Australia kept quiet about early deployment of forces ahead of Iraq war, cabinet papers show

31/12/2024 13:05 The Guardian

The Howard government sent military personnel to the Middle East well before officially authorising Australia’s involvementCurbs on transgender rights were proposed for Australia’s 2004 Marriage Act, cabinet papers showA cost-of-living election: Howard ministers agreed to $4bn in last-minute spending in 2004Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Howard government avoided disclosing that it had sent military forces to the Middle East months before authorising Australia’s official involvement in the Iraq war in 2003, cabinet records show.Cabinet documents from 2003 and 2004 released by the National Archives contain the first confirmation of what has been widely discussed in the decades since: the government deployed forces well before officially authorising Australia’s involvement in the war on 18 March 2003.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

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UK won’t engage in ‘kneejerk’ response to Trump tariffs, says minister

Bridget Phillipson warns of ‘difficult period’ ahead for trade, but government ‘working through every eventuality’Business live – latest updatesThe UK government will not engage in a “kneejerk” response to any tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, as it warned there will be a “difficult p...

02/04/2025 08:34 The Guardian

Starmer urged to join EU and Canada in fighting Trump with retaliatory tariffs – UK politics live

PM hopes to reach economic deal with US but growing numbers call for unified retaliation to US tariffsGood morning. Keir Starmer is taking his last PMQs before the Easter recess at noon, but the big event today will come at 9pm tonight (UK time) when President Trump announces sweeping global tariffs...

02/04/2025 08:33 The Guardian

Europe scrambles for unified response as it braces for Trump tariffs – Europe live

France’s industry minister urges negotiation and calming measures as ECB figures call for retaliation and European ‘independence’Russian attacks damaged energy facilities in Ukraine’s Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions, President Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.A drone hit a substation in the north...

02/04/2025 08:23 The Guardian

Israel announces plan to seize ‘large areas’ in Gaza – latest updates

Defence minister Israel Katz says large areas of the territory will be seized and added to the security zones of IsraelAirstrikes continued on Gaza on Wednesday morning after the Israeli defense minister announced that Israel intended to expand its war. In a statement, Israel Katz said the offensive...

02/04/2025 08:05 The Guardian

Ban bosses from ‘improper’ use of NDAs for low-paid workers, says ex-minister

Louise Haigh calls for end to two-tiered system over complaints of sexual misconduct or harassmentBosses should be banned from the “improper” use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for low-paid workers in the service, retail or hospitality sectors, a former cabinet minister has warned, as she c...

02/04/2025 07:45 The Guardian

Northern NSW braces for heavy rain as Queensland flooding forecast to move south

Emergency workers mobilise amid fears wild weather and swollen rivers could inundate parts of mid north coast, northern rivers and northern tablelandsGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastHundreds of emergency workers have been deployed in northern New South Wales as the im...

02/04/2025 07:27 The Guardian

Wednesday briefing: What the latest wave of tariffs mean for the US, UK, Europe – and you

In today’s newsletter: The administration’s sweeping tariffs have left markets bracing for volatility – but what impact will they have on an unsteady global economy?Good morning. According to Donald Trump, it’s “liberation day”: the advent of a new trade order in which Americans reap the...

02/04/2025 05:52 The Guardian

Stranger than fiction MI5 tales revealed in first National Archives collaboration

From Guy Burgess’s briefcase to microdots secreted in talc, an exhibition reveals remarkable items from the agency’s archives – and the extraordinary stories behind themThe agency that would become MI5, originally known as the Secret Service Bureau, employed just 17 staff in 1914; by the end o...

02/04/2025 05:38 The Guardian

Doctors in NSW public hospitals threaten three-day strike over pay dispute, defying ban

State government warns industrial action could halt elective surgeries, as doctors seek pay rise of up to 30%Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThousands of doctors in public hospitals across New South Wales...

02/04/2025 05:32 The Guardian

Trump set to announce new round of tariffs on his so-called ‘liberation day’

President’s plans have rattled global stock markets and triggered heated rows with US’s largest trading partnersDonald Trump will announce his latest round of tariffs at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, threatening to unleash a global trade war on what he has dubbed “liberation day”.T...

