{"id":895854,"date":"2026-03-31T08:15:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/31\/australia-news-live-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-over-links-to-epstein-trump-says-decision-on-bombing-iran-to-be-made-within-10-days\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T08:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:15:08","slug":"australia-news-live-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-over-links-to-epstein-trump-says-decision-on-bombing-iran-to-be-made-within-10-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/31\/australia-news-live-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-over-links-to-epstein-trump-says-decision-on-bombing-iran-to-be-made-within-10-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia news LIVE: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested over links to Epstein; Trump says decision on bombing Iran to be made within 10 days"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content\">\n<header><\/header>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h3 data-testid=\"key-posts-header\">Key Posts<\/h3>\n<p><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" data-testid=\"key-posts-collapse-button\"><path d=\"M4 10.6665L16 22.6665L28 10.6665\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">What we covered today<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Cassandra Morgan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Thanks for reading the national news blog. This is where we\u2019ll end today\u2019s coverage.<\/p>\n<p>To conclude, here\u2019s a look back at the day\u2019s major stories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor \u2013 formerly Prince Andrew \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/world\/europe\/been-a-long-time-coming-andrew-was-the-only-one-stunned-by-his-arrest-20260220-p5o3x9.html\">was arrested last night<\/a> over suspicion of misconduct while in public office. He was held in police custody for 11 hours, years after the revelations of his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the publication of the notorious photograph showing him with his hand on the waist of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. He is yet to be charged.<\/li>\n<li>Australian politicians reacted to the historic arrest, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing it as an \u201cextraordinary fall from grace\u201d, and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor saying, \u201cHe needs to stand before law enforcement and the courts in the UK, and that\u2019s absolutely appropriate.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>The Australian Federal Police say they have \u201creceived reports of a crime\u201d related to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theage.com.au\/politics\/federal\/canavan-attacks-hanson-over-anti-muslim-comments-20260217-p5o30p.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">anti-Muslim comments<\/a> earlier this week.<\/li>\n<li>Senior Labor minister Tanya Plibersek delivered some of the strongest criticism yet of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/federal\/who-are-the-isis-brides-trying-to-get-home-20260217-p5o333.html\">women who took their children<\/a> to the Middle East during the rise of Islamic State, accusing them of \u201cchild abuse\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>And, in further world news, US President Donald Trump says he will likely decide whether to launch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/world\/north-america\/trump-tells-board-of-peace-he-ll-decide-on-bombing-iran-within-10-days-20260220-p5o3x6.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">strikes against Iran in the next 10 days<\/a>, as he continues the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.<\/li>\n<li>Epstein\u2019s estate and its two co-executors have agreed to pay as much as $US35 million ($50 million) to resolve outstanding legal claims of his victims who haven\u2019t already reached settlements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks again for joining us. This is <b>Cassandra Morgan<\/b>, signing off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Latest Posts<\/h3>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">4.48pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Australia should screen for these shared values: Taylor<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Alexander Darling<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Staying with Angus Taylor speaking on Melbourne radio, the opposition leader was asked about Pauline Hanson\u2019s latest <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/federal\/albanese-slams-hanson-for-anti-muslim-comments-links-remarks-to-violence-20260219-p5o3l1.html\">anti-Muslim comments<\/a>, and whether she should apologise.<\/p>\n<p>Taylor didn\u2019t answer directly, saying instead that whether the One Nation leader apologised was a \u201cmatter for\u201d her.<\/p>\n<p>However, he disagreed with her comments, he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve known many good Muslims, but what I will say is anyone who comes to this country, of any race or region in the world, needs to adopt our way of life and our values, and that\u2019s the screen we should be applying for people who come to our country,\u201d Taylor told 3AW.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">4.41pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">CFMEU \u2018must go\u2019, Angus Taylor says <\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Alexander Darling<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor says the CFMEU \u201cmust go\u201d in the wake of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/victoria\/premier-backs-ministers-attack-on-cfmeu-corruption-investigator-20260219-p5o3n8.html\">deepening union corruption crisis.