MPs wary of move against Starmer while war is raging 30. March 2026 (07:00) Even after electoral disaster, Iran war gives many MPs pause for thought about timing of leadership contestA week after Labour’s election victory in July 2024, officials at Labour HQ held their first crisis meeting about the May 2026 local elections.The party had just secured a 174-seat majority and already strategists were predicting it would be very tough, though none were assuming the prime minister’s own position would be vulnerable. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Daily Telegraph apologises as dispute reignites between pro-Israel activist and Middle Eastern restaurant Cairo 30. March 2026 (06:47) Apology published in News Corp paper as part of agreed joint statement to resolve legal dispute over ‘undercover’ story, with Cairo also apologising to activist Ofir BirenbaumFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Daily Telegraph has apologised to a popular Middle Eastern restaurant for “causing distress” after it sent a pro-Israel activist to the Sydney eatery as part of its so-called operation “undercover Jew”.The apology was published on page two of the News Corp newspaper as part of an agreed joint statement to resolve a now settled legal dispute between the Newtown restaurant Cairo Takeaway and the pro-Israel activist Ofir Birenbaum. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Urgent action needed to prevent surge in digital violence in Africa, experts say 30. March 2026 (06:00) A huge rise in internet users under the age of 30 has fuelled an increase in online violence against women and girls with devastating real-life effects, activists sayActivists and lawyers in Africa are calling for urgent action to protect women, girls and boys as digital violence surges across the continent.A massive rise in internet users, coupled with huge numbers of people aged under 30, has fuelled an increase in gendered online violence across the continent, according to experts, by giving perpetrators new tools to control and silence women and girls, and influence boys. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Big retailers say UK jobs at risk from guaranteed hours reforms 30. March 2026 (06:00) More than half of roles could be hit and young shop workers in particular could lose out, trade body warnsMore than half of retail jobs could be affected by reform to guaranteed working hours, making it harder for shops to employ people – particularly young workers – in part-time roles, the industry’s lobby group has warned.From April, the Employment Rights Act will introduce new protections for workers on sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump says he wants to ‘take the oil’ in Iran and could seize Kharg Island ‘easily’ 30. March 2026 (05:36) US president tells Financial Times his ‘preference would be to take the oil’ but that ‘some stupid people back in the US say: “why are you doing that?”’Full report: Iran accuses US of plotting ground assault while publicly seeking talksAnalysis: what the Houthis’ entry into the Iran war means for the conflict and the wider regionQatar says there has been a garage fire in an industrial area and that civil defence has it has brought it under control.No injuries were reported, the interior ministry said on X on Monday, without giving more details. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor cuts fuel excise for three months, saving Australians 26c a litre on petrol and diesel 30. March 2026 (05:30) Anthony Albanese shares four-point plan after national cabinet and urges public transport usageFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has slashed the fuel excise in half in a move which will save motorists 26 cents a litre, and encouraged people to take public transport, after the national cabinet agreed to a plan to manage the petrol crisis.Following a meeting of state and federal leaders on Monday, leaders also agreed to reduce the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months, in a bid to support truck drivers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian Liberal who defeated Moira Deeming to be dumped by party over character reference for sex offender 30. March 2026 (05:07) Dinesh Gourisetty has been called a ‘pedophile supporter’ for providing court reference for a friend convicted of sexually assaulting a childFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, says the man who defeated Moria Deeming for the top spot on the party’s upper house ballot is “not welcome” on her team, after it was revealed he wrote a court character reference for a friend convicted of grooming a 15-year-old girl.Dinesh Gourisetty, a prominent figure in Melbourne’s fast-growing Indian community, defeated Deeming on Sunday in a preselection vote for the party’s candidates for the western metropolitan region at the upcoming November election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dezi Freeman shooting live updates: Australian fugitive shot dead after refusing to surrender peacefully, police say 30. March 2026 (02:52) Porepunkah fugitive, 56, had been on the run after allegedly killing two police officers in Australian alpine region in AugustFull story: Dezi Freeman shot dead by policeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe chief commissioner is asked about the fact that the most recent update from police regarding Dezi Freeman indicated that they believed Freeman was dead. He is asked if that was a genuine belief or a tactic.Bush responds:It’s a very good question because, you know, we have to follow every avenue of inquiry and there was a lot to suggest that Freeman had taken his own life. But I can tell you standing here that our investigators – that’s why they’re professionals – keep their mind open to every possible outcome and follow every possible lead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump news at a glance: Generational divide over Iran war emerges at key conservative conference 30. March 2026 (02:49) Younger conservatives say they are disappointed by Donald Trump’s decision to launch war against Iran. Key US politics stories from 29 MarchA generational divide over the Iran war has emerged between older attendees and their political heirs at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, as the group’s leaders pleaded for unity ahead of a challenging midterm election year for Republicans.Younger conservatives spoke of disappointment and even “betrayal” over Donald Trump’s launch of strikes against Iran, saying that the president’s actions run counter to his many pledges to oppose foreign entanglements. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
