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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Trump’s shattered ‘mirror world’: American voters roundly reject president’s alternate reality
President claimed to have ushered in a ‘golden age’ even as prices soared and war dragged on – and midterm voters did not buy his looking-glass narrative A new “golden age of America” is under way, Donald Trump repeatedly declared in his final pitch to voters before the US midterm elections. The war in Iran was not really a war, because “we’ve done very little fighting”, the US president stressed. The stock market had hit 88 all-time highs. “They’re saying,” he said, that on his watch the US has become “the hottest country anywhere in the world”. Continue reading...
Banana producers in Latin America want better pay to cope with effects of climate crisis
Farmers face big drop in production from extreme weather during this year’s super El Niño event Banana producers in Latin America are calling for better pay to help cope with the impact of the climate crisis, as they face big drops in production resulting from extreme weather during this year’s super El Niño event. High winds in parts of Colombia, one of the biggest suppliers to the UK market where droughts are predicted in some regions this year, and heavy rainfall in Peru and Ecuador are already affecting production, according to the Fairtrade Foundation ethical trade body. In the Dominican Republic, farmers are expected to face drought conditions, with forecasts of drier and warmer than usual conditions. Continue reading...
‘Windrush’ accusations over sharp rise in Turkish nationals facing removal from UK
David Lammy among those raising concerns after errors found in rejected applications for indefinite leave to remain Concerns have been raised over the sudden rise in number of Turkish nationals facing removal from the UK as a result of mistakes, prompting accusations that the Home Office has failed to learn the lessons of the Windrush scandal. Since the start of the year, there has been a sharp rise in the number of rejected applications for indefinite leave to remain for those on European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) visas, a longstanding route to residency for Turkish nationals seeking to set up a business in the UK. Continue reading...
Environmentalists criticise choice of Earthshot prize venue owned by fossil fuel firm
Mumbai facility is part of Reliance Industries, owner of world’s biggest oil refinery and funder of controversial mega-zoo The Prince of Wales’s Earthshot prize will host its forthcoming annual awards ceremony at a venue owned by the billionaire Ambani family conglomerate, drawing criticism from conservationists over their fossil fuel businesses and their foundation’s controversial mega-zoo . A spokesperson for the Earthshot prize, which awards £1m to five winners every year to invest in conservation work, confirmed to the Guardian and the news outlet Mongabay that this year’s ceremony will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 17 November. Continue reading...
Hot fridges, a fake nuclear alert and a $6bn heist: are we in the foothills of a hacking epidemic?
As AI exposes flaws in IT systems and geopolitics plays out on the cyber frontline, some experts say the events of recent weeks could soon be a common occurence Alex Pearce was doing the morning rounds at his fruit and vegetable wholesale business in London on Monday last week when he noticed something odd. The defrost light on refrigeration unit 2 was on, and the panel reading was 150C. Unit 4 was the same. Continue reading...
Does Andy Burnham’s pivot from press to social media put scrutiny at risk?
A lifestyle podcast or brief TV clip is less taxing than a full press conference – but No 10 insists the PM is not ducking accountability In an interview this week Andy Burnham said he believed the traditional media was less relevant and the world was “not like that any more”. But some people are now asking: does this change in approach mean less scrutiny? The question was in part prompted by Burnham’s decision to travel to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) without the usual accompanying pack of reporters, instead bringing just one TV crew and a news agency journalist. Continue reading...
Donald Trump’s power is on the wane. What next for Russia, Israel – and the rest of us? | Simon Tisdall
With the global tide turning against him, the US president’s lame duck status could still aggravate old tensions and spark new explosions It was a victory for the world, too. People in the many countries that suffered pain, loss and cruel indignities at the hands of Donald Trump over the past two chaotic, fearful years celebrated a moment of glorious, shared redemption. The monster, like others of his kind, still lurks in his gilded White House lair; far-right authoritarianism still casts a dark shadow over many nations. But the power of this most destructive of presidents is shattered , his malignant spell broken. The triumphant roar of US midterm voters was a rallying cry of democratic defiance that, echoing the American revolution of 250 years ago, reverberated around the globe. For Iranians, Trump’s electoral humiliation raised hopes, perhaps misplaced, that his murderous war of choice against Tehran’s oppressive regime may soon cease . In Israel, many among the majority who voted for change last week will welcome the humbling of the foremost supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu’s as-yet-unvanquished extremist coalition. Ukrainians voiced optimism that a Democratic-controlled Congress will curb the sickening appeasement of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. In Europe, the beginning of the end of the Trump era brought a sense of relief – and hope that toxic transatlantic relations can be drained of Maga poison. Continue reading...
