Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says 09. March 2026 (09:06) Greens senator sounds warning as Labor expected to announce possible defence measures to protect Gulf countries within daysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Greens say sending military support to Gulf countries would only serve Donald Trump’s interests in the growing Iran war, as international law experts warn assistance would mean Australia was legally part of the conflict.Cabinet’s national security committee met on Monday to consider requests for Australia to provide help to countries feeling the brunt of Tehran’s missile attack, sparked by bombings ordered by the US president and Israel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
G7 to discuss release of emergency oil reserves as price tops $100 09. March 2026 (08:52) US among three countries so far backing measure triggered by Middle East war, according to reportsIran war drives oil prices above $100 a barrelBusiness live – latest updatesG7 finance ministers are preparing to discuss the release of emergency oil reserves, according to reports, after the US-Israel war with Iran sent the price of crude above $100 (£75) for the first time since 2022.The ministers will discuss the release of the reserves in a call coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), according to a report from the Financial Times. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Average UK office attendance ‘settling’ at highest level since before Covid 09. March 2026 (07:00) Figure above 40% every week since early January as report says situation ‘no longer in freefall nor in recovery’Workers are heading back to offices across the UK in droves, pushing office occupancy to the highest since before the Covid-19 pandemic, as an expert described the numbers as “no longer in freefall nor in recovery mode but settling”.Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chasehave led the push with strict return-to-office mandates despite anger among many employees about being ordered back to the office five days a week. Companies in other sectors have also increased days in the office but many businesses, including law and accounting firms, still allow staff to work remotely two days a week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour in ‘deep trouble’ with Black voters, Operation Black Vote chair warns 09. March 2026 (07:00) David Weaver says proposed jury reforms and slow progress on equality risk eroding support in marginal seatsLabour is in “deep trouble” with Black voters, a former government adviser has warned, saying the party is at risk of being seen as “accepting the normalisation of racism”.David Weaver, who is the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), said the government’s plans to restrict juries would “heighten, normalise and embed” racial disproportionality in the justice system and that Black voters were saying: “We don’t know what Labour stands for any more.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram seeks order suppressing identities of family members 09. March 2026 (06:53) Lawyer for 24-year-old asks for identifying details of mother and siblings to be kept secret for their ‘mental and physical safety’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFamily members of the alleged Bondi attacker have been granted an interim order suppressing their names and home and work addresses to protect their mental and physical safety.The public defender Richard Wilson SC made the application for a permanent suppression order for Naveed Akram’s mother, brother and sister at Downing Centre local court on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ASX closes after $90bn wiped from sharemarket amid spike in oil prices over Middle East crisis 09. March 2026 (06:47) Benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closes down by 2.85%, marking the single biggest one-day drop since Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs announcementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian shares plunged on Monday, wiping about $90bn from the value of the ASX, after a sharp rise in oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict sparked concerns of a breakout in global inflation.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 2.85% to fall below the 8,600 point mark, marking the single biggest one-day drop since the announcement of Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Belgium at risk of becoming ‘narco-state’, judge warns 09. March 2026 (06:00) President of Antwerp court makes comments after anonymous judge warned country was turning into ‘a narco-state’International drug crime poses a danger to social stability in Belgium, a senior judge has said, after his colleague warned the country was evolving into “a narco-state” where mafia groups were forming “a parallel force” in society.Bart Willocx, the president of the Antwerp court of appeal, said Belgium was vulnerable to criminality from drug smuggling through the city’s vast port, one of the main entry points into Europe for cocaine smugglers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gambling crackdown in Romania as councils can ban betting shops and slot machines 09. March 2026 (06:00) At least nine cities to pursue full bans as emergency decree gives decisive veto powers to mayors and local councilsRomania’s government has overhauled gambling regulations through an emergency decree allowing municipalities to restrict or ban betting shops and slot machine halls in the biggest tightening of the industry the country has seen.Licensed operators must now obtain not only a national permit but also local authorisation to open a gambling venue, giving mayors and local councils a decisive veto power. Officials say more than 200 localities could pursue full bans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Mojtaba Khamenei chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader; oil prices soar past $100 a barrel 09. March 2026 (05:47) Iran has named hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader; Donald Trump says oil price spike ‘a small price to pay’ as markets tumbleFull report: Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba chosen as Iran’s new supreme leaderTell us: how have you been affected by the latest events in the Middle East?Donald Trump has said a decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one he’ll make together with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Times of Israel has reported.It said Trump also claimed in a brief telephone interview on Sunday that Iran would have destroyed Israel if he and Netanyahu had not been around. The US president said:Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it … We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.I think it’s mutual … a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A saltwater crocodile on the AFL oval’: worst flooding in decades inundates NT as residents urged to avoid water 09. March 2026 (05:36) Schools and highways close and Territorians living near major rivers leave amid possibly record-breaking rainFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastKatherine’s mayor has warned locals to be wary of flood waters inundating the town after a crocodile was spotted on the town’s AFL oval, as residents are warned to boil their water amid the record-breaking deluge.As rain and storms continued to soak the Top End on Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued major flood warnings for thousands of Territorians near the Katherine, Daly and Georgina rivers and Eyre Creek, with a flood watch covering nearly a dozen river catchments. The bureau also warned of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in Darwin. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
