The Guardian

Independent assessment, which was handed to government before US election, warns of ‘global geopolitical and economic fragmentation’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia faces a world more volatile and dangerous than it has known for more than four decades, and “major-power conflict is no longer unimaginable”, a review of the country’s intelligence agencies has found.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, commissioned the review of the work of the 10 agencies that make up Australia’s national intelligence community in September 2023.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailThere have been

Heathrow airport closed on Friday and travellers warned to stay away after fire in Hayes causes power outageHello and welcome to our live coverage of the closure of Heathrow airport following a fire at an electricity substation in Hayes. The fire led to a power outage that has left the airport without electricity.Airport operators said the travel hub would be closed until midnight on March 21. Significant disruption to travel is expected and passengers should avoid the airport. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2025/mar/21/hayes-substation-fire-heathrow-airport-live-updates-power-cut-outage Author : Kate Lamb Publish date : 2025-03-21 03:22:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the

Exclusive: energy secretary says 2050 target is imperative, and accuses opposition of betraying of future generations The government is “absolutely up for the fight” over net zero, Ed Miliband has said, as he accused the Conservatives and Reform of “a total desertion and betrayal” of future generations by failing to tackle the climate crisis.After a turbulent week for Labour in which it has been charged with abandoning its values by slashing disability benefits, the energy secretary sought to focus attention on the party’s plans for the green energy transition. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/21/government-absolutely-up-for-the-fight-over-net-zero-ed-miliband-says Author : Pippa Crerar Political

Edward James received three-drug lethal injection under death warrant signed in February by governor Ron DeSantisA Florida man who killed an eight-year-old girl and her grandmother on a night in which he drank heavily and used drugs was executed on Thursday.Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8.15pm after receiving a three-drug injection at Florida state prison outside Starke under a death warrant signed in February by Governor Ron DeSantis. The execution was the second this year in Florida, which is planning a third in April. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/florida-execution Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2025-03-21

Premier accused of ‘capitulation to the tabloid media’ as human rights groups warn changes will lead to increased criminalisation of Aboriginal and other marginalised communitiesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian government’s controversial bail laws have passed parliament after a marathon debate, sparking criticism from legal and human rights groups who warn it will lead to the increased criminalisation of Aboriginal and other marginalised communities.The premier, Jacinta Allan, announced the changes to the Bail Act last week, before they were fast-tracked through parliament, passing the lower house

Many doubt that what remains of department can govern student debt as one in four adults under 40 has loansDonald Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Department of Education on Thursday, prompting uncertainty for those holding student debt and questions about what happens next.Trump’s press secretary told reporters earlier on Thursday what remained of the department would continue to govern student debt. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/trump-education-department-student-loans Author : Martin Pengelly and Maya Yang Publish date : 2025-03-20 22:09:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Labor’s controversial bail laws come amid ongoing debate over what some have labelled a ‘youth crime crisis’ in the state. Follow live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChalmers says ‘risks outweigh the benefits’ of breaking up the big supermarketsJim Chalmers was also up on ABC News Breakfast this morning, where he was asked if there’s a reason the government can’t commit to more of the 20 recommendations?The ACCC has handed down a 441-page report and not on any of those pages does it support the divestiture powers which have been proposed by our political opponents.If

US may shuttle between sides in drive to achieve quick deal Trump is seeking, as Russia sends ex-spy to lead negotiationsUkraine will have a delegation in Riyadh on the same day the US is holding ceasefire talks there with a Russian negotiating team led by a secretive former FSB chief who played a key role in planning Vladimir Putin’s 2022 full-scale invasion.Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the delegation would meet with US representatives on Monday and supply a list of energy infrastructure that would be off-limits for strikes by the Russian military. The US representatives would then meet the Russian

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says DoE will be ‘much smaller’ due to executive order Trump will sign as critics say it is ‘dark day’ for US childrenRevealed: Trump education cuts mean years of work – and millions of dollars – go to wasteTell us: how has your work been affected by Trump’s policies?Another, perhaps more worrying sign, of the Trump administration’s approach to economic policy was revealed yesterday, when commerce secretary Howard Lutnick recommended in a Fox News interview that people buy Tesla stock.That’s the electric car company led by Elon Musk, who is busy right now cutting down the

