Ex-Liberal MP Rory Amon found not guilty of most charges after being accused of raping 13-year-old boy in Sydney 09. March 2026 (04:55) Amon had testified he held an honest and reasonable belief that the teen was over the age of 16Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former state Liberal MP may face a second child abuse trial after a jury cleared him of some but not all charges related to a 13-year-old boy.Rory Amon was found not guilty of four counts of child rape, two counts of attempted child rape and two counts of indecent assault of a child on Monday after three days of deliberations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
VPN apps rocket up download charts in Australia as porn websites begin blocking users 09. March 2026 (03:20) Proton VPN moves from 174th to 19th place as NordVPN goes from 189th to 13th, as porn websites in Australia start requiring age verification for usersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVirtual private network apps have skyrocketed up the app charts in Australia after a number of adult sites began blocking Australian users in compliance with new online safety codes in effect from Monday.VPN Super Unlimited Proxy moved from 40th in free iPhone apps in Australia on 2 March to 7th place as of Sunday, according to the most recent data from Sensor Tower. Proton VPN moved from 174th to 19th, and NordVPN went from 189th to 13th. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chris Minns’ own security expert warned that tougher police powers after Bondi could ‘increase radicalisation’ 09. March 2026 (02:49) Alexandra Caples suggested expanded laws could ‘damage trust between police and communities, undermining broader efforts to counter extremism’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Mins, was warned before passing controversial laws restricting protests that heavy-handed policing might alienate communities and could even “increase the risk of radicalisation”, documents reveal.The Labor leader was also advised further hate speech reforms conceived in the aftermath of the Bondi beach terror attack risked making the problem worse. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The half-abandoned Japanese island at the heart of tensions with China 09. March 2026 (01:54) Kasasa island, in the Seto Inland Sea, has only seven residents but its fate is strongly intertwined with relations between Tokyo and BeijingHis island home is shrouded in mist, but his union jack woolly hat makes Hideya Yagi easy to spot as he greets the approaching boat. The 80-year-old, a former president of a construction company, is pleased to see the small group of passengers disembark, mainly because he is one of only seven registered residents at their destination, Kasasa island.Kasasa is known as the “Hawaii” of Japan’s inland sea because of its warm climate and beautiful coastline. Yagi and his wife, Mihoko, eke out a quiet life alongside just one other couple and an elderly woman. The other two residents are almost always absent. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Twelve Apostles visitors to be charged entry fee to see natural wonder 09. March 2026 (01:32) Victorian government says ‘it’s only fair’ Great Ocean Road tourists should pay to see famous limestone stacksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTourists will soon have to pay an entry fee to see the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.The Victorian government will on Monday announce a fee for tourists to visit the $126m Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, which is due to open at the end of 2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour to set up new extremism whistleblowing service for university staff 09. March 2026 (01:01) Minister announces action plan to boost social cohesion that will also give regulator powers to shut down charitiesThe UK government will expand powers to tackle extremism by setting up a new whistleblowing route for university staff and giving the Charity Commission powers to shut down charities, as part of a new action plan to strengthen social cohesion.The plan, announced by the housing, communities and local government secretary, Steve Reed, will invest a further £5m in the Common Ground Resilience Fund, which was launched to support organisations and authorities tackling divisions in communities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cancer death rate in Britain down by almost a third since 1980s 09. March 2026 (01:01) Huge improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment have driven the fall, Cancer Research UK saysThe rate of people dying from cancer in the UK has fallen by almost a third since the 1980s amid seismic progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, a report has found.About 247 in every 100,000 people die from cancer each year, a 29% drop from the peak in 1989 of about 355 per 100,000, according to an analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS England pauses new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment in under-18s 09. March 2026 (01:01) Review finds evidence does not back use of treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds with gender incongruence or dysphoriaThe NHS is pausing new referrals for masculinising or feminising hormone treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds after an in-depth review found there was insufficient evidence to support its continued use.Prescriptions for hormones had been available in England for under-18s with a diagnosis of gender incongruence or dysphoria who met certain criteria. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain’s job market ‘floundering’ as companies remain cautious about hiring 09. March 2026 (01:01) Data shows labour market is still in a fragile position due to economic uncertainty, with few signs of recoveryBritain’s jobs market is “floundering” amid weak hiring demand, with only limited signs of recovery, data has revealed.Companies remain cautious about hiring staff amid cost pressures and economic uncertainty, according to two reports released on Monday. They show the labour market continues to be in a fragile position. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rare items of Charles Dickens’ clothing to go on display in London 09. March 2026 (01:01) Exhibition includes linen shirt collar from when author suffered a fatal stroke along with other personal itemsRare surviving items of Charles Dickens’ clothing, including the linen shirt collar worn by the writer when he suffered his fatal stroke in 1870, are to go on display.Other items being exhibited include Dickens’ black silk stockings – part of his only surviving suit – as well as personal effects and items related to his personal grooming, including a set of six silver razors used for his daily shave, a perfume bottle, silver candle snuffers and a gold locket, containing photos and locks of hair from Dickens and his son, Henry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
