Tropical Cyclone Narelle to make landfall in far north Qld on Friday as category four storm, bringing 200km/h winds 19. March 2026 (02:56) Massive storm tracking a path to Queensland coast, which intensified offshore Thursday morning to category five, fuelled by warm waters in Coral SeaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSevere Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to make landfall in far north Queensland on Friday morning as a monster category four storm, bringing destructive wind gusts in excess of 225km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.The severe cyclone rapidly intensified over the past 48 hours and on Thursday morning had built to a category five storm that was barrelling west, sitting about 500km east of the small town of Coen. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hong Kong apartment fires: hearings to begin into Wang Fuk blaze that killed 168 people 19. March 2026 (02:50) Independent committee to investigate safety standards and whether building practices contributed to worst residential fires in decadesHow the Hong Kong fire unfolded – visual guidePublic hearings in Hong Kong begin on Thursday into a devastating fire that ripped through a housing complex last year, killing 168 people.A judge-led independent committee will investigate whether fire safety standards were inadequate, if construction practices contributed to the fire, and if there were failures on the part of government officers or contractors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York high school student released after 10 months in ICE facility 19. March 2026 (02:32) The detention of Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, of Venezuela, a freshman in the Bronx, sparked national outrageA New York high school student who was detained at an immigration courthouse in May last year, sparking national outrage, was released on Wednesday.Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, of Venezuela was a freshman at Ellis Prep academy, a Bronx public school dedicated exclusively to students who have recently arrived in the US. It was the first widely known instance of a public school student being arrested by federal immigration agents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats walk out in protest over ‘outrageous fake’ Epstein briefing from Pam Bondi 19. March 2026 (02:07) Lawmakers leave closed-door meeting after AG refuses to commit to honoring subpoena to testify under oathDemocrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from attorney general Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California congressman Robert Garcia called “an outrageous fake hearing” after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath.The committee voted to subpoena Bondi earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats to demand that the attorney general answer questions about the justice department’s failure to properly release files from the federal investigations into Epstein. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s major fuel suppliers being investigated over alleged price-gouging amid Iran war 19. March 2026 (01:49) Anthony Albanese also announces new national fuel supply taskforce and reiterates call for motorists to ‘only take what you need’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s competition watchdog is investigating major fuel suppliers including Ampol, BP, Mobil and Viva Energy for alleged anti-competitive conduct amid growing shortages sparked by the Iran war.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, said on Thursday morning she was investigating reports about diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors in regional and rural Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senate votes down measure aiming to limit Trump’s war powers by 53-47 vote 19. March 2026 (01:37) Republicans block resolution to take up the measure, which Democrats vow to bring up ‘again and again and again’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSenate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a measure that aimed to rein in Donald Trump’s power to wage war against Iran without congressional authorization.The 53-47 vote against taking up the measure fell almost completely along party lines, with no movement from earlier this month when Republicans blocked Democrats’ bid to limit Trump’s war-making power in the days after the joint US-Israeli strikes, known as Operation Epic Fury, began across Iran. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ban corporate donations to UK political parties to protect elections, says thinktank 19. March 2026 (01:01) CenTax warns bill under debate in parliament has ‘easily exploitable’ loopholes and will not prevent foreign interferencePolitical donations by companies should be banned to protect UK elections from foreign interference, a thinktank has warned.In the first big overhaul of election funding in 26 years, ministers have pledged to “keep British democracy safe” by closing a loophole that allows individuals not eligible to vote in Britain to donate to political parties through UK-registered companies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK to double steel tariffs to 50% to save plants from collapse 19. March 2026 (01:01) Business secretary announces new ‘steel safeguards’ during visit to Tata’s Port Talbot plantThe UK is to double tariffs on Chinese and other foreign steel in a bid to save its remaining plants from collapse.The new “steel safeguards” came weeks after bosses at Tata Steel in south Wales warned the government they had just two months to be saved. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than pure breeds, study suggests 19. March 2026 (01:01) Research finds cockapoo, cavapoo and labradoodle dogs display more undesirable behaviours than breeds they derive fromThe UK has oodles of doodles but a study might offer paws for thought: researchers have found some of these designer crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than the pure breeds from which they derive.Crosses between poodles and other dog breeds have become increasingly popular in the UK, with research suggesting the trend is – at least in part – driven by the expectation such dogs will be hypoallergenic, healthy and good with children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Seoul raises terror alert as it prepares to host BTS comeback concert 19. March 2026 (00:59) Thousands of police prepare to deploy to South Korea’s capital ahead of K-pop’s most anticipated comebackSeoul has stepped up security ahead of BTS’s huge comeback concert on Saturday, which more than a quarter of a million fans are expected to attend, with authorities raising the terror alert in the area and preparing to deploy thousands of police to the capital.South Korean president Lee Jae Myung warned at a cabinet meeting this week that “the issue is safety” and urged heightened vigilance by the interior ministry and emergency services to prepare for every possibility. He described the concert as an important occasion to reaffirm the country’s global cultural standing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
