloomberg.com
- Saudis and UAE Take Steps Toward Joining Iran War, WSJ Reports Bloomberg.com
- Gulf States Edge Toward Joining Fight Against Iran WSJ
- Who are the Gulf’s military allies, and how are they helping in Iran war? Al Jazeera
- Iran retaliation is forcing Gulf nations into a stark decision: whether to join the fight NBC News
- Gulf states opposed war with Iran. Most are now pushing to keep the fight going The Times of Israel
Eight arrested for ‘brutal’ attack on capybara in Brazil
In incident filmed by security cameras in Rio de Janeiro, group of attackers beat animal with sticks and iron bars
Police in Rio de Janeiro have arrested eight people for brutally beating a capybara – the world’s largest rodent.
Resembling a giant guinea pig, the light brown capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is often seen roaming the Brazilian city, particularly near streams and lagoons.
Continue reading...Inside the alleged Russian operation to trigger anti-government protests in Angola
A group of Russians and Angolans are going on trial in Angola after being accused of fomenting protests, which they deny.
Inside the alleged Russian operation to trigger anti-government protests in Angola
A group of Russians and Angolans are going on trial in Angola after being accused of fomenting protests, which they deny.
‘We consider every mile we drive’: how fuel shortages are affecting readers worldwide
From a shop owner in India to a community worker in New South Wales, rising fuel prices are forcing people to ration oil usage
Alagesan, 35, needs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to run his roadside drink and snack shop in Coimbatore, India, but with the fuel shortage since the US-Israel attacks on Iran, he worries his business could fold.
“I am far away from the Middle East, but my life is affected,” he said. “The gas cylinder is not available because of the war. I don’t know what to do.”
Continue reading...UK universities flock to India – but will they succeed?
Nine UK universities are setting up campuses in India, but enrolment is expected to be modest initially.
‘Stressful, chaotic, never-ending:’ DoD employees face mounting strain as Middle East conflict widens – Federal News Network
- ‘Stressful, chaotic, never-ending:’ DoD employees face mounting strain as Middle East conflict widens Federal News Network
- Supply Chain Roundtable: A Supreme Court Ruling and Middle East Conflict Institute for Supply Management
- Hormuz: War as a System-Wide Cost Multiplier--And a Pathway Forward Rare Earth Exchanges
Teachers in Victoria strike for first time in 13 years, with classes cancelled at about 500 public schools
Australian Education Union members to rally outside state parliament in dispute over pay and conditions
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Classes have been halted across Victoria as thousands of striking public school teachers, principals and education support staff prepare to descend on state parliament for a rally over pay and conditions.
According to the Australian Education Union’s Victorian president, Justin Mullaly, up to 500 schools would either be closed or “significantly affected” as a result of the first strike in the state’s public school system in more than 13 years.
Continue reading...