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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Ilhan Omar says US agents seized 17 items in raid designed to ‘freak’ her out
Democrat, in first interview since pre-dawn raid, denies immigration fraud and says ‘I have a legal right to be a member of Congress’ The Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar denied allegations of immigration fraud in a Wednesday appearance on MS Now, her first interview since federal agents raided her residence last week. Those in Donald Trump’s orbit – cabinet officials and rightwing influencers alike – have promoted baseless theories about the Democratic congresswoman, accusing Omar of being in a sham marriage with her brother and fudging details of her immigration paperwork. Continue reading...
‘Almost looks fake’: two Sydney beaches closed after whale carcass washes up
Swimming banned at Maroubra and Coogee while council prioritises ‘culturally respectful’ removal of remains Coogee and Maroubra beaches have been closed as a precaution after a whale carcass washed up on the rocks between the two busy swimming and surfing spots in Sydney ’s eastern suburbs. The local council said it was working with rangers and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries on the whale’s removal from a “difficult-to-access location surrounded by cliffs and rock ledge”. Continue reading...
‘Man, I loved that’: Trump cheers South Carolina rally attender who hit protester
President was reportedly heckled at least nine times during campaign event for Darline Graham Multiple protesters were removed from Donald Trump’s rally at South Carolina’s Clemson University on Wednesday, including one who was apparently punched by a rally attender – to the US president’s delight. “That was great, man. Wow. Man, I loved that. I watched that,” Trump said. “That was incredible. Wow. That was unbelievable. Is everybody OK? Continue reading...
Sam Wood takes bid for bail over domestic violence charges to supreme court
Former reality star and wellness influencer stands accused of choking and assaulting wife at Noosa in Queensland Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Former reality television star Sam Wood will go to the Queensland supreme court seeking release from custody, more than two weeks after he was denied bail over allegations he choked and assaulted his wife. Wood, a 46-year-old wellness influencer from Melbourne, was arrested at Noosa on 4 October on domestic violence allegations. He was refused bail by a Queensland court, after police detailed evidence about a similar incident from Victoria about three years ago, and argued that his behaviour was “escalating”. Continue reading...
Decoding America: Katie Zacharia and Trump’s women problem – video
In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad look at how Katie Zacharia broke the record for shortest tenure as White House press secretary. They then look at the pattern of how women in the Trump administration are treated when they’re perceived to have made mistakes – versus how men seem to survive their missteps. They also look at how the US might be changing course on Russia’s war on Ukraine. Are relations between the US president, Donald Trump, and the Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at their lowest point ever – and what happens if the US decides to take Russian president Vladimir Putin’s side in this war? Continue reading...
Some US diplomats told to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
Reports emerge of similar withdrawals in UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain amid concerns about a return to conflict with Iran after US midterm elections The US state department has ordered some diplomats and the families of US government employees to leave Saudi Arabia, as the gulf kingdom faces a barrage of near-daily attacks, with at least three people killed at an airport and oilfield on Wednesday evening. Attacks on “civilian airports and other critical infrastructure” by the Iranian-supported Houthis in Yemen were highlighted as the reason for the drawdown. State department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said: “The safety and security of department personnel and their families remain our highest priority.” Continue reading...
Officials confirm flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite found in US wildlife
USDA says screwworm found in elk in Texas, and warns hunters and ranchers to be vigilant to help stop spread The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Wednesday it had confirmed the first detection of flesh-eating parasite the New World screwworm in US wildlife in an elk in Pecos county, Texas. The elk was located on a game ranch and was reported after being harvested by a hunter, the USDA said in a statement. Continue reading...
Tesla beats earnings projections after Musk floats SpaceX merger plan
Musk says ‘there’s a lot of merit’ to potential merger that would require approval of 50% of all Tesla shareholders, but he declined to elaborate Investors were paying close attention to Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday afternoon, after chief executive Elon Musk floated the idea of merging the car company with his rocket and AI company, SpaceX. But they didn’t glean further information after the company announced there would be no questions on the matter. “With regard to a potential merger with SpaceX, I think I said everything that should be said yesterday,” Musk, the CEO of both companies, said on Tesla’s earnings call. He repeated a phrase he said on Tuesday: “I feel like I’m tap dancing through a minefield.” Continue reading...