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In news broken by this masthead, a corruption expert accused Victoria\u2019s Labor government of turning a blind eye to CFMEU corruption and organised crime on infrastructure projects at an estimated cost to taxpayers of $15 billion.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\"><span>Angus Taylor speaking at a press conference on Tuesday.<\/span><cite><span>Janie Barrett<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The state government has since <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/victoria\/premier-backs-ministers-attack-on-cfmeu-corruption-investigator-20260219-p5o3n8.html\">hit out at the expert<\/a>, Geoffrey Watson, SC, and resisted calls for a royal commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">4.28pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Another Victorian bushfire reaches emergency level<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Alexander Darling<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>A bushfire which began in Victoria overnight has escalated to the highest threat level, with nearby residents told to flee their homes.<\/p>\n<p>The bushfire at Gaffneys Creek, in Victoria\u2019s forested east about 42 kilometres south of Jamieson, reached \u201cemergency level\u201d late last hour, and people nearby are being told to leave early, as it is the safest option before it becomes more dangerous.<\/p>\n<p>The bushfire is travelling from Gaffney\u2019s Creek in a south-easterly direction towards the German Spur Track.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/victoria\/the-whole-state-is-still-a-tinderbox-victoria-braces-for-extreme-fire-conditions-20260216-p5o2pq.html\">another bushfire at Trawool<\/a> in central Victoria also threatened homes.<\/p>\n<p>Since Victoria\u2019s fire season began last October, more than 436,200 hectares of land have been burnt, a man has died, and almost 1600 buildings have been destroyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">4.15pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Joyce in tense exchange over Hanson remarks<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Cassandra Morgan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has dodged questions about party leader Pauline Hanson\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/federal\/albanese-slams-hanson-for-anti-muslim-comments-links-remarks-to-violence-20260219-p5o3l1.html\">latest anti-Muslim remarks<\/a>, saying those with a \u201cdogmatic\u201d and literal adherence to religious texts don\u2019t align with Australian values.<\/p>\n<p>In a tense exchange on ABC\u2019s <em>Afternoon Briefing<\/em>, host Patricia Karvelas asked Joyce whether he disagreed with Hanson\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s clarify. I believe that Australia is not a multicultural nation, it\u2019s an Australia culture, and it has guardrails to protect the liberties and freedoms of so many people,\u201d Joyce said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo as to protect their rights, I say a literal interpretation of the Koran, or to be frank, any religious text that puts you at odds with the rights or liberties of Australians, is something outside the guardrails [that] I don\u2019t condone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">3.57pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Hanson\u2019s anti-Muslim comments referred to AFP<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Nathan Gilson<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>The Australian Federal Police say they have \u201creceived reports of a crime\u201d related to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/federal\/canavan-attacks-hanson-over-anti-muslim-comments-20260217-p5o30p.html\">anti-Muslim comments<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>An AFP spokesperson said they were \u201caware of comments made during a media interview earlier this week\u201d, and had \u201creceived reports of crime in relation to this matter\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\"><span>One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce and party leader Pauline Hanson.<\/span><cite><span>Alex Ellinghausen<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In an interview on Wednesday, Hanson <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/lakemba-mosque-receives-third-violent-threat-as-leaders-condemn-hanson-comments-20260218-p5o3cw.html\">singled out Lakemba in Sydney\u2019s south west<\/a> as a suburb where she felt unsafe and unwelcome, having suggested on Monday there were no \u201cgood Muslims\u201d, and that \u201cthey hate Westerners\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s unclear if the One Nation leader\u2019s comments would constitute a crime, but the AFP spokesperson said that \u201cfurther comment will be made at an appropriate time\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Hanson was criticised by opponents from across the political spectrum this week, as the prime minister, opposition leader and members of the Greens and Nationals all slammed her comments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">3.24pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">\u2018Simple\u2019 tax solution dismissed as illegal tobacco cure<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Allanah Sciberras<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Australia\u2019s tobacco commissioner has faced scrutiny over claims that changes to the cigarette excise would not curb the illegal tobacco trade.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions have been rising over the excise as states and economists pressure the federal government to consider freezing the policy.