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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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US allies lack resources to keep pace on AI, top Pentagon official says
Cameron Stanley talks up ‘revolutionary’ AI capabilities and says Washington working with Nato and Five Eyes partners The Pentagon’s top artificial intelligence official said on Tuesday that America’s closest allies lack the resources to keep pace with the US military’s adoption of AI, and that Washington is working to steer them away from mistakes it made along the way. “They don’t have the resources that we do, they don’t have the experience that we do, they don’t have the scale that we do,” Cameron Stanley, chief digital and artificial intelligence officer at the Department of War, said at an event at the Billington Cybersecurity summit. Of Nato and the Five Eyes, an intelligence-sharing partnership of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Stanley said Washington was “actively working with a number of our partners” so “they don’t make the same mistakes that we make”. Continue reading...
Miliband rejects chief rabbi’s claim that West Bank sanctions put UK Jews at risk
Foreign secretary says Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrong to suggest measures against Israeli settlements will make British Jews less safe UK politics live – latest updates Ed Miliband has rejected warnings from the UK’s chief rabbi that the government’s sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements will make British Jews less safe, as he stressed ministers can confront the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government while also fighting antisemitism. The foreign secretary announced sweeping sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday , with the government taking the position that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory was unlawful. An import ban on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied territories and a new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”. A comprehensive sanctions regime against providing services such as construction or financing for Israeli settlements and a ban on advertising them in the UK. Personal sanctions against key individuals accused of promoting settler violence. A new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”. Continue reading...
Man shot dead in Sydney community centre carpark
NSW police say a vehicle was seen driving away from the scene in Punchbowl in the city’s south-west A man has been shot dead in a carpark of a Sydney community centre in the city’s south-west. On Wednesday evening, emergency services were called to the community centre on Rossmore Avenue, Punchbowl, following reports of a shooting. Continue reading...
‘I am seen as a Marmite figure’: Margaret Hodge on political battles, victories, errors – and regrets
At 82, the politician and anti-corruption champion is indefatigable. She discusses fighting the BNP, tackling antisemitism, and why, with her new memoir, she’s reclaiming the word ‘battleaxe’ Margaret Hodge doesn’t do small talk. “So, how d’you think Andy’s doing?” is her opening gambit. “Not too bad, huh? I think he’s had a really good start.” It’s classic Hodge – sufficiently curious to ask the question about the new Labour prime minister, and assertive enough to provide the answer before you get yours out. “Yep. Fantastic empathy. But then he’s got to deliver. I think the budget is going to be the key moment. And we’ve also got these awful global challenges and Iran and Hormuz. God, it’s a mess. Ugh . Hahahaha!” She hoots with laughter at the horror of it all. She says she was against ousting Keir Starmer. “I thought we were doing so badly that what we really needed was a complete change in what we were about, what our ambitions were, where we were going, what our priorities were and how we were going to have a message of hope. I thought it was about much more than Keir at that point. I thought changing leaders was like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. I think I was wrong, right?” Continue reading...
An embattled Donald Trump is increasingly using sports as prop | Leander Schaerlaeckens
Sports is the rare topic in which the president has succeeded in shifting the conversation to his preferred terms Lately, it seems Donald Trump’s scope of interests has narrowed to a few things: remaking downtown Washington DC in his gaudy image; wars he thinks he can win quickly and easily, even though he can’t. Also, golf. Always golf. Ever golf. Leander Schaerlaeckens is the author of The Long Game: U.S. Men’s Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts, which is out now . He teaches at Marist University. Continue reading...
Supercar maker McLaren to create 1,000 UK jobs as part of £450m tech investment
New roles at Woking-based manufacturer will include positions for indirect and agency workers The British supercar manufacturer McLaren is to create 1,000 jobs in a welcome boost to the UK’s struggling automotive industry. The carmaker is creating the jobs as part of a £450m investment in its technology centre in Woking, near to the plant where it manufactures all of its vehicles. Continue reading...
Ben Shelton dethrones Carlos Alcaraz in five-set thriller after latest US Open finish
Winner claims 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) victory Epic quarter-final ends after 3.30am in New York As the official 10th day of play in New York moved deeper into the remote hours of the new morning, every passing game imbued Carlos Alcaraz with greater despair. From his focused start, Alcaraz’s intensity had flatlined and he could barely put a ball in court. Alcaraz lost nine consecutive games against Ben Shelton and seemed to have nothing left. Instead, the contest would develop into one of the most remarkable matches of the year as Alcaraz dragged himself into a fifth set and came so close to orchestrating another seemingly impossible comeback. This time, he was denied by a brave, defiant Shelton, who refused to be shaken by the status of his rival or the prospect of securing the greatest win of career after four hours and 29 minutes on court. At 3.33am, the sun not long from rising over Flushing Meadows yet a half-full Arthur Ashe Stadium still hollering until the end, Shelton closed out with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) win over Alcaraz to reach the semi-finals of the US Open. Continue reading...