02/04/2025 05:00 The Guardian

Thousands of Ford Kuga hybrid drivers ‘left in limbo’ after fire risk warnings

Carmaker reportedly has yet to announce plan for repairs after telling motorists not to charge their carsThousands of drivers have reportedly been left in limbo after warnings that their car could catch fire due to a battery defect.Ford issued an urgent recall of its Kuga plug-in hybrid car in earl...

02/04/2025 05:00 The Guardian

Outrage in New Zealand after 11-year-old girl sent to psychiatric ward and drugged in identity mix-up

Report finds police mistook girl for missing woman in blunder that has appalled political leadersAn 11-year-old girl was restrained, injected with anti-psychotic drugs and placed on a mental health ward after New Zealand police mistook her for a missing woman, a report found on Wednesday.Health offi...

02/04/2025 04:19 The Guardian

Cory Booker breaks record for longest speech by US senator as he condemns Trump policies for more than 24 hours – live

Democratic senator warns of ‘grave and urgent’ danger, while Republican Randy Fine wins Florida special electionUS voters are headed to the polls on Tuesday in Wisconsin and Florida in elections that some see as a test of Donald Trump’s popularity and the political clout of his billionaire all...

02/04/2025 00:07 The Guardian

Hegseth indicates US backing for Taiwan – but it is transactional Trump who has the final word

Defence secretary’s trip to Asia shows the Trump administration is engaged with the region, but analysts warn Taipei to tread carefully On Tuesday China’s military launched joint drills around Taiwan, sending ships, planes and some bizarre propaganda videos across the strait to both warn and pun...

02/04/2025 00:02 The Guardian

Cory Booker breaks record for longest Senate speech with Trump condemnation

In speech that began Monday night, Democratic senator warns of ‘grave and urgent’ danger of Trump administrationUS politics – latest updatesCory Booker, the Democratic US senator from New Jersey, has broken the record for longest speech ever by a lone senator – beating the record first estab...

01/04/2025 23:19 The Guardian

Starmer offers big US tech firms tax cuts in return for lower Trump tariffs

Exclusive: UK willing to placate Trump with lower digital services tax rate also encompassing non-US companiesBig US technology companies have been offered a significant tax cut by Keir Starmer in return for lower tariffs from Donald Trump’s administration as the UK braces itself for a global trad...

01/04/2025 23:05 The Guardian

UK needs to relax AI laws or risk transatlantic ties, thinktank warns

Tony Blair Institute says enforcing stricter licensing rules for copyright-protected material will threaten national security interestsTony Blair’s thinktank has urged the UK to relax copyright laws in order to let artificial intelligence firms build new products, as it warned a tougher approach c...

01/04/2025 23:01 The Guardian

Data protection bill leaves room for governmental abuse, campaigners warn

Ministerial revision of privacy rules could allow targeting of voters with political messaging, rights groups fearPrivacy campaigners have warned that voters’ personal data could be used to target them with political messaging under new laws.In a letter written to Chris Bryant, the data protection...

01/04/2025 20:45 The Guardian

Palestinian paramedics shot by Israeli forces had hands tied, eyewitnesses say

Senior doctor who saw bodies says men appeared to have been ‘executed’, adding to evidence of potential war crimeSome of the bodies of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, killed by Israeli forces and buried in a mass grave nine days ago in Gaza, were found with their hands or legs tied...

01/04/2025 18:17 The Guardian

Kemi Badenoch gives credence to race-swap conspiracy theory about Adolescence but admits she hasn’t watched it – as it happened

Conservative party leader says she believes show ‘is based on real story’, a claim described as wholly untrue by writer and co-creator of seriesRichard Hughes, chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility, is giving evidence to the Treasury committee. There is a live feed here.Hughes started by...

01/04/2025 17:00 The Guardian

Icelandic town and Blue Lagoon spa evacuated after volcanic eruption

Those who have not already left Grindavík warned nearby eruption could be much bigger than previous 10 since 2021The Icelandic town of Grindavík and the nearby Blue Lagoon tourist attraction have been evacuated after the area was hit by another volcanic eruption.The eruption is the 11th since 2021...

