Australia news live: Jim Chalmers promises more tax reform in budget as war threatens to send inflation past 5%

18/03/2026 20:09 The Guardian

Treasurer plans ‘ambitious’ changes to target intergenerational inequity. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, and happy Thursday. Nick Visser here to tackle the day’s news. Let’s get to it.Australia last night co-sponsored an emergency declaration condemning Iran’s attacks on seafarers and merchant vessels in the strait of Hormuz.This is just one of the measures our government has taken since the beginning of the conflict to protect our fuel supply and defend our national interests. This government will continue working constructively with industry, unions and our international partners to keep people and goods moving freely. Continue reading...

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Middle East crisis live: Israel strike on Iranian gas field reportedly coordinated with US; Iran’s president warns of ‘uncontrollable consequences’ for further attacks

UAE and Qatar condemn targeting of South Pars gas field; Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkain said response to Israeli and US actions ‘could engulf the entire world’Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfieldFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah...

18/03/2026 21:15 The Guardian

Fed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fears

Jerome Powell resists Trump pressure as policymakers weigh energy shock against a weakening US jobs marketSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the second time this year, a widely expected move amid turmoil...

18/03/2026 20:42 The Guardian

Israel strikes Iran’s South Pars gas field hours after forces kill intelligence minister

Death confirmed of Esmail Khatib, the third senior Iranian figure killed in 24 hours, as Israel also launches intense airstrikes on LebanonMiddle East crisis – live updatesExplainer: why attacks on gasfields are a major escalationIsrael struck Iran’s giant South Pars gasfield on Wednesday, marki...

18/03/2026 19:25 The Guardian

Tulsi Gabbard tells Senate panel US strikes on Iran are strategic success

National intelligence director says Iran’s conventional military projection capabilities had been ‘largely destroyed’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxTulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence who in 2019 was selling “No War With Iran”...

18/03/2026 19:06 The Guardian

Damaged Russian tanker carrying natural gas floats into Libyan waters

Fears of ecological disaster as vessel continues to drift after being struck by suspected drone attackA severely damaged Russian tanker carrying liquified natural gas that has been adrift in the Mediterranean for two weeks, raising concerns of an ecological disaster, has floated into Libyan waters,...

18/03/2026 18:51 The Guardian

Canada in push for joint G7 and Middle East effort to de-escalate Iran war

Foreign minister Anita Anand says she has drafted principles to reduce risk of regional spillover and wider shocksMiddle East crisis – live updatesCanada is pushing for a collective G7 and Middle East approach to de-escalating the Iran war, including off ramps that could bring an end to the confli...

18/03/2026 18:38 The Guardian

The US right wing can forgive Trump for anything – except his deeply unpopular war

Iran war has split some Maga conservatives from Trump and alienated young voters. What will it mean in the midterms?This was originally published in This Week in Trumpland; sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayThe American right wing has forgiven Donald Trump for his affairs, impeachme...

18/03/2026 18:30 The Guardian

As Trump shows lack of direction on Iran, even Badenoch distances herself

Steady UK opposition to the war and the US president’s insults mean MPs are finding it easier to point out the obviousWhen is a U-turn definitely a U-turn? To the consternation of politicians through the ages, this is rarely something within their control, but decided instead by the herd. And thus...

18/03/2026 18:19 The Guardian

Starmer unlikely to allocate more time for assisted dying bill, ministers believe

PM said to be wary of opening up new divisions among Labour MPs by giving bill time in next session of parliamentSenior ministers believe Keir Starmer will not intervene to give the assisted dying bill further time in the next session of parliament as he is wary of opening up new divisions among Lab...

18/03/2026 18:17 The Guardian

UK prepares to sue Abramovich over £2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale

Russian billionaire accused of missing ‘last chance’ to release money to help victims of Ukraine warUK officials are preparing for a possible court case against Roman Abramovich after he missed a deadline to release £2.4bn he raised from selling Chelsea FC.The Russian billionaire failed to hand...

