Lawyers criticise ‘extreme’ arrest of Isaac Herzog protester after NSW police release video 27. March 2026 (06:46) The 42-year-old is the 26th person charged after February rally against Israeli president that led to violent clashes between police and protestersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLawyers have raised concerns that New South Wales police used heavy-handed tactics when arresting an anti-Isaac Herzog protester this week, after eight tactical officers were sent to their home at 5am and “smashed the door open”.The 42-year-old was the 26th person to be charged after the protest at Sydney town hall in February against the visiting Israeli president. The police response on the night of the protest is being investigated amid allegations of police brutality. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Trump pausing strikes on Iran energy sites; Houthis say ‘no reason’ to halt Red Sea shipping 27. March 2026 (05:33) US president says he is extending deadline for strait of Hormuz to reopen to 6 April; Houthis tell Lloyd’s List ‘no reason’ to prevent Saudi oil using Red Sea routeFull report: Trump extends deadline Analysis: Trump pitches peace plan but military buildups rarely veer to off-rampCircling back to Donald Trump’s press conference at the White House earlier, the US president took another swipe at Nato, the UK and Australia for not being more involved in his war on Iran.We have covered the Nato comments here:[Starmer] did something that was shocking: he didn’t want to help us. And maybe in particular that country, you know, the longest bond, the longest ally.Australia, too, Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese government says fuel supply ‘same, if not higher’ in coming weeks as Coalition calls for halving of excise 27. March 2026 (04:56) Latest figures from ACCC show diesel and unleaded petrol prices across the five largest cities up 10% and 8% respectivelyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe prime minister and energy minister moved to reassure the public about normal or even higher levels of fuel supply in the coming weeks, as the Coalition escalated calls for a cut to the fuel excise and the government downplayed the prospect of any major restrictions on petrol sales.It comes as the latest figures from the consumer watchdog showed diesel prices across Australia’s five largest cities have risen by an average of 10% over the last week, while unleaded petrol was up 8%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia will be left with no submarines if it abandons Aukus, senior defence official warns 27. March 2026 (04:54) Malcolm Turnbull asks defence department official what Australia would do if the promised Virginia-class and Aukus-class submarines don’t arrive Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will be left with no submarines if it abandons the Aukus deal with the US and UK, a senior defence official has warned, declining to publicly countenance an alternative plan if Australia’s promised nuclear-powered fleet does not arrive under Australian command.“Defence has been directed to pursue Aukus and we are pursuing Aukus and that’s our plan. I would not venture into the space about ‘Plan B’ or ‘Plan C’,” defence department deputy secretary, Hugh Jeffrey, told a Sovereignty and Security Forum in Canberra on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two humanitarian aid boats heading to Cuba have gone missing, Mexico says 27. March 2026 (03:21) Navy searching for two boats that left Isla Mujeres last week bound for Havana with nine crew members of different nationalities on boardMexico’s navy said on Thursday it had activated a search-and-rescue operation in the Caribbean to locate two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba after the vessels failed to arrive in Havana as scheduled.In a statement, the navy said the two boats left Isla Mujeres, in the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo, last week bound for Havana with nine crew members of different nationalities on board. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kyle Sandilands’ termination case should not be a ‘royal commission’ into his career, shock jock’s lawyer tells court 27. March 2026 (03:11) Broadcaster takes Kiis FM to court to argue licensee was wrong to terminate him for serious breach of contractFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereKyle Sandilands’ court case was not an occasion for a “royal commission” into his career and he just wants to get back to work quickly, the shock jock’s lawyers have told the federal court.Sandilands, who was earning $10m a year to front the Kyle and Jackie O Show, has taken Kiis FM to court to argue the licensee, Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), was wrong to terminate him for serious breach of contract earlier this month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Swastika found scratched into window of Jewish bagel shop in Sydney 27. March 2026 (02:58) Police investigate damage at Lox in a Box, Paddington, latest in string of alleged antisemitic incidents in wake of Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 and Israel’s war in GazaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA swastika has been found etched into the window of a Sydney Jewish bagel and sandwich shop weeks before its opening, prompting police investigations.Police received a report of malicious damage at Lox in a Box, on Oxford Street in Paddington, about 12pm Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US Senate fails for seventh time to advance bill to partly fund DHS 27. March 2026 (02:03) Vote came after Trump said he would sign an order directing agency’s new secretary to pay TSA agentsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Senate again failed to advance a bill to fund part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has now been shut down for almost six weeks.The latest vote came just hours after Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order instructing Markwayne Mullin, the DHS secretary, to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents during the shutdown, a move that could ease the immediate urgency for Congress to reach a deal as it heads into a scheduled two‑week recess. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Accountability has arrived’: dual US court losses show shifting tide against Meta and co 27. March 2026 (01:25) With two unprecedented trial defeats, big tech firms face crisis akin to that faced by cigarette makers in the 1990sIn the span of just two days, the most powerful social media company in the world faced a more severe public reckoning than it has in years.Jurors in California and New Mexico gave back-to-back verdicts this week that for the first time ever found Meta liable for products that inflict harm on young people. For years, lawmakers, parents and advocates have raised red flags over how social media can hurt children, but now the tech firms are being held to account via court rulings that could set long-lasting precedents. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK government must urgently apologise for forced adoption, MPs say 27. March 2026 (01:01) Ministers urged to work with survivor groups on formal apology as many victims are nearing end of their livesThe UK government must urgently issue a formal apology for the state’s role in forced adoption as many victims are nearing the end of their lives, a cross-party group of MPs has said.A report from the education select committee said ministers should provide an initial commitment to an apology and begin working with survivor groups as quickly as possible on its wording. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