01/04/2025 15:58 The Guardian

Russia says it cannot accept US peace plan for Ukraine ‘in its current form’

Moscow’s refusal highlights the limited progress Donald Trump has made on his promise to end the warMoscow has described the latest US peace proposals as unacceptable to the Kremlin, highlighting the limited progress Donald Trump has made on his promise to end the war in Ukraine since taking offic...

01/04/2025 15:57 The Guardian

French ministers condemn threats to judges in Marine Le Pen case

Senior figures also reject claim verdict against Le Pen on embezzlement charges was ‘political and partisan’ Europe live – latest updatesFrench ministers have condemned threats against the judges who convicted the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and banned her from public office for five years...

01/04/2025 15:49 The Guardian

French justice minister urges prompt appeal hearing for Le Pen – as it happened

Gérald Darmanin stresses court timelines are outside government control as PM admits he has questions over immediate public office bansLe Pen ban is ‘political and partisan’, says French far-right party’s presidentIn Kyiv, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has offered an update on the...

01/04/2025 15:20 The Guardian

‘Remarkable’ Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101

Veteran lauded for helping preserve history and legacy as well as vital role played during second world warThe Bletchley Park code breaker Charlotte “Betty” Webb has died at the age of 101, the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (WRACA) has confirmed.Arriving at Bletchley from the Auxiliary...

01/04/2025 14:29 The Guardian

Wild co-founders ‘land £100m’ from sale of natural deodorant maker

Childhood friends sell upmarket brand to Unilever, the maker of Marmite, Dove soap and Lynx deodorantBusiness live – latest updatesA pair of UK entrepreneurs selling refillable deodorants and manuka honey lip balms made from natural ingredients have landed a near-£100m payday from the sale of the...

01/04/2025 13:20 The Guardian

Markets brace for trade war as Trump prepares reciprocal tariffs | First Thing

President promises to be ‘very kind’, but critics warn his strategy risks triggering chain reaction and global trade war. Plus, Nasa astronauts reject claims of neglectDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.As Donald Trump prepared to unveil a swathe of reciproca...

01/04/2025 11:20 The Guardian

Asylum system risks ‘damaging social cohesion’, Glasgow city council warns

Council says cost running into tens of millions, as homeless refugees granted asylum across UK come to city for supportThe asylum system risks “damaging social cohesion” with homeless refugees putting “unprecedented pressure” on Glasgow services, the city council has warned.Glasgow city coun...

01/04/2025 11:01 The Guardian

UK housebuilders ‘very bad’ at building houses, says wildlife charity CEO

Land speculation to blame for lack of progress amid Labour drive to build 1.5m new homes, says Wildlife Trusts headUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesHousebuilders in the UK are failing to supply much-needed new homes not because of restrictive planning laws, but beca...

01/04/2025 10:14 The Guardian

UK business secretary denies free speech issue featured in US tariff talks

Daily Telegraph quoted unnamed US source as warning ‘no free trade without free speech’UK politics live – latest updatesThe business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has denied that the issue of free speech has directly featured in tariff negotiations with the US after reports a deal could be jeo...

