The Guardian

A household with a $750,000 loan will see their monthly repayments reduce by $115 if their bank adjusts its mortgage rate accordinglyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has cut the cash rate to 4.1% with a quarter-point reduction, offering a reprieve to indebted households buffeted by years of high living costs and heavy mortgage repayments.The decrease is the first since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has arrived just in time for the Labor government to campaign on its economic credentials before an

Opposition leaders accuse prime minister of risking its relationship with New Zealand by continued secrecy around dealHundreds of protesters have marched on Cook Islands’ parliament to oppose prime minister Mark Brown’s recent decisions, including a failure to properly consult its closest partner New Zealand over a deal to deepen ties with China.Roughly 400 protesters – led by opposition parties – gathered outside the capital city of Avarua on Tuesday, RNZ reported, with some holding signs reading “Stay connected with New Zealand”. Others waved placards showing the New Zealand passport in opposition to Brown’s now-abandoned controversial proposal to introduce a separate

Jack LaSota, who publishes blog under the name of ‘Ziz’, appears to be leader of group of anarchist computer scientistsThe apparent leader of a cultlike group known as the Zizians has been arrested in Maryland along with another member of the group, Maryland state police have said.Jack LaSota, 34, was arrested on Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania. They face multiple charges including trespassing, obstructing and hindering and possession of a handgun in the vehicle, police said on Monday. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/jack-lasota-alleged-cult-like-group-zizian-arrest-maryland Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2025-02-18 00:57:00 Copyright for syndicated

The paedophile priest died in jail while serving time for the abuse of more than 70 children over three decadesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA paedophile priest, convicted of abusing more than 70 children over three decades, has died.Gerald Ridsdale died on Tuesday morning in prison. He was 90.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/18/gerald-ridsdale-australias-most-notorious-pedophile-priest-dies-in-jail-ntwnfb Author : Australian Associated Press Publish date : 2025-02-18 00:03:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Katie Tangey, 27, died after arsonists hit the wrong address while she was house-sitting her brother’s home in Truganina in JanuaryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA house fire which killed a “completely innocent” woman is a case of mistaken identity linked to Melbourne’s tobacco wars, police say.Katie Tangey, 27, died after arsonists hit the wrong address while she was house-sitting her brother’s home in Truganina, in the city’s west, in the early hours of 16 January.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link

British prime minister says force would need protections such as air cover that only US can provide Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to provide a US “backstop” to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it is the only way to deter Russia from attacking the country again.The UK prime minister’s appeal to Trump came after an emergency summit in Paris that heard widespread calls by European leaders for a large boost in defence spending. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/starmer-urges-trump-to-provide-backstop-to-european-peacekeeping-force-in-ukraine Author : Patrick Wintour in Paris Publish date : 2025-02-17 21:44:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the

Oscar Jenkins appears in video uploaded to YouTube. Follow today’s news liveAn unverified video appears to show Australian man Oscar Jenkins alive in Russian captivity, after he was feared dead at one point.In the video, uploaded to YouTube, a man behind the camera says it is 17 January 2025, before Jenkins identifies himself:My name is Oscar Jenkins … I am 32 years old … I come from Australia.Everything is okay, he is alive, and I think he will better.Racial hatred is unacceptable – and under this new legislation, it will be a crime to publicly and intentionally incite racial hatred.

President moves to cut Federal Aviation Administration workforce as critics say public safety could be endangeredThe Trump administration has begun firing hundreds of employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including some who maintain critical air traffic control infrastructure, despite four deadly crashes since inauguration day.According to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (Pass) union, “several hundred” workers received termination notices on Friday. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/17/trump-administration-faa-worker-firings Author : Edward Helmore in New York Publish date : 2025-02-17 19:14:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Conservative leader calls ‘pronouns, diversity policies and climate activism’ a ‘poison’ in speech at rightwing eventKemi Badenoch has said “our country and all of western civilisation will be lost” if efforts to renew the Conservative party and drive forward rightwing ideas globally fail.Likening her own leadership to Donald Trump’s second term, she used a gathering of fellow conservatives to attack Keir Starmer for taking the knee in a nod to Black Lives Matter and described “pronouns, diversity policies and climate activism” as a “poison”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/17/kemi-badenoch-western-civilisation-will-be-lost-tory-party-fails Author : Ben Quinn Publish date : 2025-02-17 17:53:00 Copyright

