New Research Absolves the Woman Blamed for a Dynasty’s Ruin
A Chinese king’s infatuation with a woman was seen as the reason that a golden age collapsed. Evidence suggests climate change and internal strife played bigger roles.
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Iran ready to discuss compromises to reach nuclear deal, minister tells BBC in Tehran
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, tells the BBC's Lyse Doucet that the ball was "in America's court to prove that they want to do a deal".
No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real
Diplomats in Havana are preparing for an alternative Trump tactic: the country being starved until people take to the streets and the US can step inAmong the verdant gardens of Havana’s diplomatic quarter, Siboney, ambassadors from countries traditionally allied to the United States are expressing increasing frustration with Washington’s attempt to unseat Cuba’s government, while simultaneously drawing up plans to draw down their missions.Cuba is in crisis. Already reeling from a four-year economic slump, worsened by hyper-inflation and the migration of nearly 20% of the population, the 67-year-old communist government is at its weakest. After Washington’s successful military operation against Cuba’s ally Venezuela at the beginning of January, the US administration is actively seeking regime change. Continue reading...
Albanese dismisses Aukus concerns as submarine shipyard cost revealed to be $30bn
Prime minister commits $3.9bn as ‘down payment’ for Adelaide facility to eventually build nuclear-powered vesselsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least $30bn will be spent building a construction yard to eventually build nuclear submarines for Australia under the Aukus agreement, despite doubts over the deal.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Sunday the federal government had pledged $3.9bn as a “down payment” to secure the future of the submarine construction yard in the northern Adelaide suburb of Osborne. Continue reading...
PM says Liberals will ‘despair’ at Ley’s premature exit – as it happened
This blog is now closedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCharlotte Mortlock, the high profile former Coalition staffer and leader of grassroots organisation Hilma’s Network, has left the Liberal party, days after Sussan Ley was ousted by Angus Taylor.Hilma’s Network was formed by Mortlock to bring “Liberal-minded” women together and push the party to preselect more women. Mortlock has been a vocal advocate for modernisation in the Liberal party, including pushing for the party to support net zero targets, and was part of a small team who designed a plan for gender quotas in New South Wales preselections.I have decided the time has come for me to step down as executive director of Hilma’s Network and I have also relinquished my Liberal party membership.Due to recent events I have decided there are other ways I can support women and Australia.A reset on immigration is profoundly important. We want to see a lower number of people come to our country, but we also want to raise the standards. What that looks like, I won’t get into the details today.But I think all Australians know if you come here, coming to Australia, living in Australia is one of the greatest gifts that could ever be given to anybody. Which is why we want to make sure the people who do come here share our beliefs, share our respect for the rule of law and for democracy. Continue reading...
How $40-a-Pack Cigarettes Pushed Australians to the Black Market
Tax hikes made cigarettes in Australia the most expensive in the world. They have also helped fuel a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise in bootleg tobacco.
Will A.I. Kill Translation Jobs?
Popular paperbacks are being translated with the help of machines, raising anxiety among professionals in the field.
Cyclone Gezani kills four in Mozambique as Madagascar assesses damage
Powerful storm batters Mozambique's Inhambane a day after killing at least 41 people in Madagascar.
Israeli forces kill nine Palestinians in Gaza, attack southern Lebanon
Medical sources say Israeli forces killed five Palestinians in southern Khan Younis and four in northern al-Faluja.
Gunmen kill at least 32 people in northern Nigeria, residents say
Witnesses say the motorcycle riding gunmen attacked three communities in northern Nigeria, killing and abducting dozens.