Two protesters charged on first day of Queensland’s ‘from the river to the sea’ ban 11. March 2026 (09:21) Alleged offences occurred after pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside state parliament within hours of new laws taking effectFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo pro-Palestinian protesters have been charged with violating contentious new Queensland hate-speech laws, with one of them allegedly saying the banned phrase “from the river to the sea”.The arrests occurred at a small protest march which started outside the state parliament building on Wednesday, just hours after the new laws, passed by parliament last week, went into effect. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Intended to divide’: Porsche-driving middleman behind string of antisemitic attacks in Sydney sentenced to five years’ jail 11. March 2026 (09:13) The attacks, which included the firebombing of a childcare centre and torching of cars, were motivated by financial reward, magistrate findsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Porsche-driving middleman has been sentenced to five years’ jail for managing a series of antisemitic attacks designed to divide Australian Jewish and Arab communities.Nicholas James Alexander admitted to orchestrating the firebombings and attacks across Sydney in January 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
José Antonio Kast, the Pinochet fan about to swerve Chile to the far right 11. March 2026 (09:00) The new president won office by promising to clean up crime, but his background is red rag to a bull for manyJust south of Santiago, the tiny rural town of Paine is a quiet grid of painted abode facades, shaded squares and shuttered shop fronts as the summer holidays draw to a close.But the white-knuckle fear of crime that propelled its most famous son, José Antonio Kast, to a resounding victory in December’s presidential election is as present in sleepy Paine as it is the length of Chile. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW police visited home where foster children lived with convicted killer month before government removed her 11. March 2026 (08:46) State government apologises after convicted murderer Regina Arthurell removed this week despite December report warning of situationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales police visited the home where a convicted triple killer was living with two foster children in February – nearly a month before the woman was removed from the address.The revelation comes after the state government was forced to apologise for not acting until this week, despite a report warning them of the situation in December.Additional reporting by AAP Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Shabana Mahmood approves police request to ban al-Quds march in London 11. March 2026 (08:33) Home secretary says ban on Pro-Palestinian rally ‘necessary to prevent public disorder’ after Met police raised concernsWhat is London’s al-Quds Day march and why has the event been banned?UK politics live – latest updatesA pro-Palestinian march in London on Sunday has been banned by Shabana Mahmood after police warned of a risk of “serious public disorder”.The annual al-Quds Day march has drawn criticism over apparent backing for the Iranian regime after its organisers expressed support for the country’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Expert witness in Lucy Letby trial did not reveal hospital investigation into his medical work 11. March 2026 (08:00) Cheshire police and CPS say they were not told about inquiry into Prof Peter Hindmarsh before he gave evidence at nurse’s trialThe police force behind the prosecution of the former nurse Lucy Letby has said it was not informed by a key expert witness before he gave evidence at her trial that he was under investigation over serious concerns in his medical work.The Crown Prosecution Service also told the Guardian it was not aware that Prof Peter Hindmarsh was subject to the formal investigation by the hospital that employed him, before his first appearance as a witness on 25 November 2022. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prison sentences for pair who attacked gay men hailed as sign of hope for Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community 11. March 2026 (07:00) The perpetrators were jailed for 15 years for robbery with violence in the east African country, where homophobic attacks are increasingThe sentencing of two people who attacked and robbed two gay men in Kenya has been hailed by LGBTQ+ rights advocates as a breakthrough and a sign of hope for the country’s queer community. “Abel Meli & Another” were sentenced to 15 years in prison for robbery with violence on 3 March at Milimani law courts in Nairobi.The ruling is a rare example of justice being served for the queer community in Kenya. Njeri Gateru, the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, an independent human rights institution working towards equality for sexual and gender minorities in Kenya, said: “A lot is going against [the queer community] with the existence of the criminal laws and prevailing homophobic attitudes, but some of us still trust that we can find justice, so this case encourages us.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why Iran’s vital Kharg Island oil hub is still untouched by US-Israel bombers 11. March 2026 (07:00) While some argue for destroying the terminal though which 90% of Iran’s oil exports flow, others caution of a global market ‘tailspin’Kharg Island – through which 90% of Iran’s oil exports flow – is arguably the country’s most sensitive economic target but the export terminal has so far remained untouched throughout the US-Israel bombing campaign.Experts say bombing or capturing the site with US forces would be likely to cause a sustained increase to already surging oil prices, as it would amount to taking the entirety of Iran’s daily crude exports offline. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We can’t go back’: mother of six-year-old cancer survivor fears UK visa changes 11. March 2026 (07:00) Woman, from Togo, faces uncertain wait for indefinite leave to remain because of changes coming into force next monthThe mother of a six-year-old cancer survivor has spoken of her “overwhelming” fear her daughter will be denied crucial treatment because of the government’s immigration crackdown.The girl, from London, underwent two rounds of life-saving chemotherapy after being diagnosed at two with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that mostly affects children. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reaching net zero by 2050 ‘cheaper for UK than one fossil fuel crisis’ 11. March 2026 (07:00) Climate change committee finds move to renewable energy would also bring health, economic and security benefitsAchieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050 will cost less than a single oil shock and bring health and economic benefits while insulating the country against future costs, the government’s climate advisers have forecast.Eliminating the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels by adopting renewable energy and green technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, would be the best and most cost-effective option for the future economy, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
