Debit and credit card surcharges to be removed in Australia by October 31. March 2026 (02:58) Treasurer Jim Chalmers says changes will help with cost of living and ‘Australians hate paying’ the surchargesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDebit and credit card surcharges will be gone by October under Reserve Bank reforms, with big banks likely to foot the bill for the cost-of-living measures.The new rules, announced on Tuesday, will enable businesses to remove added fees on Mastercard, visa and eftpos card payments. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian politics live: MP celebrates end to ‘rip off at the checkout’ as RBA moves to end credit card surcharges by October 31. March 2026 (02:44) Meanwhile PM explains his reaction to news of Dezi Freeman death. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhat’s the trigger for stage three under the national plan?The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says we’re still on stage two of the national plan agreed to at yesterday’s national cabinet, reiterating that so far any cancelled fuel shipments have been replaced (he’s referring to the six tankers that he announced were cancelled on 22 March).The trigger … says ongoing supply disruptions mean we will focus on getting fuel where it’s needed most. Now, ongoing supply disruptions really means the fuel supply to Australia has been impacted. That hasn’t happened.Early on in this conflict, I reached out to counterparts in the region who are our primary suppliers of liquid fuels … I reached out to Korea, to Singapore, to Malaysia, but we’ll continue to do that.We believe we’re reliable, and we ask for reliability in return. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vanuatu Indigenous leaders raise concerns over plans to build resort for cruise tourists 31. March 2026 (02:40) Exclusive: Environmental impact assessments are ‘incomplete’, say leaders, and private beach club could harm fragile ecosystemsIndigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are “incomplete” and “misleading”.The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sad faces all round as Bolivia’s clowns protest over decree threatening their livelihoods 31. March 2026 (02:01) Clowns in Bolivia have been upset by a new school mandate that cuts off the events from which they earn a livingDozens of clowns marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital on Monday to protest against a government decree that limits extracurricular activities in schools, threatening their livelihoods.Wearing full face paint and their signature red noses, the clowns gathered in front of the ministry of education in La Paz to oppose a decree published in February. The new mandate says schools must comply with 200 days of lessons each year – in effect banning schools from hosting the special events where the entertainers are frequently employed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California to impose new AI regulations in defiance of Trump call 31. March 2026 (01:59) Gavin Newsom signs order to prioritize public safety and rights as president seeks to prevent ‘cumbersome’ rulesCalifornia will impose new standards on artificial intelligence companies seeking to do business with the state, defying Donald Trump’s demands to keep the controversial industry as deregulated as possible.Democratic governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Monday that gives the state four months to develop AI policies that prioritize public safety. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jackie O seeks $82m for wrongful termination in legal action filed against her former radio station 31. March 2026 (01:57) Former co-host of Kyle Sandilands filed proceedings in the federal court against Kiis licence holderFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJackie “O” Henderson has filed a legal action in the federal court claiming compensation of “at least $82,250,000” for the wrongful termination of her 10-year contract to present the Kyle and Jackie O Show on radio station Kiis.The fresh legal action came four weeks after Henderson’s contract was terminated by Kiis owner ARN Media, and days after her broadcasting partner Kyle Sandilands’ first hearing in the federal court for his own claim against the media company. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York councilmember and Hochul governor aide investigated for bribery 31. March 2026 (01:40) Prosecutors investigate whether Farah Louis and Debbie Louis accepted bribes to help migrant shelter providerFederal prosecutors are investigating whether a New York City councilmember and her sister, an aide to governor Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes or kickbacks in connection with the appropriation of city funds to a migrant shelter provider, according to a copy of a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press.The warrant, signed on 19 March, seeks evidence of possible criminal violations involving councilmember Farah Louis, a Brooklyn Democrat, and Debbie Louis, who serves as Hochul’s assistant secretary of New York City intergovernmental affairs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
