Top World News

Mar 22, 2026 - World

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...

Mar 22, 2026 - World

This blog is now closedCircling back now to Diego Garcia, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean – but neither of them hit, according to news reports citing US officials.The Wall Street Journal said one of the missiles failed in flight, and that a US warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other, citing two US officials. It could not be determined if an interception was made, one said. Continue reading...

Mar 22, 2026 - World

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...

Mar 22, 2026 - World

President Donald Trump issued a blistering ultimatum to the Iranian regime on Saturday night, one that raised the eyebrows of multiple political analysts and observers. Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran has 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or else the U.S. will strike multiple energy plants in the country. He made the threat as global energy prices continue to climb from the regime's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. ships. "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!" Trump wrote. Over the last week, multiple power plants and energy fields in Iran have been struck by Israeli forces. The strikes became such a problem for the Trump administration that Trump demanded Israel stop striking Iran without telling the U.S. first. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that the Trump administration has been made aware of Israeli operations. "I'm old enough to remember when he said the U.S. doesn't care because we don't even use the Strait of Hormuz. It was, like, yesterday," space archaeologist Justin Walsh posted on Bluesky. "We’re not even a month into this war yet, and he’s already threatening to do war crimes on main," journalist Matt Novak posted on Bluesky. "Such a move would disproportionately harm civilians, something the regime has made clear it cares little about," journalist Yashar Ali posted on X. "From claiming the war is 'winding down' to threatening a new act of terror against a country of 90 million people," journalist Aaron Maté posted on X.

Mar 22, 2026 - World

US Israel Iran War News LIVE Updates: Iran has been striking its Persian Gulf neighbours' energy facilities since the war started on February 28, and has made the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel, nearly impassable.