Man found dead in Queensland floods named as former councillor and One Nation candidate

Fraser coast mayor described James Hansen as ‘always ready to help others, contribute to the community and advocate strongly’

James Hansen, a former Queensland councillor, has been identified as the man who died in flooding on the state’s Fraser Coast.

Hansen, 57, was a dairy farmer and fourth-generation resident of the area. He served as a councillor for the Fraser Coast regional council between 2012 and 2024.

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China’s big political meeting could see Xi ‘tighten discipline’ in party – BBC

  1. China's big political meeting could see Xi 'tighten discipline' in party  BBC
  2. Xi’s Corruption Purges Upend Hunt for China’s Next Top Leaders  Bloomberg
  3. China's Xi opens Communist Party plenum, aims for firm governance measures  Reuters
  4. Why has Beijing appointed a propaganda veteran to lead a border province?  South China Morning Post
  5. Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown in the spotlight as China prepares for meeting of top leaders  The Guardian
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‘It’s collective punishment’: nearly 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron displaced as Israeli forces take over homes – The Guardian

  1. ‘It’s collective punishment’: nearly 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron displaced as Israeli forces take over homes  The Guardian
  2. Israel expands expulsions in occupied West Bank to cement control  Al Jazeera
  3. Israeli military closing West Bank crossings ahead of upcoming elections as massive operation continues  CBS News
  4. Netanyahu election win could spell early exit for IDF chief Zamir  Ynetnews
  5. Bulldozers tear down home as Israel cracks down in the West Bank  NBC News
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UK poised to miss reduced aid spending target of 0.3% of national income

Calculations from the Center for Global Development say spending next year is likely to be £410m less than anticipated

The UK is on course to miss its target of spending 0.3% of national income on international aid by an estimated £400m by the end of next year.

Calculations from the Center for Global Development (CGD) found the UK was on course for a large shortfall in promised official development assistance at the end of 2027.

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Brazil keeps left: what Lula’s victory means for his country and beyond

In today’s newsletter: As Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured victory in the presidential race, we look the implications for democracy, the environment and international relations

Good morning. Chances are you woke this morning to news of two momentous election results. In Serbia, a student-led movement has ousted the country’s long-serving leader, Aleksandar Vučić (which you can read more about here). And just hours ago, Brazil’s president staged a sensational turnaround against his far-right opponent after a nail-biting vote.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, won a forth nonconsecutive term as president, seeing off far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who spearheaded the radical populist movement built by his father and former president, Jair. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 election.

UK news | Two people have been killed and more than 160,000 properties have been left without power as Storm Boelo continues to batter the UK.

Crime | British police are recording a growing number of crimes linked to cocaine, including assaults, domestic abuse and dangerous driving, as figures show consumption has surged across England.

France | Hundreds of thousands marched in cities across France on Saturday in largely peaceful protests to support schoolchildren’s demands for more teachers and repairs to dilapidated buildings, as Emmanuel Macron faces a social and political crisis in his final months as president.

UK politics | Prime minister Andy Burnham’s call for the UK to consider a return to free movement with Europe has been backed by senior cabinet ministers including Angela Rayner but risks causing concern among fellow red wall MPs.

Aviation | Three in four European airline pilots have taken microsleeps in the cockpit, while almost a quarter routinely fly despite being too fatigued to work, according to a report.

Tuesday | Israel goes to the polls on Tuesday, amid orders from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a full lockdown of the occupied West Bank after recent checkpoint attacks. His government will be fighting for its survival.

Wednesday | On Wednesday Chancellor John Healey will deliver his first budget statement in the House of Commons, which is expected to give local authorities more spending powers, as a means to promote growth

Thursday and Friday | European and Canadian leaders will meet in Montreal for the 21st EU-Canada summit, to discuss security and strategic cooperation. It will be the first opportunity for leaders to iron out details over a proposed invitation for Canada to become the EU’s first ever “associate member”

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Former RAAF pilot who allegedly murdered wife was ‘love rat’ and ‘master manipulator’, jury hears

Robert John Crawford on trial after wife found near ride-on lawnmower on their Toowoomba property

A former RAAF pilot was a “love rat” and “master manipulator” who staged his wife’s death to make it appear like an accident, a jury has heard.

Robert John Crawford, 49, pleaded not guilty on Monday to murdering his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, at Upper Lockyer on 29 July 2024.

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