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World

Australia news live: Penny Wong wins jet fuel pledge from China in Beijing visit; US lawmaker says Aukus price might go up

Foreign affairs minister says China has agreed to facilitate exports of jet fuel to ease supply disruptions. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s foreign minister Penny Wong says China has agreed to work to facilitate exports of jet fuel, in an attempt to ease supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, AFP reports.China, a major exporter of jet fuel and diesel to Australia and other countries, has avoided the worst of the war’s energy impacts thanks to its vast oil stocks, but paused exports at the start of the war to protect its domestic supplies. Continue reading...

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Also today

Musk accuses Altman of betraying OpenAI’s nonprofit founding mission

OpenAI’s lawyers argue Musk’s lawsuit aims to undermine the company for his competing venture, xAI.

20:23 UTC

Comey's seashell post got him indicted. But experts are sceptical the government can win

Acting AG Todd Blanche said the case was investigated for months, adding "it's serious when you threaten the president."

20:18 UTC

Mali’s Tuareg rebels say Russian fighters must withdraw from country

20:17 UTC

Syria trial seen as first step on long road for Assad's victims

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More from the network

Jerome Powell says he’ll stay on Fed board after central bank keeps interest rates unchanged in defiance of Trump

Chair had said he’d leave after inquiry into building renovations but now says there are ‘remaining steps in the process’ he’s watchingSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell, is staying on the central bank’s rate-setting board after his term as chair ends in May, a contentious move that signals continued uncertainty at the Fed.Powell made the announcement after the Fed board left interest rates unchanged for the third time this year on Wednesday, despite Donald Trump’s continued demands for interest rate cuts. Continue reading...

20:09 UTC

Pete Hegseth denies Iran war is a ‘quagmire’ as cost to US hits estimated $25bn

As defense secretary testified before the House, Trump posted AI-generated image of himself with a weapon and the caption: ‘NO MORE MR. NICE GUY’Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxPete Hegseth denied that the US-Israel war on Iran, which the Pentagon estimates has cost the US at least $25bn, is “a quagmire” and claimed critics of the operation posed a greater threat to the US than Iran itself.Hegseth came under pressure to set out Washington’s strategy for the conflict as heappeared before the House armed services committee on Wednesday for a marathon hearing alongside Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff. The US defense secretary asked lawmakers to approve a $1.5tn budget in military spending – and then described some of them as “the biggest challenge” to the war effort. Continue reading...

20:03 UTC

Four key takeaways from Jerome Powell's last rate decision as Fed chair

Powell's news conference after holding rates covered the US-Israel war with Iran, inflation, legal attacks, and the Fed's independence

20:01 UTC

Ex-FBI chief Comey appears in court over alleged Trump threat

Comey turned himself in on two charges, threatening the US president's life and transmitting threats across state lines.

20:00 UTC

Trump and Putin discuss Iran war and float temporary Ukraine ceasefire in call

Russian president welcomed decision to extend Iran ceasefire in what US president said was a ‘very good conversation’Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed the war in Iran and floated a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine in a phone call on Wednesday.In the call, which lasted more than 90 minutes, the Russian president said Moscow viewed the prospect of a US ground operation in Iran as dangerous, while welcoming Trump’s decision to extend a ceasefire in the region, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser. Continue reading...

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The wire

19:32 UTC

Two Jewish men stabbed in London ‘terrorist attack’

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Indonesian soldiers on trial after acid attack on activist

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‘Trump’s Justice Department is on a revenge tour’

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CCTV footage shows moment Israeli strike targets Palestinians

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Britain’s King Charles visits 9/11 Memorial in New York

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Trump vows to maintain Iran blockade, Tehran threatens ‘practical’ action

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GB News commentator to sue charity for not offering internships to white people

18:51 UTC

UK’s ‘terrorism’ laws risk overreach, watchdog warns

18:49 UTC

US supreme court conservatives seem to favor ending TPS for Haitians and Syrians

18:39 UTC

Police declare attack in north London a terrorist incident after two Jewish men stabbed – as it happened

18:38 UTC

South Africa to deport Robert Mugabe’s son over firearm offence

18:28 UTC

Is the US forcing Zambia to trade minerals for lives?

18:24 UTC

Senior UK ministers deride Rachel Reeves’s reported plan of year-long rent freeze

18:22 UTC

US Fed holds rates steady, Powell to remain on its board

18:01 UTC

Office for Students’ University of Sussex humiliation is a symptom of deeper failings

17:47 UTC

UAE quits OPEC: What that means for the Gulf, energy markets and beyond

17:46 UTC

Ukraine asks Israel to seize vessel it claims is carrying grain stolen by Russia

17:45 UTC

US top court voids Louisiana voting map amid national redistricting fight