Lawsuit says president does not have authority to impose levies and demands refunds from federal governmentA coalition of Democratic attorneys general and governors across 24 US states are suing Donald Trump to block his latest round of tariffs.The White House is planning to enact a new 15% tariff on all imports after the supreme court declared Trump's liberation day" tariffs illegal. The tariffs have yet to go into effect, though the White House said the new rate would start this week. Continue reading...
Joani Reid steps back while internal inquiry takes place following freeing of husband David Taylor on bail until MayThe MP whose husband was arrested this week on suspicion of spying for China has resigned the Labour whip while an internal investigation is carried out.Joani Reid, the MP for East Kilbride, said on Thursday night she would temporarily stand down from the parliamentary party while the inquiry takes place. Continue reading...
Lower house votes in favour of polarising law after rapid increase in population and attack on grazing farm animalsWolf hunting will be allowed in Germany under legislation passed by the lower house of parliament in response to a rapidly growing population and a sharp rise in attacks on livestock.The return and growth of the wolf population in the last three decades has emerged as a wedge issue in Germany, the land of the Brothers Grimm who popularised the spectre of the Big Bad Wolf. Continue reading...
PM also confirms that the first repatriation flight for Britons in the region has taken offShe says we will always offer protection to genuine refugees" and outlines how the UK has taken in Ukrainian and Hong Kong refugees.She says restoring control at our borders is not a betrayal of Labour values". She says we must attract high-skilled workers. And that the privilege of living in this country forever must be earned". Continue reading...
Maggie Oliver Foundation taking action over government's alleged failure to adopt changes recommended by inquiryCampaigners have accused the UK government of in effect allowing child abuse to continue by having an inconsistent and arbitrary" approach to implementing recommendations from a seven-year statutory inquiry.The claim was made at the high court in London, where a judge said a legal action against the Home Office could continue. Continue reading...
Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, 54, and Maj Jeffrey O'Brien, 45, were from California and Iowa, respectivelyThe Pentagon has released the names of the final two of the six soldiers who were killed during a recent drone strike in Kuwait. They were killed on Sunday, the day after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Their names were released by the US Department of Defense on Wednesday.The two soldiers were identified as Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, 54, and Maj Jeffrey O'Brien, 45. They were from Sacramento, California, and Indianola, Iowa, respectively. Continue reading...
The 114-page document backs licence fee but suggests its current funding model is being tested to breaking pointIt's that time again. The BBC published its opening salvo in the current talks over its royal charter. The tortuous negotiations with the government, which take place every 10 years, are often accompanied by tough talk about radical change.This time is no different. However, it also comes with data suggesting the BBC's funding model is on an unsustainable course, fundamentally challenged by a transformation in how media is consumed. Continue reading...
The US president previously threatened to stop all trade with Spain after it said it didn't back the US-Israeli military operation against IranMeanwhile, France has allowed US aircraft on some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict opposing the United States and Israel with Iran, the French military said.As part of our relations with the United States, the presence of their aircraft has been temporarily authorised on our bases" in the region, a spokeswoman for the military general staff told AFP.These aircraft contribute to the protection of our partners in the Gulf."The frigate Cristobal Colon joined the Charles de Gaulle Naval Group on 3 March to carry out escort, protection, and advanced training duties in the Baltic Sea. The group will now head to the Mediterranean, arriving off the coast of Crete around 10 March.The supply ship Cantabria will also briefly put to sea to provide fuel and logistical support during the Naval Group's transit through the Gulf of Cadiz. Continue reading...
Early results may be released from Friday after first election since gen z protests forced Nepal's then-PM to quitNearly six months after a wave of unprecedented gen Z-led protests forced Nepal's then prime minister to quit, people have voted in a general election that is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown between the entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement.The voting process has been concluded peacefully and enthusiastically," said the chief election commissioner, Ram Prasad Bhandari. It appeared the turnout was only about 60%, according to initial estimates, the lowest in more than two decades. Continue reading...