Aneurin Bevan’s personal security file was ‘remarkably tame’ – National Archives
Some in UK’s security services questioned why Welsh Labour firebrand was of interest Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, the Welsh Labour firebrand who spearheaded the creation of the NHS, was monitored by security services for more than two decades, though his personal file was “remarkably tame”, according to official files released to the public. Bevan came to MI5’s attention in the 1930s over concerns about his links with known communists, papers released to the National Archives show. Monitoring continued even after he became a minister in the postwar Labour government that created the NHS. Continue reading...
Royal Navy lacks resources to counter Russian threat in high north, MPs warn
Committee cites shortfalls of submarines and warships and says ‘dramatic progress’ needed by end of decade Britain risks failing to deter future Russian aggression in the high north beyond the UK because of shortfalls in the number and availability of Royal Navy submarines and warships, MPs on the defence select committee have said. The committee focused on the slow deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus this spring, declining numbers of frigates, and reports that all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock this summer as evidence of a navy under-resourced for the threat. Continue reading...
Nancy Pelosi’s office latest recipient of letter containing white powder
Former speaker is latest target of mailings sent to various Congress members in the lead-up to the midterm elections California representative Nancy Pelosi’s office received “a suspicious letter” on Wednesday in what appears to be the latest incident of ill-intentioned mailings targeted at US Congress members before the midterm elections. The offices of more than three dozen members of Congress across the political spectrum have received envelopes containing white powder in recent days. One lawmaker’s office said preliminary tests indicated the powder was not hazardous. Continue reading...
How will Trump’s mass deportation agenda shape the US midterm elections? Our reporters answer your questions
With ICE arrests and detentions at their highest levels, immigration remains a key issue for voters less than two weeks before election day Sign in or sign up to join the conversation From mass raids to quiet crackdown: a timeline of Trump’s strategic ICE pivot It’s our last US midterms live Q&A before election day on 3 November, and our reporters are answering your immigration questions. Since Donald Trump began his second term , ICE arrests have reached record levels , operations have become deadly , and immigration raids have hit politicians’ homes . Our reporting has documented the experiences of those directly affected by the harsh conditions in detention centers and resistance to ICE agents on the ground. The makeup of the Democratic party, plus key races to watch Who are the groups financially backing the candidates in the midterms? Will the Iran war cost Trump in the US midterm elections? Your questions answered Will Trump’s economy sink Republicans in the US midterm elections? Our reporters answered your questions Continue reading...
House prices falling in every Australian capital city for first time in 15 years
House prices in Sydney are at a two-year low after falling 4.7% in the September quarter, to $1.66m according to Domain report House prices are falling across every capital city for the first time in 15 years and the second time on record, according to figures from Domain’s September Quarter 2026 House Price Report. House prices in Sydney are at a two-year low after falling 4.7% in the September quarter, to $1.66 million. Continue reading...
Orangutans prefer food associated with sounds of laughter, study suggests
Apes in study more likely to choose treats linked to sound of peers having fun, suggesting emotions influence learning Orangutans base their food choices on whether others appear to be having a good time, research suggests. Scientists studying captive orangutans have found that when the great apes heard the sound of their peers laughing before they searched a bowl for a tasty treat, they valued the reward more highly. Continue reading...
‘He was a great kid’: Chiefs mourn death of former player Allen Bailey at age of 37
Defensive end played for Chiefs for eight seasons Andy Reid says player’s death ‘makes you sick’ Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid have spoken of their sadness after former Kansas City Chief Allen Bailey died at the age of 37. The defensive end was found dead at his home in Florida on Tuesday by his wife. He is believed to have died from natural causes. Continue reading...
‘Huge moment’: long-awaited extension to Sydney’s metro line to open next week, Minns reveals
The southwest metro extension will open on Friday 30 October, more than two years after the former T3 heavy rail line closed A long-awaited extension to Sydney’s metro line will open on Friday next week, bringing an end to more than two years of replacement buses for residents in the city’s south-west. In a video shared on Instagram on Thursday morning, the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns announced that the Southwest Metro extension would open on Friday 30 October. In a statement, the government said the first service would commence at 4:31am. Continue reading...
