Russia’s mindset has not changed since Yalta, says Von der Leyen, as EU discusses Ukraine peace plan – Europe live
European Commission president says Russia still sees Europe ‘in terms of spheres of influence’, just as it did in conference to reorganise continent after second world warThe European Commission president also adds the key principle that needs to be respected by any future peace deal as “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, nothing about Europe without Europe, nothing about Nato without Nato.”She then talks about the need to secure the return of “each and every Ukrainian child that has been abducted by Russia,” saying Europe “will not forget them.” Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Labor’s nature laws risk collapse with deal yet to be struck on eve of parliament’s final sitting day
If Labor cannot reach deal on Thursday, it will mark second time in 12 months that it has failed to secure planned EPBC Act reforms Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese is yet to land a deal to rewrite federal nature laws ahead of parliament’s final sitting day of the year, leaving the long-promised reforms at risk of collapse for the second time in 12 months.But political, industry and environment movement sources expect the Greens will eventually accept an 11th-hour compromise after Labor offered new concessions to secure the minor party’s support. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Trump says envoy to meet Putin amid efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump is sending senior negotiators to meet Vladimir Putin to push for a deal to end Russia’s war. [Continue Reading]
India destroyed by Harmer, South Africa in second Test to lose series 2-0
Six wickets by Simon Harmer in Guwahati allowed South Africa to sweep their two-match Test series with India. [Continue Reading]
Stuck in Gaza’s limbo: Palestinians struggle to live amid Israel’s attacks
Palestinians in Gaza stuck as they try to plan for peace, even as Israel refuses to end its violence against them. [Continue Reading]
X’s new location disclosure policy: What does it mean for safety?
The new 'transparency feature' on Elon Musk's social media platform has raised concern among users. [Continue Reading]
India suffer heaviest defeat as South Africa complete series sweep
South Africa hand India their heaviest defeat by runs to complete a compelling 2-0 series sweep in Guwahati on Wednesday. [Continue Reading]
33 dead, thousands displaced as record rains hit Thailand
Authorities in Thailand plan to send helicopters to evacuate critically ill patients from a southern hospital marooned by some of the region's worst floods in years, as the death toll rose to 33, with more rain expected. [Continue Reading]
Reform of migration procedures on Cabinet agenda
A series of measures to reform Ireland's asylum and migration procedures will be brought to the Cabinet by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan this morning. [Continue Reading]
Protest in Paris denounces rise in femicides across France
Hundreds gathered outside the Panthéon to denounce rising femicides in France, unfurling banners and torchlit displays demanding stronger government action. [Continue Reading]
China warns foreign interference in Taiwan will be ‘crushed’
Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office warns against foreign interference in island as Taipei announces new defence spending. [Continue Reading]
Hamas Says It Returned Body of Another Hostage From Gaza
Israel confirmed the remains belonged to Dror Or, 48, who was abducted during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks. The bodies of two captives are believed to be still in Gaza. [Continue Reading]
'They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing'
How Germany's Zeina Nassar - who makes her pro debut on Wednesday - rewrote boxing's rules about fighting in a hijab. [Continue Reading]
Israel confirms Hamas and PIJ returned body of Gaza hostage Dror Or
The handover means the bodies of two deceased hostages are still being held in Gaza six weeks after the ceasefire began. [Continue Reading]
Robert Irwin wins Dancing with the Stars, a decade after sister's victory
Son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, Robert was a fan favourite this season. [Continue Reading]
Where to Invest: How to turn £100 into £1,000 without doing a thing
After the basics of investing? We have you covered. [Continue Reading]
Sir Elton John, 78, has had ‘challenging’ 15 months after devastating health issue
The star is remaining optimistic, however. [Continue Reading]
Italian parliament votes to makes femicide a crime
Italian politicians have unanimously backed a bill making femicide - the intentional killing of women or girls - a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment. [Continue Reading]
Teenagers seek to block Australia's social media ban
A constitutional challenge against Australia's social media ban on children younger than 16 has been filed in the nation's highest court, two weeks before the world-first law is set to take effect. [Continue Reading]
Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble in annual tradition
President Donald Trump carried out the traditional Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House, sparing two birds named Waddle and Gobble during a light-hearted ceremony. [Continue Reading]
Reserve Bank could raise interest rates as early as May after inflation climbs to 3.8%
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 podcastThe Reserve Bank of Australia could be forced to hike interest rates as early as May, economists say, after inflation climbed to 3.8% in the year to October, from 3.6% in the month before.The latest bad news on cost of living was accompanied by a shocking 37% annual jump in power bills as generous state government subsidies rolled off, figures from the... [Continue Reading]
Labor’s nature laws risk collapse with deal yet to be struck on eve of parliament’s final sitting day
