Russia and US hold first direct talks since tensions escalated over Iran conflict, described as productive by Russian negotiator
Russian officials reported a significant diplomatic engagement between Russia and the United States, marking the first direct talks since the escalation of tensions related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The discussions took place in Florida and were characterized as "productive" by Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. This meeting comes on the heels of the United States lifting some sanctions on Russian oil, a decision made to stabilize global prices amid the chaos ensuing in the Middle East. During the meeting, Dmitriev thanked US negotiators, including global envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum, emphasizing that the teams... [Continue Reading]
Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills at least eight and injures many in Ramlet al-Baida area housing displaced families
In a significant escalation of military tensions in the region, an Israeli airstrike targeting displaced families in Beirut has resulted in at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries. The strike occurred in the Ramlet al-Baida area, where individuals had sought temporary refuge amid ongoing conflicts. Witnesses report that they were roused from sleep by the sound of approaching jets, only to experience the devastating impact of the strike shortly thereafter. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed that the airstrike injured 31 individuals, with many more affected by the chaos and destruction. The attack is part of a broader initiative... [Continue Reading]
Jack Osbourne welcomes baby girl and names her after dad Ozzy in touching tribute
So sweet! [Continue Reading]
How China can win friends and influencers to help tell the country’s story well
Tourists, international students and foreign employees of Chinese companies could serve as grass-roots ambassadors, helping China’s story to resonate with audiences worldwide, according to one of the country’s leading political advisers. Zhang Bo, a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University who is also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the suggestion on the sidelines of the annual “two sessions” meeting. Speaking to the South China Morning Post,... [Continue Reading]
Live: Big first-round losers Brisbane and Parramatta try to restore some pride
The Broncos and Eels are both trying to bounce back from demoralising losses to kick off their 2026 NRL seasons. Follow live. [Continue Reading]
Hobart Clinic chief quits amid reported clash with board
The Hobart Clinic's chief executive has resigned as the state government commissions a review of the mental health hospital's corporate governance. [Continue Reading]
Two tankers explode in attack by drone boats after Iran warns world oil could reach $200 a barrel
Around 1.30 am local time, two tankers were hit by an 'unknown projectile' off the coast of Iraq, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operation. [Continue Reading]
Cathay Pacific to nearly double fuel surcharge on Wednesday as costs surge
Cathay Pacific Airways will nearly double its fuel surcharges from next Wednesday, following a similar move by another Hong Kong carrier amid rising fuel prices driven by the Iran war Cathay’s move, announced on Thursday and applicable to tickets issued on or after March 18, came on the same day the higher fuel surcharge rate of Hong Kong Airlines took effect. The latter, announced two days earlier, represented an increase of up to 35 per cent. “The price of jet fuel has approximately doubled... [Continue Reading]
Chile marks sharp turn to the right as new hardline president vows sweeping reforms
Right wing hardliner Jose Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile’s president Wednesday, marking the nation’s most stark shift to the right since since the brutal dictatorship of general Augusto Pinochet, whom Kast greatly admires. Kast vowed in his inaugural address to follow through on sweeping reforms, including building physical border barriers along the frontier with Bolivia. [Continue Reading]
In South Korea, witnesses describe chain of failures as Itaewon crowd crush inquiry begins
South Korea’s long-awaited public inquiry into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush opened on Thursday with tearful testimony from survivors and heated exchanges between police officials accused of mishandling emergency calls on the night of the disaster. The hearing came more than three years after the tragedy, following prolonged political gridlock, disputes over accountability and repeated delays in forming an independent investigative body. The National Commission for the Investigation of the... [Continue Reading]
In the US-Israeli war on Iran, who will run out of missiles first?
