Syrian who fled to UK charged with crimes against humanity over violent crackdown 09. March 2026 (17:21) Former intelligence officer charged with murder and torture in first prosecution of its kind in England and WalesA former Syrian intelligence officer who fled to the UK has been charged with murder and torture as crimes against humanity, in the first prosecution of its kind in England and Wales.The 58-year-old man, who has not been named for legal reasons, is alleged to have played a leading role in the violent crackdown on protesters in Syria at the start of uprising against the regime of former leader Bashar al-Assad in 2011. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump threatens not to sign any bills until Congress approves strict voter ID act 09. March 2026 (16:53) Save Act would limit voting access in the US and centers on Trump’s unfounded claims of noncitizens stealing electionsDonald Trump threatened not to sign any bills until Congress approves the Save America Act, a curtailment of voting access.The president, fixated on unsubstantiated claims that noncitizens are stealing US elections ahead of midterm elections that are expected to be bruising for Republicans, said on Truth Social Sunday that the Save America Act “must be done immediately” and “supersedes everything else”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Malkinson accuser ‘wasn’t too sure it was the right man’, court told 09. March 2026 (16:38) Malkinson spent 17 years in prison after being wrongly convicted in rape case for which another man is now on trialA woman who alleged she was raped by Andrew Malkinson admitted to police 22 years ago that she “wasn’t too sure it was the right man”, a court has heard.Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for an attack he did not commit in what jurors heard was a “most terrible” miscarriage of justice. Paul Quinn is now on trial at Manchester crown court accused of the 2003 rape after fresh DNA tests allegedly linked him to the victim. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Roman Abramovich ready to fight UK government over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale 09. March 2026 (16:23) Russian oligarch says money is his to allocate despite international sanctions imposed on his assetsThe Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has stepped up his row with the British government over the £2.5bn proceeds of his sale of Chelsea FC, insisting that the money is his to allocate despite the international sanctions imposed on his assets.The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, freezing his assets in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
After-hours work emails should mean Australians get a four-day work week, union tells government 09. March 2026 (15:00) Australian Services Union, which represents more than 135,000 workers, also calls for ‘roster justice’ rulesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor is facing growing calls to legislate a four-day work week and for workers’ annual leave entitlements to be expanded, as part of a review of Australia’s national employment standards.The Australian Services Union has told the Albanese government that five weeks annual leave is necessary to help employees inundated with instant communication and information updates from the workplace, and to allow workers to take proper breaks to boost their productivity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pauline Hanson secured taxpayer-funded solar rebate despite calling for subsidies to large-scale renewables to end 09. March 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Spokesperson for One Nation leader says it supports roof-top solar, as Matt Canavan also defends using schemeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson accessed a taxpayer-funded rebate scheme to install solar power on her Queensland home, despite calling for an end to public subsidies for renewable energy projects.Information from the Clean Energy Regulator, released under freedom of information laws, shows the One Nation leader among three conservative federal MPs to access the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES), despite being a strident critic of government subsidies for net zero policies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Richest super balances to be taxed at higher rates after Greens agree to back Labor plan 09. March 2026 (15:00) Greens say support for superannuation tax changes is a ‘down payment’ on Labor pursuing genuine reform in 12 May federal budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor’s plan to raise the tax rate on the largest super balances will become law after the Greens agreed to wave it through the Senate, ending a three-year political fight over concessions for wealthier retirees.The Greens treasury spokesperson, Nick McKim, said the decision to support the watered-down package was a green light for Labor to pursue “bold reform” in the upcoming federal budget, including scaling back the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Bitter result’ for Friedrich Merz as Greens win in German car heartland 09. March 2026 (14:54) Cem Özdemir gains 30.2% of vote in Baden-Württemberg, ahead of CDU, with far-right AfD in thirdFriedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU) have stumbled into a busy election year with a defeat to the Greens in a key state poll, as his embattled party struggles to fend off a challenge in other pivotal races from the far right.The German chancellor’s conservative CDU had enjoyed a double-digit lead in the south-western car production region of Baden-Württemberg just weeks ago but the Greens and their charismatic candidate Cem Özdemir eked out a half-point-margin win in Sunday’s poll with 30.2%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Grime rapper and producer Dot Rotten dies aged 37 09. March 2026 (14:53) Musician created numerous volumes of beats that were acclaimed across the grime scene, before crossing over with solo chart successBritish rapper and producer Dot Rotten, who flourished in the grime scene before crossing over to mainstream success, has died aged 37.The musician, real name Joseph Ellis-Stevenson, reportedly died in the Gambia. His family confirmed the death to the BBC. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
DHS leadership change is not enough to reopen government and start funding department, says Hakeem Jeffries – US politics live 09. March 2026 (14:52) House minority leader says ‘we want ICE to conduct itself like other law enforcement agencies, not use tax dollars to kill American citizens’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMamdani noted today that the right to peacefully protest is “sacred”.“It does not belong only to those we agree with,” he said at today’s press conference. “It belongs to everyone. I will defend that right every day that I am mayor, even when those protesting say things that I abhor.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
