Closure of Rafah Crossing Halts Medical Evacuations for Thousands in Gaza Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified following the closure of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This critical passage has become inaccessible since early March, directly affecting thousands of residents in need of urgent medical care. Reports indicate that families reliant on this route for necessary treatment abroad are now trapped as the closure halts all medical evacuations. According to eyewitness accounts, prior to this decision, families had made arrangements for medical transfers to neighboring countries. For instance, Lama Abu Reida was prepared for her infant daughter Alma's evacuation, believing that a medical procedure available in Jordan... [Continue Reading]
Iranian drones strike Dubai International Airport, causing significant fire amid escalating regional tensions
Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, has faced a significant and unprecedented attack as Iranian drones struck the facility, resulting in a substantial fire. This incident is part of a series of drone strikes linked to escalating tensions following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. The latest strike, described as the largest yet, occurs amidst a backdrop of ongoing military confrontations in the region. Witnesses reported that the airport, a major hub for international air travel, was engulfed in flames following the drone strike. Notably, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting... [Continue Reading]
AI to narrow China’s rural-urban economic divide
China is counting on artificial intelligence (AI) to help the 450 million people living in rural areas left behind by the nation’s economic boom. Farmers are already benefiting from the technology, using AI offerings such as DeepSeek or ByteDance’s Doubao for help with issues like pig rearing, pest control and government subsidies. The State Council’s “No 1 document” of 2026, extended a push for the “digital upgrading” of farming, with an emphasis on the greater integration of AI, drones, robots... [Continue Reading]
Matildas coy about star duo's chances of facing China in Asian Cup semi
Hayley Raso and Steph Catley are available for selection, but it remains to be seen what role they will have against China in Perth. [Continue Reading]
WA farmers say city drivers are getting priority for scarce fuel supplies
Farmers welcome a rule change that allows road trains to deliver more fuel to regional areas, but say it does little to address the overall supply problem. [Continue Reading]
Teyana Taylor in heated confrontation with man who ‘shoved’ her at Oscars
It came after she missed out on winning the best supporting actress award. [Continue Reading]
Myanmar’s junta-proxy parliament meets for first time since 2021 coup
Five years after armoured vehicles rolled through the streets of Myanmar’s capital and the generals tore up an election result they did not like, a new parliament sat for the first time on Monday. The legislature that convened in Naypyidaw was stacked almost entirely with allies of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader who ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. In Myanmar’s recent election, held across barely a third of the country, the army-backed Union Solidarity... [Continue Reading]
Drone strike hits Dubai airport, a major global hub, sparking huge fire
Iranian drones have repeatedly hit Dubai International Airport, among the world’s busiest, since the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, but Monday’s strike was the largest. [Continue Reading]
Former Origin player Chris Walker bailed after appearing in court on DV charges
Christopher Walker was arrested after he was allegedly found hiding in the backyard of a Gold Coast home. [Continue Reading]
China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism
Resource-rich African nations are increasingly asserting control over critical minerals to maximise domestic returns, sending global prices soaring and exerting pressure on Chinese supply chains. Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer, last month abruptly suspended exports of raw lithium minerals and concentrates, moving its 2027 deadline forward. Zimbabwe’s mines minister Polite Kambamura revealed in a post-cabinet briefing on March 3 that following notice of the intended ban, the industry... [Continue Reading]
9 injured as car mounts pavement in Hong Kong
Nine people have been injured after a car mounted the pavement on a Hong Kong street. Police were called to Lam Hing Street in Kowloon Bay at about 12.40pm on Monday following reports of a car veering onto the walkway. The vehicle, which has both local and mainland Chinese number plates, sustained damage to its left front door and window, as well as its rear left door. Pavement bricks were left scattered across the walkway, while several lamp posts, trees and roadside fences were damaged. Five... [Continue Reading]
After experiencing youth homelessness, Sully wants to help others
A downward spiral led Sully into homelessness , now he's part of a coalition dedicated to getting young people off the streets and into accommodation. [Continue Reading]
Sydney Swans take responsibility for Bondi tribute script change
The club says it takes full responsibility for a script change that removed references to the Jewish community during an opening round tribute to Bondi victims. [Continue Reading]
Homicide squad called in over grim highway find in Victoria's west
Homicide squad detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in the western Victorian town of Jung. [Continue Reading]
20 Thai sailors return home after Iranian attack in Strait of Hormuz