Experts say the Iran war could cause an energy price shock that pushes up UK inflation, in turn forcing up interest ratesHSBC and Coventry building society are the first big lenders to announce they are increasing rates on their fixed mortgage deals after the Middle East crisis, with brokers predicting others are likely to follow.Experts have said the war could trigger an energy price shock that pushes up UK inflation, which may in turn force the Bank of England to increase interest rates. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#74146)
Paul Quinn researched case despite having little interest in news websites, jury hears at Manchester crown courtAn alleged rapist who is suspected to have evaded justice for nearly 20 years carried out an exponential" rise in online searches about the case when it emerged police were investigating a new suspect, a court has heard.Paul Quinn, 51, is accused of raping and violently beating a woman in 2003 in an attack that led to the wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison in what jurors were told was one of the worst miscarriages of justice in Britain. Continue reading...
As number of cases climbs past 1,000, experts say CDC is not taking obvious steps amid funding cutsExperts say that the Trump administration has failed to take obvious steps to contain the spread of measles, which is continuing to accelerate in the United States as the number of cases has climbed past 1,000.The administration has revealed a relaxed attitude toward the highly contagious virus both in terms of messaging and funding allocation, experts said. Continue reading...
The $110bn deal will require approval from regulatory authorities in the US, the EU and the UKChampagne reportedly flowed at Paramount Skydance headquarters late last week after the media conglomerate edged out Netflix to acquire the entirety of Warner Bros Discovery for a cool $110bn.And on a call with analysts and investors on Monday morning, David Ellison, Paramount Skydance's chief executive, said the company was absolutely confident" that the merger will expeditiously pass regulatory muster both in the US and abroad. Continue reading...
by Jason Burke in Jerusalem, Andrew Roth in Washingto on (#740NH)
Experts say backing Iran's ethnic communities could open up a hornet's nest' and increase risk of chaotic civil warIntense waves of airstrikes have hit dozens of military positions, frontier posts and police stations along northern parts of Iran's border with Iraq in what appears to be preparation by US and Israel for a new front in their war.A US official with knowledge of the discussions between Washington and Kurdish officials said the US was ready to provide air support if Kurdish fighters crossed the border from northern Iraq. Continue reading...
Tim Wilson's take on a Billy Joel classic has triggered cheers and jeers in parliament. We look back at some unforgettable performances'One hopes for a calm and dignified demeanour from our leaders but it seems Australia's politicians just can't resist the opportunity to break into song.The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, on Wednesday offered up his satirical version of Billy Joel's 1989 classic We Didn't Start the Fire, thus reminding us of some of Australian politicians' greatest hits. Continue reading...
by Rowena Mason, Pippa Crerar and Alexandra Topping on (#740XV)
Donald Trump has also criticised Keir Starmer's initial decision not to allow the US to use UK military bases in the warThe US did not share exact operational details or timings with the UK before the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, sources have told the Guardian.The US decision to cut the UK out of the official loop on the airstrikes came alongside Keir Starmer's decision to decline permission for the US to use British military bases for the operation. Continue reading...
by Adam Fulton (now); Marina Dunbar, Anna Betts, Vivi on (#73ZYC)
This blog is closed. Please follow our continuing coverage on our new liveblog hereLebanese state media said that four people were killed and six more were wounded in an Israeli strike on a building in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon on Wednesday.The initial toll is four killed and six wounded, and work is underway to rescue families from under the rubble," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said. Continue reading...