18/03/2026 17:10 The Guardian

Starmer says Tory shadow minister should be sacked for criticism of Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square – as it happened

Nick Timothy said an event attended by the mayor of London that included prayers was an ‘act of domination’Polanski says the government should be doing more to improve home insulation, and on the drive towards renewable energy.And he says the government should commit to ensuring energy bills do...

18/03/2026 16:31 The Guardian

Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield

Revolutionary Guards say they will strike infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar after South Pars field hitMiddle East crisis – live updatesBusiness live – latest updatesIran has threatened to attack energy infrastructure across the Gulf region in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its la...

18/03/2026 16:22 The Guardian

The EU’s Hungary problem won’t be solved even if Viktor Orbán is ousted

The bloc’s foremost troublemaker could lose April’s election, but the headaches he’s caused will not necessarily disappear with him• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereHow do you solve a problem like Viktor Orbán? By crossing your fingers and hoping it disappear...

18/03/2026 15:33 The Guardian

Looking for leverage: China keeps close eye on US politics after summit delay

Beijing seeks to decipher effect of Iran war on US midterms and best way to apply pressure when Trump meets XiThe White House said on Wednesday that China had agreed to postpone Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, as war in the Middle East rages on, complicating the US president’s position at home...

18/03/2026 15:25 The Guardian

Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, never served in military but talks as if he did

Oklahoma senator has repeatedly made cryptic claims about ‘overseas’ work and war experience, while refusing to explain themMarkwayne Mullin, the Oklahoma senator chosen by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security who will be considered by the Senate on Wednesday, has never serve...

18/03/2026 14:24 The Guardian

‘Put him on trial’: pro-Kremlin loyalist turns on Putin in rare outburst

Ilya Remeslo sends Telegram post titled ‘Five reasons why I stopped supporting Vladimir Putin’ to his 90,000 followersFor years, Ilya Remeslo was a reliable pro-Kremlin operator, going after critics of the regime and smearing independent journalists, bloggers and opposition politicians.Then the...

18/03/2026 13:39 The Guardian

Lee Anderson filmed paid-for Cameo videos at parliament in possible rules breach

Reform MP made Valentine’s Day clips for platform despite previous warning about commercial filmingNewly unearthed Nigel Farage videos reveal support for rioter, neo-Nazi event and far-right slogansThe Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has used his parliamentary office to record paid-for personalised mess...

18/03/2026 13:00 The Guardian

First Thing: Trump says US does not need Nato after strait of Hormuz rebuf | Clea Skopeliti

Snub comes as Iran vows revenge for killing of Ali Larijani. Plus, judge orders reinstatement of Voice of America staffDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump has said the US does not need Nato, after a number of the organization’s members rejected his...

18/03/2026 12:41 The Guardian

Trump nominee Mullin expected to get quick confirmation to replace Noem at DHS – US politics live

Republicans almost certain to push through appointment following the ousting of Noem amid public backlash to her aggressive immigration approachSign up for Breaking US News US emailsWe’ll also be watching several events on Capitol Hill today. This includes the confirmation hearing of Trump’s pic...

18/03/2026 12:22 The Guardian

US spending on first week of Iran war raises stark questions about priorities

$11.3bn more than enough to fund EPA or National Cancer Institute, where administration sought to slash budgetsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US spent $11.3bn on just the first week of its military assault on Iran. This huge expenditure dwarves the a...

18/03/2026 12:00 The Guardian

Fuel rations and no air con: south-east Asian nations race to conserve energy

Governments in countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil introduce measures to shield public from soaring costsMiddle East crisis – live updatesIn Thailand, news anchors ditched their jackets on air as the government called on the public to reduce their use of air conditioning to save energy...

18/03/2026 09:28 The Guardian

Andy Burnham says Labour would ‘do well to listen’ to Angela Rayner

Greater Manchester mayor adds to Rayner’s criticism of planned immigration changes, which she has called ‘un-British’UK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has backed stark criticism of the direction of Keir Starmer’s government by Angela Rayner after she said the very survival of t...

