Welcome to the 9News.com.au live blog for Monday, March 21, 2022. Queensland police have charged a 50-year-old man with the murder of a woman aged 74, after her body was found at a Gold Coast home. Russia demanded Ukrainians in the besieged city of Mariupol lay down their arms in exchange for safe passage, but Ukraine rejected the offer. An inquest into the death of Queensland woman Hannah Clarke and her children has begun. Senator Kimberley Kitching has been remembered as a "true warrior" at her funeral. And a tight federal election battle has been forecast after Labor's win in South Australia, as the state's new premier was sworn in.
– 'True warrior': Senator Kimberley Kitching farewelled in Melbourne
– Russia sets deadline for surrender of Mariupol
– Lismore flood survivors dump debris outside PM's house
– New South Australian premier sworn in
– IN PICTURES: Ukrainians survey damaged school, as Russian assault continues
That concludes the 9News breaking news blog for today, Monday March 21.
Here's what happened:
Queensland police have charged a 50-year-old man with the murder of a woman, aged 74, after her body was found at a Gold Coast home.
Russia demanded Ukrainians in the besieged city of Mariupol lay down their arms in exchange for safe passage, but Ukraine rejected the offer.
An inquest into the death of Queensland woman Hannah Clarke and her children has begun.
Senator Kimberley Kitching has been remembered as a "true warrior" at her funeral.
And a tight federal election battle has been forecast after Labor's win in South Australia, as the state's new premier was sworn in.
We'll return tomorrow with the latest breaking news. In the meantime keep up to date at 9news.com.au and nine.com.au
Shanghai Disneyland closed on Monday as China's most populous city tried to contain its biggest coronavirus flare up in two years, while the southern business center of Shenzhen allowed shops and offices to reopen after a weeklong closure.
Meanwhile, the cities of Changchun and Jilin in the northeast began another round of citywide virus testing following a surge in infections.
Jilin tightened anti-disease curbs, ordering its two million residents to stay home.
China's case numbers in its latest infection wave are low compared with other major countries, but authorities are enforcing a "zero tolerance" strategy that has suspended access to some major cities.
The government reported 2,027 new cases on the Chinese mainland on Sunday, up from the previous day's 1,737.
Shanghai, which has a population of 24 million, has avoided a citywide shutdown but appealed to the public to stay home.
Bus service into the city has been suspended and visitors are required to show a negative virus test.
Senator Kimberley Kitching has been remembered as a "true warrior" and as a loving and devoted wife following her sudden death.
A service has been held this afternoon at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne after the Victorian Labor Senator died on March 10 from a suspected heart attack, aged just 52.
Senator Kitching's funeral began with a statement read on behalf of President of the Senate, Slade Brockman, who was unable to attend the service.
READ MORE
Sports equipment retailer Decathlon has pounced on the cancellation of Aldi's Snow Gear Special Buys sale, with the French-owned giant saying it was not suffering from supply chain issues.
In an announcement released today Decathlon said it was "ramping up supply" in response to Aldi's announcement and had "enough stock for everyone".
"We are the world's largest sports products designer, manufacturer and retailer and we do not have any issues with supply," said Decathlon Australia's CEO Olivier Robinet.
READ MORE
A charge has finally been laid over the "execution-style murder" of Melbourne footballer Bernie Williams in 1984 but police say the investigation is far from over.
Police have this morning charged a 62-year-old man with murder over the death of the young father, who was 25-years-old when he was found on a bush track near Hobbs Road, Bullengarook around 3pm on March 3, 1984.
READ MORE
Authorities have seized an illegal bounty of 291,000 cigarettes and 3026 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco after swooping on multiple properties in Queensland last week.
Working alongside Queensland Police, Australian Taxation Office agents uncovered the illicit tobacco in an operation that hit three properties in Logan, south Brisbane.
Officers from the ATO and Queensland Police searched two commercial units in Berrinba last Wednesday, where they discovered almost 300,000 cigarettes and around 2000 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, known on the streets as "chop-chop".
READ MORE
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2022
Auto news: Shock new reason behind car delays – drive.com.au
Online Coupons and Best Deals
Watch the Stan Original Documentary Series Show Me The Money now on Stan.
Search properties in AUS
Latest news, reviews and cars for sale
© 2022 Nine Digital Pty Ltd
© 2022 Nine Digital Pty Ltd
