Naplan resumes after tech issues paused testing on first day for 1.4 million students 11. March 2026 (02:38) Schools told they can begin testing after nationwide problem with pupils logging on to platformFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSchools across Australia have been told they can resume Naplan testing more than an hour after being told to “pause” the digital assessment for more than a million students.The issue, which came on the first day of the nationwide literacy and numeracy tests for years 3, 5, 7 and 9,prevented some pupils from logging into the online platform. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Muslim community in shock after police opt not to arrest man accused of crashing Ballarat Iftar dinner 11. March 2026 (02:27) Tony Burke expected to discuss incident with Australian federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett on WednesdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Muslim community is reeling after police opted not to immediately arrest a man accused of crashing an Iftar dinner and hurling racist abuse.The 37-year-old man, described as partially undressed, forced his way into an Iftar dinner gathering at a community hall in the Ballarat suburb of Alfredton in Victoria on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘My lovely distraction’: live stream of kākāpō – world’s fattest parrot – and her chicks captivates New Zealand 11. March 2026 (02:03) More than 100,000 people have tuned in to watch ‘kākāpō cam’, which captures a rare flightless bird sleeping, tidying her nest and fighting off intrudersOn an island in New Zealand’s remote southern fjords, one of the world’s strangest and rarest parrots – the kākāpō – is caring for her tiny chick as fans from across the globe watch on.Through the black and white lens of a hidden camera, a fluffy orb with a kazoo-like squeak jostles for food from its mother’s beak. The mother, Rakiura, is attentive – scooping her chick under her large green wings, fending off an intruding bird, and periodically tidying her nest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hawaii braces for powerful kona storm bringing heavy rain and strong winds 11. March 2026 (01:13) State’s governor declared emergency as islands face extreme weather and Big Island volcano Kilauea eruptsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHawaii is preparing for a powerful storm this week that is expected to cause intense winds, thunderstorms and possibly significant flooding across multiple islands.Josh Green, the governor, said on Monday he had issued an emergency proclamation in response to the weather expected to hit his state in the coming days, in order to bring additional resources into affected areas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two robodebt officials engaged in serious corrupt conduct, Nacc finds, but Scott Morrison cleared 11. March 2026 (00:53) Anti-corruption watchdog makes adverse findings against two former public servants but clears four other individuals Two former public servants referred to the anti-corruption watchdog by the royal commission into robodebt have been found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct while former prime minister, Scott Morrison, has been cleared.The long-awaited report into potential corruption related to the unlawful income averaging scheme, released on Wednesday, covered the six referrals made by royal commissioner Catherine Holmes in 2023, which were restricted from the public view in a sealed chapter. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman charged with attempted murder in shooting at home of Rihanna 11. March 2026 (00:30) Ivanna Lisette Ortiz of Florida, 35, allegedly fired 10 shots with a semiautomatic firearm into Beverly Hills homeA 35-year-old Florida woman has been charged with attempted murder after she allegedly fired shots into the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna on Sunday.Ivanna Lisette Ortiz was charged on Tuesday with one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault on a person with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, all felonies, court records show. Officials have said no one was injured during the shooting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hereditary peers to lose their seats in the House of Lords 11. March 2026 (00:19) Upper chamber accepts final draft of bill, which offers life peerages to some of those who would otherwise be removedHereditary peerages will be abolished before the next king’s speech after a deal was struck granting life peerages to some Conservatives and cross-benchers losing their seats.On Tuesday evening the upper chamber accepted a final draft of the House of Lords (hereditary peers) bill, marking the end of its passage through parliament and clearing the way for it to be added to the statute book. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No 10 to release hundreds of files on Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment 10. March 2026 (23:48) First tranche expected to include Cabinet Office report warning of ‘reputational risk’ over ex-minister’s links to EpsteinHundreds of documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US are expected to be released by Downing Street on Wednesday.The first tranche of files will include a two-page due diligence report by the Cabinet Office, which is likely to raise questions about Keir Starmer’s judgment, the Guardian understands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wegovy users have five times greater risk of sudden sight loss than Ozempic users, study finds 10. March 2026 (23:30) ‘Eye strokes’ that reduce blood flow to optic nerve likely to be side-effect of active ingredient semaglutide, says authorPatients taking Wegovy have nearly five times the risk of sudden sight loss of those on Ozempic, a large-scale study has found.Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medicines such as semaglutide (sold as Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus) and tirzepetide (sold as Mounjaro) help reduce blood sugar levels, slow digestion and reduce appetite, and have been linked to reduced risks of heart attack, fewer drug overdoses and other health benefits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two more Iranian football team members granted humanitarian visas in Australia, minister confirms 10. March 2026 (23:04) Tony Burke says one player and one support member reunited with five players given asylum, as remainder of squad travels back via Kuala LumpurA total of seven members of the Iranian women’s football team have now been granted humanitarian visas in Australia, home affairs minister Tony Burke has confirmed.An additional two women had sought asylum before the rest of the Iranian team departed Sydney on a flight to Malaysia on Tuesday night, one player and one support member, Burke told a press conference on Wednesday mornig. He said the pair were offered humanitarian visas, and both took up the offer. The visas were processed overnight. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