Twenty Thai crew members of a cargo ship attacked in the crucial Strait of Hormuz arrived in Thailand on Monday, with three of their colleagues still stranded on the vessel in the Gulf. The Thai-registered Mayuree Naree was hit by two projectiles on Wednesday while transiting through the Gulf waterway, after departing a port in the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck the Thai ship, as well as a Liberia-flagged vessel, in the strait because they had ignored... [Continue Reading]
Six talking points from final round of Six Nations
England's indiscipline, "cheat code" Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Irish and Scottish positives, and Welsh confidence returns - talking points from the final round. [Continue Reading]
Ligue 1: Lyon can't beat Le Havre and see OM take off in race for 3rd
Olympique Lyonnais could only manage a 0-0 draw on the road against Le Havre. Lyon (4th) has fallen behind Marseille (3rd) and is seeing Lille (5th) close in. [Continue Reading]
Aged care minister pursues claims homes charging premium for basic services
Aged care providers have been able to charge a higher everyday living fee since November, but some residents say it is being applied for services they are unable to use. [Continue Reading]
TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say
Companies allowed more harmful content on user’s feeds, knowing their algorithms ran on outrage, BBC hears. [Continue Reading]
Trump urges nations to form coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Middle East tensions and oil market impacts
US President Donald Trump has called upon nations with vested interests in the Gulf region to form a coalition intended to secure the Strait of Hormuz. This demand arises as tensions escalate in the Middle East following the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has entered its third week and has already significantly impacted global oil markets. Trump emphasized that it is the responsibility of oil-importing nations to safeguard this vital waterway, which facilitates the passage of approximately 20% of the world's crude oil. In response to Trump's request, both Japan and Australia have indicated they will not be... [Continue Reading]
Watch: Trump warns US ‘will remember’ countries that don’t help secure the Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump said the US is in talks with other countries to help police the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open to shipping, warning that NATO allies should support the effort as Washington has backed them on Ukraine. [Continue Reading]
Rafah crossing closure leaves Gaza patients trapped without treatment
Thousands face worsening illness after closure of key crossing halts medical evacuations. [Continue Reading]
Starmer warned over assisted dying bill by more than 100 Labour MPs
More than 100 Labour MPs warn that failing to pass the legislation would undermine trust in politics. [Continue Reading]
'We don't run around ... saying we've got a toxic beer crisis': SA Premier backs algal bloom health messaging
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has doubled down on public health messaging about the state's algal bloom crisis saying the word "toxic" could also be used for alcohol. It follows questions raised by the ABC's Four Corner's program about the time frame in delivering health advice on the bloom. [Continue Reading]
James Taylor-Foster, Para Site’s ‘wild card’ director, on ‘beautiful paradox’ of Hong Kong
With his peroxide blond hair, dark moustache and luxuriant eyebrows, London-born curator and writer James Taylor-Foster is easy to pick out among the tourists and selfie-takers in the courtyard of Yick Cheong Building, also known as the “Monster Building”, in Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay neighbourhood. The South China Morning Post is meeting the 33-year-old here shortly after the board of the Hong Kong non-profit art space Para Site chose him to be its next executive director. That space, a few... [Continue Reading]
Taoiseach arrives in Washington ahead of St Patrick's Day
Taoiseach Michéal Martin has described being back in Washington DC for St Patrick's Day as an honour ahead of a number of high profile engagements with the US administration. [Continue Reading]
Taoiseach arrives in Washington ahead of St Patrick's Day
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described being back in Washington DC for St Patrick's Day as an honour ahead of a number of high profile engagements with the US administration. [Continue Reading]
Latest news bulletin | March 16th, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this March 16th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. [Continue Reading]
Greece enters the astronaut era as scientist joins ESA training programme
Dr Adrianos Golemis was selected for ESA's astronaut training programme, after a highly competitive process with over 22,000 applicants. His participation paves the way for a possible Greek presence in a future space mission [Continue Reading]
Plans to cut NHS international workforce appear overambitious, say MPs
Health service in England has saved more than £14bn hiring from overseas, report says, as doubt is cast on aim to reduce international recruitment to 10%Ministers’ plans to cut the international workforce within NHS England appear overambitious, MPs have said, as a report reveals the health service saved more than £14bn by recruiting doctors, nurses and midwives from overseas.Many of the countries recruited from were struggling with staff shortages, and the UK had a moral duty to offer support, rather than simply extracting what it needed, the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on global health and security found. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Inquiry launched into HMRC anti-fraud scheme that wrongly cut child benefits