Are there enough interceptor missiles to defeat Iran’s response to the US and Israel's attacks? [Continue Reading]
Draper fights back for 'huge' win over Djokovic
Jack Draper produces a superb fightback to beat Novak Djokovic and reach the Indian Wells fourth round - a result he believes could be "a real big moment" in his season. [Continue Reading]
US-Israeli war on Iran may spark nuclear arms race, Carnegie scholar says
Zhao Tong is a senior fellow with the Nuclear Policy Programme at Washington-based think tank the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and its East Asia-based research centre on contemporary China, Carnegie China. His research focuses on strategic security issues, including nuclear weapons policy, deterrence, arms control, non-proliferation, missile defence, hypersonic weapons, regional security in the Asia-Pacific and China’s security and foreign policy. SCMP Plus readers get early access... [Continue Reading]
Live: Blues and Tigers ignite first full round of AFL season at packed MCG
The traditional Thursday night clash between Carlton and Richmond kicks off round one of the 2026 AFL season, with a massive crowd expected at the MCG. Follow live. [Continue Reading]
Noma restaurant co-founder steps down after abuse claims
The co-founder of a fabled restaurant in Denmark - Noma in Copenhagen - has said that he is stepping down after reports of past abuse at his business. [Continue Reading]
'EU needs a bit of a revolution: There is no European strategy or foreign policy'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Sophie in 't Veld, former Dutch MEP and member of Volt Europa. She argues that the EU faces a profound structural crisis in its capacity to act on the global stage. What appears as policy debate is, in practice, an internal academic discussion with little consequence for international affairs. In moments of crisis, the EU is not shaping events but reacting to them, often in response to the initiatives of other powers. Ms. Veld warns that Europe has become largely irrelevant in global geopolitics. [Continue Reading]
Life under fire: a Tehran resident shares her story as Iran is attacked
A Tehran resident in her 30s agreed to share her thoughts with Agence France-Presse about the ongoing war and daily life. Her identity has been withheld for her protection. Here is an edited transcript of the conversation. How is daily life in Tehran? People left in waves, especially those who were next to targets. The financial situation is very bad. My job has been halted and I am spending out of my savings. Going away has costs too, so this may be one of the reasons why people are leaving... [Continue Reading]
Russia holds 'productive' talks with US
Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy said that he had joined a "productive meeting" with US negotiators, the first talks between Moscow and Washington since the start of the Iran war. [Continue Reading]
Emmerdale confirms unexpected love interest for Graham in ITVX release – and it’s not Rhona
Not awkward at all. [Continue Reading]
Pentagon finds US was behind deadly strike which killed more than 170 Iranian schoolchildren
Trump previously blamed Iran for the attack. [Continue Reading]
John Lewis pays first annual staff bonus in four years as profits rise
Payment of 2% at employee-owned partnership follows sales increase to £13.4bnThe owner of John Lewis and Waitrose has paid an annual bonus to workers for the first time in four years after underlying profits rose by 6%.The retail group’s employees – which it calls partners – will receive a 2% bonus after it recorded an increase in sales and profits. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
6,000 Filipino sailors stranded by Strait of Hormuz closure: ‘bored and a little scared’
Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to his wife and young daughter. The 46-year-old, whose small ship was struck by a pair of missiles this week in the Strait of Hormuz, is the only seafarer from the Philippines known to be missing in the Middle East war, the government says. But more than 6,000 others from the country that supplies a quarter of the world’s sailors are still working in the conflict zone and... [Continue Reading]
Trump and Epstein statue in Titanic pose appears in Washington
A protest statue depicting Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein in a Titanic-style pose was installed on the National Mall near the US Capitol in Washington, drawing attention from passersby. [Continue Reading]
Trump admin estimates US war on Iran cost $11.3bn in first 6 days: Report
Lawmakers express concerns as Trump officials project $50bn more may be needed for Iran war funding. [Continue Reading]
Robodebt was the great test of Australia’s accountability mechanisms – and they failed
The final report into the Centrelink debt recovery process that wreaked havoc on the vulnerable is not the full-stop many wanted. It has not restored the trust that was so fundamentally brokenFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe whistleblower’s message landed just before Christmas.It was 2016, now a distant memory. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Iraq Urges Protection of Maritime Energy Routes Amid Gulf Tensions
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil issued a statement calling for the protection of maritime corridors used for energy transportation, citing recent hostile activities targeting oil tankers in the Gulf region. This move comes amid rising tensions that risk disrupting key shipping lanes vital to global oil supplies. These corridors are crucial not just for Iraq and its neighbors but for the worldwide energy market, as any blockage or attack can lead to increased energy prices and economic instability. Iraq’s alert highlights the growing concerns over maritime security in a geopolitically sensitive area. The ministry urged all involved parties to maintain... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Mar 2026 07:09
UK Home Office launches pilot scheme offering financial incentives for rejected asylum-seeking families to return home
In a controversial move, the UK Home Office has launched a new pilot scheme targeting 150 families whose asylum claims have been refused. The families have been given a mere seven days to decide whether to accept a financial incentive to return to their home countries or risk being forcibly removed, which has raised significant concerns over the implications for their children and overall well-being. The scheme, which offers up to £40,000 per family to facilitate voluntary return, has sparked urgent pleas from families seeking more time to comprehend and respond to the life-altering decision they face. The Home Office... [Continue Reading]
How will the Iran war affect the cost of your supermarket shop?
