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INSANE: 3 - The Real Truth

American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in central Baghdad, one suspect arrested

American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in central Baghdad on Tuesday evening by unidentified assailants, Iraqi authorities confirmed, as security forces launched an urgent operation to locate her and apprehend those responsible.

The Times of India

What time are the World Cup play-offs tonight?

The World Cup play-offs are set to take place on Tuesday night, and they will decide the final six teams who will make it to this summer’s tournament. There will be four European play-off matches - Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy, Sweden vs Poland, Czech Republic vs Denmark, Kosovo vs…

The Independent UK

The US may send thousands of troops to Iran. Have we learned nothing from the past?

In 2003, the US claimed its Iraq incursion would be brief. Now there’s competition for the title of worst-planned war in American history

The Guardian - US

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After a harrowing travel ordeal, Iraq faces Bolivia for a 2026 World Cup spot

Iraq’s national team plays Bolivia in Mexico on Tuesday for a spot in the World Cup after a chaotic trip nearly derailed its chances

The Independent UK

Supercomputer Predicts Every 2026 World Cup Playoff Final Winner

There are six playoff finals all scheduled on the same dramatic day in the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Sports Illustrated

'People told me to ignore what I’d seen on the television or social media and encouraged me to take on the job – the people have been extremely welcoming' Rene Meulensteen on bold choice that could lead to World Cup

Rene Meulensteen is hoping to help Iraq to the 2026 World Cup after his eyebrow-raising move

FourFourTwo

War disrupts life on the Iraq‑Iran border, isolating families and halting trade

War and heavy Iranian security along the Iran-Iraq Kurdish border are cutting families off and crushing daily life, according to people reached by The Associated Press

The Independent UK

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'It’s a chance to put Iraq on a global stage not associated with war and conflict - the people are fanatical about football' Former Manchester United assistant aiming for World Cup glory

Rene Meulensteen has been assistant manager with the Iraq national team since last year with the side now just one game away from reaching the World Cup

FourFourTwo

Mojtaba Khamenei lauds Iraq's support in new message, remains out of public eye

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to make a public appearance since assuming the role. So far, he has communicated only through a limited number of written statements. His…

The Times of India

Iraq World Cup 2026 squad: Graham Arnold's latest selection for success in the World Cup qualifying inter-confederation play-offs

The potential Iraq World Cup 2026 squad beat Bolivia for a place at the finals

FourFourTwo

Photos show daily life in Iraq's Basra near Iranian border as war slows trade

In Basra, southern Iraq, daily routines go on under the weight of the Iran war, as workers unload cargo at Umm Qasr Port and operations slow at the nearby Zubair oil field. At the Shalamcheh border crossing, mostly Iranian travelers pass into Iraq under tighter security, offering a glimpse of…

The Independent UK

Trump is contemplating the sheer folly of boots on the ground in Iran. How did it come to this?

After the anguish of Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s almost unthinkable the US would again send troops to the Middle East – but its president is desperate and narcissistic, says foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall

The Guardian - UK

Arnold out to conquer toughest job, end World Cup pain

Iraq's Australian coach Graham Arnold speaks to AAP about his quest to qualify for June's World Cup. Iraq face a play-off on Wednesday (AEDT).

AAP

One month of Iran war: Tehran's defiance turns Trump's regime-change dream into nightmare

On February 28, what began as Donald Trump’s “dream” project to topple Iran’s regime under Ali Khamenei now appears to have shifted into a pressing push for a “deal”, a term the US president frequently invokes, aimed at reopening the vital oil chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.

The Times of India

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The Guardian - UK

Gulf countries warn of rising threat from Iran-backed militias and proxies

Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and Israel

The Independent UK

The U.S. would need a million troops to control Iran – not the few thousand currently on their way

ANALYSIS: Past wars have taught us that America’s threat to send a few thousand ground troops to Iran is an empty and dangerous fantasy, says world affairs editor Sam Kiley

The Conversation

War in the Middle East made the case for renewables – what’s happening in each country tells a harder story

The oil-dependent world is in crisis. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – through which more than a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas flow – is at a virtual standstill. Oil prices have climbed, briefly topping US$119 a barrel.

The Guardian - US

The delusion of easy victory from the air may have seduced the US into another war

Air superiority is supposed to deliver a quick triumph. But history has shown that promise to be written on the wind

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FourFourTwo

World Cup 2026 Playoffs: The complete guide as Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland seek to book their places

The last six places at this summer’s tournament are up for grabs – watch out for the unofficial world champs, a Pacific Ocean archipelago, plus a former Manchester United coach in Iraq…

The Guardian - UK

The shot that shows the absurdity of war: Peter van Agtmael’s best photograph

‘US soldiers would look for “suspected terrorists” in Iraqi homes and usually find nothing. This could be my grandma’s living room – it shows that insane violence can continue amid normal life’

Euronews

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warns Iran war 'far worse' than Iraq in 2003

Sánchez said the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 had failed to achieve its goals and instead made life worse for ordinary people.

The Conversation

U.S. actions in Iran are politically motivated, not the result of intelligence failures

Intelligence agencies are often blamed when the use of military force has an unexpected or negative outcome. Pundits often argue leaders end up in difficult situations because they are not fully informed, or intelligence agencies got it wrong.

International Business Times UK

Iraq Allegedly Approves 250,000 Paramilitary Fighters to Retaliate Against US Strikes — Fact or Hoax in Rising Tensions?

Explore the truth behind claims of Iraq authorizing 250,000 fighters in response to US airstrikes. Get the latest updates on Middle East tensions and Iran-backed militias.

The Conversation

A host nation at war with a participant: uncertainty and tension swirl around soccer’s World Cup

On March 11, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced he saw “no possibility” of the country’s men’s national soccer team taking part in the World Cup scheduled for North America in June and July this year.

The Independent UK

British troops shoot down 14 Iranian ‘kamikaze’ drones fired at allied base in Iraq

The drones were struck down from the Erbil base, where British troops are stationed

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