The Guardian

Federal Labor promises $2bn for Sunshine station, but premier couldn’t give date for when rail line will be finishedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government will pour $7bn into Melbourne’s airport train in an effort to kickstart work on the long-awaited rail line and stave off the Coalition in traditional Labor seats.Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced a $2bn commitment for works at Sunshine station – which is planned to link Melbourne airport, the CBD and regional Victoria – in addition to the $5bn previously pledged to

President intervenes amid first signs of internal dissension as government departments push backDonald Trump has stepped in to defend Elon Musk from a mounting backlash in his own administration after some cabinet members told US federal workers to ignore the billionaire entrepreneur’s demand that they write an email justifying their work.The US president was driven to intervene amid the first signs of internal dissension over the disruptive impact of Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge), which Trump has authorised to seek mass firings in the federal workforce and reduce supposed waste and corruption. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/trump-deffends-musk-federal-workers

Strike Force Pearl investigators arrested and charged Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, but no charges have been laid against her former colleague Ahmed Rashid NadirFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales police are yet to speak to a second nurse involved in a viral video, despite his colleague being charged for allegedly threatened to kill Israeli patients.Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who worked at Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital in Sydney’s southwest, was charged with three offences including threatening violence, using a carriage service to threaten to kill and using a carriage

Chinese navy vessels sailing inside Australia’s exclusive economic zone, south of Hobart, may be ‘testing US allies as Donald Trump resets relationships in Europe’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastChinese warships south of Hobart appear likely to sail through the Great Australian Bight, and could be accompanied by an undetected nuclear submarine, the chief of the Australian defence force has said.Admiral David Johnston appeared before Senate estimates on Wednesday morning, saying the ADF had been surveilling the three People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessels since they split from a larger

News comes as leading network star criticizes management for decision to cancel shows hosted by non-white anchorsMSNBC has told the majority of the employees who produce Rachel Maddow and Joy Reid’s primetime evening news shows they are being let go as part of the network’s programming overhaul with the option to apply for new roles, according to two people directly familiar with the matter.Maddow, the biggest star and highest-rated anchor at MSNBC, will get to keep her executive producer, Cory Gnazzo, and several other senior producers, the people said. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/msnbc-layoffs-rachel-maddow Author : Anna Betts Publish

US district judge in Seattle says Trump’s executive order exceeded his powers by shutting down programA federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to suspend the US’s refugee admission system after ruling that the move exceeded his powers.The ruling, from US district judge Jamal Whitehead, stated that Trump’s executive order affecting refugee admissions, issued on the day of his inauguration, amounted to an illegal usurpation of the powers of Congress. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/trump-refugee-resettlement-program Author : Robert Tait and agencies Publish date : 2025-02-25 21:47:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Treasurer in Washington DC seeking exemption to steel and aluminium tariffs. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHello, and happy Wednesday – Emily Wind here, signing on for blogging duties. I’ll be bringing you our rolling updates for most of today here on the blog. Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking things off for us.You can get in touch with any questions, feedback and tips through email: [email protected]. Let’s go. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/26/australia-news-live-chalmers-us-tariffs-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-senate-estimates-cost-of-living-ntwnfb Author : Emily Wind Publish date : 2025-02-25 20:21:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked

Corporation apologises as inquiry finds it missed opportunities that could have led to action over former Radio 1 DJ’s behaviourThe BBC has admitted it “fell short and failed people” – including its own staff – and apologised after finding evidence of “bullying and misogynistic” behaviour by its former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.A £3.3m external inquiry published on Tuesday found the broadcaster “missed opportunities” during the DJ’s two decades at the organisation that could have led to action. The inquiry was triggered by a 2022 Guardian and BBC News joint investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by