Greens expected to sign on to 11th-hour compromise after Labor offers new concessionsAnthony Albanese is yet to land a deal to rewrite federal nature laws ahead of parliament’s final sitting day of the year, leaving the long-promised reforms at risk of collapse for the second time in 12 months.But political, industry and environment movement sources expect the Greens will eventually accept an 11th-hour compromise after Labor offered new concessions to secure the minor party’s support. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Protesters worldwide demand end to violence against women
The UN finds home most dangerous place for women, with about 50,000 of them killed by partners or family last year. [Continue Reading]
Russia-Ukraine war live: US envoy Witkoff to visit Moscow for peace talks
Tit-for-tat strikes as Russia accuses European nations of trying to scupper US-backed ceasefire negotiations. [Continue Reading]
Stuck in Gaza’s limbo: Palestinians struggle to live amid Israel’s attacks
Palestinians in Gaza stuck as they try to plan for peace, even as Israel refuses to fully end its violence against them. [Continue Reading]
At least 10 people killed in Indonesia floods, landslides
Rescuers in Sumatra are racing to find survivors after floods and landslides killed at least 10 people. [Continue Reading]
Seth Meyers Bastes Trump for His Rambling Turkey Pardon
The president spent so much time talking that Meyers thinks the turkeys would have preferred to be put out of their misery. [Continue Reading]
Australian teens launch court challenge to social media ban
They argue the law - which will block users under 16 from having social media accounts - is unconstitutional. [Continue Reading]
Couple turn garden shed into £2,000 home to help save for a house
She says living in the shed helped her save for a house. [Continue Reading]
All 28 Emmerdale pictures for next week as sinister Ray targets show legend
She's got no idea. [Continue Reading]
What is the 'Aurora Berryalis' spotted over Dublin?
An unusual pink light spotted in the skies of north Dublin in recent weeks has caused much intrigue, with many mistaking it for the Northern Lights. [Continue Reading]
Government 'budgeting like there's no tomorrow' - Ifac
Despite soaring taxes flowing into the Government's coffers from US multinationals, the State's fiscal watchdog says the proportion of the windfall revenues being set aside by the Cabinet is falling. [Continue Reading]
Victorian government sets date for formal apology to First Nations people – as it happened
This blog is now closedNSW storms leave man dead and thousands without power as temperatures soar into 30sGet 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 asking... [Continue Reading]
US will charge non-residents $100 to visit its most popular national parks
The spike in fees for non-US residents comes as the National Park Service budget faces potential cuts next year. [Continue Reading]
Southern Thailand floods kill 13, leave thousands stranded
Floods have left thousands of people stranded and large areas under water in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia. [Continue Reading]
Warner settles lawsuit with AI music firm and launches joint venture
The label is going into business with tech start-up Suno after settling a lawsuit against the company. [Continue Reading]
Trump's envoy to have Ukraine peace plan talks at Kremlin next week
Russia confirms the US president's close aide will travel to Russia, hours after Trump tasked him with meeting Putin. [Continue Reading]
Mum who killed kids and hid their bodies in suitcase which was auctioned off jailed
It was only when the buyers took the suitcases home did they discover the bodies. [Continue Reading]
Thailand to airlift critical patients as floods kill 33
Authorities in Thailand plan to send helicopters to evacuate critically ill patients from a southern hospital marooned by some of the region's worst floods in years, as the death toll rose to 33, with more rain expected. [Continue Reading]
Prices of many tractors double amid material costs rise
The value of farm machinery to the Irish economy has reached €4.76 billion, according to the first ever economic report in the area, while a jump in raw material costs has contributed to the prices of many tractors doubling in the last decade. [Continue Reading]
HP to cut thousands of jobs due to AI adoption
Computer and printer maker HP has announced a sweeping restructuring plan that will eliminate about 10% of its workforce globally as the company pivots towards Artificial Intelligence to boost efficiency. [Continue Reading]
Govt 'budgeting like there's no tomorrow' - Ifac
Despite soaring taxes flowing into the Government's coffers from US multinationals, the State's fiscal watchdog says the proportion of the windfall revenues being set aside by the Cabinet is falling. [Continue Reading]
Wednesday briefing: What may be in – and out – of Rachel Reeves’s ‘hokey cokey’ budget
In today’s newsletter: As the chancellor prepares to deliver one of the most heavily briefed budgets ever, tax rises, the two-child benefit cap and a ‘mansion tax’ are all on the table• Don’t get First Edition delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning. If you haven’t noticed, the lead-up to this year’s budget has been unusually chaotic and drawn-out, with plenty of behind-the-scenes briefings and a whirlwind of speculation about what taxes will be hiked.The challenge facing the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is plugging a financial hole of around £20bn and raising money to fund the services voters demand, while... [Continue Reading]
NSW storms leave man dead and thousands without power as temperatures soar into 30s
Total fire bans are in place and schools closed 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 podcastA man has died and thousands have been left without power after New South Wales was hit by damaging wind gusts and thunderstorms.Temperatures in parts of the state soared into the 30s on Wednesday, prompting authorities to raise bushfire alerts to their highest levels in more than two years. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]