The Guardian

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,

Navjot ‘Jo’ Sidhu KC ‘abused his professional position’ and trust of young woman he was mentoring, panel findsThe former chair of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has been disbarred over sexual misconduct towards a young aspiring lawyer.Navjot “Jo” Sidhu KC faced disciplinary allegations over inviting a woman in her 20s – referred to in tribunal proceedings as Person 2 – to stay overnight in his hotel bed during a mini-pupillage or work-shadowing experience in 2018. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/mar/19/barrister-jo-sidhu-kc-disbarred-tribunal-sanctions Author : PA Media Publish date : 2025-03-19 19:04:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

All the fight seems to have gone out of the Tory leader, but mood on Labour’s backbenches is frosty over benefit cutsIt’s come to something when the most striking sign of activity on the Conservative frontbench at prime minister’s questions is Chris Philp’s manspreading. Not a pretty sight, I grant you, but stick with me. Maybe the Philpster suffers from chafing. Maybe he’s just very insecure and territorial. Either way, his thighs are getting wider apart by the day. Too much further and he will dislocate his hips. God knows what his shadow cabinet colleagues make of it. By now

Ice-cream brand’s board says David Stever has been ‘removed’ for refusing to ‘oversee the dismantling’ of its valuesBusiness live – latest updatesBen & Jerry’s has accused its parent group, Unilever, of sacking the ice-cream brand’s chief executive for refusing to “oversee the dismantling” of its progressive values.David Stever – who led the company for almost two years having first joined it as a tour guide in 1988 – was “removed” from his post earlier this month, it has emerged in a court filing from the US-based brand. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/19/ben-jerrys-unilever-ceo-ince-cream-david-stever Author : Sarah Butler Publish date :

Nicholas Prosper, 19, who also plotted to carry out mass shooting at his former primary school, gets life sentenceA “truly evil” 19-year-old who murdered his mother and two younger siblings as part of a failed plot to kill 30 children and become the worst mass murderer in British history has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 49 years.Nicholas Prosper admitted murdering Juliana Falcon, 48, Kyle Falcon, 16, and Giselle Falcon, 13, last month. Their murders were part of a wider plot to storm a morning assembly at his former primary school with a shotgun and “cause the

Judge also rules case of detained Palestinian activist should be heard in New Jersey, not LouisianaExclusive: Mahmoud Khalil says he’s being targeted for political beliefsDemocratic congressman Glenn Ivey told constituents at a town hall meeting in his Maryland district that Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s Democratic minority leader, should step down from his position after a bitter intraparty fight over government funding last week, HuffPost reports.Ivey is the first member of Congress to say Schumer should leave his leadership position, after the leader supplied enough votes to pass a Republican-backed government funding bill through the Senate. House Democrats had near-unanimously rejected

Prime minister takes questions in Commons after decision to slash disability paymentsLast night, to back up its analysis of the disability cuts, the Institute for Fiscal Studies published two charts illustrating aspects of the changes.This one shows how the £5bn cuts announced yesterday compare in scale to previous benefit cuts, listed here in order of how big they were, in current prices. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/mar/19/labour-dwp-further-benefit-cuts-disability-pmqs-conservatives-uk-politics-latest-news-updates Author : Andrew Sparrow Publish date : 2025-03-19 12:25:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Gaza health officials say five killed in two strikes as Israeli evacuation order may suggest plans for ground operationsIsrael has launched a new wave of airstrikes in Gaza on the second day of its resumed offensive in the devastated Palestinian territory.The attacks were far less intensive than the massive strikes early on Tuesday morning, which killed more than 400 and shattered the relative calm since a 19 January ceasefire paused the 18-month war. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/19/israel-launches-gaza-airstrikes-on-second-day-of-resumed-offensive Author : Jason Burke in Jerusalem Publish date : 2025-03-19 11:08:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Prime minister defends changes to welfare system but Labour MPs struggle to digest plans for disability payments The rising benefits bill is “devastating for public finances” and has “wreaked a terrible human cost”, Keir Starmer has said as he defended the government’s drastic changes to the welfare system.Writing in the Times, the prime minister said “the facts are shocking”, noting one in eight young people are not in education, employment or training and 2.8 million working age people are out of work because of long-term sickness. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/19/rising-bill-for-benefits-has-also-wreaked-terrible-human-cost-says-keir-starmer Author : Aletha Adu Political correspondent Publish date