Former Australian prime minister posted a photograph with himself, his wife Jenny and Donald and Melania Trump on X
Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has spent New Year’s Eve with US president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Morrison posted a photo on X featuring himself and his wife, Jenny, alongside Trump and his wife, Melania, at the Palm Beach, Florida club.
Continue reading...From cheaper energy to recyclable packaging and phasing out Australia Post motorbikes – here’s what has and hasn’t been achieved
An Australian republic, renewable-powered supermarkets, recyclable packaging and the phasing out of Australia Post motorbikes.
These are just some of the promises, targets and predictions that years ago were set for 2025 – which is now finally here.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
100% of packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.
70% of plastic packaging recycled or composted.
50% average recycled content across all packaging.
Phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging.
Continue reading...Authorities hope for vital clues as contents of cockpit recorder are converted into audio format
Investigators in South Korea have extracted data from one of two black boxes retrieved from a Jeju Air plane that crashed shortly after landing on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people onboard.
The country’s deputy minister for civil aviation, Joo Jong-wan, said initial data had been retrieved from the Boeing 737-800’s cockpit voice recorder, and that the contents were being converted into audio format.
Continue reading...Five entire families can be killed, totalling 30 wolves, in move campaigners say is illegal under EU law
Sweden’s wolf hunt starts on Thursday, with the country aiming to halve the population of the endangered predator.
The Swedish government has given the green light for five entire wolf families, a total of 30 wolves, to be killed in a hunt campaigners say is illegal under EU law. Under the Berne convention, protected species cannot be caused to have their populations fall under a sustainable level.
Continue reading...Phenomenon known as ‘sea sparkles’ or ‘red tide’ is caused by masses of noctiluca scintillans, a pink-coloured algae
Masses of glittering algae have returned to Tasmania’s coastline in a spectacular bloom of bioluminescence that experts say is the largest seen in years.
The phenomenon, known as “sea sparkles” or “red tide”, was caused by masses of noctiluca scintillans, a pink-coloured algae that experts say was beautiful to look at, but considered bad news for the environment.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...Western European population has risen 25% with ban and some UK sites have seen promising increases
There are signs of hope for the turtle dove, one of the most endangered birds that has been plummeting towards extinction in Britain.
After a temporary ban on the annual shoot of the migratory birds as they pass through France, Spain and Portugal, which began in 2021, there has been a remarkable 25% increase in its western European population, which includes the 2,000 individuals clinging on in England.
Continue reading...Average annual bill in England, Scotland and Wales increases by 1.2% to £1,738 from New Year’s Day
Nine million homes will face higher energy bills from Wednesday as Britain braces for freezing temperatures and snow warnings for the new year period.
The average energy bill for households across England, Scotland and Wales will rise by 1.2% from New Year’s Day to £1,738 a year for a typical household after the energy regulator raised its cap on gas and electricity charges.
Continue reading...Matthew Booth, from Bolton, is facing further time in jail after claims he has restarted a relationship with an ex
A Bolton man who is on the run after being recalled to prison indefinitely has made a direct plea to the justice secretary to intervene in his case.
Matthew Booth, 33, is wanted by police on recall to prison for a crime he committed when he was 15 and for which he has served a sentence.
Continue reading...Gabriela Montero asks promoters to cut ties with El Sistema on 2025 Europe tour, after alleged theft of election
One of Venezuela’s most celebrated musicians, the pianist Gabriela Montero, has called on concert halls and music promoters to cut ties with her country’s world-renowned youth orchestra as a result of Nicolás Maduro’s alleged theft of this year’s presidential election.
The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (SBSOV), which has close ties to Maduro’s administration, is scheduled to perform at some of Europe’s most prestigious classical music venues in January to mark the 50th anniversary of Venezuela’s world-famous music training programme, El Sistema.
Continue reading...These nocturnal events are more spectacular from dark country sky, but they can still be seen from a light-polluted city – and for many, no telescope is needed
Each night an annual parade of constellations passes above our heads but there are always exciting, less frequent events to look out for in the sky. The year 2025 is no exception. The night sky is more spectacular from a dark country sky, but you can see these events even if, like many others, you live in a light-polluted city. For most events you do not need a telescope or binoculars.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...Criminal penalties for employers who deliberately underpay workers have come into effect, including up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $7.8m
Adrian Thoen, a Commonwealth Bank call centre worker was devastated when he found out he was among thousands of workers at the nation’s biggest bank being underpaid to the tune of $16m.
He was employed on a flexible contract instead of a standard enterprise agreement, with more than 7,000 workers losing out on money and entitlements.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...