The Arctic Metagaz had been carrying 61,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas when it exploded; Ukrainian drones reported to have hit southern Russia. What we know on day 1,471Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has accused Ukraine of carrying out a attack on one of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, which exploded and sank into the Mediterranean Sea off Libya. Explosions were reported on the Arctic Metagaz, which had been carrying 61,000 tonnes of LNG, on Tuesday night when the ship was about 150 miles (240km) off the coast of Libya. Ukraine has not commented on the sinking on the ship, which had been under US and EU sanctions. Russia's transport ministry had claimed that the Arctic Metagaz had been hit by Ukrainian drones launched from the Libyan coast.Ukrainian drones damaged Russian civilian sites in the south-western region of Saratov, Roman Busgarin, the area's governor said early on Thursday. Saratov airport and other airports in the southern and central regions were closed late on Wednesday and early on Thursday. Three injuries were reported.A prolonged energy crisis caused by the widening war in the Middle East may offer the Russian war machine an economic lifeline just as it was beginning to show signs of strain over its war in Ukraine. Russia could receive a windfall if disruption in the Middle East pushes buyers towards its energy, while a possible slowdown in western arms supplies to Ukraine as the US military action in Iran continues could give Russia a further boost.Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that trilateral talks with Washington and Moscow about ending Ukraine's war in Russia would resume, once the situation in Iran and the Middle East permitted. The Ukrainian president also said that he spoke to the king of Bahrain and the crown prince of Kuwait about the conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday.Ukraine has said it will boycott Friday's opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, over the participation of Russian athletes. Athletes from Russia and Belarus had been banned from the 2022 Winter Paralympics over its war in Ukraine, but were allowed to compete as neutral athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Poland were set to join Ukraine in its boycott on Friday. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Prime minister also presented Melania Trump with a $3,000 Paspaley pearl pendantThe Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, gave Donald Trump a gift of a model nuclear submarine with golden plates and finishes, internal documents reveal, during his visit to the White House last year which sealed the president's support for the Aukus pact.The prime minister also presented the US first lady, Melania Trump, with a A$3,000 Paspaley pearl pendant. Continue reading...
Corporation proposes sweeping changes intended to protect its independence and shore up its futureThe BBC is to call for an end to political appointments to its board as part of sweeping changes designed to protect its independence.The corporation will also demand that its royal charter be put on a permanent footing in an attempt to end the existential threat posed by having to negotiate with ministers over its future every 10 years. Continue reading...
by Sally Weale Education correspondent on (#740QY)
Research challenges idea of generation sensible' as alcohol and drug use increase after teenage yearsBinge drinking rates among gen Z have risen sharply since their teenage years, according to research that challenges their reputation as generation sensible".Almost seven in 10 (68%) 23-year-olds reported binge drinking in the past year, while nearly a third (29%) said they did so at least monthly, up from 10% at age 17. Continue reading...
Financial abuse is a factor in more than half of deaths related to domestic abuse but is often misunderstoodEconomic abuse from a partner contributes to one death from homicide or suicide every 19 days, a charity has found.Surviving Economic Abuse (Sea) said economic abuse from an intimate partner was a factor in more than half of deaths related to domestic abuse but was often misunderstood or overlooked.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
Shabana Mahmood hopes to reduce number of claimants in hotels by enabling them to support themselvesUp to 21,000 asylum seekers who have waited for a year for their claims to be processed could be allowed to enter the jobs market so they can support themselves, the Home Office has said, as part of a package of measures to be announced on Thursday.As the government seeks to empty asylum hotels, claimants who break the law, work illegally or are found to have enough assets to live without support will from June be ejected and lose their support payments. Continue reading...
Coroner suggested Hajra, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, who could not swim, may have slipped into pools on path up SnowdonTwo sisters have accidentally drowned after they paddled fully clothed at a national park beauty spot in Wales, an inquest has heard.
The Arctic Metagaz burst into flames before sinking after what the Russian president described as a terrorist attackVladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of carrying out a terrorist attack on one of Russia's liquefied natural gas carriers which exploded into flames and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya.The Arctic Metagaz had been sanctioned by the US and EU for being part of Moscow's shadow fleet" of ageing tankers that carry its oil and gas around the world, skirting Western restrictions. Continue reading...
by Pippa Crerar, Rowena Mason and Peter Walker on (#74087)
Exclusive: David Taylor, husband of Joani Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, named as one of those arrestedA former Labour adviser who is married to a Labour MP is among three men who have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.David Taylor, the husband of the Labour MP Joani Reid, was arrested by detectives from counter-terrorism police in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, and as part of a wider investigation into national security offences related to China. Continue reading...
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