Time Out names Melbourne the best city in the world – but is it more ‘vibes’ than hard data? 11. March 2026 (07:00) About 24,000 people surveyed about food, nightlife, affordability, culture and happinessAn annual global ranking has named Melbourne the best city in the world for the first time. But it may be more to do with “vibes” than thorough analysis.Time Out’s 50 Best Cities list for 2026, released on Wednesday, crowned an Australian city as No 1 for the first time in its 10-year history, showering Melbourne with acclaim for its food, culture and arts scenes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ultrasound repellers could keep hedgehogs off roads, scientists hope 11. March 2026 (07:00) Study shows animals hear very high frequencies, making it possible to design a deterrent to cut deathsHedgehogs have been discovered to hear high-frequency ultrasound, raising hopes that they could be deterred from dangerous roads with ultrasound repellers.Vehicles are estimated to kill up to one in three hedgehogs, a big factor in the much-loved mammal’s drastic decline across Europe over recent decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran’s regional proxies hold back from all-out war with US and Israel 11. March 2026 (07:00) Observers wait to see if Yemen-based Houthis will reopen hostilities as US warships approach Red Sea chokepointIranian-backed militias around the Middle East are continuing attacks against Israel, the US and their allies in retaliation for the US-Israeli offensive against Tehran, but have so far held back from all-out confrontation, analysts and regional officials say.The relative restraint suggests that Tehran sees such forces as a strategic reserve to be deployed if the 12-day war continues to intensify – though it may also be a sign that Iranian command and control systems are breaking down. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sale of rat poisons could be restricted to protect Australian wildlife 11. March 2026 (06:55) Regulator recommends rodenticides be removed from Bunnings and supermarkets shelves and sold only to licensed professionalsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWidely available rat poisons could be removed from shelves at Australian supermarkets and other retailers after a federal regulator recommended they be declared a restricted product.It is a win for conservationists and scientists who for years have called for rodenticides to be banned or highly restricted due to their impact on wildlife. Native animals including tawny frogmouths, powerful owls and quolls have been found dead after eating poisoned rats and mice. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s pick for state department role withdraws after backlash over past ‘anti-Israel’ and race remarks 11. March 2026 (06:09) Failure to appoint Jeremy Carl is a rare setback for Trump, with Republican-controlled Senate mostly approving his appointmentsDonald Trump’s nominee for a top diplomatic post has been withdrawn from consideration after a growing backlash over his past remarks on race and Jewish people left him without crucial Republican support.Jeremy Carl, who had been tapped to serve as the assistant secretary of state for international organisations – a role overseeing US policy towards bodies such as the UN – announced on Tuesday that he was stepping aside after failing to secure unanimous backing from Republicans on the Senate foreign relations committee. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cologne Cathedral’s plans to charge for tickets spark outcry 11. March 2026 (06:00) Limiting access to German church to well-off visitors would be ‘socially unjust’, critics sayPlans at Cologne Cathedral to start charging visitor fees have sparked an outcry, with critics warning against limiting access to the majestic gothic building to the well-off.Officials said this month that the cathedral, the tallest twin-spired church in the world and a tourist magnet in Germany’s fourth largest city, could only be maintained with a new revenue stream. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US attacks Iran’s mine-laying boats in strait of Hormuz as tensions rise over oil 11. March 2026 (05:27) Intelligence sources claim Iran has begun mine laying as US energy secretary backtracks on claim US escorted a ship through strategic chokepointMiddle East crisis live – latest updates The US military said it attacked and destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait of Hormuz amid reports that Iran has begun laying explosive devices in the strategically vital waterway.Citing intelligence sources, CNN on Tuesday reported that Iran has laid a few dozen mines in the strait in recent days and has the capability to sow hundreds more. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Katie Perry v Katy Perry: Sydney fashion designer wins 16-year trademark dispute with US pop star 11. March 2026 (05:22) Australia’s high court finds singer’s label and merchandise distributor had been ‘assiduous infringers’ of trademarkFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Sydney fashion designer behind the Katie Perry label has won her epic trademark dispute with US pop star Katy Perry, after a legal battle lasting almost 17 years.In a majority decision on Wednesday, Australia’s high court found the designer’s label did not breach trademark laws and was not likely to cause confusion, regardless of the singer’s reputation when it was registered. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians hit by soaring petrol prices now face expected blow of interest rate rise 11. March 2026 (03:53) Economists predict RBA board will hike cash rate to 4.1% next week as inflation climbs and energy costs surgeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMillions of Australians could be hit with the twin blow of soaring petrol prices and higher mortgage repayments amid rising expectations that the US-Israel war on Iran will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates on Tuesday.A growing number of economists predict that the RBA board will increase the cash rate to 4.1% at the conclusion of its upcoming two-day meeting, after the central bank’s deputy governor, Andrew Hauser, said data had “confirmed even more decisively … that our economy currently has limited spare capacity”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran war live updates: Regime issues threat against protesters; US ‘destroyed’ mine laying ships near strait of Hormuz 11. March 2026 (02:50) Iran’s police chief says protesters will be treated as ‘enemies’ and that security forces remain stationed in the streetsHow have you been affected by the latest Middle East events?US Central Command has said in a post on X that it “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.Earlier Donald Trump said that the US had hit and “completely destroyed” 10 inactive mine-laying vessels, warning that more would follow.We will do to them what we do to enemies. We will treat them the way we treat enemies.All of our men have their fingers on the trigger and are ready to defend their revolution, to support their people and their homeland. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