01/04/2025 09:53 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

02/04 08:34 - UK won’t engage in ‘kneejerk’ response to Trump tariffs, says minister 02/04 08:33 - Starmer urged to join EU and Canada in fighting Trump with retaliatory tariffs – UK politics live 02/04 08:23 - Europe scrambles for unified response as it braces for Trump tariffs – Europe live 02/04 08:05 - Israel announces plan to seize ‘large areas’ in Gaza – latest updates 02/04 07:45 - Ban bosses from ‘improper’ use of NDAs for low-paid workers, says ex-minister 02/04 07:27 - Northern NSW braces for heavy rain as Queensland flooding forecast to move south 02/04 06:03 - Trump to announce sweeping tariffs on US trading partners 02/04 05:56 - Stephen Curry scores 52 as Warriors win against Grizzlies 02/04 05:56 - Stephen Curry scores 52 as Warriors win against Grizzlies 02/04 05:52 - Wednesday briefing: What the latest wave of tariffs mean for the US, UK, Europe – and you 02/04 05:38 - Stranger than fiction MI5 tales revealed in first National Archives collaboration 02/04 05:32 - Doctors in NSW public hospitals threaten three-day strike over pay dispute, defying ban 02/04 05:00 - Syria Is Trying to Rebuild Without Humanitarian Aid or Sanction Relief 02/04 05:00 - Trump set to announce new round of tariffs on his so-called ‘liberation day’ 02/04 05:00 - Thousands of Ford Kuga hybrid drivers ‘left in limbo’ after fire risk warnings 02/04 04:43 - China’s Military Drills Around Taiwan Are a Warning to Its President 02/04 04:32 - Putin envoy to visit Washington – media 02/04 04:19 - Outrage in New Zealand after 11-year-old girl sent to psychiatric ward and drugged in identity mix-up 02/04 02:05 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,133 02/04 02:05 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,133 02/04 01:50 - Ukraine, Russia complain to Washington about strikes on energy sites 02/04 00:07 - Cory Booker breaks record for longest speech by US senator as he condemns Trump policies for more than 24 hours – live 02/04 00:02 - Hegseth indicates US backing for Taiwan – but it is transactional Trump who has the final word 01/04 23:19 - Cory Booker breaks record for longest Senate speech with Trump condemnation 01/04 23:05 - Starmer offers big US tech firms tax cuts in return for lower Trump tariffs 01/04 23:01 - UK needs to relax AI laws or risk transatlantic ties, thinktank warns 01/04 22:33 - World economies brace for Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs 01/04 22:16 - "That May Be A Cause For Concern": These Stomach Pain Symptoms Are A Sign You Need To Seek Medical Attention ASAP 01/04 21:31 - I Left My Old Life Behind To Fight For Ukraine. Here’s What Trump Isn’t Telling You. 01/04 21:06 - Betty Webb, Who Helped Bletchley Park Code Breakers, Dies at 101 01/04 20:45 - Data protection bill leaves room for governmental abuse, campaigners warn 01/04 20:44 - A Farmhouse Refuge From a Nazi Blitz Became His Forever Home 01/04 20:27 - UK residents threatened with prison for Russia links 01/04 19:53 - Photos show destruction in Khartoum after Sudan’s army takes back capital 01/04 19:31 - Rubio Orders U.S. Diplomats to Scour Student Visa Applicants’ Social Media 01/04 18:17 - Palestinian paramedics shot by Israeli forces had hands tied, eyewitnesses say 01/04 18:12 - Venezuelan Migrants Ask Supreme Court to Block Deportations 01/04 17:55 - Russian advance in Ukraine slows for fourth consecutive month, ISW data shows 01/04 17:34 - West European states want Russian assets to stay frozen 01/04 17:00 - Kemi Badenoch gives credence to race-swap conspiracy theory about Adolescence but admits she hasn’t watched it – as it happened 01/04 16:42 - Putin begins biggest Russian military call-up in years 01/04 16:21 - Russia-China relations no threat to other nations – Beijing 01/04 15:58 - Icelandic town and Blue Lagoon spa evacuated after volcanic eruption 01/04 15:57 - Russia says it cannot accept US peace plan for Ukraine ‘in its current form’ 01/04 15:49 - French ministers condemn threats to judges in Marine Le Pen case 01/04 15:42 - Russia’s Putin hosts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang for talks in Moscow 01/04 15:42 - Russia’s Putin hosts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang for talks in Moscow 01/04 15:20 - French justice minister urges prompt appeal hearing for Le Pen – as it happened 01/04 15:07 - April bill