Top World News
Virgin Trains gets go ahead to run services to Europe in new blow to Eurostar monopoly
Operator wins track access approval for up to 20 daily return trains through tunnel to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to run new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, in a step forward for its plans to break’s Eurostar’s passenger monopoly on the cross-Channel route.The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it had granted approval for Sir Richard Branson’s company to run up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel tunnel. Continue reading...
Housebuilding near train stations to get ‘default yes’ under new planning changes – UK politics live
Thousands more houses could be built near transport hubs including on green belt sitesLoosening of planning rules in England to allow more new homes near stationsRobert Jenrick, Reform’s finance spokesperson, will detail the plans for £20bn of cuts to disability benefits overall, as well as another £21bn from stopping foreign nationals – including EU citizens with settled status – claiming almost any benefits, among other cuts.The party said the plans were aimed at reducing the welfare bill by a quarter, with personal independence payments (Pip) replaced by another cash benefit that would be restricted to only the “gravely ill and severely challenged”. Continue reading...
Trump orders cuts to South Korea joint drills despite warnings of North’s growing battlefield experience
President says move is based on ‘very good relationship with Kim Jong-un’ but US military officials have said Ukraine war is boosting regime’s combat capabilitiesDonald Trump has said he is scaling back joint US military drills with South Korea aimed at deterring North Korea, despite military officials from both countries warning that Kim Jong-un’s regime was learning new battlefield tactics from the Ukraine war.The drills under Ulchi Freedom Shield, one of two major annual exercises held by South Korea and the US, start on Monday and run until 27 August. Continue reading...
Labor pledges opt-out register for online gambling ads as Pocock calls out shortfalls in government’s bill
The new measure falls short of calls for gambling ads to move to an opt-in model, or for an outright banFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Labor government has pledged a new single-service opt-out register for gambling ads – an idea similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls – as part of amendments to its wagering ad bill, as well as restrictions on inducements and limiting commissions for agents.The communications minister, Anika Wells, has also confirmed gambling companies will face a new levy to pay for the register, a beefed-up measure to curb wagering ads, after concerns were raised through a Senate inquiry that people would struggle to find or complete individual opt-out options on each online service. Continue reading...
Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff
PM was in contact with unknown person pretending to be senior White House aide Susie Wiles, it is understoodAndy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the Guardian understands.The prime minister was in contact with an unknown individual pretending to be the senior White House aide Susie Wiles before concerns were raised about the incident. No messages of significance were sent and the suspicious activity was quickly reported to the appropriate authorities, it is understood. Continue reading...
Massive Attack and Paris Paloma join musicians urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling
Brian Eno and Olly Alexander also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies realityMore than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield, warning the project will fail to lower energy bills or provide energy security as most of the oil is likely to be exported. Continue reading...
Trump Cites 'Good Ties' With Kim Jong Un In Scaling Back South Korea Drills
South Korea's defence ministry said the joint drills would "proceed as previously notified and scheduled" when asked about US President Donald Trump's post
Canavan and Joyce attend anti-abortion rally and back controversial bill – as it happened
This blog is now closedLabor pledges opt-out register for online gambling ads akin to Do Not Call register for spam callsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHume says housing the ‘best indicator of economic security’ in retirement over superThe deputy Liberal leader, Jane Hume says the Coalition will reconsider whether Australians should be able to access more of their superannuation balance early after Pauline Hanson called on Sunday for super rules to be “lightened up a bit” and allow workers to their money in times of crisis.It’s something that we will obviously consider as part of our normal processes, that’s not a policy that’s come to our shadow cabinet yet, but of course, it’s something that we would consider.I do think that superannuation is highly valued by Australians, it’s not something that you need in your working life, it’s something you need in your retired life.If you put the Productivity Commission report into any pub across Australia, people read it from cover to cover, [they] all say the system currently is unfair. We’re paying more for it than we were told it would cost. We’re using scarce income tax dollars to prop up a state that doesn’t need it.This is a deal that doesn’t make any other state worse off, makes sure that there’s the right incentives to deliver productivity and economic growth. And also helps the federal budget bottom line by making sure that we can continue to deliver the royalties and the company tax in particular.WA has a significant resources sector and we need the ability to be able to develop those resources because they lead to national economic growth but also are the national bottom line.We have a pretty significant resource state here in New South Wales too, as does Queensland, as does South Australia. And if the logic that WA is arguing for is to apply across the board, then every other state that’s either developing those resources or looking to are entitled to the same benefit. Continue reading...
Who is Hasan Piker – and why are some Australian conservatives outraged about his return to the ABC?
The leftwing commentator has been invited to appear on the Planet America program on Monday nightThe ABC is set to air the return of its Planet America program on Monday night as the US midterm elections gain steam, with a new episode featuring the leftwing commentator Hasan Piker.Host John Barron said the episode will focus on the “rise of Democratic socialists and the populist left”, with Piker speaking about “what it’s like in the eye of a political storm”. But the appearance quickly sparked the ire of conservatives in Australia. Continue reading...
Netanyahu Ally Calls For Killing "30-40" People In Gaza Each Night
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir made the statement while speaking to a former Gaza-held hostage, Rom Braslavski, on Braslavski's podcast.
Ralph Carr in ‘living hell’ after being convicted of rape, Victorian court hears
Lawyer for the entertainment industry and AFL figure says his career is ‘destroyed’ following convictionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEntertainment industry and AFL figure Ralph Carr says he is in “living hell” and has been “destroyed” after being convicted of rape, a Victorian court has heard.Carr was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after a trial in the county court of Victoria last month. Continue reading...
Victorian teachers are to be the best paid in Australia. A union rebellion helped seal the deal
Salaries will rise 28.3% to 32.4% over four years, an outcome partly shaped by a rank-and-file revolt within the Australian Education UnionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria’s school teachers are to become the highest paid in the country, after accepting the state government’s latest pay and conditions offer after a year-long bargaining process.Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted 79% in favour of the offer on Monday, which will deliver total pay rises of between 28.3% and 32.4% over four years, plus a $2,000 bonus at the start of the agreement. The union also confirmed a planned strike will not go ahead on Wednesday. Continue reading...
