53 h. ago Trump’s ‘new normal’ leaves Australia marooned. We can no longer pretend otherwise | Zoe Daniel

The rules-based global order is rapidly disintegrating. It’s time for middle powers to stand togetherThe French president Emmanuel Macron borrowed some lines from Hugh Grant about bullies at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His target was Donald Trump, who had leaked a conciliatory text message from Macron who, evidently, was trying to get the US president to the table to shore up the rapidly disintegrating global order.In the love-it-or-hate-it Christmas film, Love Actually, Grant – playing the foppish British prime minister of the day – confronts the US president, saying: “A friend who bullies us is no longer a friend, and since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward, I will be prepared to be much stronger.”Zoe Daniel is a three-time ABC foreign correspondent and the former independent member for Goldstein. She is the chair of Mental Health Victoria Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Colin Hay ‘strenuously disapproves’ use of Down Under at March for Australia rallies

Former Men at Work frontman, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia, tells anti-immigration protestors, ‘Go write you own song, leave mine alone’Get our weekend culture and lifestyle emailFormer Men at Work frontman Colin Hay has disavowed the use of the band’s 80s anthem Down Under by Australian anti-immigration protesters, saying the song “does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia”.In a post to his Facebook and Instagram accounts, the singer-songwriter singled out anti-immigration group March for Australia, who have organised marches around the country on 26 January under the slogan “Our national identity will not be erased”.Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump’s latest attack on UK ‘not normal’, says top Starmer ally after Chagos U

Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Britain’s plan to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius

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8 d. ago Woman killed by falling tree branch in NSW storms as landslide and flood warnings issued for Sydney

Residents near Narrabeen Lagoon told to leave on Saturday night, after death of woman near WollongongFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSummer storms on Australia’s east coast have claimed one life and threatened dozens more as flood waters rise.Residents and holidaymakers have been told they can return back after being evacuated Narrabeen Lagoon in Sydney’s northern beaches overnight on Saturday, while a landslide damaged three homes and injured at least one woman 20km north, at Great Mackerel beach. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Australia news live: NSW dog owners face jail time for leaving pets in cars; flood warnings issued for Sydney

Under the proposals, offenders could be fined a maximum of $44,000 and sentenced to a year in prison. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast‘Brazen’ judge comments highlight family court failuresLegal experts have criticised the handling of abuse cases in family court, after a woman and alleged survivor of domestic abuse alleged a judge suggested she be taken to a park to “fight it out” with her former partner.The judge has evidence before them of family violence, which by definition is a pattern of violence, control and abuse of power, and yet has opted to collude with the alleged perpetrator, emboldening this person to continue his offences.The fact that these attitudes permeate the justice system does not surprise me but it is shocking how brazen (these comments) are.” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Bushfires burn 350,000 hectares and leave one person dead as Australia says crisis far from over

Premier says 10 of 30 fires still burning across Victoria considered of particular concern

Events

2 w. ago Australia hold on to win fifth Ashes Test leaving England to rue missed chances

5th Test, D5: Australia, 567 & 161 bt England 384 & 342, by five wicketsAlex Carey hits winning runs at SCG as hosts wrap up series 4-1 There were a couple of wobbles along the way but at 2.30pm on the final day in Sydney, Australia had knocked off a target of 160 runs to win the fifth Test by five wickets and claim this Ashes series by a 4-1 scoreline.Like their tour as a whole, there was a nagging sense of what might have been for England with a few more runs on the board, or better catching and tighter bowling earlier in the contest. But there could be few quibbles from the injured Ben Stokes as he watched the final rites from first slip. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia hold on to win fifth Ashes Test and leave England rueing missed chances

Australia, 567 & 161 bt England 384 & 342, by five wicketsCarey hits winning runs at SCG as hosts wrap up series 4-1There were a couple of wobbles along the way but at 2.30pm on the final day in Sydney, Australia had knocked off a target of 160 runs to win the fifth Test by five wickets and claim this Ashes series by a 4-1 scoreline.Like their tour as a whole, there was a nagging sense of what might have been for England with a few more runs on the board, or better catching and tighter bowling earlier in the contest. But there could be few quibbles from the injured Ben Stokes as he watched the final rites from first slip. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia heatwave: Residents told to ‘leave now’ as wildfire heads for town amid 45C heat

Victoria’s emergency management agency says homes could be at risk if the fire continues to advance

Events

3 w. ago Trump officials shielded border czar Tom Homan from normal vetting despite bribery probe, report claims

Unclear how Homan obtained a security clearance after FBI agents believed that he was not able to pass a background check, according to report

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