Tasmanian parliament finally approves $1.13bn Hobart stadium plan 04. December 2025 (13:50) Late-night decision on the 23,000-seat roofed venue paves the way for Tasmania Devils to enter AFL and AFLW Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA contentious $1.13bn AFL stadium has been given the official tick of approval by Tasmania’s parliament to pave the way for the Devils to enter the AFL and AFLW.The 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point was voted through the island state’s upper house of parliament at 11pm on Thursday following two days of debate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Killing of survivors sparks outrage – but entire US ‘drug boat’ war is legally shaky 04. December 2025 (13:00) Pentagon’s Law of War manual clearly prohibits attack, but justification for whole campaign also faces tough questionsGraphic depictions of two survivors being killed by a second US military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug ferrying boat have provoked outrage where previously there was none – or at least relatively little.A firestorm of controversy has greeted a recent Washington Post report which suggested that a deadly attack on a vessel carrying 11 people in the Caribbean was followed with a second assault after the initial strike failed to kill everybody onboard. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fossil-fuel billionaires bought up millions of shares after meeting with top Trump officials 04. December 2025 (13:00) Co-founders’ acquisition of Venture Global shares before key permit granted draws scrutiny as pair deny wrongdoingTwo fossil-fuel billionaires with close ties to Donald Trump bought millions of shares in the company they co-founded just days after a meeting with senior White House officials, who then issued a key regulatory permit that helped expand the company’s fortunes in Europe.Robert Pender, an energy lawyer, and Michael Sabel, a former investment banker, are the founders and co-chairs of Venture Global, a Virginia-based company that develops and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Global race to secure critical minerals for weapons threatens climate, warns report 04. December 2025 (13:00) Study reveals US earmarked billions to stockpile critical minerals for military use, including precision-guided weaponry and AI-driven warfareThe accelerating global arms race is hindering climate action as critical minerals that are key to a sustainable future are being diverted to make the latest military hardware, according to a reportThe study from the Transition Security Project – a joint US and UK venture – reveals how the Pentagon is stockpiling huge stores of critical minerals that are needed for a range of climate technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and battery storage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Novichok poisonings, Russia’s role and UK response: key questions of inquiry 04. December 2025 (13:00) Innocent people were caught up in an assassination attempt on a former Russian spy in Salisbury in March 2018. How did this happen?The novichok attack on Salisbury in south-west England in March 2018 was an extraordinary event, sending shock waves across the world. The targeted man, the former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, died. An inquiry was heard in Salisbury and London last year investigating the attack on the Skripals, the response of the emergency services and other public bodies, and how Sturgess was tragically caught up in an international incident. Here are some of the key questions it examined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour says it is ‘deplorable’ for Reform to dismiss Farage schoolboy racism claims as lies – UK politics live 04. December 2025 (11:45) Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has claimed that allegations against Farage are ‘nonsense’ from people with ‘a political axe to grind’David Simmonds, the shadow local government minister, pointed out that, when the Tories tried to amend legislation saying the four mayoral elections would have to go ahead next year, the government claimed it would be wrong to put that timetable in law because there was a risk the elections might need to be cancelled for a reason like Covid.He suggested ministers were not being honest when they insisted previously that they wanted these elections to go ahead on time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform deputy leader dismisses claims of Farage’s past racism as new witnesses come forward 04. December 2025 (11:28) Richard Tice says testimony by about two dozen people about party leader’s school days is ‘made-up twaddle’Reform UK’s deputy leader has described a celebrated film director and a large and growing group of corroborating witnesses as liars over their allegations of Nigel Farage’s teenage antisemitism and racism.With the bigotry row continuing to dog Reform, whose lead in the national polls has slipped in recent weeks, Richard Tice turned on those who claimed to have been abused and those who say they saw it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
German chancellor warns leaders that decisions they make now on Ukraine will ‘decide the future of Europe’ – live 04. December 2025 (11:16) Intervention from Merz comes as Putin says peace talks are ‘difficult work’ but Trump insists Russian president does want a dealEmmanuel Macron’s visit to Beijing is a three day balancing act between national and European interests and between engagement with Chinese business and safeguarding its economy.China has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and it is unlikely this will happen now. But French diplomats have said that Macron would be urging Beijing to “convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as soon as possible”.“Now, more than ever, dialogue between China and France is vital,” Macron told his host during their Thursday meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. “I propose a positive threefold agenda for our relations, one of geopolitical stability, of economic rebalancing, and of environmental sustainability.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Tough market conditions’ hit half-year retail sales at Frasers Group 04. December 2025 (11:00) Owner of Sports Direct chain says consumer confidence ‘very subdued’ with sales at sports division down 5.8%The owner of Sports Direct and Flannels has said sales have fallen at its UK retail businesses amid heavy discounting by rivals and “very subdued” consumer confidence.Frasers, which is controlled by former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, said sales at its UK sports division were down 5.8% in the six months to 26 October to £1.3bn despite growth at the main Sports Direct chain because of “planned decline” at its Game outlets and the Studio Retail online arm. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Treasury launches inquiry into budget leaks with ‘full support’ of Rachel Reeves 04. December 2025 (10:04) It comes after major policies such as freeze on income tax thresholds were reported in chaotic build-up to budgetBusiness live – latest updatesThe Treasury has launched an inquiry into autumn budget leaks after a chaotic buildup to Rachel Reeves’s economic statement last week.The Treasury minister James Murray said the department’s permanent secretary, James Bowler, would review “security processes” to inform future events. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