Trump administration employees refuse to help billionaire slash size of federal government through mass firingsMore than 20 civil service employees resigned on Tuesday from Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge), saying they were refusing to use their technical expertise to “dismantle critical public services”.“We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the constitution across presidential administrations,” the 21 staffers wrote in a joint resignation letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Associated Press. “However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments.” Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/musk-doge-employees-resign

Government accepts advice of commission that also says children under 13 should not have their own smartphoneDenmark is to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs on the recommendation of a government commission that also found that children under 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet.The government said it would change existing legislation to force all folkeskole – comprehensive primary and lower secondary schools – to become phone-free, meaning that almost all children aged between seven and 16-17 will be required by law not to bring their phones into school. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/25/denmark-to-ban-mobile-phones-in-schools-and-after-school-clubs Author

Ofgem’s bigger than expected £111 rise is third consecutive increase in energy price capBusiness live – latest updatesMillions of homes will face higher than expected energy bills from April after the industry regulator said its price cap would rise by more than £100, increasing for a third consecutive quarter.The energy regulator, Ofgem, said the cap on gas and electricity charges will rise by £111 from April to an average of £1,849 a year for a typical household after a surge in energy market prices. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/25/average-annual-energy-bill-great-britain-energy-price-cap-gas-electricity-charges Author : Jillian Ambrose and Julia Kollewe Publish date :

US office for personal management, which manages federal workforce, says that responding to Musk is not mandatoryThe Kremlin appeared to contradict Donald Trump’s assertion that Russia was open to European peacekeepers being deployed in Ukraine, and referred reporters to an earlier statement that such a move would be unacceptable to Moscow.Russia has repeatedly said it opposes having Nato troops on the ground in Ukraine, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov saying last week that Moscow would view that as a “direct threat” to Russia’s sovereignty, even if the troops operated there under a different flag, Reuters reports.There is a position on

Re-examination of Welsh poems dating back to 10th century show figure as prophet concerned by human interactions with natureHe is probably most often thought of today as a wizard, a shape-shifter or a mentor to the young King Arthur.But a detailed re-examination of Myrddin – Merlin – by Welsh scholars suggests he can also be considered an early British environmentalist deeply worried about human interaction with the natural world. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars Author : Steven Morris Publish date : 2025-02-25 12:13:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Conservative leader says ‘international law should not become a tool for critics to advance political agenda’ in speech on foreign policyThe rightwing historian Nial Ferguson is in the audience for Badenoch’s speech, according to James Heale from the Spectator.Niall Ferguson spotted at Kemi Badenoch’s big speech on foreign affairs… hearing we might get some policy tooTractors’ horns interrupt Badenoch’s speech shortly after she begins speaking. Attendant spinner heard swearing furiously Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/feb/25/yvette-cooper-labour-mike-amesbury-keir-starmer-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-uk-politics-live-news-updates Author : Andrew Sparrow Publish date : 2025-02-25 11:03:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Friedrich Merz aiming to build government before Easter after winning most votes in Germany electionAnd if you think it’s all going to be oh-so-easy in the coalition talks, because the two parties worked together in the past, think again.SPD’s co-leader Lars Klingbeil, who is expected to lead his side in coalition talks, was on the ZDF last night. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/25/merz-germany-elections-coalition-europe-latest-live-news Author : Jakub Krupa Publish date : 2025-02-25 09:31:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

French president says he told Trump deal should be ‘substantial for Ukraine’; UN security council backs US resolution that fails to mention Russia as aggressorMacron warns against ‘surrender’ in UkraineLast week, Donald Trump said it had been a “mistake” to expel Russia out of what was then the G8 after Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. He has requested that Russia be admitted back into the G7 (Group of Seven), comprised of some of the world’s most economically advanced countries. They are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.German finance minister Joerg Kukies has been speaking

Airservices Australia notified Australian defence force about drills 10 minutes after initial contact with pilot, estimates hearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian officials did not know Chinese warships were conducting live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea until a Virgin commercial pilot alerted aviation authorities half an hour after they had begun.Officials from Airservices Australia, the agency responsible for aviation safety, told a Senate estimates hearing on Monday night that it was first informed of the live-fire drill at 9.58am on Friday morning, when a Virgin pilot was