Value of imports and exports is now about €32bn, with chemical sector among those hit by Brexit red tapeTrade between Great Britain and Ireland dropped more than €6bn in 2024 as post-Brexit frictions hit shipments across the Irish Sea.The value of imports and exports between the nations fell to around €32bn last year, down from €38bn in 2023, according to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/irish-figures-show-6bn-drop-in-trade-with-great-britain Author : Lisa O'Carroll in Dublin Publish date : 2025-02-17 16:23:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Spokesperson says Keir Starmer’s previously stated view that military action needs consent of MPs has not changedUK politics live – latest updatesEurope live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has not ruled out holding a parliamentary vote on committing UK troops to a peacekeeping role in Ukraine after a ceasefire, after calls from some within Labour and the Lib Dems.On Monday, Downing Street hinted that a US-backed guarantee would be needed in order for the UK to send ground troops, saying it was an “essential” part of any ceasefire deal with Russia. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/17/pm-does-not-rule-out-vote-on-ukraine-peacekeeping-role-for-uk-troops Author : Jessica Elgot

Discovery of pest in UK raises fears for Sitka spruce, which accounts for half of country’s commercial plantationsA beetle that has previously devastated Norway spruce populations across continental Europe has been found to be equally attracted to the Sitka spruce, a finding experts say could have significant implications for commercial forestry.The eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle has now been found in the UK, raising fears for the Sitka, which accounts for a quarter of Britain’s forest cover and half its commercial forestry plantations. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/17/tree-killing-beetle-found-to-be-attracted-to-britain-most-common-spruce Author : Rachel Keenan Publish date : 2025-02-17 13:39:00 Copyright for

The Washington Post reports ‘Doge’ is requesting access to the system that contains the personal financial records of millions of AmericansHere is a little more on US and Russian officials meeting in Riyadh.Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday on a previously planned trip. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/feb/17/elon-musk-doge-irs-donald-trump-ukraine-europe-us-marco-rubio-politics-live Author : Jane Clinton Publish date : 2025-02-17 12:14:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Emmanuel Macron convenes summit to try to find path outside EU as US and Russia prepare to meet without European involvementSwedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson told Reuters that deploying Swedish troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force is “absolutely a possibility.”His comments build on earlier declaration from Swedish foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenegard (9:40). Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/17/europe-live-european-leaders-paris-ukraine-future-peace-summit-us-russia-latest-updates-news Author : Jakub Krupa Publish date : 2025-02-17 11:09:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Health secretary said he is not doing ‘victory laps’ as Labour says it has met its manifesto promise earlyHealth secretary Wes Streeting has been on the media round for the government this morning, and has been asked about Keir Starmer’s commitment to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine in a peacekeeping role if required by any peace deal.Speaking on Times Radio he said it was “premature” to talk about how many British troops could be sent. PA Media reports he told listeners:The prime minister will be travelling to France to meet with other European Nato leaders to discuss

Coalition of Islamic groups says remarks made by nurses that they would kill Israeli patients were ‘emotional and hyperbolic’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA coalition of prominent Muslim groups and leaders, including Muslim Votes and Muslim Votes Matter, have criticised what they claim is “selective outrage” in reactions to a video of two Bankstown hospital nurses claiming they would kill Israeli patients.The edited video, which was posted by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, sparked widespread condemnation, including by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who called the footage “sickening and shameful”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news

Cyclone Zelia, which hit Western Australia on Friday, brought the Bureau of Meteorology to the end of an alphabetical listFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTropical Cyclone Zelia may have dissipated but it won’t be the last to threaten Australia’s coastline and the next one has forced a name change before it even forms.Zelia, which crossed the Western Australian coast on Friday, brought the Bureau of Meteorology to the end of an alphabetical list that alternates by gender, with the next cyclone due to be named Anthony.Sign up