Another No 1 falls as Notre Dame hold off Miami to shake up college football playoff race
Carr throws for 319 yards and three TDs in 31-24 win No 4 Irish avenge loss that cost them playoff berth Miami comeback falls short after disputed late call CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns as No 4 Notre Dame avenged their most damaging loss of last season, racing to a 21-point lead before holding on to beat top-ranked Miami 31-24 on Saturday night. Micah Gilbert caught two of Carr’s touchdown passes, Jordan Faison had the other and Nolan James Jr added a rushing score for Notre Dame (8-1, No 11 College Football Playoff), who entered the game knowing another defeat to Miami could derail their national championship hopes. Continue reading...
Messi claims second straight Golden Boot as Nashville sets points record on MLS Decision Day
Messi first to win consecutive MLS Golden Boots Inter Miami surrender 3-0 lead in dramatic draw Nashville set new league record with 77 points Lionel Messi won his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot award on Saturday, but Inter Miami squandered a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with Charlotte on the final day of the regular season. The Argentine superstar failed to score but set up Miami’s first two goals from corners at Nu Stadium as the defending champions secured second place in the Eastern Conference and home-field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Continue reading...
Uyghurs facing deportation by Thailand say they will be ‘like slaves’ in China
Activists fear Bangkok will give in to pressure from Beijing despite reports of torture and human rights abuses against the mostly muslim ethnic minority The deportation of two more Uyghurs to China from Thailand would put their lives in grave danger, activists have said, with one of the men saying he would be “like a slave” if he was sent back. Last year, Thai authorities forcibly deported 40 Uyghur men to China despite pleas from the men themselves and the UN. The US and Canada had reportedly offered to resettle them , but Bangkok appeared to want to avoid upsetting Beijing. The UN has said the returnees’ whereabouts remain unknown. Continue reading...
Cold blast brings springtime snow to alpine regions as temperatures plummet across Australia’s south-east
Thredbo, Perisher and Mount Hotham all recorded falls, along with kunanyi/Mount Wellington in Tasmania Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Snow has fallen across parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as an unseasonal cold blast whips through Australia’s south-east. Thredbo, Perisher and Mount Hotham all recorded falls, while snow also fell on kunanyi/Mount Wellington in Hobart. Continue reading...
Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne to remain in public hands after partial backtrack on defence property selloff
Four heritage-listed defence properties to be preserved for community use after backlash from veterans and former PMs Get our daily political email , free app or daily news podcast Four heritage-listed defence sites, including Sydney’s Victoria Barracks, will remain in public hands after the Albanese government yielded to public backlash against their sale. The sites, along with 63 others around the country, were identified in an independent audit as being underutilised by defence, not fit for purpose and costly to maintain, and were earmarked for sale to recoup $3bn in the federal budget. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
Wisconsin state patrol trooper detained by ICE released from custody
Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe immigrated to US at 14 and has been waiting seven years for asylum case to be heard A Wisconsin state patrol trooper, whom federal immigration agents detained on Thursday at an airport, has been released from their custody. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approached Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a South African national, as he waited to board a domestic flight, according to his law firm Christopher & De León. Continue reading...
FAA announces first US digital air traffic control towers in Florida and Alaska
Systems provide 360-degree view of airport operations, but concerns have been raised about the technology The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that the first digital air traffic control towers in the US are officially operational, bringing new technology first to smaller airports in Florida and Alaska as the Trump administration presses ahead with updating the country’s ageing aviation infrastructure. The systems are now online at the Bartow executive airport (KBOW) in Florida and the Kenai municipal airport (PAEN) in Alaska, with five additional regional airports slated to receive the technology next. Continue reading...
Richard Lloyd, founding member and guitarist of punk band Television, dies aged 75
Known for sophisticated musical style in band that played significant role in emerging 1970s punk rock movement Richard Lloyd, known for his sophisticated musical style as a founding member and guitarist for the influential punk band Television , has died at the age of 75. His family confirmed that Lloyd died Saturday morning at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “His loving wife Sheila and his dog Willie Mays were with him at the end,” his family said in a statement to Rolling Stone . Continue reading...
Trump says he asked Dana White, UFC boss, to be his new White House press secretary
President said the ‘violent Fighter and Warrior’ plus some UFC brawlers would ‘defend us from the Lunatic Left’ Donald Trump has offered the job of White House press secretary to Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the president said in a social media post on Saturday. Trump described White, who staged a cage-fighting spectacle at the White House to mark the president’s 80th birthday in June, as “a violent Fighter and Warrior”, credentials unlike any ever used to describe previous press secretaries. Continue reading...
