Australia news live: Queensland environment department recommends new BHP coalmine be greenlit; latest search for missing Gus Lamont wound up
Follow latest updatesInflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fallGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who’s doing the media rounds this morning, is next to defend the “savings” the departments have to come up with.On the Today show, he is asked: is the government being hypocritical here, considering the criticism they hurled at the Coalition for their proposed public servant cuts during the election?What the Coalition was proposing was to cut tens of thousands of jobs. What we are proposing or what we’re... [Continue Reading]
It’s Time to Build Nuclear Power Plants Again
California and eight other states have outdated restrictions on building nuclear power plants. [Continue Reading]
A Major Moment for the British Economy: What to Watch in the U.K. Budget
Rachel Reeves, the top economic official in an increasingly unpopular government, will appear in Parliament to present tax and spending plans. [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo to Visit Turkey and Lebanon
Leo XIV will meet political and religious leaders in Turkey and Lebanon, providing an early test of his geopolitical mettle. Here’s what to know. [Continue Reading]
‘You Start Getting Desperate’: How It Feels to Be Young and Jobless in Britain
Rising youth unemployment is one of the challenges that will affect the success of the British chancellor’s economic approach as she unveils a crucial budget on Wednesday. [Continue Reading]
Twenty-four Nigerian schoolgirls released over a week after abduction
Hundreds of children remain missing following other recent abductions in Nigeria. [Continue Reading]
At least 10 killed and six missing as flash floods, landslides hit Indonesian island of Sumatra
Police say rescue teams are struggling to reach the most affected areas in the island of Sumatra where flash floods and landslides, triggered by torrential rains, killed at least 10 people and injured many more. [Continue Reading]
Plastic nurdles found at 84% of UK sites of special scientific interest
Environmental charity Fidra says 168 of 195 SSSIs it surveyed are contaminated with tiny pelletsPlastic nurdles have been found in 84% of important nature sites surveyed in the UK.Nurdles are tiny pellets that the plastics industry uses to make larger products. They were found in 168 of 195 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), so named because of the rare wildlife they harbour. They are given extra protections in an effort to protect them from pollution. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘No topic is too difficult’: children’s series on life in communist East Germany wins an Emmy
In Fritzi’s Footsteps tells story of a girl growing up in Leipzig who witnesses the fall of the Berlin WallThe creators of a children’s television series about life in communist East Germany have said they hope it will awaken interest in the region’s history, after it was awarded an International Emmy.Auf Fritzis Spuren (In Fritzi’s Footsteps) tells the story of a 12-year-old girl living in the eastern city of Leipzig and how she experiences life in the east and the events that lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Sydney weather: thunderstorms roll in as parts of NSW brace for catastrophic fire risk amid soaring temperatures
Total fire bans and school closures as parts of state face worst fire danger in two yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTemperatures soaring into the 30s and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities in New South Wales to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years, as thunderstorms rolled across the state on Wednesday.Power outages were affecting 90,000 customers across the state on Wednesday afternoon after nearly 20,000 lightning strikes and damaging winds, according to Ausgrid. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Trump says China’s Xi Jinping agreed to accelerate purchases of US goods
China's Foreign Ministry said Trump initiated call with Xi Jinping and communication was crucial for stable relations. [Continue Reading]
Democrats Say F.B.I. Is Investigating Them Over Illegal Orders Video
The move came one day after the Pentagon said it was investigating Senator Mark Kelly for his participation in the video. [Continue Reading]
Donors to Trump’s Transition Revealed a Year Later
A 46-person list includes billionaires and people he went on to appoint to positions of power. [Continue Reading]
5 reasons you should visit Santander and I don’t mean the bank
With intriguing history, melt-in-your-mouth grub and Palaeolithic caves, there are many reasons to visit this relatively undiscovered hidden gem. [Continue Reading]
Contract changes for phone, broadband before Cabinet
Consumers will be able to quit mobile phone and broadband contracts for free if their provider plans to increase their bills, under plans being brought to Cabinet. [Continue Reading]
Woman remains critical after being set on fire
A woman remains in a critical condition in hospital today after she was attacked and set on fire at her home in Clondalkin yesterday morning. [Continue Reading]
Trump envoy Witkoff reportedly advised Kremlin official on Ukraine peace deal
