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March 16, 2026

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Crisis talks over petrol as Middle East war expands after oil island hit

The war, which shows no signs of ending soon, has upended global air travel, disrupted oil exports from the region and sent fuel prices rising across the world. The critical meeting chaired by NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe will include representatives from transport, agriculture, mining and consumer groups. The government will crack down on stations reporting incorrect prices to its “Fuel Check” website after two suppliers were caught lying. (Fuel Check) A cargo ship sails in the Arabian Gulf towards Strait of Hormuz in United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) First on the table will be

March 16, 2026

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Australia’s confidence in Trump’s US has evaporated. What will it take for the alliance to rupture? | Australian foreign policy

Perched high above Canberra stands a stylised American eagle statue on a towering column. Colloquially derided as the Phallus in Blunderland or the Chicken on a Stick, the Australian-American Memorial was paid for by mid-century Australians “to commemorate the service and sacrifice of American men and women in the defence of Australia” during the second world war. But there is perhaps another way to interpret an 80-metre statue high above Australia’s defence headquarters: that of a malevolent power monitoring a subordinate. For seven decades Australia has sought and found security in its alliance with the US. But the alliance depends

March 16, 2026

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Breaking US laws could cost you your Student Visa, US Embassy warns |

The United States Embassy in India has issued a fresh cautionary advisory to students, warning that violations of American law can result in visa cancellations, deportation, and long-term restrictions on future travel to the United States. The advisory, released on Wednesday, also adds that a US visa is a privilege rather than a guaranteed right, and that entry into the country depends on continued compliance with US laws and regulations.In a post on X, the embassy said: “Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be

March 15, 2026

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Marco Rubio orders US officials to stop commentary that could strain Iran talks | Marco Rubio

The US secretary of state Marco Rubio told ambassadors in the Middle East to stop making public comments that could inflame tensions and undermine Donald Trump’s pressure on Iran to relinquish its capacity to produce a nuclear weapon, according to a memo obtained by the Guardian. “Given rising tensions in the region, Chiefs of Mission and embassies at addressee posts must refrain from public statements, interviews, or social media activity that could in any way inflame regional audiences, prejudice sensitive political issues, or complicate US relationships,” the cable said. “Chiefs of Mission are expected to avoid all commentary on issues

March 15, 2026

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Australia should reconsider alliance with ‘fiercely unpredictable’ US, former foreign ministers say | Australian foreign policy

The Albanese government should urgently reconsider Australia’s alliance with the US, two former Labor foreign ministers have said, as they voiced alarm over Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela and renewed push to claim Greenland. Speaking to Guardian Australia in the days after the US seizure of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, former Labor foreign minister Bob Carr said Trump’s US had become a “fiercely unpredictable” ally, raising a “colossal challenge” for Australia. Another former Labor foreign minister, Gareth Evans, said he was concerned the US had “zero respect” for international law or the interests of its allies. Evans said the

March 15, 2026

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Should you cancel March break travel amid Iran war? Ask these questions – National

One of the busiest travel periods of the year is about to begin and could be more volatile amid the Iran war, which has impacted air travel and consumers with uncertainty over everything from airfare and travel costs to physical safety. “The situation in the Middle East is obviously very serious, and it’s understandable that travellers, especially those planning March break trips, have questions about how it may affect their plans,” said Amra Durakovic, head of communications for Flight Centre Travel Group, in a note. “Airlines constantly monitor global airspace and will reroute flights or adjust schedules well before there

March 15, 2026

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More than 3 million new ‘Epstein files’ released by US government

The US government has published a huge tranche of documents from the “Epstein files” weeks after missing a legal deadline.  Visit our live blog as we analyse the newly released Epstein files and follow the fallout from their release But the congressmen behind the law that forced the files’ release say they want to see the uncensored files, criticising “a blanket approach to redactions” in some key documents. US Deputy Attorney-General Todd Blanche said more than 3 million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images were being released after a review of almost 6 million files was completed. It is the

March 15, 2026

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Albanese says Australia supports US action against Iran and stands with the Iranian people’s ‘struggle against oppression’ | Australia news

Australia has declared its support for US action against Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and “to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security”. But Australia’s department of foreign affairs (Dfat) has warned of the risk of “reprisal attacks and further escalation” across the Middle East after the attack. In a statement issued on Saturday evening, Anthony Albanese said: “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.” The prime minister said Iran’s ruling regime had been a “destabilising force” for decades through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for

March 15, 2026

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He broke the story of the US Catholic clergy abuse scandal. Now he reflects on struggling to keep his faith | New Orleans clergy abuse

In 1965, just shy of my junior year at the Jesuit high school of New Orleans, with good potential as an offensive end, I had an epiphany in the muddy slog of August football practice: Why are you doing something you don’t like? Soon after, I quit, and was trailed by guilt for a dereliction of duty. Jesuit vaunted student achievements of all kinds. I played on the golf team and did some pieces for the school paper. Jesuit fostered a fraternal culture, molding friendships I carry to this day. For a writer, the Jesuits’ stress on Socratic thinking was

March 15, 2026

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10 Cubans on U.S. boat intended to carry out an ‘armed infiltration,’ Havana says

Cuba said its military killed four Cubans from the United States who were on a boat that entered its territorial waters Wednesday, which the Interior Ministry called a “foiled armed infiltration.” The boat, which was registered in Florida, “was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes,” the Cuban Interior Ministry said in a statement. “Assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms were seized,” it said. The ministry said that the incursion happened Wednesday morning and that a commander