NSW passes ‘human compost’ laws with several MPs saying they will utilise practice after they die
Australia-first laws provide a third legal option other than burial and cremation for the treatment of bodies Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Several New South Wales MPs say they want their own bodies turned into “human compost” after Australian-first laws were passed allowing the unusual practice. The laws, passed on Wednesday, provide a third legal option other than burial and cremation for the treatment of bodies. Continue reading...
'Stop whining': Vance reacts to outrage over Ramaswamy campaign ad – video
JD Vance, the vice-president, criticized Republicans who have spoken out against a controversial campaign ad from Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad features the mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, calling her daughter a liar. In a Tuesday statement, Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, said his sister is estranged from her mother, who had married a man that sexually abused Acton when she was 12. He said his mother, Donna Arthur, remained in the marriage after her husband was arrested and her children were taken away from her Continue reading...
Elon Musk’s Super Pac spends $500,000 to back New York Republican in midterms
Incumbent Mike Lawler is fending off a challenge from Democrat Cait Conley in state’s 17th congressional district US politics live – latest updates Elon Musk’s Super Pac has spent more than $500,000 in New York’s highly competitive 17th congressional district race to help Mike Lawler, the Republican incumbent, hold on to his seat. Lawler, a moderate Republican, is fending off a challenge from Democrat Cait Conley in Hudson Valley. It is among the most-watched races that could determine whether Republicans hold on to their majority in Congress. Continue reading...
Meta ordered to pay $25bn to New Mexico in Cambridge Analytica data-privacy case
Jury had found Meta misled consumers after Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign obtained user data without consent A judge in New Mexico ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25bn on Wednesday after a jury found the company had misled consumers in a case arising from allegations that a political consulting firm involved in Donald Trump ’s 2016 presidential campaign obtained data from millions of Facebook users without their consent. “Facebook’s wrongdoing – over the course of years and systematically broadcast to the public – goes to the heart of Facebook’s core business practices,” Judge Francis Mathew wrote in his order following the verdict. Continue reading...
Former Tory election candidate suspended over contract killing claims
Jack Ross was filmed allegedly discussing with an undercover reporter violent options to deal with enemies A former Conservative election candidate has been suspended from the party after he was seemingly filmed discussing the cost of hiring contract killers and offering to “broker” the services of a far-right activist with alleged paramilitary links. Jack Ross was filmed apparently asking an undercover reporter “What do you want done?” before listing the type of violent options that could be bought. Continue reading...
No surprise and lasting anger: families of people who died in care homes react to Covid inquiry report
Relatives recount distress and loneliness their loved ones went through in pandemic as a result of isolation policy “At the time it felt like a devil’s bargain – it was horrible, but it was what [we thought] we had to do to keep people safe,” says Amy of the “devastating” and “terrifying” restrictions that led to her maternal grandparents being locked down in separate care homes during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eva and Eric had been married for more than 60 years when her dementia and his increased frailty meant they needed separate residential support. When the first lockdown was announced in March 2020, however, it in effect cut them off from each other and their granddaughter, to whom they had been especially close after the early death of Amy’s mother. Continue reading...
Witkoff calls Putin a ‘humanitarian’ after release of jailed American – video
Vladimir Putin ordered the release of former teacher Stephen Hubbard, who had spent more than four years in Russian jails on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. This came as Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Russian president in St Petersburg for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close relations between Moscow and Washington. Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talks Continue reading...
Epstein’s attorney and accountant accused of ‘facilitating and concealing’ his crimes in lawsuit
New Mexico lawsuit claims ‘in exchange for furthering Epstein’s criminal project, his associates received generous salaries’ The attorney general of New Mexico on Wednesday filed a civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime attorney, Darren Indyke, and Epstein’s longtime accountant, Richard Kahn, accusing them of having “facilitated and concealed” Epstein’s crimes, and is seeking to stop them from being paid by Epstein’s estate while the litigation plays out. The lawsuit , filed in the US district court for the district of New Mexico, names Kahn and Indyke as defendants both in their individual capacity, and in their capacity as co-executors of Epstein’s estate. The complaint also names the Epstein’s estate, and the 1953 Trust, which holds the estate’s assets. Continue reading...