Steve Witkoff spoke to Yuri Ushakov on territorial control and suggested congratulating Donald Trump and framing talks more optimistically, audio recording suggestsDonald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange, according to a recording of their conversation obtained by Bloomberg.In the 14 October phone call with Yuri Ushakov, the top foreign policy aide to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, Witkoff said he believed the land concessions were necessary all while advising Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions... [Continue Reading]
Virginia Giuffre died in Australia without a valid will – now the legal battles can resume
WA court appoints administrator to oversee estate after Jeffrey Epstein victim’s lawyer and housekeeper contest Giuffre’s sons being granted authorityAn interim administrator has been appointed to oversee the estate of Virginia Giuffre after she died without a valid will, meaning multiple lawsuits that had been on hold can now resume.Giuffre, 41, died on a small Western Australian farm, 80km north of Perth, in April. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Inflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fall
Jim Chalmers says government deciding on energy rebate extension in ‘next few weeks’ as cost of living continues to biteFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInflation has climbed to 3.8% in the year to October, from 3.6% the month before, as Jim Chalmers flagged he could announce further energy bill subsidies for households in the upcoming midyear budget.Electricity prices were 37% higher in the year to October, which the head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, David Gruen, said reflected a “huge valley” in electricity prices this time... [Continue Reading]
'Once in 300 years' rain hits Thai city as floods ravage South East Asia
The deadly floods have affected 2 million people, the majority of whom are still cut off from help. [Continue Reading]
Govt to discuss reform of Ireland's asylum procedures
A series of measures to reform Ireland's asylum and migration procedures will be brought to Cabinet today by Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan. [Continue Reading]
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for coup plot
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has started to serve a 27-year prison sentence on Tuesday after he was convicted for leading a coup attempt following his 2022 presidential election loss, despite pressure and protest from US President Donald Trump. [Continue Reading]
Virginia Giuffre died in Australia without a valid will – now the legal battles can resume
WA court appoints administrator to oversee estate after lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein victim and her housekeeper contest Giuffre’s sons being granted authorityAn interim administrator has been appointed to oversee the estate of Virginia Giuffre after she died without a valid will, meaning multiple lawsuits that had been on hold can now resume.Giuffre, 41, died on a small Western Australian farm, 80km north of Perth, in April. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Australia politics live: Angus Taylor ejected after lights briefly go out during question time; childcare costs up 11% as inflation spikes
Follow latest updatesInflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fallGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who’s doing the media rounds this morning, is next to defend the “savings” the departments have to come up with.On the Today show, he is asked: is the government being hypocritical here, considering the criticism they hurled at the Coalition for their proposed public servant cuts during the election?What the Coalition was proposing was to cut tens of thousands of jobs. What we are proposing or what we’re... [Continue Reading]
Second teenage boy charged with murder after alleged stabbing behind Sydney school played ‘active role’, police say
Another boy, 15, charged on Monday after 17-year-old boy died from wounds to thigh in Rouse HillFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA second teenage boy arrested in his home over his alleged “active role” in the stabbing murder of a 17-year-old in a suburban park will spend months in custody.The alleged victim died from a knife wound to his thigh after a confrontation at a park behind a school in north-west Sydney on Monday afternoon. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Italy adds ‘femicide’ to the criminal code to curb violence against women
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has supported a bill to punish 'femicide' with life imprisonment. [Continue Reading]
New Zealand mother jailed for life over ‘suitcase murders’ of her children
Hakyung Lee gets life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for murdering her two children. [Continue Reading]
Taiwan’s President to Seek an Extra $40 Billion for Military
President Lai Ching-te says the spending, which must be approved by the island’s legislature, would fund purchases of arms from the United States. [Continue Reading]
Robert Irwin Wins ‘Dancing With the Stars’
His story began with loss, but the lessons of his “Crocodile Hunter” father helped Irwin spread a message of love as he won Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars.” [Continue Reading]