18/03/2026 08:51 The Guardian

‘A bigger scar’: prolonged war in Middle East could slash $16.5bn from Australian economy, Chalmers warns

Treasurer likens impact of conflict to recent major shocks, including global financial crisis and Covid pandemicFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInflation could peak at 5% this year and petrol price hikes continue to slu...

18/03/2026 07:16 The Guardian

PM calls national cabinet meeting over fuel crisis – as it happened

Follow today’s news live‘A bigger scar’: prolonged war in Middle East could slash $16.5bn from Australian economy, Chalmers warnsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastARN confirms Kyle Sandilands contract terminatedARN just issued a statement confirming Kyle Sandilands’...

18/03/2026 07:13 The Guardian

Energy bills: UK government urged to launch ‘social tariff’ to help vulnerable households

As Iran war drives up cost concerns, thinktank says £3.7bn discount system should be developed before next winterThe UK government is facing calls to spend almost £4bn to launch a “social tariff” providing cheaper energy for poor households amid growing concerns over the Iran conflict.As house...

18/03/2026 06:00 The Guardian

Ali Larijani was ruthless – and clear-eyed about west’s implacable hostility to Iran

A 2006 Guardian interview with Iran’s slain security chief now reads as a grim warning of the conflict that killed himDeep down, Ali Larijani always believed that the western powers were bent on destroying Iran’s revolutionary regime, for which he had fought on the battlefield.The prescience of...

18/03/2026 06:00 The Guardian

Iranian strikes hit near Australian airbase in UAE, Albanese confirms

Prime minister says no Australian personnel were injured and maintains Australia is not at war with IranFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Iranian projectile hit near Australia’s headquarters at the Al Minhad airbase...

18/03/2026 03:15 The Guardian

Tulsi Gabbard, who warned of war with Iran, now defends Trump’s decision to attack – as it happened

Director of national intelligence wrote on social media that Trump ‘is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat’Trump news at a glance: key stories of the daySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA top counter-terrorism official in...

18/03/2026 02:04 The Guardian

Isolated and exposed: can New Zealand’s fragile economic recovery withstand the global oil shock?

New Zealand economic growth tipped to overtake Australia’s this year but Middle East conflict casts a shadow over outlookJust as New Zealand’s fragile economic recovery shows flickers of improvement – with economists predicting its annual growth could surpass that of its larger neighbour Austr...

18/03/2026 00:57 The Guardian

Rayner: government ‘cannot just go through the motions in the face of decline’

Former deputy prime minister says Labour’s immigration changes are ‘un-British’ and Starmer must respond to fall in party’s popularityAngela Rayner has said the very survival of the Labour party is at stake and warned Keir Starmer that he “cannot go through the motions” in the face of de...

