UK ‘ready to defend itself’ after Iranian threat over US bases

IRGC claims base in south-west England was used by US to launch bombing missions, making it ‘legitimate target’

The government has said the UK is “ready to defend itself” after Iran’s military warned that any bases being used by the US were “legitimate targets”.

The UK has allowed the US to launch “defensive” operations from British bases hosting American planes since the start of its war on Iran but has refused to help in offensive operations.

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Australia news live: Jim Chalmers says he has ‘other priorities’ than a gas tax; Anthony Albanese calls to congratulate Andy Burnham

Treasurer points to other reforms after Labor members call for ‘fairer return’ from natural resources. Follow today’s news live

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before your regular blogger takes the reins.

Jim Chalmers has claimed rightwing political parties will “prey on” voter insecurities about a worsening economy while championing “anti-worker” policies. It comes as markets are now expecting another rate hike by the end of the year. He also continues to push back at rank and file Labor members’ calls for a new tax on gas exports, saying the government had “other priorities” for reform. More coming up.

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Widening Ukrainian attacks on Russian online retailer Wildberries shutter another warehouse – Reuters

  1. Widening Ukrainian attacks on Russian online retailer Wildberries shutter another warehouse  Reuters
  2. Drone Attacks on Russia’s Biggest Online Retailer Bring War Home to Middle Class  WSJ
  3. Ukraine hits Russia's largest online marketplace, hurting small businesses and bringing the war home  AP News
  4. A New Target for Ukraine’s Long-Range Attacks: Russia’s Version of Amazon  The New York Times
  5. For Russians, the war feels closer than ever before  The Economist
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The Iran war is testing Southeast Asia’s faith in the US – Politico

  1. The Iran war is testing Southeast Asia’s faith in the US  Politico
  2. Quagmire of the Vanities  Paul Krugman | Substack
  3. Oil Buyers Battered by the Iran War Energy Crisis Race to Build Buffers  The New York Times
  4. A More Fragile World  Citadel Securities
  5. How the world has weathered the fallout from the Iran war  ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Trump says nearly 200 firms have signed pledge to protect Americans from costs arising from datacenters

‘Ratepayer Protection Pledge’ president has touted is non-binding as people continue to struggle with rising bills

Donald Trump has announced that about 200 entities have signed on to his non-binding “Ratepayer Protection Pledge”, expanding a voluntary commitment which claims to ensure US consumers will not bear the cost of the AI datacenter build-out.

Trump delivered remarks on Thursday at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters, alongside Lee Zeldin, the agency’s administrator, and Chris Wright, the energy secretary. Other attenders included governors who signed on to the pledge, including Brian Kemp of Georgia, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Spencer Cox of Utah and Jeff Landry of Louisiana.

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