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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Democratic socialists are winning in US cities with message of getting stuff done
Mayors such as New York’s Zohran Mamdani show leftwing ideology can go hand-in-hand with effective governance A trio of Democratic socialist victories in mayoral contests in three of the largest cities in the US has unleashed a new wave of hope on the left of the party. Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson took office in New York and Seattle, respectively, this year. Janeese Lewis George is set to follow in Washington DC . As momentum around leftwing candidates appears to build, focus will turn to Los Angeles over the coming months, where another member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) will attempt to continue this winning streak. Continue reading...
Two prime ministerial resignations, 10 years apart: ‘Brexit represents a kind of faultline in British history’
Keir Starmer’s announcement on Monday was the latest convulsion since the Brexit vote. This week, as we marked 10 years since the referendum, our former national news editor Dan Sabbagh looked back to the start of Britain’s ongoing political chaos Our political sketch writer John Crace has dubbed it the “ podium of doom ”. Just before a British prime minister steps out of 10 Downing Street to announce their resignation, a lone lectern takes centre stage and casts an ominous shadow across the ground. This week’s resignation of Keir Starmer was the seventh such lectern moment in a decade. The first and longest of these shadows was cast 10 years ago this week, when David Cameron resigned after the UK voted to leave the EU. Before then, departing prime ministers mostly made do with a basic mic stand. Before then, prime ministers generally didn’t depart after mere months in the job. Continue reading...
Donald Trump threatens to annihilate Iran after crossfire over Hormuz – Middle East crisis live
Iran attacked Bahrain and Kuwait after US strikes, and threatened a ‘complete halt’ to talks US and Iran trade strikes as both sides accuse the other of endangering ceasefire Welcome to our live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East. Earlier this morning, Iran has said it launched a joint missile and drone operation targeting eight US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain . This comes after the US launched further strikes on multiple targets in Iran, a day after it struck Iran in retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship in the strait of Hormuz. Ishaq Dar , Pakistani foreign minister, has reportedly held talks with his Bahraini counterpart, Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani , over the phone to discuss the evolving regional crisis. This comes after Bahrain said it had intercepted a number of missiles and drones from Iran. Several Iraqi political officials were arrested early Sunday on corruption charges, Iraq’s state-run Iraqi news agency reported. It said the arrests were based on statement made by former deputy minister of oil Adnan al-Jumaili , who was arrested last month, and “included members of parliament whose immunity had been lifted.” Israeli soldiers have shot and wounded a Palestinian in the Qalandiya refugee camp – north of occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli forces also detained two people and raided homes, according to Wafa news agency. Continue reading...
‘I loved it’: Jaron Ennis says hostile crowd fueled biggest win of career
Ennis shrugs off scare and eyes undisputed at 154lb New champion embraces hostile crowd after Zayas win Fighter says toughest test only sharpened ambition Jaron “Boots” Ennis left Barclays Center on Saturday night with the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles, the signature win of his career and answers to questions that had dogged him for years. What would happen when he finally faced an elite opponent? What would happen when he was finally hurt? And could he do it in front of a hostile crowd? Continue reading...
World Cup 2026 power rankings: France still kings but who has climbed 26 places?
From Algeria to Uzbekistan, we assess the standing of the 48 nations after the group stage of the tournament It took a little over an hour for Kylian Mbappé to find his groove. Irked by a poor refereeing decision, he scored twice in France’s opener . Ably supported by a stunning cast, Mbappé will already have his sights on winning the competition. Michael Olise has shown his class throughout , while Ousmane Dembélé dazzled with a hat-trick against Norway . We’ll see if anyone can stop Didier Deschamps’s team. Continue reading...
Paul Hogan has reportedly called Pauline Hanson a ‘pelican’. Please explain?
Crocodile Dundee was held up by the One Nation leader as an exemplar of ‘Australian monoculture’. Hoges had other ideas Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast In one swift rhetorical blow, Crocodile Dundee has disarmed Pauline Hanson’s latest attack on multiculturalism. But his weapon of choice has left some scratching their heads. Continue reading...
World Cup 2026: England win, Clarke quits Scotland and Iran denied at the last – live
⚽ All the latest news from as we reach the knockouts ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail us Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. wherever you are. The last 32 are decided, and there’s been further developments in the resignation of Steve Clarke following Scotland’s exit being confirmed. This is where the real action is decided, and there’s just one game to be played, South Africa v Canada in Los Angeles, the co-hosts asked to cross the border. Continue reading...
Gulf shares concerns with US as Iran’s influence and power continue by proxy
Analysts and western leaders believe Iran will increase support of militia groups despite deal between US and Iran As Marco Rubio ended his brief visit to the Middle East on Friday, he sought to cast in the best possible light his discussions with leaders of the Gulf states. Those leaders are deeply anxious that the deal agreed earlier this month between Iran and the US fails to address their worries about continued Iranian efforts to project power and influence throughout the region. “They’ve shared with us some very concrete concerns,” the US secretary of state admitted, and insisted that any definitive agreement will require Tehran to not only restrict its nuclear programme but also halt its support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militia in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. Continue reading...
