Pro-EU president Maia Sandu faces Alexandr Stoianoglo in polls marred by accusations of Kremlin vote-buying
Moldovans are going to the polls for a second-round vote to choose between the incumbent pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, and a Russia-friendly challenger.
Despite securing 42% of the vote in the first round, Sandu faces a tough challenge in Sunday’s runoff against an opposition bloc led by Alexandr Stoianoglo of the Socialist party, which aligns with Moscow.
Continue reading...Australians will have access to permanent free Tafe nationwide if the Labor government is re-elected, the PM says in the first major policy announcement. Follow today’s news live
Trump ‘not afraid to exercise power’: Hockey
Hockey says he believes Trump will seek to restart his trade war with China as he “sees China as the main adversary of the United States rather than Russian, or even threats in the Middle East”.
At the end of the day, if – the United States – the thing about Donald Trump is he’s not afraid to exercise power and he’s not afraid to threaten to use power. If he does that, then it actually emboldens Australia’s position, doesn’t weaken it because it means we have an entry point into that unpredictable power that others don’t.
I think Trump is – I know that Donald Trump sees Australia very favourably when it comes to issues like national security. I think that will flow through to Aukus that he won’t want to change the relationship with Aukus. He will, however, put a greater priority on building up the US defence system, its reservoir of not only talent, but also importantly the hardware, be it F-35s or Virginia-class subs. So might mean we go down the pecking order on the Virginia-class subs, but again it will rely heavily on our advocacy with Trump.
Whatever the case, I think, you know, we’ll be in a good position with Harris as well.
Continue reading...Prime minister says nation has weathered ‘global storm’ of high prices and announces more free Tafe places at rally
Anthony Albanese has all but declared victory over the inflation crisis in an upbeat campaign rally speech promising more free Tafe places and cost of living support.
On Sunday the prime minister addressed a rally in Adelaide, declaring that Australia had navigated through the “global storm” of high prices and has “new reasons for optimism and new proof the worst is behind us”.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...In shocking result that could reshape the race, ex-president falls three points behind in a state he won in 2016 and 2020
A poll in Iowa that has unexpectedly put Kamala Harris ahead of Donald Trump in what was previously expected to be a safe state for the Republicans has sent shockwaves through America’s poll-watchers.
The Selzer poll carried out for the Des Moines Register newspaper showed Harris ahead of her Republican rival by three points.
Continue reading...Father-to-be was unaware of planned party at Epping Gardens aged care facility and stayed only five minutes, tribunal hears
An aged care nurse who attended a baby shower at a nursing home during a Covid lockdown has been suspended, telling a tribunal the mistake “will haunt me for the rest of my life”.
Staff at the Epping Gardens aged care held a surprise baby shower in July 2020 for registered nurse Denis Baniqued and his wife, who also worked at the facility.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...Demonstrators from Texas to Connecticut and Washington DC carried signs and chanted: ‘We won’t go back!’
Thousands of women rallied Saturday in the nation’s capital and elsewhere in support of abortion rights and other feminist causes ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Demonstrators carried posters and signs through city streets, chanting slogans such as: “We won’t go back!” Some men joined with them. Speakers urged people to vote in the election – not only for president but also on down-ballot issues such as abortion-rights amendments that are going before voters in various states.
Continue reading...Hecs debt will be reduced by 20% for university students under a government proposal should Labor win the next election
Slashing the Hecs debts of millions of university students will be a major boost for young Australians, the education minister says, as the federal government seeks a reset by targeting younger voters.
The government has indicated it will take 20% off students debts, which would apply to $16bn worth of loans, if Labor wins the next election.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...Young victim found beside A63 in Hessle early Friday morning with lacerations to neck, stomach, chest and back
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after a 13-year-old girl was stabbed in the neck, stomach, chest and back near Hull on Friday morning.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
Continue reading...