It's impossible to know how long this war will last, but what is certain is that the longer the duration, the bigger the impact on consumers [Continue Reading]
Israeli ‘double-tap strike’ hits displaced on Beirut seafront, kills eight
The attack appears to be another Israeli attempted assassination, outside areas traditionally targeted. [Continue Reading]
‘Beggars belief’: calls for federal intervention after extension to ‘carbon bomb’ open-cut coalmine approved by Queensland government
Hail Creek is responsible for about 20% of Australia’s coalmine methane, while only producing 1% of the country’s coalFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEnvironmental groups have called on the federal government to intervene after Australia’s most methane-polluting open-cut coalmine was approved for extension.A proposed expansion of the Hail Creek coalmine in central Queensland, described by conservationists as a “carbon bomb”, was backed by the state’s government on Wednesday. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Palantir’s NHS England contract ‘opens door to government abuse of power’, health bosses told
Health justice charity Medact says data-sharing potential could be used for UK version of US immigration raidsPalantir’s NHS contract opens the door to the Big Brother-style data-sharing that Reform UK would use for a version of US immigration raids, health bosses have been told.Palantir Technologies – the data analytics company founded by Peter Thiel and Alex Karp – won a £330m NHS England contract to deliver the Federated Data Platform in 2023. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘I have never seen anything like it’: MP warns of rise in extreme views on race and identity
Health minister Zubir Ahmed says new definition of anti-Muslim hostility could be a turning point as he tells of Islamophobic abuseZubir Ahmed, a health minister, tries not to read the comments under his social media feeds, but sometimes curiosity gets the better of him.After performing a transplant on Christmas Day, the vascular surgeon scanned a post about the operation. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
I tried the new Olaplex No.3 Plus – does it really repair hair in three minutes?