Grief, fury, conspiracy: inside Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s killing
A year since his assassination, the movement Kirk started is reckoning with the void he left behind - and a revolution that eats its own As Charlie Kirk’s family, friends, and colleagues barreled through the sky to Utah, one staffer kept throwing up in her mouth. Each time she quietly swallowed. She did not want to add to the distress of the others sitting in deathly silence on the jet – especially Kirk’s 36-year-old wife, Erika. She was already a widow. Those who work at Turning Point USA – the ultraconservative activist organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, that Charlie Kirk founded – believe deeply in a Christian God. Many also believe that Satan and his deputies vie for influence on Earth. Earlier that day, on 10 September 2025, those forces had seemingly persuaded an angry young man to hide on a roof at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking to 3,000 people, with a loaded rifle. Continue reading...
NFL 2026 season predictions: which teams can bring down the Rams juggernaut?
The new season kicks off on Wednesday night. Our writers have their say on the MVP, rookies to watch and the disasters waiting to happen Quarterbacks living under center. The NFL has developed into a shotgun league, where most quarterbacks take the majority of their snaps three to seven yards away from the center. But the increase in efficiency when it comes to snaps taken right behind the center should have coaches directing their quarterbacks to do more of it. Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, and Sam Darnold led the way in 2025, and others will follow. DF Continue reading...
Family of British man found dead in Grenada ask local police to work with UK investigators
Andrew Frederick’s body was found in property he was staying at in Grenada in January The family of a British father who was found dead in the Caribbean in January is urging authorities in Grenada to work with UK police to uncover the truth about his death. Andrew Frederick’s body was found in the property he was staying at in Grenada on 4 January. An autopsy, performed in the same week by a privately hired pathologist, concluded that the 47-year-old’s death was a homicide. Continue reading...
Miliband defends sanctions on Israeli settlements and pushes back against chief rabbi’s criticism – UK politics live
UK foreign secretary ‘regrets’ Israel’s response to ban on trade with illegal settlements but ‘proud’ of his actions UK accuses Israeli ‘terrorists’ of ethnic cleansing in West Bank with government backing Good morning. Yesterday Ed Miliband , the foreign secretary, made what may turn out to be one of the most important Commons statements of the year. Here is our overnight report by Pippa Crerar, Jessica Elgot and Kiran Stacey. Here is an analysis by Patrick Wintour , the Guardian’s diplomatic editor. Continue reading...
Albanese says ABC ‘should do better’ after it revealed his membership of golf club given $6m grant
Funding from $560m invitation-only scheme prompts calls to make grant rules more transparent Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has claimed he did not know he was a member of his local golf club when his government gave it $6m for renovations, accusing the ABC of inappropriate reporting. The money came from an opaque $560m invitation-only grants scheme to fund projects Labor promised at the 2025 election, largely for Labor-held seats, prompting calls to make grant rules more transparent. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
‘Too little response’ to Russian strikes on Ukraine, Zelenskyy says after latest deadly attacks – Europe live
Ukrainian leader calls for more action from allies following overnight attacks in which two people died At least two people died were injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying “there has been too little response from the international community to these strikes.” Two people were killed, three injured and 16 evacuated after a strike on the Starokozache border crossing with Moldova. Four people were injured after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Kyiv. More strikes were reported in Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Zhytomyr. Continue reading...
Nats boss summoned by UK transport secretary as flight chaos enters second day
Martin Rolfe, who faces pressure to resign, due to brief Heidi Alexander after cancellations hit 1,300 Business live – latest updates The boss of the air traffic control provider Nats has been summoned to meet the UK transport secretary as the number of flight cancellations hit 1,300 in a second day of disruption for hundreds of thousands of passengers. Martin Rolfe, who is facing increasing pressure to resign over a third major stoppage to flights in just over three years, is due to brief Heidi Alexander on Wednesday. Continue reading...
Oil prices rise above $100 a barrel for first time since July as Iran war escalates
Brent crude rises by 2% as jump in energy costs stokes fears over inflation and higher interest rates Business live – latest updates The price of oil has risen above $100 a barrel for the first time since July as the escalating conflict in the Middle East threatens further disruption to global supplies. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose 2.1% to over $100 a barrel after tensions stepped up in the Gulf with the Iran-backed Houthis attacking four cities in Saudi Arabia overnight , wounding more than 70 people and setting oil installations ablaze in a significant expansion of the war. Continue reading...
Trump administration to confront Australia over Labor’s social media algorithm plan
White House warns trading partners against ‘imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion’ on US tech sector Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast The Trump administration will confront Australia over its plan to force digital platforms to take down harmful content and let users opt out of algorithm-generated “for you” feeds. Big tech companies would be fined more than $100m for breaching the proposed laws and the Australian government is under pressure to raise those fines even further. Continue reading...
White Australia party is ‘modern manifestation’ of Nazi movement and should be banned, commonwealth tells high court
The former National Socialist Network is challenging ban in high court, arguing law breaches implied freedom of political communication Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast The White Australia party is a “modern manifestation” of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi movement and would motivate hate crimes against sections of the country, the high court has heard. The White Australia party, formerly known as the National Socialist Network (NSN), was designated as an illegal hate group in May after the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) passed on its recommendation to the home affairs minister, Tony Burke. Continue reading...
