The Guardian

Militant group will release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners as Israel confirms it will begin negotiations on second phase of ceasefire dealGeneva Abdul is a reporter for the GuardianMore than 200 organisations worldwide have called on nations involved in producing F-35 fighter jets to “immediately halt all arms transfers to Israel” amid fears they have failed to prevent the planes from being used to violate international law. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/18/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-troops-lebanon-withdrawal-deadline-passes-egypt-gaza-latest-updates-news Author : Jane Clinton (now); Aneesa Ahmed and Yohannes Lowe (earlier) Publish date : 2025-02-18 16:51:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Michelle King opts to retire after 30 years rather than grant request by ‘department of government efficiency’The acting head of the Social Security Administration (SSA) left the agency after she refused to give billionaire Elon Musk and the so-called ”department of government efficiency” (Doge) access to sensitive information about beneficiaries.The SSA processes retirement and disability benefits for more than 71 million Americans – and it uses sensitive personal information, such as banking information and tax information, to do so. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/musk-social-security-administration-michelle-king Author : Jessica Glenza Publish date : 2025-02-18 15:13:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

Follow major developments of the second Trump administration’s first 100 days, brought up to date weeklyDonald Trump has completed an extraordinary return to power as the 47th president, vowing to impose his vision and re-altering the political and cultural landscape of the nation.To keep up with the dizzying array of executive orders, directives, firings and policy changes, the Guardian will be tracking the major developments of the second Trump administration’s first 100 days, just like we did during the first 100 days of Trump’s first presidency in 2017. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/27/trump-first-100-days-guide Author : Hugo Lowell, Joan E

Couple accused of entering country ‘under guise of tourists’ had been monitored by security agencies Craig and Lindsay Foreman, the British couple detained in Iran, have been charged with espionage, according to an Iranian judiciary spokesperson quoted by news agency Mizan.According to Mizan, a spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary said the Foremans had been monitored by security agencies and were “arrested on charges of espionage”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/18/britons-craig-and-lindsay-foreman-detained-in-iran-charged-with-espionage Author : PA Media Publish date : 2025-02-18 12:38:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Justice department has requested corruption charges against Eric Adams be dropped, widely seen as reward for his help with Trump’s immigration agendaA conservative activist who has consistently defended the January 6 storming of the Capitol has been nominated by Donald Trump to serve as the permanent top federal prosecutor in the city where it happened.Trump named Ed Martin for US attorney for the District of Columbia, the top prosecutor for all serious local crimes by adults in the district. His appointment must be confirmed by the US Senate. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/feb/18/donald-trump-elon-musk-eric-adams-us-politics-live-news Author : Jane Clinton Publish date

John Healey says decisions made over the coming weeks will affect not only Ukraine but security of world for generations to come, as he speaks in LondonThe Liberal Democrats have called for parliament to be recalled amid discussion of the possibility that British troops might be deployed on the ground in Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force in the event there is a US-Russia brokered peace deal.Leader Ed Davey said:This is an era-defining moment for global security with events that will impact us for decades taking place over days.We must act immediately to save Ukraine from a shoddy

European officials not part of discussions as Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns his country will not recognise peace deals made without Ukrainian participationSee all our Ukraine war coverageBack when Europe was still looking to America with hope, and not despair and confusion, a US musical perfectly captured the nature of the conversations we are going to see today:No one really knows how the game is played The art of the trade How the sausage gets made We just assume that it happens But no one else is in the room where it happensWhen you got skin in the game, you stay in

Unemployment rate unchanged in December, while vacancies continue to fall in latest quarterUK pay growth rose in December and unemployment remained unchanged despite warnings from business that Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget would lead to job losses.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show annual growth in total average weekly earnings rose by 6% in the three months to December, up from 5.6% in November and above a 5.9% forecast made by City economists. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/18/uk-pay-growth-rises-despite-job-loss-warnings-after-rachel-reeves-budget Author : Richard Partington Economics correspondent Publish date : 2025-02-18 07:18:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Exclusive: More than 200 civil society groups say governments have failed to prevent planes from being used to violate international lawMore than 200 organisations worldwide have called on nations involved in producing F-35 fighter jets to “immediately halt all arms transfers to Israel” amid fears they have failed to prevent the planes from being used to violate international law.The letter, signed by 232 civil society organisations, was sent on Monday to government ministers in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the US and the UK as the war in Gaza reached 500 days. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/campaigners-urge-f-35-fighter-jet-producing-nations-to-stop-supplying-israel

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