business 
A top teachers union has sued the US Department of Education after it stopped processing applications for affordable repayment plans of student loans last month and disabled the online application for the programs. The American Federation of Teachers, or AFT – one the country’s largest unions, representing 1.8 million workers – filed a lawsuit alleging … Read more
Europe needs to be able to deter potential invaders by 2030 the EU executive has said, as it launched a push to buy more weapons in the bloc and allied countries, rather than from the US. The UK, US and Turkey will be excluded from defence contracts funded by a €150bn (£126bn) EU loans programme, … Read more
The Republican governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, signed a gun control bill on Wednesday, banning “Glock switches” and other devices that turn rifles and pistols into machine guns. Ivey said: “While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to … Read more
Ben & Jerry’s has accused its parent group, Unilever, of sacking the ice-cream brand’s chief executive for refusing to “oversee the dismantling” of its progressive values. David Stever – who led the company for almost two years having first joined it as a tour guide in 1988 – was “removed” from his post earlier this … Read more
A tourist buried by an avalanche in northern Norway has been pulled out alive in a “miracle” rescue after spending seven hours trapped beneath the snow, local media reported. The man, described as being in his 40s or 50s, was found conscious under about 1.5 metres (5ft) of snow shortly after midnight in the municipality … Read more
The European Commission has accused the US tech companies Google and Apple of breaking its digital rules, in a landmark action that could escalate transatlantic tension with Donald Trump. The US president has sought to exert pressure on the EU to back away from tougher regulation of American technology groups, warning that he could retaliate … Read more
There is a realistic chance that one of the UK’s largest oil refineries can be converted into a hub for green chemicals, sustainable fuels and plastics, according to Scotland’s first minister. Grangemouth oil refinery, which is being shut down by its UK and Chinese owners PetroIneos this year with the loss of 400 jobs, could … Read more
A Canadian entrepreneur and actor in the American Pie movie franchise said she was detained for almost two weeks in “inhumane” conditions by US border authorities over an incomplete visa. Jasmine Mooney, an actor who is also co-founder of the beverage brand Holy! Water, was detained on 3 March in San Diego, California. The 35-year-old … Read more
Several programs supporting young people at risk of reoffending will be cut unless the Victorian government increases funding, as it can be revealed the state awarded only one new crime prevention grant in the past financial year. It comes as Labor’s controversial “tough” bail laws edge closer to passing parliament on Thursday, amid ongoing debate … Read more
A 19-year-old man who killed his mother and two younger siblings as part of a failed plot to kill 30 children at a primary school and become the worst mass murderer in British history has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 49 years. Nicholas Prosper admitted murdering Juliana Falcon, 48, Kyle Falcon, … Read more