Many GPs ‘nervous’ about bulk-billing rollout under new Medicare scheme 04. November 2025 (15:00) Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says doctors concerned at being ‘100% reliant on government funding decisions’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEvery electorate in the country will have a GP practice that bulk bills every patient after the expanded bulk billing incentive came into effect this month, the health minister has said.The changes mean four out of 10 practices will be fully bulk billing, as the government vows it will bring the number up to nine out of 10 by 2030. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge considers Democratic challenge to Trump troop deployment in Memphis 04. November 2025 (15:00) City government declines to raise objection in court but state leaders and ACLU seek to block deployment of troopsA state court in Nashville on Monday heard a legal challenge by some Democratic elected officials to Donald Trump’s deployment of the national guard into the streets of Memphis, notable in part because of who has not raised an objection: the city of Memphis itself.Shelby county’s mayor, Lee Harris, led the lawsuit, along with state representatives Gabby Salinas and GA Hardaway, both Memphis Democrats. Other state and local leaders joined the suit, including one Memphis city council member. The ACLU later filed briefs in support of the suit seeking an injunction to block the deployment of troops. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ANU bought shares in Israeli weapons maker after pledging to stop controversial arms investments 04. November 2025 (15:00) Exclusive: University says Elbit Systems, whose drones have been used extensively in Gaza, not on any controversial weapons list when shares bought and sold this yearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian National University bought $138,000 worth of shares in Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer in March, despite an earlier pledge to not invest in controversial arms companies.The investments in Elbit Systems were made 12 days after Israel shattered a pause in hostilities with airstrikes that killed more than 400 people in Gaza. At the time, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had warned the renewed military offensive was “only the beginning”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Manslaughter inquiry opened after death of worker in Roman tower collapse 04. November 2025 (14:49) Contractor was trapped for 11 hours under fallen masonry at medieval landmark near the ColosseumProsecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation over the death of a worker trapped when a medieval monument in central Rome partly collapsed.Octav Stroici, 66, was rescued on Monday night after 11 hours under fallen masonry but died of his injuries at the city’s Umberto I hospital. Romanian foreign affairs officials, who said he came from their country, thanked rescuers for their efforts to save him during a long, complex and delicate operation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California father who killed his baby son sentenced to more than 30 years in prison 04. November 2025 (14:41) Jake Haro and his wife had reported the baby kidnapped outside a store, drawing widespread attention and a public searchA southern California father who pleaded guilty to killing his missing seven-month-old son was sentenced Monday to more than 30 years in prison.Jake Haro, 32, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty in October to the second-degree murder of his son, Emmanuel, the Riverside county district attorney’s office said in a statement. A months-long investigation has failed to locate the child’s remains. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prop 50: Californians vote on redistricting to counter redrawn Texas maps 04. November 2025 (14:00) Ballot measure would let legislature redraw congressional districts to carve out five more Democratic seatsCalifornians will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide on Proposition 50, a ballot measure of national significance that could play a major role in determining which party controls the US House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms.If voters approve the proposal, the state will halt the work of its independent redistricting commission and allow the legislature to redraw congressional districts to carve out five additional Democratic congressional seats. The effort is a direct attempt to neutralize Texas’s partisan gerrymander, undertaken at the request of Donald Trump, to create several new safe Republican districts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Commonwealth Bank, Temu and HCF among those named at this year’s Shonky awards 04. November 2025 (14:00) Choice’s annual list also includes the entire energy retail sector for allegedly hoodwinking customers with confusing pricesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCommonwealth Bank is the recipient of “a special prize” in Choice’s 2025 Shonky awards for failing its low income-customers, with the consumer advocacy group singling out Australia’s biggest bank for charging the cohort a collective $270m in unfair fees.“When Asic caught a number of major banks charging low-income customers with excessive fees this year, CBA stood out from the pack,” said Choice’s CEO, Ashley de Silva. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China accuses Dutch of prolonging chip war that threatens to halt car factories 04. November 2025 (13:41) Beijing tells Netherlands to ‘stop interfering’ after seizure of chipmaker Nexperia as export bans disrupt supply chainBusiness live – latest updatesCarmakers around the world are facing fresh uncertainty about their ability to continue production after China accused the Netherlands of failing to cooperate on resolving a dispute over the seizure of the chipmaker Nexperia.
The Dutch government took control of the EU-based automotive chipmaker at the end of September because of concerns about the company’s Chinese parent, Wingtech Technology. In response, China halted exports of Nexperia products, restricting access to the vital components used in everything from airbags to central locking.Carmakers including Volkswagen, Honda and Nissan have warned tthe geopolitical spat could halt production. Last week the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association warned that some factory lines were “days away” from halting work. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Calls to change ‘embarrassing’ Prince Andrew road names in Maidenhead 04. November 2025 (13:35) Residents say two roads should be renamed after former prince was censured for friendship with child sex offenderAs if the ignominy of losing his royal titles was not enough for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, residents living in roads named after the disgraced former prince are now calling for their addresses to be renamed.Prince Andrew Road and the adjoining Prince Andrew Close in Maidenhead were named after Queen Elizabeth II’s third child when he was born in 1960. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dick Cheney, vice-president and giant of Republican politics, dies aged 84 04. November 2025 (13:30) Cheney, who served under presidents from Nixon to George W Bush, will be remembered for key role after 9/11Dick Cheney, the former White House chief of staff, member of Congress, secretary of defense and US vice-president, has died, his family has said. He was 84.Cheney was one of the country’s most powerful vice-presidents, widely reported to wield great influence over the less experienced George W Bush, the president under whom he served. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