Tax rises, benefits and minimum wage. What could be in today's Budget?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering both tax rises and spending cuts in the 26 November Budget. [Continue Reading]
I’m an insomniac — here’s what life is like when you never sleep
TikToker Hannah Townsend has been suffering with insomnia her entire life [Continue Reading]
All-male lineup take top slots at ABC Sydney after Chris Bath’s shock departure
Director of audio concedes ‘there is always more to do’ on diversity as station staff express dismay at dearth of female presentersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereABC radio’s chief, Ben Latimer, says “there is always more to do” on diversity after Chris Bath was replaced with a male presenter on ABC Sydney, leaving the station with an all-male lineup from Breakfast through to Drive in 2026.Bath, who announced her resignation after only one year on Monday, will be replaced by Thomas Oriti in the key Drive slot, which... [Continue Reading]
Inflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fall
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says government deciding on energy rebate extension in ‘next few weeks’ as cost of living continues to biteFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInflation has climbed to 3.8% in the year to October, from 3.6% the month before, as Jim Chalmers flagged he could announce further energy bill subsidies for households in the upcoming midyear budget.Electricity prices were 37% higher in the year to October, which the head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, David Gruen, said reflected a “huge valley” in electricity prices this... [Continue Reading]
Australia politics live: Angus Taylor ejected after lights briefly go out during question time
Follow latest updatesInflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fallGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who’s doing the media rounds this morning, is next to defend the “savings” the departments have to come up with.On the Today show, he is asked: is the government being hypocritical here, considering the criticism they hurled at the Coalition for their proposed public servant cuts during the election?What the Coalition was proposing was to cut tens of thousands of jobs. What we are proposing or what we’re... [Continue Reading]
'Once in 300 years' rain hits Thai city as floods ravage Southeast Asia
The deadly floods have affected 2 million people, the majority of whom are still cut off from help. [Continue Reading]
Ukraine says 'understanding' reached on US peace plan, as Trump envoy to meet Putin
Kyiv and Washington have moved closer to agreeing the shape of a deal to end the fighting, with Putin to be consulted next week. [Continue Reading]
Hegseth orders US Navy secretary to investigate Arizona senator Mark Kelly for ‘potentially unlawful comments’ – as it happened
Donald Trump’s defense secretary sends memo to John Phelan asking him to review Kelly’s comments; House Democrats from video confirm FBI is seeking to investigate. This blog is now closed.Senator Mark Kelly has responded to the Pentagon’s announcement that it is investigating the Arizona lawmaker for possible breaches of military law after he joined five other Democratic members of Congress in a video calling for US troops to refuse illegal orders.“I said something that was pretty simple and non controversial, and that was that members of the military should follow the law,” Kelly said in an MS NOW interview with... [Continue Reading]
Bondi Junction stabbings: warrantless ‘wanding’ among recommendations considered by NSW coroner
NSW police scanning people for weapons in ‘crowded places’ and tighter protocols around weaning schizophrenia patients off medication are among the draft recommendationsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPermanent police powers to randomly “wand” people for weapons and tighter protocols around weaning schizophrenia patients off antipsychotic medication are among 22 draft recommendations that will be considered by the New South Wales state coroner after the Bondi Junction mass stabbing in Sydney.The list of proposals was released by the NSW coroner’s court on Wednesday as the coronial inquest into... [Continue Reading]
Sydney weather: thunderstorms roll in as parts of NSW brace for catastrophic fire risk amid soaring temperatures
Total fire bans and school closures as parts of state face worst fire danger in two yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTemperatures soaring into the 30s and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities in New South Wales to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years, as thunderstorms roll into Sydney.More than 20 public schools across central NSW were closed on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a warning for catastrophic fire danger. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Virginia Giuffre died without a valid will – now an Australian court has appointed an administrator
WA supreme court orders come after lawyer for victim of Jeffrey Epstein and her housekeeper contested Giuffre’s sons being granted authority over estateAn interim administrator has been appointed to oversee the estate of Virginia Giuffre after she died without a valid will, meaning multiple lawsuits that had been on hold can now resume.Giuffre, 41, died on a small West Australian farm, 80km north of Perth, in April. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Australia politics live: PM actively involved in talks with Greens to broker nature laws deal; question time under way
