Urgent action needed to prevent surge in digital violence in Africa, experts say 30. March 2026 (06:00) A huge rise in internet users under the age of 30 has fuelled an increase in online violence against women and girls with devastating real-life effects, activists sayActivists and lawyers in Africa are calling for urgent action to protect women, girls and boys as digital violence surges across the continent.A massive rise in internet users, coupled with huge numbers of people aged under 30, has fuelled an increase in gendered online violence across the continent, according to experts, by giving perpetrators new tools to control and silence women and girls, and influence boys. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Big retailers say UK jobs at risk from guaranteed hours reforms 30. March 2026 (06:00) More than half of roles could be hit and young shop workers in particular could lose out, trade body warnsMore than half of retail jobs could be affected by reform to guaranteed working hours, making it harder for shops to employ people – particularly young workers – in part-time roles, the industry’s lobby group has warned.From April, the Employment Rights Act will introduce new protections for workers on sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump says he wants to ‘take the oil’ in Iran and could seize Kharg Island ‘easily’ 30. March 2026 (05:36) US president tells Financial Times his ‘preference would be to take the oil’ but that ‘some stupid people back in the US say: “why are you doing that?”’Full report: Iran accuses US of plotting ground assault while publicly seeking talksAnalysis: what the Houthis’ entry into the Iran war means for the conflict and the wider regionQatar says there has been a garage fire in an industrial area and that civil defence has it has brought it under control.No injuries were reported, the interior ministry said on X on Monday, without giving more details. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor cuts fuel excise for three months, saving Australians 26c a litre on petrol and diesel 30. March 2026 (05:30) Anthony Albanese shares four-point plan after national cabinet and urges public transport usageFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has slashed the fuel excise in half in a move which will save motorists 26 cents a litre, and encouraged people to take public transport, after the national cabinet agreed to a plan to manage the petrol crisis.Following a meeting of state and federal leaders on Monday, leaders also agreed to reduce the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months, in a bid to support truck drivers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian Liberal who defeated Moira Deeming to be dumped by party over character reference for sex offender 30. March 2026 (05:07) Dinesh Gourisetty has been called a ‘pedophile supporter’ for providing court reference for a friend convicted of sexually assaulting a childFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, says the man who defeated Moria Deeming for the top spot on the party’s upper house ballot is “not welcome” on her team, after it was revealed he wrote a court character reference for a friend convicted of grooming a 15-year-old girl.Dinesh Gourisetty, a prominent figure in Melbourne’s fast-growing Indian community, defeated Deeming on Sunday in a preselection vote for the party’s candidates for the western metropolitan region at the upcoming November election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dezi Freeman shooting live updates: Australian fugitive shot dead after refusing to surrender peacefully, police say 30. March 2026 (02:52) Porepunkah fugitive, 56, had been on the run after allegedly killing two police officers in Australian alpine region in AugustFull story: Dezi Freeman shot dead by policeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe chief commissioner is asked about the fact that the most recent update from police regarding Dezi Freeman indicated that they believed Freeman was dead. He is asked if that was a genuine belief or a tactic.Bush responds:It’s a very good question because, you know, we have to follow every avenue of inquiry and there was a lot to suggest that Freeman had taken his own life. But I can tell you standing here that our investigators – that’s why they’re professionals – keep their mind open to every possible outcome and follow every possible lead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump news at a glance: Generational divide over Iran war emerges at key conservative conference 30. March 2026 (02:49) Younger conservatives say they are disappointed by Donald Trump’s decision to launch war against Iran. Key US politics stories from 29 MarchA generational divide over the Iran war has emerged between older attendees and their political heirs at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, as the group’s leaders pleaded for unity ahead of a challenging midterm election year for Republicans.Younger conservatives spoke of disappointment and even “betrayal” over Donald Trump’s launch of strikes against Iran, saying that the president’s actions run counter to his many pledges to oppose foreign entanglements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dezi Freeman shot dead by police after seven-month-long manhunt 30. March 2026 (02:48) Victoria police commissioner Mike Bush said the shooting was ‘justified’ and brought closure to the families of two police officers allegedly killed by Freeman in Porepunkah in AugustLive updates: Australian fugitive Dezi Freeman shot dead by Victoria policeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFugitive Dezi Freeman, the man allegedly responsible for the shooting deaths of two officers at Porepunkah, has been killed after a seven-month long manhunt in rural Victoria.Victoria police chief commissioner, Mike Bush, has confirmed a man was fatally shot by police shortly after 8.30am on Monday, following an hours-long standoff in which he failed to surrender peacefully. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s ‘teapot’ oil refineries keep economy brewing – but surging crude prices leave them strained 30. March 2026 (02:00) The factories, which buy cheap crude and turn it into fuel, are struggling as higher oil prices threaten their razor-sharp margins The towns that are the bulwark of China’s energy security can, at a moment of global crisis, appear deceptively quiet. Trucks carrying oil trundle along wide-open highways that have little traffic, while a few boarded-up shops in crumbling low-rise buildings hint at a long-forgotten local buzz.A ramshackle noodle shop serving hand-pulled ribbons of dough was empty at lunchtime, save for a few construction workers and a teacher watching videos on Douyin, the social media platform, with his meal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LA county sheriff’s deputy dies after medical emergency during relay race 30. March 2026 (01:08) Levi Vargas, 30, was competing in Baker to Vegas race through Mojave desert as US south-west faces extreme heatLos Angeles county sheriff’s deputy Levi Vargas died on Saturday after a medical emergency while participating in an annual relay race through the Mojave desert. He was 30 years old.Vargas had been competing at the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup relay race, which follows a 120-mile (193km) course from Baker, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, through the Mojave desert. Several law enforcement agencies send 20-runner teams annually to compete in the race. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
