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After Australia gave humanitarian visas to seven team members, only two decided to stay - the BBC's Katy Watson explains what happened.

Asked which of the four living ex-presidents had supposedly praised his chaotic war effort, Trump only said: ‘I can’t tell you that’

SYDNEY, March 17 (Reuters) - The two players from the Iranian women's soccer squad who chose to remain in Australia after seeking asylum have been pictured training with a local A-League club as they begin their new lives in the country. Midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh were among seven members of Iran's delegation granted humanitarian visas amid fears of possible persecution if they returned home after competing in the women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

British maritime authority reports tanker hit near Fujairah British maritime authority on Tuesday said a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while docked about 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah. The authority said the vessel sustained minor structural damage but reported no injuries among the crew. Earlier, fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after drones targeted the site.

By Kanishka Singh and Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a former Syrian government official, who headed the Damascus Central Prison under the government of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, of torture, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday. Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for his involvement in the torture of prisoners at Adra Prison as it is colloquially known, in Damascus,the Justice Department said in a statement.

Emergency responders carried patients out of a government hospital in Odisha, India.

Republican donors said to be impressed with secretary of state and ready to back him for presidential tilt, despite Vice President JD Vance long looking like the favorite for the role

EU announces 458 million euros in humanitarian aid for Middle East The European Union on Monday announced 458 million euros ($525 million) in humanitarian aid for the Middle East, in response to the conflicts in the region such as the US-Israeli war with Iran and Israel's war in Lebanon. "In a war-torn Middle East, the European Union is stepping up while others step back," said Hadja Lahbib, the EU's commissioner in charge of humanitarian crises.

Fire in the city of Cuttack likely caused by a short circuit, which is common in India due to poorly maintained wiring.

Israel claims to have destroyed plane used by Iran’s late supreme leader The Israeli military claimed on Monday it had destroyed a plane used by Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei at Tehran's Mehrabad airport overnight. It said the aircraft had been used by senior Iranian officials and military figures to travel domestically and internationally and coordinate with allied countries. Mehrabad is one of Tehran's oldest airports, now serving domestic and regional flights. In addition to being the busiest civilian domestic airport, it is a dual-use facility housing air force assets.

Iran's sports minister has said it was impossible for the players to participate in the tournament amid the conflict in the Middle East

Emirates airlines to ‘operate limited schedule’ after airport fuel tank fire Emirates airlines has announced it will “operate a limited schedule” after 10am (06:00 GMT) today. “Unfortunately, some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled,” the Emirates update said. All flights to and from Dubai were suspended following a fire near Dubai International Airport early Monday.

Dubai says 'drone-related incident' ignites fire near airport The Dubai Media Office on Monday said that it responded to a fire following a “drone-related incident” near Dubai International Airport, which affected one of the fuel tanks.   “Dubai Civil Defence teams are currently working to bring the fire under control,” the office said in a statement, without immediately providing further details about the incident. A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) affected one of the fuel tanks. Dubai Civil Defence teams are currently working to bring the fire under control. No injuries have been reported so far. March 16, 2026

Macron tells Iran targeting France in conflict is unacceptable French President Emmanuel Macron has told Iran that targeting France amid the regional escalation is “unacceptable”. In a post on X after speaking with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, Macron said France was acting “in a strictly defensive framework” to protect its interests, regional partners and freedom of navigation.

Masood Masjoody was known for his ‘online presence’ and work as a mathematician, police said

Displaced families in Sidon are turning their vehicles into makeshift shelters, covering them with tarp.

The NRC chief warns millions are fleeing and aid systems are being pushed beyond the breaking point.

Five wounded after rockets hit Baghdad airport At least five people have been wounded after rockets struck areas around Baghdad International Airport, Iraqi security officials said. In a statement, the Security Media Cell said “five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport and its surroundings, wounding four employees and security personnel, as well as an engineer”. The projectiles landed at several locations across the sprawling airport complex, including inside the civilian airport compound. Other impacts were reported at a nearby water treatment facility, close to an Iraqi military airbase, and near a high-security prison. Baghdad airport hosts a large military zone and also includes a US presence within the wider complex.

Netanyahu posts video after rumours of his death Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared in a video dismissing online rumours about his death that circulated in Iranian media. The clip, posted on his Telegram account, shows Netanyahu drinking coffee at a cafe on the outskirts of Jerusalem while speaking with an aide about the claims. Responding with a pun in Hebrew slang, Netanyahu said: “I'm crazy about coffee. You know what? I’m crazy about my people.” Reuters reported it verified the location using imagery of the cafe and confirmed the timing through photos and videos shared from the venue on Sunday.

By Ahmed Kerdi BEIRUT/SIDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Hussain Murtada and his family are camping in the back of a small truck, a flimsy tarpaulin shielding them from a storm on Sunday, with no room left at shelters for displaced people in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon. "We are putting tarp over it because we're soaked," said Murtada, using string to fasten the plastic sheet over the back of the truck parked on the seafront. Inside, an infant peered out, surrounded by pillows, blankets and other possessions.