Vadim Stroykin reported to have killed himself by jumping from a ninth-floor window during visit by security servicesNo one knows exactly what happened in the final moments of Vadim Stroykin’s life.The 59-year-old Russian singer-songwriter’s vibrant career came to a sudden end on 5 February when a team from Russia’s security services arrived at his cramped ninth-floor St Petersburg flat at 9am. They were investigating him for what has become one of the gravest offences in today’s Russia — donating to the Ukrainian army. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/friends-of-russian-anti-war-singer-vadim-stroykin-cast-doubt-on-official-version-of-his-death Author : Pjotr Sauer Publish date : 2025-02-17 05:00:00 Copyright for

Mark Brown says Beijing deal that covers trade, investment, oceans, infrastructure and transport complements ties with New ZealandThe Cook Islands says it has signed a deal to expand relations with China, stressing that the accord does not impinge on ties with former colonial power New Zealand.Prime minister Mark Brown said he signed an “action plan for the comprehensive strategic partnership” with Chinese premier Li Qiang in the northern city of Harbin during a five-day state visit to China last week. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/cook-islands-signs-china-deal-agreement Author : Eva Corlett and agencies Publish date : 2025-02-17 04:08:00 Copyright for syndicated

Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys showUK employers are preparing for the biggest redundancy round in a decade amid collapsing business confidence as firms brace for tax increases from April that Rachel Reeves announced in her autumn budget.In a fresh blow for the chancellor, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which represents human resources professionals, said a survey of 2,000 employers showed redundancy intentions at their highest level in 10 years, barring the Covid pandemic. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps Author : Phillip Inman Publish date : 2025-02-17

Tagline has quickly become the subject of derision, with some critics likening it to a clearance sale slogan A New Zealand tourism campaign targeting Australian visitors has been ridiculed for sounding like a clearance sale slogan and for being tone-deaf amid widespread public service job cuts and record numbers of New Zealanders moving overseas.The government launched its “Everyone must go!” campaign on Sunday, in a bid to encourage Australian holiday-makers to visit New Zealand. The NZD$500,000 campaign will run on radios and social media in Australia between February and March. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/new-zealand-everyone-must-go-tourism-campaign-criticism-emigration Author : Eva Corlett

Resolution Foundation report says failure to reform has ‘slowly recreated the issues that undid the poll tax’Britain’s poorest households are paying an increasing share of their income on council tax, according to new analysis that likened it to the poll tax that contributed to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.The poorest fifth of households paid 4.8% of their income on council tax in England, Wales and Scotland and on domestic rates in Northern Ireland in the 2020-21 financial year, up from 2.9% in 2002-3, according to research by the Resolution Foundation. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-poorest-households-income-share-council-tax-resolution-foundation Author : Jasper Jolly

Lee calls unanimous decision a ‘violation’ of principle of valuing an artist’s voiceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Creative Australia board meeting that led to Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi being dumped as the nation’s representative for the 2026 Venice Biennale was “fraught and heartbreaking”, the artist Lindy Lee has revealed.On Monday the federal arts funding organisation announced an immediate, independent, external review of the selection process.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/17/artist-lindy-lee-quits-creative-australia-board-after-decision-to-dump-biennale-artist-ntwnfb Author : Nour Haydar and Kelly Burke Publish

Heavy snowfall expected in New England, with bone-chilling cold predicted for northern plainsMuch of the US faced another round of biting winter weather on Sunday, with torrential rains causing intense flooding in Kentucky and resulting in multiple deaths.The Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, on Sunday said at least eight people were dead amid the inundation, with the number possibly increasing. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/16/us-weather-kentucky-flooding-cold-snow Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2025-02-16 20:33:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Chief commissioner Shane Patton leaving the role ‘effective immediately’. Follow today’s news headlines liveGood morning, and welcome back to a new week on the Australia news live blog. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today.As AAP reports, Victoria’s police commissioner Shane Patton has advised he would step away from the role “effective immediately”. He said last night:It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision, however I think it is the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/17/australia-news-live-victoria-police-sydney-trains-industrial-action-interest-rates-election-campaign-cost-of-living-ntwnfb Author :