17/03/2026 22:42 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

18/03 21:37 - Why Viktor Orban is vilifying Ukraine before crucial parliamentary elections 18/03 21:26 - Iran Is Already a Quagmire 18/03 21:15 - Middle East crisis live: Israel strike on Iranian gas field reportedly coordinated with US; Iran’s president warns of ‘uncontrollable consequences’ for further attacks 18/03 21:02 - Fed Holds Rates Steady as War in Iran Upends the Economic Outlook 18/03 20:57 - US seeks to curb soaring petrol prices 18/03 20:53 - The Iran war is exposing this major shift of the 21st century 18/03 20:47 - 'Acute risk' that Iraq could become once again victim of internal conflict as Iran war progresses 18/03 20:45 - Iran did not try to rebuild enrichment after June 2025 attack, US intel chief says 18/03 20:42 - Fed holds interest rates steady as Iran war drives up oil prices and inflation fears 18/03 20:42 - Iranians burn Trump, Netanyahu effigies at warship victim rally 18/03 20:42 - Iranians burn Trump, Netanyahu effigies at warship victim rally 18/03 20:09 - Australia news live: Jim Chalmers promises more tax reform in budget as war threatens to send inflation past 5% 18/03 19:53 - Oil nears $110 a barrel after gas field strike 18/03 19:41 - Kharkiv's opera and ballet theatre performances continue despite war 18/03 19:35 - Gabbard tells senators Iranian regime is degraded but still intact 18/03 19:33 - News24 | Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, claims ‘no imminent threat’ 18/03 19:31 - Both sides in Iran war ratchet up attacks on energy facilities, as oil prices surge 18/03 19:25 - Israel strikes Iran’s South Pars gas field hours after forces kill intelligence minister 18/03 19:12 - Trump's dire strait: No strategy, no endgame, no allied support? 18/03 19:06 - Tulsi Gabbard tells Senate panel US strikes on Iran are strategic success 18/03 19:06 - US intel chief Gabbard says Iran was not rebuilding enrichment prior to war 18/03 19:06 - US intel chief Gabbard says Iran was not rebuilding enrichment prior to war 18/03 18:51 - Damaged Russian tanker carrying natural gas floats into Libyan waters 18/03 18:47 - U.S. Intelligence Saw No Change in Iran’s Missile Capabilities Before War 18/03 18:41 - He Lost a Leg for Russia. Then, He Says, His Country Betrayed Him. 18/03 18:41 - All doctors in England warned to watch for meningitis symptoms after Kent outbreak 18/03 18:38 - Canada in push for joint G7 and Middle East effort to de-escalate Iran war 18/03 18:30 - The US right wing can forgive Trump for anything – except his deeply unpopular war 18/03 18:21 - Why does Finland want to get involved in Iran? 18/03 18:20 - Could the Iran war trigger a global recession? 18/03 18:20 - Could the Iran war trigger a global recession? 18/03 18:19 - As Trump shows lack of direction on Iran, even Badenoch distances herself 18/03 18:17 - Starmer unlikely to allocate more time for assisted dying bill, ministers believe 18/03 18:14 - News24 | US intelligence contradicts Trump’s Iran war justification, finds no nuclear rebuilding 18/03 18:06 - Why do the attacks on the world's largest gas field matter? 18/03 17:10 - UK prepares to sue Abramovich over £2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale 18/03 16:52 - Next French aircraft carrier will be called "Free France" 18/03 16:48 - President or Congress? Who in the US has the power to declare war? 18/03 16:48 - President or Congress? Who in the US has the power to declare war? 18/03 16:43 - Soler i Lecha: Foreign policy of Pedro Sánchez 'widely supported by the Spanish population' 18/03 16:31 - Starmer says Tory shadow minister should be sacked for criticism of Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square – as it happened 18/03 16:22 - Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield 18/03 16:15 - Despite Moscow’s Threats, Poland Rules to Extradite Archaeologist 18/03 16:12 - Tyre emptied as Israel orders evacuation across southern Lebanon 18/03 16:04 - An Abandoned Russian Tanker Is Drifting at Sea. Will Anyone Stop It? 18/03 15:45 - South Lebanon residents flee death and destruction 18/03 15:42 - How Los Angeles’s Iranian diaspora is confronting the US war on Iran 18/03 15:42 - How Los Angeles’s Iranian diaspora is confronting the US war on Iran 18/03 15:42 - Trump pressures media on Iran war with claims of 'treason' 18/03 15:41 - UK temperature reaches 21C in warmest