rises will hit single parents hardest, Citizens Advice warns 01/04 14:45 - Yet another Israeli war crime is buried in the sand as the world looks away 01/04 14:45 - Yet another Israeli war crime is buried in the sand as the world looks away 01/04 14:40 - Russia accuses Ukraine on firing on energy sites 01/04 14:35 - Russia never sought to undermine ties with neighbors – Kremlin 01/04 14:35 - Trump’s April 2 ‘liberation day’ tariffs: What to expect, and what’s next 01/04 14:35 - Trump’s April 2 ‘liberation day’ tariffs: What to expect, and what’s next 01/04 14:30 - Presidents Macron and Tebboune reiterate their commitment to work together 01/04 14:29 - ‘Remarkable’ Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101 01/04 13:50 - Israel confirms Hezbollah targeted in overnight Beirut strike 01/04 13:40 - European Union prepares ‘strong plan’ to hit back at Trump’s tariffs 01/04 13:37 - Finland joins other Russian neighbours exiting from landmine treaty 01/04 13:37 - Finland joins other Russian neighbours exiting from landmine treaty 01/04 13:29 - Iran will have 'no choice' but to get nukes if attacked, says Khamenei adviser 01/04 13:20 - Wild co-founders ‘land £100m’ from sale of natural deodorant maker 01/04 12:57 - Ukraine working on minerals deal as US ceasefire bid grinds on 01/04 12:57 - Ukraine working on minerals deal as US ceasefire bid grinds on 01/04 11:59 - Bletchley code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101 01/04 11:20 - Markets brace for trade war as Trump prepares reciprocal tariffs | First Thing 01/04 11:11 - In Photos: An Earthquake Rocks Myanmar and Thailand 01/04 11:01 - Asylum system risks ‘damaging social cohesion’, Glasgow city council warns 01/04 10:57 - Brazil's African origin faiths under attack as Evangelicals carry out 'holy war' 01/04 10:25 - World economies brace for Trump new tariffs deadline 01/04 10:24 - E.U. weighs targeting big U.S. tech firms in response to Trump tariffs 01/04 10:14 - UK housebuilders ‘very bad’ at building houses, says wildlife charity CEO 01/04 10:06 - Election rumours swirl in Ukraine – could Zelensky be mulling a summer poll? 01/04 09:53 - UK business secretary denies free speech issue featured in US tariff talks 01/04 09:44 - Trump rules out Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for rare earths 01/04 09:36 - Chinese military surrounds Taiwan in latest military drills 01/04 09:33 - Video: China sends warships to surround Taiwan in invasion drill 01/04 09:33 - Video: China sends warships to surround Taiwan in invasion drill 01/04 09:27 - Middle East crisis live: Israel issues evacuation order for parts of northern Gaza 01/04 09:27 - Focus: Afro-Brazilian religions face evangelical ‘holy war’ 01/04 09:04 - Want to Play a Game? Global Trade War Is the New Washington Pastime. 01/04 09:00 - A Prison Death Highlights Russia’s LGBTQ Crackdown 01/04 08:46 - The West is breaking up, here is what Russia and China must do 01/04 08:39 - Gazans receive orders of evacuation from Israel as it plans to expand its assault 01/04 08:31 - "27 Years Together Now": 33 Marriage Realities That Hit Older Couples Like A Truck, And Now They're Warning The Rest Of Us 01/04 08:07 - RBA holds rates at 4.1% but Michele Bullock says room for cuts if global trade war takes toll 01/04 07:52 - China calls for ‘fair and binding’ Ukraine peace deal 01/04 07:28 - Putin will ‘follow through’ on Ukraine deal – Trump 01/04 07:08 - Trump’s Ukraine Betrayal Shows Taiwan Can No Longer Rely on America 01/04 07:00 - A shattered Ukraine power plant hopes the ceasefire will let it rebuild 01/04 06:50 - Kasatkina 'didn't have much choice' over Australia switch 01/04 06:47 - Unregistered Sydney practitioner ‘Injector Josh’ accused of administering Botox without qualifications 01/04 06:33 - Nepal’s girls face new child marriage fears amid debate to change law 01/04 06:33 - Nepal’s girls face new child marriage fears amid debate to change law 01/04 06:10 - Labor accuses Dutton of copying Trump with suggestion children being ‘indoctrinated’ at school 01/04 05:56 - Tuesday briefing: How Le Pen’s conviction could reshape National Rally – and French politics 01/04 05:30 - China holds military exercises around Taiwan in "stern warning against separatists" 01/04 04:46 - China launches surprise military drills around Taiwan 01/04 04:16 - China stages military drills off Taiwan in warning to ‘separatists’