US seeks to deport Kilmar Ábrego García to Liberia despite new Costa Rica deal 08. April 2026 (00:06) Man born in El Salvador has been fighting removal to series of ‘third’ countries after mistaken deportation last yearUS government attorneys on Tuesday told a federal judge the Department of Homeland Security still intends to deport Kilmar Ábrego García to Liberia, despite a new agreement with Costa Rica to accept deportees who cannot legally be returned to their home countries.The Salvadorian national’s case has become a focal point in the immigration debate after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last year. Since his return, he has been fighting a second deportation to a series of African countries proposed by homeland security officials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Albanese talks fuel crisis with Chinese premier; Ben Roberts-Smith to front court 07. April 2026 (23:58) Prime minister brings forward trip to Singapore in scramble for petrol supplies; former soldier charged with five war crime murders. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNationals leader Matt Canavan said Trump’s threats towards Iran underscored the need for Australia to try and de-escalate the rhetoric coming out of the US.He told RN Breakfast:I think it’s incumbent on us to implore our friends in the United States to de-escalate this and de-escalate it fast. It’s gotten out of hand very quickly.Now’s the time for Australia and the prime minister to make it very clear that we can’t support this type of approach to any kind of conflict … we’ve got to try and find an off-ramp here, both for the people of the Middle East and also for the world that’s suffering the horrific consequences of this conflict. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US soldier’s wife released after arrest by ICE agents at military base 07. April 2026 (23:30) Annie Ramos, who came to US from Honduras as a toddler, was detained last week at husband’s base in LouisianaThe wife of a US soldier who was detained last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at her husband’s Louisiana military base was released from federal custody on Tuesday.“All I have ever wanted is to live with dignity in the country I have called home since I was a baby,” Annie Ramos said in a statement following her release. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A blatant political ploy’: California sheriff’s seizure of referendum ballots sets off alarm bells 07. April 2026 (23:05) Chad Bianco of Riverside county obtained warrants to seize ballots cast for state’s successful redistricting referendumSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA California sheriff’s decision to seize about 650,000 ballots based on specious allegations of fraud has raised considerable alarm bells that similar efforts to undermine confidence in the electoral system could materialize this fall.The episode underscores how sheriffs and other officials can transform shoddy claims about voter fraud into law enforcement actions. Executing a warrant to seize ballots disrupts the chain of custody that is critical to maintaining ballot integrity, and also plants the idea in the public’s mind that a crime has occurred. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Retired military officers call Trump’s threats against Iran ‘likely war crimes’ 07. April 2026 (22:28) Alarm among military observers after president says ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ if Iran ignores demandsUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump’s Tuesday morning comments threatening that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” in Iran have raised alarms among military observers and retired officers, who called them “likely war crimes”.“I have to hope that this is bluster, and a negotiating tactic on his part,” said retired admiral Michael Smith, who commanded a carrier strike group in the US navy. “He must understand that those types of threats themselves are likely war crimes.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
DHS secretary calls for US states to lead disaster response instead of Fema 07. April 2026 (22:26) Markwayne Mullin visits Asheville to survey Hurricane Helene recovery in first big trip since Kristi Noem’s ousterMarkwayne Mullin, the US homeland security secretary, used a visit to Asheville, North Carolina to call for a fundamental shift in the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), arguing that states and local governments – not the federal agency – should lead disaster response.“We shouldn’t look at Fema as being a first responder, but look at Fema as supporting the first responders you already have,” Mullin told reporters at a roundtable discussion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vance’s whirlwind visit may not help Orbán to the election victory he craves 07. April 2026 (21:28) As the US vice-president wades into a heated campaign, Hungary’s leader faces the real possibility of defeatEven before the plane carrying JD and Usha Vance had landed in Budapest, the Hungarian government had hailed their two-day visit as a new golden age in the relationship between Washington and Budapest.What came next was a whirlwind of politics in which the US vice-president waded directly into the country’s heated election campaign, just days before Hungarians cast their ballots. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Commonwealth leaders vow to keep seeking reparations after Reform UK plan to halt visas 07. April 2026 (21:26) Politicians warn party’s pledge to ‘punish’ countries seeking justice for slavery will harm and isolate BritainCommonwealth politicians say they will not back down from seeking reparations as UK public figures, including a former Reform insider, warn the rightwing party’s pledge to “punish” countries seeking justice for slavery would harm and isolate Britain.This week, Reform UK said they would halt visas for nationals of countries formally demanding reparations from Britain if they took power. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Antonia Romeo given powerful mandate to deliver No 10’s priorities 07. April 2026 (21:15) PM’s most senior civil servant now has task of rewriting civil service code and ‘making it recognised for improved productivity’ Antonia Romeo, Keir Starmer’s most senior civil servant, has been handed a powerful new mandate to deliver his priorities, while Darren Jones, the No 10 chief secretary, has shifted to a less hands-on role.Romeo, who was promoted last month, took over the job of cabinet secretary and head of the civil service after an unsuccessful year in charge by her predecessor, Chris Wormald, who was not considered effective enough by No 10. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
HMS Dragon docks in eastern Mediterranean after problems with water systems 07. April 2026 (21:04) Royal Navy type 45 destroyer deployed to reinforce security around RAF base in Cyprus to undergo short maintenance stop, says MoDHMS Dragon has docked in the eastern Mediterranean after suffering technical problems with its water systems.The UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, announced on 3 March that the type 45 destroyer would be deployed to reinforce security around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, two days after the base was struck by a Shahed 136 drone. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