Exclusive: Representatives of king, National Trust and others called on to work together to protect environmentUK politics live – latest updatesSteve Reed called in some of England’s biggest landowners for a meeting on Thursday, asking them to come up with meaningful plans to restore nature on their estates.Representatives for King Charles and Prince William were among those at the meeting, asked by the environment secretary to draft new land management plans to help meet the country’s legal Environment Act targets. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/defra-england-biggest-landowners-plans-restore-nature Author : Helena Horton Environment reporter Publish date : 2025-03-20 16:32:00 Copyright for syndicated

Despite the decision to hold at 4.5%, businesses and households can take a confident view of the UK’s prospectsBank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdBusiness live – latest updatesBank of England policymakers might be on a “go-slow” as they look forward to interest rate cuts this year, but the direction of travel is almost certain.After a meeting on Thursday when interest rates were kept on hold at 4.5%, City investors bet there would be more reductions in the cost of borrowing this year, most likely two cuts reducing the rate to 4%.

Israeli military says it is conducting ground activities in northern Gaza strip as Gaza’s health ministry reports 85 people killed by Israeli attacks overnightThe resumption of airstrikes has sent Palestinian residents again fleeing for their lives from homes they had begun to reinhabit among the ruins of the devastated territory.Some Palestinians who tried to use the Salahuddin road said they saw cars come under fire from Israeli troops advancing towards Netzarim, reports Reuters. The fate of the passengers in the vehicles was unknown. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/mar/20/israel-gaza-war-latest-middle-east-news-ceasefire-hostages-netanyahu-hamas-trump Author : Amy Sedghi (now); Tom Ambrose and Hamish Mackay (earlier)

European leaders are gathering in Brussels this morning to discuss Ukraine, defence and the Middle EastSwedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the progress made on Ukraine, but was growing frustrated with Russia’s “ifs and buts” on ceasefire, adding it was up to Moscow to “prove it” that it is serious about ending the conflict.He also pointed to later talks in the UK with army chiefs and planners as an important part of discussions on how Europe can support any future peace agreement. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/mar/20/europe-live-russia-ukraine-war-eu-zelenskyy-putin-trump-starmer-military-leaders-london-news Author : Jakub Krupa Publish date :

Nigel Huddleston says local elections ‘will be difficult’ for Conservatives after the ‘high-water mark’ of 2021Disabled people’s access to transport has been called a “national embarrassment” by MPs on a parliamentary committee, who said a new enforcement regime was needed to uphold their right to travel. Gwyn Topham has the story.Jesse Norman, the shadow leader of the Commons, paid tribute to his father, Sir Torquil Norman, who has just died, during business questions in the chamber this morning. Torquil Norman’s toy company created the Polly Pocket brand.Almost exactly 24 hours ago, my father Torquil Norman died at the age of

Comments by chipmaker’s boss Jensen Huang are a sign Trump’s ‘America First’ policy is affecting investmentBusiness live latest updatesThe boss of the world’s biggest computer chipmaker, Nvidia, has promised the company will shell out “several hundred billion” dollars to make semiconductors and other electronics in the US over the next four years.The comments from Jensen Huang illustrate how the California-headquartered AI chipmaker is remodelling its supply chain away from Asia amid unpredictable tariff threats by Donald Trump. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/20/nvidia-us-manufacturing-ceo-jensen-huang-donald-trump Author : Kalyeena Makortoff Publish date : 2025-03-20 09:59:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Opposition leader criticised for using historical slur against gay men, with a spokesperson for Dutton saying ‘no offence was intended’ Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPenny Wong says it’s “unsurprising” Peter Dutton would use an historical slur to attack the prime minister’s response to China, noting the opposition leader had opposed marriage equality.In a statement, a spokesperson for Dutton said: “It was a phrase that shouldn’t have been used, and no offence was intended from Mr Dutton.”Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/20/dutton-calling-albanese-limp-wristed-over-chinese-ships-unsurprising-wong-says-ntwnfb Author : Sarah Basford Canales