day of year so far 18/03 15:41 - Tens of millions more in acute hunger if Mideast war drags on, UN warns 18/03 15:36 - Zelensky on European tour to urge allies not to forget Ukraine 18/03 15:33 - The EU’s Hungary problem won’t be solved even if Viktor Orbán is ousted 18/03 15:25 - Looking for leverage: China keeps close eye on US politics after summit delay 18/03 15:23 - US vastly underestimating the cost of Iran war – The Intercept 18/03 14:43 - How the killing of Iran’s Ali Larijani could impact the war 18/03 14:43 - How the killing of Iran’s Ali Larijani could impact the war 18/03 14:24 - Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, never served in military but talks as if he did 18/03 14:15 - Amid ruins, Palestinians struggle to preserve Gaza’s historic markets 18/03 14:15 - Amid ruins, Palestinians struggle to preserve Gaza’s historic markets 18/03 14:07 - Syrian refugees flee Israeli offensive in Lebanon, returning to a Syria in ruins 18/03 14:01 - Former Columbia University president Lee C. Bollinger on the importance of free speech 18/03 13:39 - ‘Put him on trial’: pro-Kremlin loyalist turns on Putin in rare outburst 18/03 13:34 - "If Only Someone Warned You...": Joe Rogan Is Going Viral After Admitting 2026 Is "The Most Unstable" Year Yet 18/03 13:26 - How Dubai and UAE are being affected by Iran attacks and US-Israeli war 18/03 13:26 - How Dubai and UAE are being affected by Iran attacks and US-Israeli war 18/03 13:00 - Japan’s leader heads to D.C. bearing gifts of peace for a president at war 18/03 13:00 - Polish court clears extradition of Russian archaeologist to Ukraine 18/03 13:00 - Polish court clears extradition of Russian archaeologist to Ukraine 18/03 13:00 - Lee Anderson filmed paid-for Cameo videos at parliament in possible rules breach 18/03 12:57 - What to know about the resignation of Joe Kent, counterterrorism chief and Trump loyalist 18/03 12:41 - First Thing: Trump says US does not need Nato after strait of Hormuz rebuf | Clea Skopeliti 18/03 12:35 - Why did Trump’s counterterrorism chief resign over Iran war? 18/03 12:35 - Why did Trump’s counterterrorism chief resign over Iran war? 18/03 12:35 - ‘Free France’: Macron names next aircraft carrier after WWII resistance 18/03 12:23 - Not just energy: How the Iran war could trigger a global food crisis 18/03 12:23 - Not just energy: How the Iran war could trigger a global food crisis 18/03 12:22 - Trump nominee Mullin expected to get quick confirmation to replace Noem at DHS – US politics live 18/03 12:20 - News24 | US Chief Justice warns of dangerous ‘personally directed hostility’ after Trump criticism 18/03 12:00 - US spending on first week of Iran war raises stark questions about priorities 18/03 11:42 - Israel’s ‘Decapitation’ Strategy, and the Trump Official Who Resigned Over the War 18/03 11:22 - War in Ukraine: Zelensky visits Madrid for talks with PM Sanchez 18/03 11:17 - Iran firing banned cluster bombs at Israel 18/03 11:17 - Trump fumes at NATO for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz 18/03 11:01 - BTS fever grips Seoul as boy band return after four-year hiatus 18/03 10:59 - 'Shield for Europe: We protect not only Ukraine, but the whole of Europe', says Dr Iryna Mudra 18/03 10:41 - Morocco taking AFCON title from Senegal dubbed 'joke of the century' 18/03 10:30 - Top US official resigns over Trump's war, says Iran posed no imminent threat 18/03 10:27 - Iran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster warheads in retaliation for killing of security chief 18/03 10:26 - On the ground: Lebanon says Israel struck without warning, killing at least 10 in Beirut 18/03 10:20 - Colombian president says Gaza was an ‘experiment’ for wider destruction 18/03 10:20 - Colombian president says Gaza was an ‘experiment’ for wider destruction 18/03 10:12 - The Kent warning: When truth escapes the war machine 18/03 10:12 - The Kent warning: When truth escapes the war machine 18/03 10:00 - News24 | Iran warns of ‘wave of global repercussions’ in war with Israel and US 18/03 09:28 - Fuel rations and no air con: south-east Asian nations race to conserve energy 18/03 09:04 - US watchdog slams lack of oversight in $26 bn Ukraine aid 18/03 09:02 - What to Watch at the Federal Reserve’s March Meeting 18/03 09:01 - Silicon Valley Bet on War. The Bets Are Paying Off. 18/03 09:01 - As Iran War Drags On, Europe Wants to Avoid a New Migration Crisis