Dinner for few: Australians eating out less as fuel crisis deals biggest blow to consumer confidence since Covid 14. April 2026 (17:00) Experts say ‘cautious consumption’ shows households bracing for return to extended period of financial pressure experienced during pandemic yearsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians are choosing chicken schnitzel over more expensive rib-eye steak, avoiding entrees and sticking with tap water rather than a glass of wine amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fuel crisis and war in Iran.As soon as the numbers on the petrol bowser started climbing last month as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the customer response was swift. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor’s controversial algorithm tool for aged care under investigation by ombudsman 14. April 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: It follows numerous complaints made to Guardian Australia, politicians and advocacy organisations about the Integrated Assessment ToolGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe commonwealth ombudsman is investigating the government’s algorithm-based aged care assessment tool, which has been described by assessors as “cruel” and “inhumane” in its determination of home support funding for elderly Australians.It follows hundreds of complaints made to Guardian Australia, politicians and advocacy organisations about the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), made mandatory in November by the Albanese government as part of aged care reforms. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Earthquake jolts rural Nevada near Carson City causing some damage 14. April 2026 (16:30) Video shot in the town of Fallon showed shattered glass and food scattered on the floor in the aisles of a grocery storeSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck a rural part of Nevada east of the state’s capital of Carson City on Monday.The temblor hit just before 6.30pm, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. It was centered 12.9 miles (21km) east of the town of Silver Springs at a depth of 3.1 miles (5km). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
White supremacist pleads guilty to Tennessee civil rights center arson 14. April 2026 (16:02) Regan Prater admits to setting blaze at Highlander center and bid to aid Hezbollah. His sentencing is set for SeptemberSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA man linked to white supremacist movements pleaded guilty on Monday to setting a fire that destroyed an office at a historic social justice center in Tennessee with ties to champions of the US civil rights movements, a court document shows.Regan Prater also pleaded guilty to attempting to aid a foreign terrorist organization for efforts to provide the militant group Hezbollah “a list of personally identifiable information for individuals purportedly affiliated with the government of Israel”, according to a criminal information filed in February. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK steel exports to EU at risk as bloc doubles tariffs and halves quotas 14. April 2026 (15:53) Decision to reduce duty-free quotas by 47% aimed at curbing Chinese importsBusiness live – latest updatesThe EU is to go ahead with plans to double tariffs and halve quotas on imports of steel from July, in a move designed to curb Chinese imports but which could damage UK exports to the bloc.The decision by EU lawmakers and member states after late night talks on Monday, will reduce duty-free quotas by 47%. Exact country allocations have yet to be determined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
JD Vance defends Trump amid spat with Pope Leo: ‘Stick to matters of morality’ 14. April 2026 (15:50) Catholic vice-president effectively tells Leo to stay in his lane after pope criticized the White House over the Iran warJD Vance has weighed in on Donald Trump’s feud with Pope Leo, effectively telling the pontiff to stay in his lane after the head of the Catholic church criticized the White House over the Iran war.“It would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what’s going on in the Catholic church and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy,” the vice-president – a Catholic convert himself – said in an interview on Fox News on Monday night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump pick to lead Federal Reserve has assets worth over $100m, disclosures indicate 14. April 2026 (15:13) Kevin Warsh, seeking to replace Fed chair Jerome Powell, had to file financial disclosures for Senate approvalKevin Warsh, the former Federal Reserve governor chosen by Donald Trump to lead the central bank, has submitted financial disclosures that suggest he holds assets worth well over $100m.The document is required for his nomination to advance through the Senate, beginning with a yet-to-be-scheduled hearing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
IMF warns ‘unprecedented’ energy crisis could trigger global recession as Australia prepares for G20 fuel talks 14. April 2026 (15:00) As treasurer Jim Chalmers weighs ‘extreme uncertainty’, one economic scenario sees global growth plunging to just 2% in 2026Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe International Monetary Fund has warned the US-Israel war on Iran risks creating an “energy crisis of an unprecedented scale” that could tip the global economy towards recession.The grim warning contained in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook comes as Jim Chalmers prepares to attend the organisation’s spring meetings in Washington DC this week, where he said he would be “joining with other countries continuing to call for an enduring end to the war”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bahamas police release Michigan man questioned after wife disappeared from their boat 14. April 2026 (14:49) Brian Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker fell overboard and that strong currents carried her awayPolice in the Bahamas have released without charges a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling overboard from a small boat in waters off the Caribbean island country, authorities said Monday.Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in police custody since 8 April – five days – after being questioned by authorities. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EHRC updates guidance on how to apply supreme court ruling on gender 14. April 2026 (14:40) Changes follow concern that original code created a legal minefield for organisations implementing itThe equalities watchdog has updated its guidance on how to implement the supreme court ruling on gender after the government requested changes to the original proposals submitted last year.In a statement, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said that after “feedback” from the government, as well as consultation responses and extra legal advice, it had made changes to what is officially known as the code of practice. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
