In a new book, Biden aide describes ‘out of it’ president before Trump debate | Books

In a new book, Joe Biden’s former White House chief of staff paints a devastating picture of the then US president’s mental and physical state before the debate with Donald Trump that sent his 2024 campaign into a tailspin, resulting in his relinquishing the Democratic nomination to Kamala Harris. Ron Klain served Biden from 2021 … Read more

Starmer urged to join EU and Canada in fighting Trump with retaliatory tariffs – UK politics live | Politics

Good morning. Keir Starmer is taking his last PMQs before the Easter recess at noon, but the big event today will come at 9pm tonight (UK time) when President Trump announces sweeping global tariffs, upending the free trade consensus seen as the basis for a century or more of western prosperity. Here is our latest … Read more

Cassius Turvey released from hospital only to be admitted hours later and die from head injuries, murder trial told | Western Australia

An Indigenous teenager with head injuries was released from a hospital only to be re-admitted hours later in a worse condition, which led to his death, a murder trial has been told. Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, died 10 days after prosecutors said he was allegedly chased, knocked to the ground and “deliberately … Read more

Ban bosses from ‘improper’ use of NDAs for low-paid workers, says ex-minister | Employment law

Bosses should be banned from the “improper” use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for low-paid workers in the service, retail or hospitality sectors, a former cabinet minister has warned, as she called for an end of the two-tier system that exists for victims. Louise Haigh, the former UK transport secretary, has urged MPs to look beyond … Read more

Europe scrambles for unified response as it braces for Trump tariffs – Europe live | Europe

Europe scrambles for unified response as it braces for Trump tariffs Europe is braced for US president Donald Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on global trading partners on Wednesday, threatening cost increases and likely drawing retaliation from all sides. Details of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff plans are due to be announced in the White House … Read more

Northern NSW braces for heavy rain as Queensland flooding forecast to move south | Australia weather

Hundreds of emergency workers have been deployed in northern New South Wales as the impact of heavy rain and flooding in Queensland moves south. The mid north coast, northern rivers and northern tablelands regions were bracing for moderate to heavy rain, with forecasters on Wednesday warning of swollen rivers flooding. NSW State Emergency Services (SES) … Read more

Labor to consider WTO challenge if Trump targets Australia with ‘liberation day’ tariffs | Australian politics

Australia will consider taking its ally America to the World Trade Organization (WTO) if it is targeted in the Trump administration’s “liberation day” tariff regime, to be imposed from Thursday. The US president was expected to announce a new round of global reciprocal tariffs at 4pm on Wednesday Washington DC time (7am Thursday AEDT), but … Read more

A ‘Sam Kerr clause’ and long jail terms: Victoria passes tough new anti-vilification and social cohesion laws | Victorian politics

The Australian state of Victoria has passed laws to crack down on hate speech, which include a so-called “Sam Kerr clause” to prevent the harsh new penalties from being used to punish the people they are intended to protect. Those found guilty of serious vilification offences, such as inciting hatred or making physical threats, will … Read more