Israel’s president picks Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot to form government
Knesset has been deadlocked since election last month when Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority Israel’s president has chosen Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival, to try to form a new government, Israeli media has reported, following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power. Isaac Herzog informed the leader of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, of his intention to task him with forming a government,” Herzog’s office said, adding that the formal appointment would take place in an official ceremony on Sunday at the president’s residence in Jerusalem. Continue reading...
Judge to appoint special master to determine whether Trump lawyers purposely misled her over golf course
Ana Reyes wants to know whether federal officials lied about extent of renovation plans at East Potomac golf course A federal judge said on Saturday that she intended to appoint an ex-top federal prosecutor who served during Donald Trump’s first term to investigate whether she was purposely misled by lawyers and administration officials over changes to a historic public golf course in Washington DC. Jessie Liu, a former US attorney for the District of Columbia, would examine whether officials with the interior department and the National Park Service and attorneys with the Department of Justice violated ethics or misled US district judge Ana Reyes during the course of the civil case that was initiated with a lawsuit in February by the DC Preservation League and two golfers. Continue reading...
How do you broker UN climate talks when your own country is a big coal and gas exporter? Chris Bowen is about to find out
Ahead of Cop31, climate change minister dismisses concerns about whether Australia as a major producer can keep the world moving away from fossil fuels Listen to the podcast: Chris Bowen on how he’ll reach consensus at Cop31 Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here Australia has been urged to set aside support for its near US$100bn fossil fuel export industries and fight for a global agreement to move away from coal, gas and oil as its climate change minister, Chris Bowen, leads negotiations between nearly 200 countries at UN talks this week. Delegates will gather in the Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya on Monday for Cop31, two weeks of climate talks held amid geopolitical turmoil, with conflict in the Middle East driving an oil price crisis that has raised living costs across the globe. Continue reading...
A Big Build royal commission helped Ben Carroll become premier. Will it be his downfall?
Two weeks of public hearings will begin on Monday morning, right in the middle of the state election campaign Get our daily political email , free app or daily news podcast The commitment that made Ben Carroll premier may ultimately cost him the election. On Monday morning, right in the middle of a state election campaign, the royal commission into Victoria’s Big Build will begin two weeks of public hearings. Continue reading...
‘People are active, they are fed up’: young voters fueled the Democratic wave
After helping Trump to victory in 2024, young voters swung decisively toward Democrats, helping deliver a wave of midterm victories The 2026 blue tsunami owes a lot to the youth vote. According to data from Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (Circle), which monitors youth civic engagement, early estimates show the second-highest youth turnout in a midterm election in 30 years, second only to 2018, when an estimated 31% of young voters turned out during Donald Trump’s first presidency. Continue reading...
Rise in NHS birth centre closures ‘shocking’ denial of women’s rights, experts say
Twelve midwife-led maternity units have closed in England since 2019 with six closing since Labour came to power in 2024 NHS officials are shutting growing numbers of birth centres in a “shocking” denial of a woman’s right to have a midwife rather than a doctor oversee their baby’s birth, say campaigners. Twelve birth centres – midwife-led maternity units – have closed in England since 2019. Birth centres play a key role in ensuring that women can choose whether to have their baby at a unit in a hospital run by doctors, at one where midwives are in charge, or at home. Continue reading...
Five dead after gunman opens fire ‘at random’ in Kraków market square
Reports say man fired shots from from his car in Poland’s second city before being caught while trying to flee Kraków shooting – latest updates Five people have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a shooting in a market square in Kraków, Poland. A man who had driven into the square at about 3pm began “firing at random people from his car”, according to a statement by local police on X. Continue reading...
Did the Bay Area just save its transit system from the brink of certain death?
Voters approved two measures to save the region’s financially distressed public transit agencies Voters in the San Francisco Bay Area overwhelmingly approved two transit measures this week that advocates hope will save the region’s financially distressed public transit agencies from a potential death spiral that could have had massive repercussions for the area’s residents and its economy. The Regional Transit Measure (RTM), a 0.5% sales tax across four Bay Area counties and a 1% sales tax in San Francisco, will generate approximately $1bn annually to fund the region’s four largest transit operators. It received a strong 62.2% support across all five counties that voted on the measure, winning with a landslide of 78.6% in San Francisco. Continue reading...