Alleged victim of Alan Jones looked ‘sunken and diminished’, politician tells court
Downing Centre court hears that the alleged victim was usually outgoing but his demeanour changed at a meeting with Jones at his apartment • Listen to the podcast Alan Jones on Trial A politician who worked with an alleged victim of Alan Jones has told a Sydney court the man looked uncharacteristically “sunken and diminished” when meeting with the broadcaster at his Circular Quay apartment. The former MP, who Guardian Australia has chosen not to name because it may lead to the identification of the alleged victim, known as complainant C, said the man was usually outgoing and engaged but his demeanour changed once he sat down at a table with his former boss. Continue reading...
Reform UK says migrant deal was ratified by far-right National Rally president
Agreement between Nigel Farage and Jordan Bardella to return migrants to France faces backlash, with critics saying it goes against France’s ‘interests and sovereignty’ Reform UK has insisted its deal with France’s far-right National Rally to return migrants back across the channel was fully approved by the party and signed off by its president, Jordan Bardella, amid a furious backlash in France. The agreement unveiled on Friday between Nigel Farage and Bardella, who is the 30-year-old protege of presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, appeared to directly contradict Le Pen’s long-held policy of refusing to accept the return of those who arrive in the UK in small boats from France. Continue reading...
Apple expected to unveil folding iPhone as new CEO takes center stage
The new model will serve as the first big test for John Ternus, who took the role last week All eyes are on Apple’s annual fall announcement of new products this afternoon, where the company is expected to unveil the most significant change to the iPhone since the smartphone’s introduction in 2007. Unlike previous iterations, the new iPhone is expected to fold, opening and closing like a passport to double its screen size. Continue reading...
Polanski calls for report on ecosystem collapse to be published in full
Green leader says ministers must stop ‘hiding the truth’ about threat to UK security from climate and nature crisis Zack Polanski will challenge Andy Burnham’s government to publish an unredacted version of an explosive report by the UK’s spy chiefs that found the collapse of overseas ecosystems would have catastrophic consequences for the UK’s national security. The Green party leader in England will demand that the prime minister come clean about the scale and impact of the climate and nature crisis and call on the government to publish in full the report that warns the UK faces devastating security consequences. Continue reading...
Andrew Hastie accuses Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce of being ‘lying cowards’ over One Nation ‘traitor’ cartoon
The Canning MP says the cartoon, first posted by Hanson on social media over a month ago, calls him a traitor eight times Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Liberal frontbencher and SAS veteran Andrew Hastie has called Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce “lying cowards”, after he claimed a One Nation cartoon portrayed him as a traitor for providing evidence in court against Ben Roberts-Smith. Hastie further escalated his fight with One Nation on Wednesday, a day after the Canning MP used a letter to supporters to promise to take on Hanson and her chief strategist, James Ashby, directly – even hinting at costly court action. Continue reading...
Wednesday briefing: Inside sweeping UK sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements
In today’s newsletter: Ed Miliband has announced the strongest statement on Israel’s actions ever issued by the the UK government, but will it make a meaningful difference to Palestinians? Good morning. For almost half a century, British governments have condemned illegal Israeli settlements, acknowledging they represent an obstacle to peace and threaten the prospect of a two-state solution. And yet no government has ever compelled Israel to stop its expansion. Ed Miliband’s statement in the House of Commons yesterday was an attempt to change that. In a powerful and emotive speech, the foreign secretary recounted childhood memories of picking oranges on his grandmother’s kibbutz, accused Israeli “terrorists” of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and announced a series of new measures intended to address what he described as a “deeply painful contrast” between rhetoric and reality. UK news | Police have been told by the government they expect better intelligence gathering after masked far-right groups took to the streets at the weekend, the Guardian has learned, as the Kent force admitted mishandling warnings of potential trouble. UK politics | Andy Burnham should tackle inequality in the UK by introducing a wealth tax, universal free personal social care and bringing gas and electricity networks under public ownership, according to a report from more than a dozen influential thinkers. Airline industry | Flight delays and cancellations were expected to continue today at UK airports after another air traffic control failure kept planes grounded for hours, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. Iran | Iranian forces claimed to have seized an American underwater drone in the strait of Hormuz that the US military said had “malfunctioned” more than a day earlier. US news | Donald Trump gave sizeable holiday gifts to four White House aides, according to new financial disclosures released by the administration, including $45,000 to executive assistant Natalie Harp. Continue reading...
Burnham urged to tackle inequality with policies including wealth tax
Key thinkers suggest other radical measures in Compass report such as free personal social care and abolishing Lords Andy Burnham should tackle inequality in the UK by introducing a wealth tax, universal free personal social care and bringing gas and electricity networks under public ownership, according to a report from more than a dozen influential thinkers. In the lead-up to the first budget of the chancellor, John Healey, this autumn, the Compass thinktank has collated 70 policy options from 15 leftwing thinkers that they argue would deliver on the prime minister’s promise to end 40 years of neoliberalism . Continue reading...