Greens examining how party decides policy as membership triples under Zack Polanski
Exclusive: Concerns in-person vote system is giving bigger say to organised fringe activists who can attend conference Senior Greens are examining ways to revamp the party’s structures to make it more effective and representative now its membership has more than tripled since Zack Polanski became leader. Under the party’s direct-democracy model, policy is voted on only by members who attend one of its two annual conferences, a system some Greens believe risks empowering organised fringe activists who make the effort to travel to the events. Continue reading...
Spotlight falls on Ocado boss Tim Steiner’s £100m in payouts
Reports claim replacement being lined up for co-founder amid concern over high pay and company’s struggling share price The boss of Ocado has collected nearly £100m since the online grocery company floated on the stock market in 2010, despite its share price now languishing below its flotation level, analysis has shown. Tim Steiner, a former Goldman Sachs trader who co-founded the British technology company in 2000, is thought to be in discussions over his future after it emerged Ocado had approached at least one potential replacement. Continue reading...
Will Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?
In the first of a series on nationalisation, we look at the critical tests ahead for the PM-in-waiting, from choosing a chancellor to the future of Thames Water As he swept towards victory in the Makerfield byelection , Andy Burnham told voters he wanted to see “the essentials of life being run primarily for the public interest, not for the private interests”. Citing the Bee Network of buses and trams across Manchester city region, brought together on his watch, Burnham repeatedly highlighted the need for more “public control” over the necessities of life. Water, energy, transport and housing are at the top of his list. Continue reading...
‘Enforcement mode’: Australia must take fight to tech giants to make social media ban stick, experts warn
Doubled penalties will have little effect if platforms not held to account for the content they carry, observers say Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The government needs to switch into “enforcement mode” and take on tech giants over its social media ban after doubling fines, experts have warned. The federal government announced on Sunday it would introduce new legislation to double fines to $99m for platforms that breach the social media ban, and give the eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stronger information-gathering powers. Continue reading...
Jaron Ennis survives scare to stop Xander Zayas and unify 154lb titles in instant classic
Ennis stops Zayas in seventh to unify 154lb titles Boots survives toughest test to stay unbeaten Zayas suffers first defeat after dramatic contest Jaron “Boots” Ennis survived the toughest fight of his professional career before stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round on Saturday night to unify the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles at Barclays Center. The previously unbeaten Ennis knocked Zayas down three times and weathered a furious third-round rally before referee halted the bout at 1:49 of the seventh round, giving the Philadelphia native the signature victory that had eluded him despite years of being regarded as one of boxing’s brightest talents. Continue reading...
Labour has abandoned the missions that brought it to power. Here's how Burnham could revive them. | Mariana Mazzucato
With a new prime minister incoming, Labour faces a fundamental question about its economic vision As Keir Starmer stands down as prime minister and attention turns toward Andy Burnham, the current moment should not be reduced to a story of personalities. The question that matters is strategy, and the Labour party has three years left to get this right. When Labour won its landslide in July 2024, it did so on the promise of a new kind of governance: five national missions to tackle the UK’s deepest structural challenges, from clean energy to child poverty, inspired by my book, Mission Economy . That was the right answer to a real question: what is the economy for, and why should it matter to people’s daily lives? Mission-oriented government is not just a political slogan, but a proven approach to solving society’s biggest challenges, generating good jobs and resilient growth in the process. Mariana Mazzucato is professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, where she is founding director of the UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose . She is the author of The Common Good: a new compass Continue reading...
Reform UK makes dramatic first impression in Senedd opposition role
With more than a third of Welsh parliament seats, Reform MSs have caused tears and walkouts – and voted against their own party Tears, walkouts, own-goal votes: the Welsh parliament has only been sitting for a few weeks, but Reform UK has already made a dramatic first impression in its new role as the official Senedd opposition. Plaid Cymru won May’s historic Welsh elections, ending 100 years of Labour dominance and blocking the momentum of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which came second. He had been aiming for it to become Wales’s biggest party but it still performed better than any Welsh Conservative result on record, and increased its vote share from 1% in 2021 to 29% in 2026. Continue reading...
New Caledonia polls open in first local vote in the French territory since 2019
Election will determine balance of power in New Caledonia before fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status Polls opened in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia on Sunday for the archipelago’s first provincial elections since 2019, after the vote was delayed as talks stalled over its political future. The election, initially planned for 2024, will determine the balance of power in New Caledonia ahead of fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status, with independence remaining the defining political issue. Continue reading...
