European ministers to discuss sending rejected asylum seekers to third-country hubs

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Exclusive: Council of Europe to meet in Moldova on Friday, with human rights body expected to recognise countries’ right to control borders

European ministers will this week discuss plans to send thousands of rejected asylum seekers to third-country hubs, the head of the continent’s human rights body has told the Guardian.

Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, said discussions about the removal of people who arrived in Europe by irregular routes would take place “at a multilateral level” at a meeting in Moldova on Friday.

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WHO head tells countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases

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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praises Spain’s ‘compassion and solidarity’ in evacuating virus-hit cruise ship

The head of the World Health Organization has warned countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases after the outbreak onboard the MV Hondius, and thanked Spain for the “compassion and solidarity” it had shown by taking in the stricken cruise ship and evacuating its passengers and crew.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to follow the WHO’s advice and recommendations, which include a 42-day quarantine and constant monitoring of high-risk contacts.

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More than 110 Nobel laureates call on Iran to release gravely ill activist Narges Mohammadi

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As human rights advocate is treated in Tehran hospital after transfer from Zanjan prison, prize winners demand her freedom

More than 110 Nobel laureates have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Iranian human rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate, after she was transferred to hospital amid concerns over her rapidly deteriorating health.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 112 Nobel laureates urged the Iranian authorities and the international community to act “without delay” to secure Mohammadi’s release and ensure her continued access to medical treatment.

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Sicily police investigate illegal race with horse-drawn carts and Kalashnikovs

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Horses seized and several people questioned after animal rights activist shares video of race along country roads

A video showing an illegal horse race in Sicily, with spectators firing pistols into the air and brandishing Kalashnikov rifles, has prompted a police investigation that has led to the seizure of the animals.

The clip, reportedly filmed last Friday, shows two jockeys driving horse-drawn carts at breakneck speed along country roads in the town of Palagonia, near Catania, in eastern Sicily. Behind them, dozens of people follow on scooters, firing shots into the air. The footage was posted on social media by an animal rights activist named Enrico Rizzi.

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In war with Iran, China sees a familiar pattern of U.S. mistakes – Los Angeles Times

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  1. In war with Iran, China sees a familiar pattern of U.S. mistakes  Los Angeles Times
  2. US experience fighting Iran offers lessons for China, experts say  CNN
  3. How Xi Is Playing His Iran Cards as Trump Heads to Beijing  WSJ
  4. What Beijing has learned about the U.S. from the Iran war  Politico
  5. China Sees a ‘Giant With a Limp’ as U.S. Drains Weapons on Iran War  The New York Times
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Federal budget 2026 winners and losers: rich families, overseas travellers and illegal tobacco – summary

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Taxpayers and first home buyers are the winners in Labor’s 2026 budget, while rich families could be among the losers. Find out who is better off and who is worse off in Chalmers’ budget

Being a winner or a loser from the federal budget can be the difference between hundreds of dollars – or tightening your belt even further.

Tuesday’s federal budget comes at a strange time. Donald Trump is waging a war on Iran that is impacting fuel supplies globally, including Australia. Inflation is still causing havoc on household budgets. Government programs are costing more than ever.

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Huge cuts to national disability insurance scheme aim to save more than $36bn in budget’s largest single measure

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NDIS changes foreshadowed by health minister Mark Butler will drastically reduce access to the scheme, with nearly 700 staff positions to go at NDIA

The government expects to recoup $36.2bn by curbing the national disability insurance scheme’s growth over the next four years as it looks to return to the NDIS’s “original purpose” of supporting people with “significant and permanent disability”.

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said the budget’s savings package amounted to genuine economic reform, beyond the “usual nips and tucks”.

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Australia unveils changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax – Reuters

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  1. Australia unveils changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax  Reuters
  2. Australia dumps tax breaks for landlords to help young own a home  Reuters
  3. Find out if you're among the budget's winners or losers  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  4. Budget capital gains tax changes and negative gearing reform explained  The Guardian
  5. Australian Budget Mixes Economic Reform With Fuel Security, Spending Cuts  WSJ
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Russia strikes Ukraine with drones as ceasefire ends, Ukrainian officials say – Reuters

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  1. Russia strikes Ukraine with drones as ceasefire ends, Ukrainian officials say  Reuters
  2. Three-day ceasefire ends with fresh wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine – Europe live  The Guardian
  3. Dozens of Ukrainian drones target Moscow, mayor says, amid overnight attack on Russia  ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
  4. As ceasefire ends, Russian drone strikes residential building in Kyiv  The Kyiv Independent
  5. Russia launches strikes at Ukraine, hours after expiration of 72-hour truce  Euronews.com
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