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\"><span>An Australian Border Force officer\u00a0checks a stash of illegal cigarette imports.<\/span><cite><span>Luis Enrique Ascui<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The federal tax has leapt to $1.50 a cigarette, prompting many of the nation\u2019s 1.7 million daily smokers to turn to cheaper options on the booming black market.<\/p>\n<p>While acknowledging tax is a factor in the widening price gap, commissioner Amber Shuhyta today defended turning her focus elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">2.48pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Epstein\u2019s estate agrees to $50m settlement in victim claims<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Jeffrey Epstein\u2019s estate and its two co-executors have agreed to pay as much as $US35 million ($50 million) to resolve outstanding legal claims of his victims who haven\u2019t already reached settlements.<\/p>\n<p>Epstein\u2019s estate and the co-executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, agreed to the settlement to \u201cfinally, and forever resolve, discharge, and settle\u201d claims with a class of women who say they were abused sexually or trafficked by Epstein between 1995 and August 10, 2019, the date of his death in a Manhattan jail cell.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed settlement plan, which must be approved by a federal judge in New York before it can become final, is intended to resolve all remaining claims with the class, which is estimated by their lawyer to include at least 40 women.<\/p>\n<p>It follows a payment by the Epstein Victims Compensation Program of $US121 million to 136 claimants and a later $US48 million settlement on behalf of 59 victims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">2.18pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">\u2018There\u2019s a bigger issue\u2019: PM reacts to Andrew\u2019s arrest<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Zac de Silva<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Australian political leaders have described the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a fall from grace, but batted away questions about what it means for Australia\u2019s future in the monarchy.<\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was extraordinary to see a man who once led a life of absolute power and privilege placed under arrest.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivering a speech at the Annual Federal Conference of the Australian Education Union in Melbourne on Friday.<\/span><cite><span>Meredith O\u2019Shea<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis appears to be about [classified] documents, and whether they were inappropriately forwarded on to someone who wasn\u2019t eligible,\u201d he told <em>The Guardian<\/em>\u2019s <em>Australian Politics<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut, of course, there\u2019s the bigger issue as well when it comes to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<div>\n<header><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">1.44pm on Feb 20, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">IS brides guilty of \u2018child abuse\u2019: Plibersek<\/h2>\n<p><span>By <\/span><span>Zac de Silva<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Senior Labor minister Tanya Plibersek has delivered some of the strongest criticism yet of the women who took their children to the Middle East during the rise of Islamic State.<\/p>\n<p>A group of 34 women and children linked to Australians who travelled to the Middle East to fight for IS have been trying to travel home from a Syrian refugee camp in recent days.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\"><span>Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek.<\/span><cite><span>Alex Ellinghausen<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cTaking children into a war zone like this is child abuse,\u201d Plibersek told reporters in Melbourne.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is important to understand the responsibility that these parents took in making this decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav data-testid=\"live-article-pagination\">\n<p><span>1<\/span> of <span>4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/australia-news-live-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-over-links-to-epstein-trump-says-decision-on-bombing-iran-to-be-made-within-10-days-20260220-p5o3xt.html?ref=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_source=rss_feed\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Posts What we covered today By Cassandra Morgan Thanks for reading the national news blog. This is where we\u2019ll end today\u2019s coverage. To conclude, here\u2019s a look back at the day\u2019s major stories: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor \u2013 formerly Prince Andrew \u2013 was arrested last night over suspicion of misconduct while in public office. He was<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":895855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[345,3065],"tags":[8114,7193],"class_list":{"0":"post-895854","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-andrew","8":"category-australia","9":"tag-andrew","10":"tag-australia"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/895854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=895854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/895854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/895855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=895854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=895854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=895854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}