It means no Tasmanian salmon companies are certified as meeting the RSPCA-approved standard, its chief executive saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRSPCA Australia has revoked its accreditation of major Tasmanian salmon company Huon after the release of a video that it said showed the inhumane handling of live fish.The withdrawal follows an initial 14-day suspension after the Bob Brown Foundation published drone video that showed writhing live salmon being siphoned into a tub containing dead fish.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/20/rscpa-revokes-huon-salmons-accreditation-after-video-showing-live-fish-being-dumped-in-tasmania-ntwnfb Author : Adam Morton Climate and

More than 12,800 stores shut in 2024, down on 2023, but extra costs expected to take toll this year, study suggestsThe UK’s high streets are expected to empty out at a faster pace this year as extra costs imposed on businesses by Rachel Reeves are blamed for shops closing and a slowdown in chain store openings.The rate of store closures is forecast to rise again as a result of the chancellor’s tax-raising budget last October, after a slowdown to 10 a day last year from 13 a day in 2023, according to research. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/20/rate-uk-shop-closures-rise-after-budget-tax-changes-report Author

Paul Thijssen stalked 21-year-old water polo coach as she ‘attempted to push back’ against his manipulation, court hearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe parents of murdered water polo coach Lilie James have described their devastation in an emotional statement to the coronial inquest into her death.Peta and Jamie James also stressed the importance of teaching young boys to “respect and value a woman’s opinion and choices” and warned not doing so could have tragic consequences.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailIn Australia, the crisis support service

Detained after taking a leading role in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University, the graduate has called himself a political prisoner. Chris McGreal reportsThis month Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate who had worked with human rights groups and even the UK government, was detained in New York. His wife, who is eight months pregnant, said her husband was not told why he was being detained and that officers assumed he was on a visa – but actually he has a green card, allowing him to stay in the US and protecting his constitutional rights.Khalil says his detention is part

Australian National Imams Council labels proposal ‘opportunistic’ as Jewish Council of Australia says opposition ‘pitting different communities against each other’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe opposition has been accused of “pitting” community groups against each other and using the Jewish community for political purposes, in suggesting citizenship tests should include questions on antisemitism.The Australian National Imams Council told Guardian Australia the proposal raises “significant concerns” and divides communities rather than bringing them together.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/20/coalition-citizenship-test-antisemitism-questions-ntwnfb Author

Lawyers for former judge say he has filed application with federal court disputing lawfulness of ACT Integrity Commission reportFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff will challenge findings that he engaged in “serious corrupt conduct” by leaking his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann to two journalists before it was made public.The Australian Capital Territory Integrity Commission’s report, released on Wednesday, found that Sofronoff’s conduct fell within “several elements of the definition of ‘corrupt conduct’”, through his disclosures to two journalists: Janet

Mother of Francisco Javier García Casique spotted him in a video showing scores of Venezuelan prisoners being taken to notorious El Salvador prisonDonald Trump’s White House has described the Venezuelan migrants deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador as “heinous monsters” and terrorists who “rape, maim and murder for sport”.But relatives of Francisco Javier García Casique, a 24-year-old from the city of Maracay, say he was a hairdresser, not a crook. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/19/venezuelan-deportations-families-trump Author : Tom Phillips and Clavel Rangel Publish date : 2025-03-19 23:10:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Federal Bureau of Prisons told to transfer women back and provide hormone therapy treatment for gender dysphoriaA judge on Wednesday ordered the federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP) to transfer two incarcerated transgender women back to federal women’s prisons after they had been sent to men’s facilities after Donald Trump’s executive order that truncated transgender protections.US district judge Royce Lamberth in Washington DC issued a preliminary injunction after the women were added as plaintiffs in ongoing litigation over the impact of the president’s executive order on trans women in federal prisons. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-trans-women-prisons Author : Associated Press

Max Chandler-Mather says all 38,000 homeless must have access to a permanent home. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSharma weighs in on latest deadly strikes in Gaza from IsraelLiberal senator and former ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, was up on ABC News Breakfast earlier to discuss the latest strikes carried out by Israel on Gaza.If any of us were in their position, we would be single-mindedly focused on the return of our loved ones. I can understand that. This is a politically contentious issue in Israel, there’s no walking away from that,