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 help shoppers. Elsewhere, we trace the journey of Sussan Ley from punk rock to the political frontline, and also ask: what is the “caveman” skincare method and does it work?
Australia
Higher class | Only three of Victoria’s vice-chancellors took pay cuts last year despite growing pressure to address “broken” university governance and 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 companies could drive up the cost of 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 don’t have 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 reporter looks at what Woolies is trying to do, if Coles will follow suit, and whether it will result in cheaper weekly shopping bills.
Business ban | The UK government is seeking to disqualify Australian financier Lex Greensill from managing a UK company for 12 years, the high court has heard in London.
World
US-Saudi arms bonanza | The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a $142bn arms deal touted by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history” in the first stop of Donald Trump’s four-day diplomatic tour to the Gulf states aimed at securing investment. Trump’s acceptance of a free plane from Qatar is the most eye-catching of his ethically questionable acts since becoming president, and he is facing a backlash even from his Maga base over the gift.
Combs ‘abuse’ | The singer Cassie Ventura, a former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has told his trial in New York that 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 repeated his promise to wait in Turkey tomorrow for face-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 conviction quashed at the court of appeal in what is thought to be the longest-running miscarriage of justice in UK history.
Kardashian terror | A tearful Kim Kardashian described how she was convinced she was going to be raped and shot dead when two gunmen burst into the bedroom of her luxury hotel apartment in Paris.
Full Story
India and Pakistan’s deadly flashpoint over Kashmir
South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen tells Reged Ahmad about the origins of this conflict and whether there is hope on the horizon for Kashmir.
In-depth
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 a CV that ranges from outback station cook to accountant – not to mention raising three children along the way. Tom McIlroy profiles the Liberals’ first female leader.
Not the news
Debate is raging on social media about the “caveman method” of skincare, which 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 speaks to experts about whether we should really be following this regime – and if there are better alternatives.
Sport
Tennis | Andy Murray’s role as coach to Novak Djokovic began well but things soon went downhill as the Serb’s slump continued. Now the partnership has ended.
Football | Real Madrid is ramping up its efforts to sign Dean Huijsen and is 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 became addicted to cocaine after his retirement from cycling and is “lucky to be here”.
Media roundup
Apartment blocks with up to 11 storeys could be built around inner-west train stations under plans being drawn up by the local council, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The NBL has warned that the basketball league could collapse if clubs continue with legal action, the Age reports. Gold Coasters have been warned that building more homes is the only way property prices are going to stabilise, the Bulletin reports.
What’s happening today
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 for the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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