Latest news with #EdHusic


The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Tsunami alerts across Pacific; inflation drops; and Australian rocket goes out with a bang
Good afternoon. A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, has triggered a series of tsunami warnings and evacuation orders stretching across Japan, the US west coast and parts of the Pacific. The shallow quake hit near Russia's Kamchatka peninsula on Wednesday, with reports of waves up to 4 metres high in the remote region. Japan issued evacuation warnings and the country's weather agency said the first waves measuring 30cm had reached the eastern coast of Hokkaido. In the US, tsunami waves had hit the state of Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said, warning that urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property. A tsunami warning was also issued for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the US west coast. The PTWC included Australia in its advisory, saying waves of 0.3 to 1 metre were possible along the coast, though the Bureau of Meteorology says there is currently no tsunami threat. Follow the latest updates on our live blog. 'Moral momentum': Ed Husic says Australia should immediately join UK in preparing to recognise Palestinian state Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth and wife threaten defamation and privacy action over News Corp stories Kristian White avoids prison for manslaughter of Clare Nowland, 95, after prosecutors lose appeal Trump says Epstein 'stole' Virginia Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago staff role Advocates criticise 'dangerous' NT plan to reintroduce spit hoods in youth detention centres Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating fragile ceasefire for a second time After months of waiting for the right conditions, an Australian-designed and made orbital rocket launched from a spaceport in north Queensland. Built by the Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space, the Eris rocket lasted 14 seconds before crashing in a giant plume of smoke – but the operators say they are happy with the launch attempt. 'We're not here to sledge the Wiggles. My government is pro-Wiggles.' – Anthony Albanese The prime minister dodged a political Hot Potato after the communications minister, Anika Wells, said the Wiggles had approached the government to argue for YouTube to be exempt from the under-16 ban. Wells stressed it was the Wiggles' management – the 'black skivvy', or 'Big Wiggle' – who made the appeal, not the performers themselves. She said they told her that YouTube was a video platform, not a social media platform – though the government was ultimately not won over. Reader callout: With YouTube now included in Australia's under-16 social media ban, we want to know: how do your children use YouTube and what impact has it had on them? Inflation dropped to 2.1% in the year to June, down from 2.4% in the year to March. Jim Chalmers called the figures 'stunning' and 'very encouraging news' but won't predict whether it'll result in a rate cut at the next Reserve Bank of Australia board meeting. There are still plenty of signs of cost-of-living pressures, even if the trajectory is a positive one – rents were up 4.6% versus a year ago (from 5.5% in March), electricity 8.1% and insurance 3.9%. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion By the 30s, Katharine Hepburn was box office poison. Then she made The Philadelphia Story As a stuck-up socialite tangled in a love triangle, Hepburn delivers one of the most memorable screwball heroines – and we can't help but love her for it, writes Jamie Tram. Today's starter word is: MART. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. Enjoying the Afternoon Update? Then you'll love our Morning Mail newsletter. Sign up here to start the day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know, and complete your daily news roundup. And follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email. If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email

Sky News AU
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Recognising a Palestinian state cannot be done ‘until Hamas is gone'
Nationals Leader David Littleproud slams Labor MP Ed Husic for his push to recognise a Palestinian state. Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia there is no one to deal with in Palestine 'until Hamas is gone'. 'I think this is dangerous symbolism, and the world needs to understand the situation on the ground there.'

Sky News AU
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Ed Husic brings internal pressure for Albanese to recognise Palestinian state
A Labor backbencher has openly questioned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's timeline for recognising Palestinian statehood during a caucus meeting in Canberra. Caucus is an open forum for MPs to quiz senior members of the government on whatever topic they choose, and at Tuesday's cabinet, Labor MP Ed Husic voiced his concern about the strategy for recognising Palestinian independence. Mr Husic went public earlier in the week, calling for Australia to follow in France's footsteps, which will recognise Palestine in September. Mr Albanese told caucus there must be democratisation in Gaza, and says the timing around recognition will be determined largely by whether doing so will advance the prospect of peace.

Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Ed Husic raises Palestine issue with the Prime Minister during caucus meeting
A member of the Labor backbench has raised the issue of recognising Palestinian statehood directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during today's caucus briefing. Sky News Australia understands earlier on Tuesday morning, in Labor's caucus meeting, Labor MP Ed Husic asked Anthony Albanese why it would be taking so long under the current timeline for Australia to recognise a Palestinian state. This comes as France will recognise a Palestinian State at the United Nations in September.

Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Albanese not to recognise Palestinian statehood until later in the peace process
Labor MP Ed Husic has called for the recognition of a Palestinian state. His move follows French President Emmanuel Macron, who will show support for Palestinian state recognition at the UN in September, joining 147 other nations in recognition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not follow suit until later in the peace process.