Gina Rinehart’s son says he wants to be a ‘united family’ in olive branch to mother after court ruling 15. April 2026 (09:32) John Hancock welcomes findings on ownership of mines and companies although judge says dispute should be determined in private arbitrationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart’s son has said he wants to reunite his family after a landmark court case left a long-running feud over ownership of mines and companies unresolved.The Western Australian supreme court on Wednesday found Rinehart’s children were at one point set to inherit 49% of her company and said their ownership claims should be determined in separate proceedings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: US claims blockade has ‘completely halted economic trade’ into Iran, as Trump hints at return to talks in Pakistan 15. April 2026 (08:50) US military boasts blockade of the strait of Hormuz will incapacitate Iran’s economy; Trump says negotiations could return to PakistanUS-Iran peace talks could resume in next two days, Trump saysThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said any US-Iran agreement to end the war must include “very detailed” measures to verify Tehran’s nuclear activities.“Iran has a very ambitious, wide nuclear programme so all of that will require the presence of IAEA inspectors,” said director general Rafael Grossi.Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!! Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queensland ebike laws could cripple Uber Eats, DoorDash and shared e-vehicle schemes, industry warns 15. April 2026 (08:42) Food delivery services say the proposed laws will affect their workers, while shared e-vehicle schemes claim the laws could make them uninsurableFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLegislation that would crack down on ebikes and e-scooters in Queensland could curtail food delivery services and potentially end shared e-vehicle schemes, industry figures warn.The proposed laws would set an age limit of 16 on ebikes and e-scooters, require users to obtain a driver’s licence, and set a limit of 10km/h on almost all cycle lanes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Meeting of two worlds’ as Prince Harry joins Wiggles and Australian football stars to put men’s mental health in spotlight 15. April 2026 (08:33) Second day of ‘faux-royal’ tour sees Duke of Sussex speak candidly about challenges of new fatherhood as amused football fans watch onIt was an unusual sight. As a group of children were rocking out to the Wiggles, Prince Harry kicked a football on Whitten Oval in Melbourne, home of Australian rules team the Western Bulldogs.“Just a regular Wednesday,” a member of the crowd, dressed mainly in suits and from the advocacy and academic fields, said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ignore ‘self-serving’ claims from gas giants and implement 100% tax on windfall profits, Ken Henry says 15. April 2026 (08:09) Former Treasury secretary says the tax rate is ‘socially optimal’ in submission to a new parliamentary inquiryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says “self-serving” claims from gas giants about the risks of windfall profits and export taxes should be ignored by the Albanese government as it weighs up the intervention ahead of next month’s federal budget.In a submission to a new parliamentary inquiry examining the gas taxation regime, Henry made the case for a 100% windfall profits tax as he rejected the assertion that any changes would heighten perceptions of Australia as a sovereign risk and freeze investment in new projects. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Joint enterprise convictions in England and Wales have tripled since 1980s, report finds 15. April 2026 (08:00) Legal charity argues ‘job lot’ prosecution approach is unjust and primarily targets young black menJoint enterprise cases in England and Wales have soared over the past four decades, according to a report calling for a change in the law so that individuals are held accountable only for their own actions.The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) also found sentences have become harsher under the legal doctrine, which allows for individuals to be convicted of crimes they did not physically carry out if they were present at the scene or held an association with the principal culprit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Justice denied: why families of apartheid victims are still searching for answers 15. April 2026 (07:00) Struggle for justice symbolises limitations of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, whose hearings began 30 years agoDarkness had fallen on 27 June 1985 when Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkonto set off on the 150-mile drive back from a meeting of anti-apartheid activists in the South African city of Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha. They never made it home.About an hour into their journey, as the road wound north from the coast towards their home town of Cradock (now called Nxuba), the four men were pulled over by three white security police officers. They were handcuffed and driven back towards Gqeberha. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tuvalu, tiny Pacific nation at the forefront of climate crisis, to host world leaders before Cop31 summit 15. April 2026 (05:51) Conference president expresses ‘complete faith’ in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiationsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTuvalu, the Pacific nation at the forefront of the global climate crisis, will host a special meeting of world leaders before this year’s Cop31 summit, as the conference president expresses “complete faith” in Chris Bowen to lead tough negotiations.Turkey’s climate minister, Murat Kurum, is president-designate for the November summit, set to see world leaders meet in Antalya to thrash out new targets for cutting carbon emissions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting to pay hundreds of millions’ worth of royalties to rival family in ‘half loss half win’ 15. April 2026 (05:15) Landmark ruling finds Wright Prospecting successfully made out its contractual claim to 50% of past and future royalties from Hope Downs iron ore projectFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has lost its bid to retain royalties from the mammoth Hope Downs iron ore project and will be forced to pay Wright Prospecting half of its royalties from the project, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.In a landmark ruling in the Western Australian supreme court on Wednesday, justice Jennifer Smith said that Wright Prospecting had successfully made out its contractual claim to 50% of past and future royalties paid from the project. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
High court scraps Victorian political donation laws that created loophole for Labor and Coalition 15. April 2026 (04:50) Section of state’s electoral act that introduced caps on political donations but carved out an exemption for major parties ruled unconstitutionalFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe high court has ruled Victoria’s political donation laws are unconstitutional, in a move that has been described as “enshrining a level playing field”.The unanimous decision, handed down by Australia’s highest court on Wednesday, struck out an entire section of Victoria’s electoral act that introduced caps on political donations but carved out an exemption for major parties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