Flawed Home Office travel records identified thousands of parents suspected of claiming while living abroadThe UK’s public spending watchdog has launched an investigation into a controversial government anti-fraud scheme that resulted in thousands of families being wrongly stripped of their child benefit payments.The National Audit Office (NAO) will examine how HM Revenue and Customs designed and implemented a scheme that used flawed Home Office travel records to identify parents suspected of living abroad while still claiming child benefit. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
More than 100 Labour MPs call on PM to stop assisted dying bill being blocked
Letter sent to Starmer claims ‘small number of peers have been using procedural tactics’ to stymie its progressMore than 100 Labour MPs have called on Keir Starmer to stop the House of Lords from blocking the assisted dying bill and give it more time to return to the Commons, with the legislation now certain to fall owing to lack of time.The private member’s bill, sponsored by Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, will fall when the parliamentary session comes to an end in May because peers have used multiple amendments and lengthy debates to prevent it from being put to a vote. Continue... [Continue Reading]
Fewer Britons giving to charity, study says, with donations down by £1.4bn
Charities Aid Foundation says giving no longer a ‘deeply embedded cultural norm’ amid rising cost of livingBritain is rapidly losing the charity habit, with public donations to good causes plummeting by more than £1.4bn last year and millions of people saying they can no longer afford – or do not want – to give, according to an analysis.The Charities Aid Foundation (Caf) said in its annual report that, while the British remained generous at heart, society was witnessing a big transformation in attitudes towards charitable giving. Just half of people gave to charity in 2025, down from 61% a decade... [Continue Reading]
High levels of debt on essential UK bills are the ‘new normal’, warn campaigners
Average arrears for housing, utilities and council tax for low-income households all rose last yearHigh levels of debt on essential bills have become the “new normal” for many low-income households, the charity StepChange said on Monday, with average arrears for housing, utilities and council tax all going up last year.People’s budgets have been stretched in recent years as they have faced higher prices for many goods and services, and the crisis in the Middle East has led to concerns over a new wave of increases. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Philadelphia visit frames Taoiseach's message to Trump
As Taoiseach Micheál Martin marched through the streets of Philadelphia as a distinguished guest of the St Patrick's Day parade, he made it his business to stop and speak to a few people along the bitterly cold, windy route. [Continue Reading]
Rise of 'murmuration tourism' brings boost to Westmeath
Bird Watch Ireland has said it has seen an increased public interest in the phenomenon of starling murmurations. [Continue Reading]
THIS WEEK: EU summit on Iran war and support for Kyiv, plus Slovenia election and ‘EU Inc’ top agenda
All 27 EU leaders meet on Thursday in Brussels to discuss Ukraine support, energy prices, security risks from the Iran war and competitiveness. At the start of the week, foreign affairs ministers will address Iran sanctions, maritime security and Lebanon. Also this week, the EU commission will unveil its “EU Inc” proposal, while MEPs are expected to finally vote on the US-EU trade deal from July. Slovenia has national elections on Sunday. [Continue Reading]
Oscar’s new EastEnders love interest confirmed – and it’s going to be very messy
Did somebody say love triangle? [Continue Reading]
Ruth Jones: ‘I thought Pride and Prejudice was nonsense – then something clicked’
The Gavin and Stacey star plays Mrs Bennet in a bold, new adaptation. [Continue Reading]
Daniel has major demand of sex abuser Megan in Coronation Street as her time is up
He wants answers. [Continue Reading]
Tiktok and Meta ‘pushed harmful content’ on people’s feeds for views
One engineer at Meta was allegedly told by senior management to allow more 'borderline harmful content', like misogyny and conspiracy theories, to compete with TikTok. [Continue Reading]
Hookworms are plaguing UK offices and bosses haven’t even noticed
You don't want to be colleague who's the workplace hookworm. [Continue Reading]
Epstein ‘recruited models who looked like teenagers’ after 2008 child sex conviction
The dead financier recruited numerous young adult female 'assistants' that he abused and would coerce into bringing more women into his orbit. [Continue Reading]
More than shamrock on offer for White House meeting
He's been here before. Micheál Martin has done the St Patrick's Day White House visit with President Trump, writes Juliette Gash. [Continue Reading]
NTA proposes uniform approach to pets on public transport
The National Transport Authority's public consultation proposing to introduce a uniform approach to the carrying of pets on bus, rail and Luas services has almost 1,500 submissions since it opened last month. [Continue Reading]
Striking a delicate balance key to White House meeting
He's been here before. Micheál Martin has done the St Patrick's Day White House visit with US President Donald Trump, writes Juliette Gash. [Continue Reading]
China woman uses AI-generated man to lecture on respecting science, rejecting superstition
Young people in China are contributing to a fake account generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to lecture their parents about healthy and scientific life values. A social media account called “Lao Zhao jiang dao li”, or “Mr Zhao talks sense”, went viral recently, amassing over 200,000 followers in just two months. The man surnamed Zhao, based in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality, claimed in his profile that he is a retired professor who has specialised in parent-child relationships... [Continue Reading]