Yindjibarndi people allege mining giant did not get permission from native title holders, while company says community ‘disharmony’ is not its faultFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTraditional owners in Western Australia are seeking more than $1bn in compensation for the Solomon Hub iron ore mine, but mining giant Fortescue Metals Group and the WA government say their claim is worth less than $10m.The federal court justice Stephen Burley is hearing final submissions this week in the long-running legal dispute between the Western Australian government, Fortescue (FMG) and

US property conglomerate CoStar offered $4.20 a share, valuing the Domain business at $2.7bn – but sometimes silence speaks louder than wordsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen Nine’s acting chief executive, Matt Stanton, presented the company’s financial results to analysts on Tuesday, he made it clear he didn’t want to speak about the very thing they wanted to.The broadcaster and publisher delivered its half-year results just days after US property conglomerate CoStar made an unsolicited approach to buy Domain, the real estate portal that Nine controls through

In this adapted extract from What’s the Big Idea? Louise Adler looks at the failure of Australian cultural leaders shying from risk and artistic vision – and letting the tail wag the dogGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailAll around the world, a succession of arts organisations across all sectors have come under pressure from artists – surely their first and most important stakeholders – to “take a stand” on a range of topical issues from the climate crisis to Israel’s war on Gaza. If artists engage with the issues of the day, what is the appropriate response of the

New high tempered by dip in number of female CEOs at 100 biggest listed firms to fewer than 10 last yearWomen occupy more than two in five seats on the boards of Britain’s biggest listed companies after further progress was made last year, but the number of female FTSE 100 chief executives dipped for a time to fewer than 10, according to a report.The proportion of board positions held by women at FTSE 350 companies rose to a new all-time high of 43.4% last year, up from 42.1% in 2023, according to the government-backed annual FTSE Women Leaders Review. Among

Architect who was once highly critical of King Charles is part of team that is one of five finalists for schemeThe shortlist of teams competing to design a national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled and includes an architect once highly critical of King Charles.Five finalists are in the running for what has been described as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, in tribute to the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/norman-foster-on-shortlist-to-design-queen-elizabeth-ii-memorial Author : Caroline Davies and agency Publish date : 2025-02-25 00:01:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs

Holt to step down as anchor as Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, whose shows also canceled, to remain at MSNBCNBC’s Lester Holt is stepping down as anchor of its Nightly News show, and MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin is stepping down from a similar role at his namesake weekend evening show as the networks’ owners continue a major programming shake-up on Monday.Others at MSNBC affected by changes revealed on Monday include Katie Phang and Jonathan Capehart, the New York Post reported. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/24/msnbc-ayman-mohyeldin-show-canceled Author : Marina Dunbar Publish date : 2025-02-24 22:35:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

Clip allegedly posted online by Nicholas Prosper says he was ‘chosen’ by video game characterNineteen-year-old Nicholas Prosper spent much of his time online. This is hardly uncommon for modern teenagers, but Prosper – who rarely left home – was so immersed in the digital world that some of his neighbours reportedly had no idea he existed.That changed last September when people in Leabank Tower, Luton, were startled by the sounds of screams and gunshots in the early hours. Prosper, who was 18 at the time, had shot his mother, Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Kyle Falcon, 16, and Giselle Falcon,

Improvements to phone service will be world-leading, minister to pledge. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGreens vow to overhaul job services and abolish mutual obligationsThis morning the Greens will launch their policy to overhaul job services by eliminating for-profit providers from the employment services system, restoring the Commonwealth Employment Services, abolishing mutual obligations and hiring more staff to bring call wait times to Centrelink to under five minutes.The privatised employment service system is costly, ineffective and cruel. It makes it harder for people to look for and find work, while enriching for-profit