NSW beaches to get dawn-to-dusk drone patrols in $34m anti-shark program
Premier Chris Minns says he wants to restore confidence to beachgoers after series of shark sightings and attacks Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Shark-spotting drones will fly from dawn to dusk throughout the year at 70 beaches in New South Wales under an expanded monitoring program, the state government says. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said the $34m initiative would restore confidence to beachgoers after a series of shark sightings and attacks. They include one by a great white shark on Sydney mother Leah Stewart, who is no longer in a critical condition following the attack at Coogee beach earlier this month. Continue reading...
Trump news at a glance: America wins ‘either way’, Vance claims amid shaky ceasefire with Iran
Vice-president JD Vance says US holds all the cards in conflict with Iran – key US politics stories from Saturday 27 June Hours before fresh military strikes were exchanged in the strait of Hormuz, vice-president JD Vance continued to reiterate the administration’s triumphant line on the war with Iran. “If we make the final deal, then great,” the US vice-president told HBO’s Bill Maher. Continue reading...
Algeria v Austria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT ⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Bracketology | Mail Sam ⚽️ Jordan v Argentina – live updates with Rob Smyth Hello and welcome to the last game of an action-packed final day of the World Cup group stage, which sees Algeria take on Austria. Kick-off for today’s match at Kansas City Stadium will be 9:00pm local time (10pm EDT/3am BST/12pm AEST). Ever since the World Cup draw was conducted last December, fans of niche football history circled today’s clash between Algeria and Austria. The pretense of honest competition dissolved almost entirely. At one point, Uli Stielike stopped the ball and surveyed the pitch five times before settling on a five-yard pass. Paul Breitner spent 20 unhurried seconds walking laterally with the ball in his own half. The Austria midfielder Reinhold Hintermaier feigned ambition and his theatrical effort sailed 20 yards over, deceiving no one. Continue reading...
Jordan v Argentina: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT ⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot ⚽️ Algeria v Austria – follow live updates with Sam Lewis Crikey, that flew by. Sixteen days after Mexico and South Africa kicked off the 2026 World Cup, the bumper group stage ends with a Group J double header: Algeria v Austria, which you can follow with Sam Lewis, and Jordan v Argentina in Dallas. Strictly speaking, this game is a dead rubber: Jordan have been eliminated and Argentina already know they will play Cape Verde in the last 32. But try telling that to the populace of Jordan, who are hoping to win their first point at a World Cup – or to the billions of Lionel Messi disciples across the globe. Messi has been in sparkling form so far, scoring five goals in two games, and leads a goat-studded race for the Golden Boot. Continue reading...
Four people have died from flash floods in Kentucky, governor says
Floods caused by thunderstorms that have dumped inches of rain on Kentucky and Indiana, with more possible Andy Beshear, the Kentucky governor, says four people have died as a result of flash floods from thunderstorms that have brought as much as 7in (18cm) of rain to the state. Beshear confirmed the four deaths in a social media post, noting three people were from Madison county and one was from Jackson county. “Please join Britainy and me as we pray for their families during this difficult time,” Beshear said. Continue reading...
Fatboy Slim says he felt paralysed at prospect of DJing sober after rehab
Speaking on Desert Island Discs, the Grammy-nominated musician referred to his alcoholism as a parasite Fatboy Slim has said he felt paralysed and “rigid with fear” at the prospect of DJing sober after spending time in rehab to deal with his alcohol addiction. The artist, whose real name is Norman Cook, referred to his alcoholism as a parasite and said getting sober was “probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done” during an appearance on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne. Continue reading...
Australia news live: shark-spotting drones to patrol NSW beaches year-round
Premier Chris Minns says technology will be largest expansion of aerial shark surveillance in the world. Follow the day’s updates live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Drone technology won’t be ‘foolproof’ but should ‘mitigate the risk’, NSW premier says The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, says the state government’s expansion of shark surveillance came in response to a reduction in the number of people visiting beaches amid a spate of shark attacks. We now are in a situation where … we seen a reduction in the number of people who are enjoying our beaches and enjoying the Pacific Ocean, even in the winter period. So we know we want to take action … It’s not going to be foolproof. We can’t promise it won’t lead to further shark attacks in the future, but we think it’ll mitigate the risk. They’re a protected species. They’ve been a protected species since the 90s, and I’m not convinced it would work. I mean, the distances these sharks travel are massive. It’s not like we can knock a few off and send a message to the rest of them … I think it’s a different situation for bull sharks. Generally they’re in our estuaries … We’re looking particularly at an audit of the number of sharks in Sydney Harbour. We want to keep people safe, particularly when there’s a higher number of people in the water. Continue reading...
US says it struck targets in Iran over ‘continued aggression’ against shipping
Strikes come after retaliatory attacks on Friday following a drone strike on cargo ship in strait of Hormuz The US has struck multiple targets in Iran after strikes on Friday that were in response to a drone strike on a cargo ship a day earlier in the strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (Centcom) has confirmed. Centcom said its strikes on Saturday were in “direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping”. The US strikes targeted “Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities”, Centcom said in a statement. Continue reading...