Follow latest updatesInflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fallGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who’s doing the media rounds this morning, is next to defend the “savings” the departments have to come up with.On the Today show, he is asked: is the government being hypocritical here, considering the criticism they hurled at the Coalition for their proposed public servant cuts during the election?What the Coalition was proposing was to cut tens of thousands of jobs. What we are proposing or what we’re... [Continue Reading]
Lidia Thorpe joins critics of ‘outrageous’ expansion of police search powers in Melbourne as premier defends move
Jacinta Allan says warrantless pat-down powers that last until May 2026 are consistent with Victoria police plan to be more visibleFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe has criticised a decision by police to expand search powers across inner Melbourne for six months, describing the move as “outrageous” and likely to lead to racial profiling.Victoria police on Tuesday declared the CBD – along with parts of Docklands, Southbank, the sporting and entertainment precinct, East Melbourne and South Melbourne – as a “designated area”... [Continue Reading]
Indonesia’s Jakarta now the world’s largest city, Tokyo falls to third: UN
Nine of the top 10 mega-cities are in Asia, with Bangladesh's Dhaka projected to be the world's largest city by 2050. [Continue Reading]
Cuba condemns ‘aggressive’ US stance towards Venezuela as tensions rise
Cuba has accused the US of preparing a violent intervention in Venezuela as Washington expands its military presence. [Continue Reading]
Boston Mayor Wu Questions Mamdani’s Approach to Meeting With Trump
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani won praise for his meeting with President Trump. But Michelle Wu, the like-minded mayor of Boston, said “flattery is not the way.” [Continue Reading]
Minnesotans gear up to fight Trump ending Somalis’ temporary protected status
Though president’s order is legally questionable, advocates worry community could be targeted for immigration raidsIn the days since the president said he would be ending a legal immigration status program for Somalis in Minnesota, local elected officials and community members said they will fight back.On Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote that he would be “terminating, effective immediately” temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota. Trump wrote that Minnesota was a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity”. “Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!” he wrote. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Australia politics live: treasurer blames higher inflation on ‘temporary factors’ as O’Brien warns borrowers can kiss rate cuts goodbye
Follow latest updatesInflation up to 3.8% as price pressures rise and hopes for Reserve Bank interest rate cuts fallGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe treasurer, Jim Chalmers, who’s doing the media rounds this morning, is next to defend the “savings” the departments have to come up with.On the Today show, he is asked: is the government being hypocritical here, considering the criticism they hurled at the Coalition for their proposed public servant cuts during the election?What the Coalition was proposing was to cut tens of thousands of jobs. What we are proposing or what we’re... [Continue Reading]
Thunderstorms roll into Sydney as parts of NSW warned of catastrophic fire risk amid soaring temperatures
Total fire bans and school closures as parts of state face worst fire danger in two yearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTemperatures soaring into the 30s and damaging wind gusts have prompted authorities in New South Wales to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years, as thunderstorms roll into Sydney.More than 20 public schools across central NSW were closed on Wednesday after the state’s Rural Fire Service issued a warning for catastrophic fire danger. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Horrific death of Kardell Lomas sparks urgent calls for new independent oversight of police
Federal government’s expert advisory panel on sexual violence says it repeatedly warned of chronic failure of police to adequately investigate violencePregnant and frightened, Kardell Lomas begged for help. Police found her body in the boot of a carAmy McQuire: ‘Kardell Lomas’s heartbreaking apology to police is a moment that should shame all Australians’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesMembers of the federal government’s own expert advisory panel on sexual violence have called for “urgent” independent national oversight of police after new revelations about Queensland police failures before the killing of the First Nations woman Kardell Lomas.Guardian Australia’s Broken... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine says 'understanding' reached with US on peace plan, as Trump envoy to meet Putin
President Trump says the original peace plan has been "fine-tuned", and that he will send his envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow. [Continue Reading]