Morning everyone. As Donald Trump touts an American weapons deal in the Middle East, Australian financial experts are concerned the confusion and uncertainty created by his presidency will be worse for our economy than any tariffs.
We also examine whether Woolworths’ announcement that it is cutting the price of hundreds of products today will actually help shoppers. Elsewhere, we trace the journey of Sussan Ley from punk to the political frontline, and also ask: what is the “caveman” skincare method and does it work?
Higher class |Just three of Victoria’s vice-chancellorstook pay cutslast year despite growing outside pressure to address“broken” university governanceand accusations of “executive largesse”.
Market nerves |Easing tensions between the US and China on trade is good news for Australia’s China-dependent economy,experts say, but they warn market uncertainty created by Donald Trump is “worse than the 10% tariff”. There are also concerns the US president’s pressure on medicine companiescould drive up the costof Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or see companies withdraw some medicines from Australian shelves.
AI warning |Job candidates having to conduct interviews with AI recruiters risk being discriminated against if they have non-American accents or are living with a disability,an Australian study has warned.
Price fight |Woolworths is cutting prices on hundreds of products from today offering some relief from higher costs. Our business reporterlooks atwhat Woolies is trying to do, if Coles will follow suit, and whether it will actually result in cheaper weekly shops.
Business ban |The UK government is seeking to disqualifyAustralian financier Lex Greensillfrom managing a UK company for 12 years, the high court has heard in London.
US-Saudi arms bonanza |The United States and Saudi Arabia havesigned a $142bn arms dealtouted by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history” in the first stop ofDonald Trump’sfour-day diplomatic tourto the Gulf states aimed at securing investment. Trump’s acceptance of a free plane from Qatar is the most eye-catching of hisethically questionable actssince becoming president, but he is facing a backlasheven from his Maga baseover the gift.
Combs ‘abuse’ |The singer Cassie Ventura, a former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs,has told his trial in New Yorkthat her relationship with the music mogul was marked by “violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical abuse”.
Ukraine vow |Volodymyr Zelenskyy has doubled down on his promise to wait in Turkey tomorrow forface-to-face talks with Vladimir Putin, calling it a test of Russia’s willingness to pursue peace.
Justice done |Peter Sullivan, a 68-year-old man who has spent 38 years in jail, has had his murder convictionquashed at the court of appealin what is thought to be the longest-running miscarriage of justice in British history.
Kardashian terror |A tearful Kim Kardashian described how she was convinced she was going to beraped and shot deadwhen two gunmen burst into the bedroom of her luxury hotel apartment in Paris.
India and Pakistan’s deadly flashpoint over Kashmir
South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersentells Reged Ahmadabout the origins of this conflict and whether there is hope on the horizon for Kashmir.
As an experienced pilot who learned her trade in the Queensland outback, Sussan Ley is metaphorically better equipped than anyone in the Liberal party to plot a course back from the edge of the political wilderness to the centre ground. Her aviation skills are only part of her varied CV, which has also included station cook and accountant – not to mention raising three children along the way.Tom McIlroy profilesthe Liberals’ first female leader.
Debate is raging on social media about the so-called “caveman method” of skincare, which basically involves no skincare at all – not even water – and instead advocates allowing your skin barrier to “heal”. For this week’s Antiviral column,Natasha May speakswith experts and asks if we should really be following this regime – and whether there are better alternatives.
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Tennis |Andy Murray’s role as coach to Novak Djokovic began well with some early positivity,but things went a bit downhillas the Serb’s slump continued and now the partnership has ended.
Football |Real Madrid are ramping up their effortsto sign Dean Huijsenand are confident of beating Chelsea to the Bournemouth centre-back.
Cycling |Sir Bradley Wiggins, the five-time Olympic cycling gold medallist and Tour de France winner, has revealed he becameaddicted to cocaineafter his retirement from cycling and is “lucky to be here”.
Apartment blocks with up to 11 storeyscould be builtaround inner-west train stations under plans being drawn up by the local council, according to theSydney Morning Herald. The NBL has warned that thebasketball league could collapseif clubs continue with legal action, theAgereports. Gold Coasters have been warned that building more homes is the only wayproperty prices are going to stabilise, theBulletinreports.
Environment |Energy Australia faces a lawsuit in Sydney federal court over claims it “greenwashed” a carbon-neutral product.
Canberra |Hannah Ferguson, the co-founder and chief executive of Cheek Media Co, addresses the National Press Club at 11.30am.
Adelaide |Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis is to be sentenced over the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins.
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And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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