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)
British AI datacentre firm Nscale raises $2bn as Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg join board 09. March 2026 (14:51) London-based startup, which is vital to the government’s artificial intelligence ambitions, is now valued at $14.6bnBusiness live – latest updatesNscale, a UK company vital to the government’s AI ambitions, has raised $2bn (£1.5bn) in a funding round and appointed former Meta executives Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg to its board of directors.It brings the valuation of the London-based startup, which is backed by US tech company Nvidia, to $14.6bn, it said in a statement, and follows a $1.1bn funding round the company raised last September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pete Hegseth says ‘there will be more casualties’ in US war with Iran 09. March 2026 (14:33) Comments from defense secretary come as number of US service members killed in conflict has climbed to sevenSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, has said “there will be more casualties” in the US military from the Trump administration’s war in Iran after officials confirmed on Sunday that the number of US service members killed had climbed to seven.Hegseth made the statement during an appearance Sunday night on CBS’s 60 Minutes, during which he portrayed Donald Trump’s decision for the US to join Israeli attacks on the Middle East country as essential “to advance American interests, and protect American lives”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A stage for whitewashing war crimes’: Venice Biennale urged to exclude Russia 09. March 2026 (14:31) Ukraine criticises organisers’ decision to allow Russia to take part in prestigious art exhibition as ‘incomprehensible’ Ukraine has urged organisers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider Russia’s participation in the prestigious art exhibition, arguing that it must not become “a stage for whitewashing… war crimes.”Biennale organisers said last week that Russia would be allowed to take part in the event, held from 9 May until 22 November, triggering widespread criticism, including from Italy’s culture ministry, which said it opposed the decision. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
