Middle East crisis live: Trump considering ‘winding down’ war as US eases sanctions on Iranian oil; Israel launches retaliatory strikes 21. March 2026 (05:38) Move to allow shipments already at sea comes amid a supply crisis and after US president says he does not ‘want to do a ceasefire’; IDF says it is attacking regime targets in Tehran after missiles fired at Israel from IranUS to send three more warships and thousands more troops, reports sayHow the Iran war has sent shocks rippling across the globeSaudi Arabia has said it is continuing to intercept and destroy drones in recent hours.The defence ministry, quoting a spokesperson, said on Saturday in the last of a series of social media posts that it had intercepted five drones in its eastern region.The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nicholas Brendon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor, dies at 54 21. March 2026 (02:59) Family says actor, who played Xander in hit TV series, died on Friday ‘in his sleep of natural causes’Nicholas Brendon, the actor best known for playing Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died. He was 54.Brendon’s family issued a statement saying that he died on Friday “in his sleep of natural causes”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: US eases sanctions on Iranian oil as Trump claims he is considering ‘winding down’ the war 21. March 2026 (02:42) Move to allow shipments already at sea comes amid a supply crisis and after US president says he does not ‘want to do a ceasefire’US to send three more warships and thousands more troops, reports sayHow the Iran war has sent shocks rippling across the globeKuwait’s state oil firm KPC said its Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by multiple drone attacks early on Friday, causing a fire in some units, with no initial casualties reported, the state news agency said.Firefighters responded immediately, with several units shut down as a precaution to ensure workers’ safety. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Musk responsible for Twitter investors’ stock dropping when he bought company, jury rules 21. March 2026 (01:54) California jurors hand win to investors who sued billionaire saying he publicly disparaged social media platform in 2022A California jury has ruled that Elon Musk is responsible for Twitter investors’ stock plummeting when he sought to buy the social media platform for $44bn in 2022. Jurors handed the win to a group of investors who sued the billionaire saying he publicly disparaged the company with the aim of bringing down Twitter’s stock price to get a better bargain.The trial, which began earlier this month in federal court in San Francisco, focused on whether Musk intended to move the market with his comments. During a six-month period in 2022, after his offer to buy Twitter, he posted constantly to his millions of followers that the social network was rife with bots that produced spam and created fake accounts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Thousands ordered to evacuate as Hawaii hit by severe flash floods 21. March 2026 (01:47) Officials warn some residents could be trapped by rising waters as Wahiawā dam on Oahu ‘may collapse at any time’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxTowering flash floods and an imminent dam failure in the northern part of Oahu triggered evacuation warnings in Hawaii on Friday, as the state continued contending with a powerful storm this week.The waters came on quickly in the middle of the night, and videos on social media captured inundated streets and cars being swallowed by the muddy floodwaters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation dumps South Australian election candidate after reports claiming warrant for his arrest in UK 21. March 2026 (01:36) Aoi Baxter was the party’s candidate for the state seat of Adelaide in Saturday’s election Former South Australian One Nation candidate, Aoi Baxter, has been dumped by the rightwing party, after media reports claiming there is a warrant for his arrest in the UK.Baxter, who was reportedly previously known as Trent Baxter, had allegedly failed to appear at a court hearing, according to reporting by the ABC. A UK court confirmed to the ABC a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a man named Trent Baxter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump ‘very surprised’ Australia declined to send troops to strait of Hormuz amid fuel crisis 21. March 2026 (01:35) US president claims he ‘always says yes’ to Australia, Japan and South Korea, after saying he didn’t need help from trio of countries earlier this weekGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDonald Trump says he is “very surprised” Australia has not sent warships to aid in opening the strait of Hormuz as the blockade of the key strategic route for global oil supply continues to affect fuel prices.“I was very surprised,” the US president said in Washington on Friday when asked what he took issue with regarding Japan, South Korea and Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bill to fund US homeland security fails again as concern grows about airport lines 21. March 2026 (01:13) Proposal fails to advance in Senate amid growing concerns about long lines to get through screening at some airportsA bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security failed to advance on Friday in the Senate amid growing concerns about long lines to get through screening at some of the country’s biggest airports.Democrats declined to provide the support needed to move the funding measure toward final passage. Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday to fund just the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items. That too is likely to fail as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil at sea in bid to ease supply pressures 21. March 2026 (01:04) Treasury secretary Scott Bessent says move will bring 140m barrels to market but insists Tehran will not benefitThe Trump administration has issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea to ease energy supply pressures since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said.It is the third time the US has temporarily waived sanctions in about two weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tropical Cyclone Narelle forecast to intensify in strength as it barrels towards NT 21. March 2026 (00:58) Very destructive winds gusting up to 195km/h are forecasted with the storm expected to intensify before it makes landfall again Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThousands of people are bracing for Severe Cyclone Narelle as it barrels towards the Northern Territory, with winds of up to 195km/h expected from the dangerous storm as it moves west from far north Queensland.Narelle was downgraded from a category 4 to a 2 as it moved through the Gulf of Carpentaria after making landfall across Cape York on Friday, forecasted to hit eastern Top End late Saturday as a category 3. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
