Angus Taylor accused of ‘desperate dog-whistle’ immigration speech as Pauline Hanson takes credit 14. April 2026 (09:43) Tony Burke says millions of people will be asking why the Liberals have a problem with their parents ‘who don’t speak great English but are great Australians’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor has accused Angus Taylor of “desperate dog-whistling” and says millions of Australians will be asking why the Liberal party has a problem with their parents who don’t speak English, amid a backlash to the opposition’s new hardline immigration policies.Immigration advocates, crossbenchers, and the race discrimination commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, have all criticised a new speech by Taylor, with the Greens likening the Coalition’s approach to a modern revival of the discriminatory White Australia policy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I don’t just ditch my mates’: new Victorian Labor minister defends John Setka ties amid criticism 14. April 2026 (08:41) Luba Grigorovitch, one of four MPs promoted to Jacinta Allan’s cabinet, says she has ‘no regrets’ over friendship with former CFMEU bossLuba Grigorovitch, one of four Victorian Labor MPs promoted to cabinet, says she has “no regrets” about her past friendship with disgraced construction union leader John Setka, despite the opposition labelling her appointment “appalling”.The Victorian Labor caucus met on Tuesday and voted to elevate Grigorovitch, the member for Kororoit, along with Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke, Eureka MP Michaela Settle and Box Hill MP Paul Hamer, to cabinet. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Palestinian groups launch legal bid to shed light on Australian arms export permits to Israel 14. April 2026 (07:42) Three human rights groups are seeking to compel the release of military export permit documents from Richard MarlesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA trio of Palestinian human rights groups have launched a legal bid to force Australia’s defence minister, Richard Marles, to shed light on whether the government has approved Israel-bound export permits, which could violate international law.The groups – the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Al-Haq and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights – will make a discovery application for arms export documents after filing an affidavit in the federal court last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Giant echidnas weighing 15kg roamed Victoria – and the evidence was hiding in plain sight 14. April 2026 (07:30) A skull fragment found in a tray of unsorted fossils collected more than a century ago leads to discoveryFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA prehistoric fossil, hiding in plain sight in museum storage for more than a century, has revealed that giant echidnas once roamed Victoria.The Owen’s giant echidna, Megalibgwilia owenii, lived during the Pleistocene, a geological epoch that began 2.5m years ago. It grew to about 1 metre long and weighed up to 15kg – about twice the size of Australia’s modern echidnas. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mark Carney secures majority government in Canada after special election win 14. April 2026 (07:09) Carney’s Liberals will now be able to pass legislation without the support of opposition parties – and govern until 2029The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has secured a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government, CBC News reported. The victory will help him push through a legislative agenda he says is needed for an increasingly divided geopolitical world.Three special elections were held on Monday in Ontario and Quebec, with two in districts – known as ridings – that have long voted Liberal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Holidays take a hit as UK cost of living fears and Iran war bite 14. April 2026 (07:01) Consumer spending on travel is down for the first time in five years while card spending edges up in MarchUK consumers have cut back on travel spending for the first time in five years, as they worry about the rising cost of living amid the Iran war.Overall consumer card spending increased 0.9% year on year in March, down from February’s 1%, according to data from Barclays. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MSPs not told about collapse of funding deal for Scottish nature restoration 14. April 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Ministers accused of trying to keep investment firm’s withdrawal from partnership with NatureScot under wrapsA funding deal to raise £100m from private investors for urgently needed nature restoration in Scotland has fallen through without the Scottish parliament being told.The Guardian has learned that Aberdeen, the investment firm, decided to withdraw from a partnership with the agency NatureScot to raise at least £100m for conservation projects from commercial and private investors late last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Huge’ increase in kennelling and vet spending by police after XL bully ban 14. April 2026 (07:00) Data from 22 police forces shows spending has more than tripled since the ban came into force in 2024Police spending on kennels and veterinary bills in England and Wales has more than tripled since the XL bully ban came into force, with some forces recording an almost 500% spending increase since the new law was enacted in 2024.Data from 22 police forces obtained via freedom of information requests showed police spending had soared from an average of £137,400 per force in 2022-23 to £423,136 in 2024-25. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran tries to cosy up to Europe to increase pressure on US 14. April 2026 (06:00) Regime hopes to capitalise on deepening transatlantic split by briefing previously sidelined European countriesIn a move designed to increase pressure on the US to make compromises in its conflict with his country, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi has been briefing European capitals on the nature of the offer Iran had been willing to make about its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and future stewardship of the strait of Hormuz during the weekend talks in Islamabad.After the inconclusive talks, Araghchi held phone briefings with the French and German foreign ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Johann Wadephul, as well as the Saudi, Omani and Qatari foreign ministers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Phil Collins, Oasis, Sade and Wu-Tang Clan among 2026 inductees 14. April 2026 (05:17) Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah and Joy Division/New Order will also be inducted, along with the late Luther VandrossPhil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade and Joy Division/New Order will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with first-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross.The list was revealed on Monday night in the US, during an airing of American Idol. To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
