Chancellor meets UK supermarket bosses to discuss cost of living 01. April 2026 (06:00) Rachel Reeves will address concerns about price rises and shortages with retailers as energy costs surgeThe bosses of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are to meet the chancellor on Wednesday as the government seeks to gauge the extent of potential price rises and shortages of household essentials amid a surge in energy, fuel and fertiliser costs.Rachel Reeves is meeting the bosses of Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons as concerns rise about the potential impact on the cost of living – including higher food prices – as a result of the Middle East conflict. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Anthony Albanese to address nation on Wednesday night as treasurer announces Covid-era support measures 01. April 2026 (05:55) Prime minister to deliver address live at 7pm AEDT as Jim Chalmers says Iran war having ‘extreme impact on global economy’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJim Chalmers has unveiled a suite of Covid-era support measures for businesses struggling with soaring fuel prices and the prime minister is set to address the nation in the latest sign the government is preparing for a more severe economic downturn from the US-Israel war on Iran.“The war in the Middle East is having an extreme impact on the global economy. Australians and Australian small businesses are paying the price for that,” the treasurer told reporters on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Petrol and diesel prices fall across Australia as Labor’s fuel excise cut takes effect 01. April 2026 (05:36) Adelaide has the biggest price decline, with unleaded down 24.9 cents and diesel down 21.3 centsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFuel prices have started falling immediately across Australia in the wake of the government’s fuel excise cut, unexpectedly accelerating the delivery of the Albanese government’s cost-of-living relief.Prices in capital cities paused then plummeted on Wednesday, after the prime minister announced the tax on petrol and diesel would be halved to 26.3 cents a litre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Molly the border collie rescued after a week waiting for injured owner in New Zealand’s remote backcountry 01. April 2026 (05:23) A rescue mission involving volunteer helicopter crew and public donations ended in joy after Molly was located and brought home A spot of furry black and white appears among the jagged rocks of New Zealand’s alpine backcountry. It is Molly the border collie, sitting near the foot of a waterfall where she had been separated from her owner one week earlier.Molly was rescued on Tuesday after an avalanche of donations from the public funded a volunteer team made up of former helicopter pilots and crew to mount a search in the wilderness. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney playground at centre of asbestos mulch scandal closed again after timber found ‘bleeding black tar-like substance’ 01. April 2026 (05:12) Salvaged railway timber removed for testing from Rozelle parklands, which was previously closed in 2024 when asbestos was found in garden mulchFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastParts of a Sydney children’s playground where asbestos was found in garden mulch in 2024 has been closed again, with authorities removing salvaged railway timber for testing.Areas of Rozelle parklands in Sydney’s inner west were fenced off on Monday, with a council notice advising: “Thank you for your patience while we work with the NSW government to carry out works.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s order to limit mail-in voting: does he have the authority? 01. April 2026 (03:59) Critics say ‘election integrity’ plan to compile national voter list is unconstitutional and will be blocked by the courtsDonald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order seeking to restrict mail-in voting and compile a national voter list in a move that is unprecedented and likely unconstitutional.The order directs the administration to establish a federal list of confirmed citizens that can legally vote in each state, and orders the postal service to send mail-in ballots only to those on the list. During a press conference at the White House, Trump said the administration would like to require voter ID and proof of citizenship, and repeated falsehoods about mail-in voting. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stephen Lewis, Canadian politician and social activist, dies aged 88 01. April 2026 (03:31) Lewis was the father of Avi Lewis, who was elected leader of the progressive New Democratic party one day before his father diedStephen Lewis, the Canadian diplomat, politician and human rights advocate, who spent decades tirelessly working to focus global attention on the HIV/Aids epidemic, has died of cancer.Lewis, who served as the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, as well as the head of Ontario’s New Democratic party (NDP), was 88. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
