Meloni v the judges: high stakes for Italian PM in vote on judiciary overhaul 22. March 2026 (06:00) National referendum is being seen as a de facto confidence vote on the government – and the polls are neck and neckIn the run-up to a referendum in Italy on a government quest to overhaul the judiciary, a campaign flyer circulated online quoting Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, taking aim at judges and feminists. “Judges block the deportations of rapists. Where are the feminists? Vote yes – there will not be another opportunity,” it read.The flyer, posted on the Facebook page of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, a party with neofascist roots, was subsequently removed. But its tone has defined a campaign dominated by inflammatory rhetoric rather than meaningful debate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to open strait of Hormuz; about 100 injured in Israel 22. March 2026 (05:48) Trump tells Iran to reopen strait to shipping or face destruction of its energy infrastructure, as Tehran launches its most destructive attack yet on IsraelAFP has spoken to residents in Arad, the southern Israeli town that was hit by an Iranian missile on Saturday night.Ido Franky, 17, recalled hearing “terrifying” blasts like nothing he had experienced before:Franky rushed to shelter with his family as air raid sirens sounded, warning of an incoming attack. “There was a ‘boom, boom!’, my mother was screaming,” he said near the impact site, where an AFP correspondent saw three damaged buildings and firefighters reported a blaze.“This was terrifying... this town had never seen anything like this,” the teenager told AFP.If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Six fuel ships bound for Australia cancelled as Bowen concedes ‘flow of oil to Asian refineries has slowed’ 22. March 2026 (03:22) Energy minister says war on Iran creating ‘uncertain environment’ but insists government doing ‘all the preparatory work’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSix oil ships bound for Australia have been cancelled in recent days but the federal government is not yet considering any drastic measures, the energy minister, Chris Bowen, says.Bowen said on Sunday that six ships from Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, that had been expected to arrive next month, were cancelled or deferred. The federal government was working to replace the ships, with some already substituted, the minister told ABC TV. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News live: Bowen says Australian fuel reserve has increased despite cancelled import ships; missing Japanese tourist, 81, found alive in Tasmania 22. March 2026 (02:51) Follow live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia not ‘contemplating’ fuel rationing but state and federal governments have powers, Bowen saysState governments also had fuel rationing powers, Chris Bowen said.When I was a kid … in the 80s in Sydney, I remember petrol rationing was done by state governments – the state governments do have powers there.Yes, the Commonwealth government, under the fuel emergency act, has powers.It’s not designed to be invoked lightly. It really has powers primarily around defence and health, in the first instance, to ensure that those key areas are getting diesel that they need, but also other forms of fuel.I would need to be satisfied that there’s a real shortage and that the powers under that act are useful. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hawaii urges residents to ‘leave now’ amid worst flooding in over 20 years 22. March 2026 (00:48) People in hard-hit areas of Oahu and Maui told to evacuate with still more rain expected over the weekendAs Hawaii endures its worst flooding in more than 20 years, officials urged people in hard-hit areas to “LEAVE NOW”. That warning early on Saturday came after heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, and still more was expected over the weekend.Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, a community renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Strike on Sudan hospital kills at least 64 and wounds 89 more, WHO reports 22. March 2026 (00:15) Victims of army drone attack on East Darfur health facility included children and medical personnel A strike on a healthcare facility in Sudan has killed 64 people and wounded 89 more, the World Health Organization reported on Saturday.The UN’s humanitarian office in Sudan had earlier said it was “appalled by the attack on a hospital in East Darfur yesterday, reportedly killing dozens, including children, and injuring more”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost 100 wounded in Iranian missile strikes on southern Israel 22. March 2026 (00:07) Israeli air defence systems fail to intercept at least two projectiles during attacks on cities of Arad and Dimona Middle East crisis live – latest updatesIranian ballistic missile barrages wounded about 100 people in southern Israel on Saturday, striking the cities of Arad and Dimona after air defence systems failed to intercept at least two projectiles.Among the injured were a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both reported to be in serious condition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran hits Israeli town housing nuclear facility in retaliation for Natanz strike 21. March 2026 (21:58) First responders report 33 injured at multiple sites in Dimona, including a 10-year-old boy in serious conditionMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesAn Iranian missile has hit the Israeli town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, in what Iran said was retaliation for strikes on its own nuclear site at Natanz.Dimona hosts a facility just outside the main town widely believed to possess the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never admitted to possessing nuclear weapons. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Vile’ Trump condemned for gloating over Robert Mueller death 21. March 2026 (21:31) Outrage mounts after president posted on Truth Social he was ‘glad’ former FBI director and special counsel had diedDonald Trump has been condemned as a “vile, disgusting man” and a “sick human being” after gloating over the death of Robert Mueller, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Mueller, a decorated Vietnam war veteran who led a politically explosive investigation into Trump, died on Friday aged 81, triggering a callous reaction from the US president. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Superannuation should be used for aged care, not inherited by next generation, aged care CEO says 21. March 2026 (20:01) Labor should urge Australians to rethink purpose of super, Tracey Burton says, so country’s $4tn in superannuation could help plug funding shortfallsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor should more actively encourage wealthier Australians to spend more of their superannuation on their own care, an industry leader says, to help free up capacity in the struggling system to protect elderly people without means.Tracey Burton, the chief executive of Uniting NSW and ACT, will tell an industry event next week that some wealthier people believe they are entitled to fully publicly funded aged care – even while they maintain large superannuation balances with the intention of leaving the money to their next generation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