'But I can do a lot with 3 minutes...' [Continue Reading]
All Emmerdale spoilers for next week as three fates are sealed
All next week's spoilers from the Dales. [Continue Reading]
All EastEnders spoilers for next week as a new face shakes Walford to its core
All of your spoilers from Walford. [Continue Reading]
SA Liberals dump candidate who said homosexuality ‘opens up demonic realms’ after initially standing by him
Party leader Ashton Hurn confirms Carston Woodhouse will not run for Liberals in SA’s state election, but says ‘people are entitled to have their views’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Liberal candidate in South Australia’s upcoming state election has been dumped after his “shocking and extreme” views on abortion, same-sex marriage, gender transitioning and feminism were aired by his Labor rival.The leader of the SA Liberals, Ashton Hurn, on Wednesday stood by Carston Woodhouse, who had been running for the seat of Wright in Adelaide’s north, after... [Continue Reading]
Thursday briefing: What an Iran negotiator thinks could happen next – and why Trump still has an off-ramp
In today’s newsletter: Robert Malley, who led talks for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, helps make sense of the warGood morning, and apologies for the interruption to your usual programming. Stepping out from behind the editing desk to write today’s newsletter feels somewhat like a player-manager throwing himself on to the pitch, but I’ll try not to destabilise your morning routine too much. Lord knows, the world doesn’t need any more chaos.Since the US and Israel first attacked Iran two weeks ago, it’s been a scramble to keep up with events. The death of a supreme leader, speculation about his... [Continue Reading]
Brent crude spikes back over $100 as Iranian strikes target commercial ships in regional waters
Iran has begun firing barrages of drones and missiles early on Thursday as the war with the US and Israel nears the two-week mark. Air raid alerts were sounded in Israel as authorities warned of incoming Iranian fire, as Gulf states brace for more attacks. [Continue Reading]
Philippines’ Marcos ‘angry’ over ‘mistreatment’ of Bahrain-based OFWs by official
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered an investigation after watching a viral video showing an employee from the Migrant Workers Office in Bahrain telling off overseas Filipino workers (OFW) stranded in the kingdom due to the escalating Iran war. “The president was not pleased with this. He became angry on behalf of our OFWs because of the mistreatment by some public servants,” the presidential palace’s press officer Claire Castro said, according to the Inquirer on... [Continue Reading]
Lebanon says seven killed in Israeli strike on Beirut
Follow developments as Israel carries out fresh airstrikes on Lebanon and Iran Iran set ablaze two tankers in Iraqi waters as it stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East. [Continue Reading]
Iranian attack sparks huge fire at Bahrain facility
Bahrain’s interior ministry released footage showing a huge fire at a fuel facility in Muharraq after Iranian attacks. Authorities say the military has intercepted more than 170 drones and over 100 missiles since Iran began targeting countries in the region. [Continue Reading]
Group warns plain packs hinder Hongkongers’ efforts to detect smuggled cigarettes
Nearly 90 per cent of Hong Kong smokers cannot distinguish smuggled cigarettes from duty-paid ones under the government’s proposed plain packaging measures, a survey by an advocacy group has found. The Long-term Tobacco Policy Concern Group also urged authorities to expand the function of the tobacco stamp duty system to allow consumers to scan QR codes and verify whether a pack had been taxed. “With the current packaging, consumers could tell if a pack is taxed based on the brand labels and the... [Continue Reading]
Matildas stars Raso, Catley out of Asian Cup quarterfinal against North Korea
Hayley Raso and Steph Catley will miss the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal, as the team prepares for the unknown quantities that North Korea may bring. [Continue Reading]
Parents shocked by sudden closure of specialist service for kids with autism
In a statement published on Wednesday, early intervention care provider AEIOU announced the board had appointed external administrators to the organisation. [Continue Reading]
Perth music promoter Andrew Scally's killer sentenced to jail
Jardyn Rigo is sentenced to more than six years in jail for killing music promoter Andrew Scally in a street fight. [Continue Reading]
Iran targets Gulf nations with missiles, drones as oil prices soar
Bahrain reports an attack on fuel tanks as Saudi Arabia shoots down drones headed towards an oilfield. [Continue Reading]
Roosters NRL player involved in e-bike accident ahead of Rabbitohs clash
Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith is in doubt for Friday night's match against the Rabbitohs after he was involved in an e-bike accident. [Continue Reading]
Cruise ship had 'small margin for error' in poor light, report says
An early safety report into the grounding of luxury Australian cruise ship Coral Adventurer focuses on its speed and a wide turn in confined waters before it swerved into a reef. [Continue Reading]
More airlines hike flight prices as Iran war continues to disrupt oil supply
Cathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways join Qantas in increasing prices, as travellers flock to airlines that don’t have Middle East stopoversCathay Pacific, AirAsia and Thai Airways are among a growing number of airlines hiking air fares as conflict in the Middle East boosts oil prices and sends travellers flocking to alternative stopover destinations in Asia.The US and Israel’s war on Iran has sent the price of oil soaring while restricting access to refineries, with experts predicting air fares could be elevated for months even if the conflict ends. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
