Japanese PM promises golden age in relations with US during Trump visit 28. October 2025 (11:28) Sanae Takaichi says she will nominate Trump for peace prize as two leaders sign agreement on rare earthsWhat are rare earths – explained in 30 secondsJapan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has pledged to realise a “golden age” in relations with the US and to “fundamentally reinforce” her country’s defence posture at the start of a visit by Donald Trump.The US president, who is in Japan on the second leg of a week-long tour of Asia, and Takaichi quickly signed an agreement laying out a framework to secure the mining and processing of rare earths and other minerals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman in her 80s found dead on Great Barrier Reef’s Lizard Island after failing to return to cruise ship 28. October 2025 (11:27) Police say death was ‘sudden and non-suspicious’ as investigations into incident continueA woman in her 80s has been found dead after failing to board a cruise ship anchored off an island in the Great Barrier Reef.Queensland police confirmed the woman had died on Lizard Island, about 240km from Cairns. Her death was described as “sudden and non-suspicious”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price ‘didn’t care’ about making false claims, defamation trial told 28. October 2025 (11:26) The Liberal senator ‘tarnished’ reputation of Central Land Council chief, court hears, but she says there was public interestGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Liberal senator accused of defaming the head of a large Aboriginal land council was an evasive witness who made baseless allegations and gave “illogical and self-serving” answers, a court has been told.Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been sued by Central Land Council chief executive, Lesley Turner, over an allegedly defamatory media release in July 2024 that claimed there had been a failed no-confidence motion against him. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Steeper UK productivity cut of more than £20bn makes tax rises more likely 28. October 2025 (11:23) Rachel Reeves faces bigger-than-expected hit in 26 November budget from revised OBR forecastBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves will have to account for a bigger-than-expected £20bn hit to the public finances in next month’s budget, the Guardian understands, as the Treasury’s forecaster prepares to cut predictions for UK productivity.The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is planning to cut its trend productivity growth prediction by 0.3 percentage points, in a move that increases the likelihood of the chancellor announcing tax rises on 26 November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Atlanta journalist says he ‘won’t be the only’ one deported by Trump officials 28. October 2025 (11:00) Emmy award-winner Mario Guevara warns administration ‘has the power’ after he was arrested and sent to El SalvadorMario Guevara has said he may have been “the first” immigrant journalist whom Donald Trump’s administration deported from the US while working – but the Emmy award-winner added: “I don’t think [I’ll] be the only one.”“Just be careful because [immigration agents are] very aggressive,” Guevara recently said from El Salvador in a virtual interview with the US Freedom of the Press Tracker, during which he was asked whether he had any message for other immigrant colleagues in the industry. “They showed they are – they don’t care about journalists. They don’t believe in the media.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
HSBC warns it could take years to settle Madoff case as bank takes $1.1bn hit 28. October 2025 (09:47) Lawsuit over Ponzi scheme drags on London-headquartered lender, whose profits plunge by 14%Business live – latest updatesHSBC has warned it could take years to finally settle a lawsuit over the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, as the bank’s profits fell 14% after it took a $1.1bn (£830m) hit on the 2009 scandal.The London-headquartered bank’s finance chief issued the warning as the provision for the case dragged on HSBC profits, offsetting a jump in income in the three months to the end of September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hundreds of asylum seekers to be moved to two UK military sites 28. October 2025 (09:29) Barracks in Inverness and East Sussex will house about 900 men as government aims to end use of hotelsHundreds of people seeking asylum in the UK will be moved to military sites as the government aims to end the use of hotels to house them.The Home Office confirmed that two barracks – Cameron barracks in Inverness and Crowborough training camp in East Sussex – would be used to house about 900 men temporarily. Officials are working to identify more sites. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Expanded state powers on fossil fuel projects and water ‘betrayal’ of Australians, nature law critics say 28. October 2025 (09:13) Extracts of planned changes to the EPBC Act prompt ‘anger’ from conservation organisations that fear nature protection will be weakenedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastState governments could be given expanded powers to make decisions on fossil fuel developments under Labor’s proposed overhaul of environment law, prompting “shock and anger” from community-based conservation organisations that fear nature protection would be weakened.The Albanese government plans to introduce its planned changes to the national law – the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – to parliament later this week, and has been briefing interest groups on its plans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sussan Ley goes after Anthony Albanese’s Joy Division T-shirt as the Coalition tears itself apart, again 28. October 2025 (08:08) While the opposition leader criticised the prime minister’s clothing as a ‘profound failure of judgment’, Albanese posted he was ‘getting things done’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSussan Ley, faced with internal turmoil over climate and environment issues while trying to extinguish simmering challenges from a disgruntled backbench who want to philosophically reshape the very party she leads, has elevated a critical new political issue to the top of the national agenda.The prime minister’s decision to wear a Joy Division T-shirt. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
World’s climate plans fall drastically short of action needed, analysis shows 28. October 2025 (08:00) Recent plans submitted to UN by more than 60 countries would cut carbon by only 10%, a sixth of what is needed‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN headRecently drafted climate plans from scores of countries fall drastically short of what is needed to stave off the worst effects of climate breakdown, analysis has shown.More than 60 countries have so far submitted national plans on greenhouse gas emissions to the UN, setting out how they will curb carbon for the next decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
