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Mar 2, 2026 - World

The Trump administration was expected to move forward with continued strikes in Iran regardless of how Americans feel about it, a New York Times reporter said Monday. In his first comments since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran this weekend, President Donald Trump signaled Monday that the campaign was progressing, said Tyler Pager, White House correspondent for the New York Times, during a live broadcast with CNN anchor Dana Bash. Trump's comments come as a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS revealed that 59% of Americans do not approve of the strikes in Iran and anticipate a long-term conflict in the region. "Most say they lack trust in Trump to make the right decisions about US use of force in Iran, with 60% saying they do not think he has a clear plan for handling the situation and 62% saying he should get congressional approval for any further military action," CNN reported."I think the White House will largely ignore some of this data," Pager said. "But I think one of the things that we just saw is the president has clearly struggled to outline clear objectives for what he is doing and what measures of success are and how long this is going to go as Kristen [Holmes] said, this is the first time we're hearing from the president in a live setting," Pager explained. "And I think there's a lot of Americans who woke up Saturday surprised by this operation, surprised that this could go on for weeks and have a lot of questions about what we're trying to do here and how will Americans know when it ends, and I think the president did not provide a lot of clarity there about what the length of this operation looks like."Trump suggested Monday that the conflict could last four to five weeks, or possibly longer. "And he also is saying that American troops may be on the ground," Pager said. "The one thing that I spoke to a lot of the president's most ardent supporters over the weekend and they are giving him a long leash, the MAGA base, there's obviously some high-profile, vocal opponents Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, but a lot of the rank and file are giving the president some space to operate here, and we'll see how long that lasts."

Mar 2, 2026 - World

Human Rights Law Centre analysis finds more than 15,000 strip-searches are conducted on average each month, but just 0.58% result in contraband being foundFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastStrip-searches were almost “routine” during Sara’s incarceration in a Melbourne women’s prison more than eight years ago. A survivor of sexual abuse, she found being ordered to strip naked by guards deeply distressing.“It was very degrading and humiliating. I felt like I was being violated and exploited. I felt quite disgusting, but I felt I had no choice,” Sara, who did not want to use her full name, told Guardian Australia.In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support Continue reading...

Mar 2, 2026 - World

Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and vessels rerouted, sending some freight costs surgingUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesLeading maritime insurers have cancelled war risk cover for vessels operating in the Gulf as the escalating Iran conflict disrupted shipping and sent some freight costs surging.At least 150 vessels including oil and liquefied natural gas tankers have dropped anchor in the strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, and at least three tankers were damaged and one seafarer killed over the weekend. Continue reading...

Mar 2, 2026 - World

National Cyber Security Centre urges increased vigilance over risk of indirect attack by hacktivists amid conflictUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesUK businesses with a presence in the Middle East have been urged to step up vigilance against cyber threats from Iran after US-Israeli attacks.The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said there was “almost certainly” a heightened risk of an indirect cyber threat for organisations that had offices, or supply chains, in the Middle East. Continue reading...

Mar 2, 2026 - World

Former Oxford professor Tariq Ramadan did not appear in court as he was in a Geneva hospital, according to lawyersThe prominent Swiss academic and Islam scholar Tariq Ramadan has not appeared in court for the first day of his trial in Paris on charges of raping three women in France between 2009 and 2016.The head judge in the case adjourned proceedings until Wednesday and ordered a medical report on Ramadan’s health, after his lawyers said he was in hospital in Geneva because of his multiple sclerosis. Continue reading...