section
Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
5111 stories archived
Burnham drops support for political funding cap aimed at curbing mega-donors
PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to Labour Andy Burnham has dropped his support for capping political donations, causing anger among activists and Labour MPs who have long campaigned for change to the way parties are funded. The prime minister has decided not to back amendments to the elections bill, which would cap the amount a person or an organisation can give in a single donation, according to government sources. Continue reading...
Parent whose 16-year-old daughter died by suicide reacts to Meta settlement – video
Victoria Hicks, mother of Alexandra Hicks, told reporters that she feels 'justice is possible' after Meta settled in its US trial over teen addiction. On 26 August in a Oakland, California, federal courtroom, Meta agreed to establish safeguards for teenagers and pay up to $17bn. Dozens of US states had accused the tech giant of addicting and harming children with dangerous products Continue reading...
Final witness in Lindsay Clancy trial says he doesn’t believe she heard a voice during killings
FBI psychiatrist Gregory Saathoff says he’s treated only two women with postpartum psychosis, both decades earlier The Lindsay Clancy trial was heading for closing arguments Wednesday, as a final witness for the prosecution laid out that he believed the Massachusetts mother knew right from wrong when she took the lives of her three young children before attempting to commit suicide in 2023. FBI psychiatrist Dr Gregory Saathoff testified in court in Plymouth that he does not believe Clancy’s account that she heard a voice ordering her to kill the children – five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson and eight-month-old Callan – as her defense team maintains that this occurred while she was suffering from the relatively rare condition of postpartum psychosis. Continue reading...
Trump downplays Moscow visit by CIA director as ‘semi-routine’
President denies visit was to gain support for Iran sanctions or due to fears that Putin plans to ‘test Nato resolve’ US politics live – latest updates Donald Trump has downplayed a visit to Moscow by the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, as “semi-routine” after he turned up in the Russian capital unannounced, triggering a wave of speculation about the reasons for his trip. Ratcliffe was reported to have flown to Moscow on a government transport plane on Tuesday in a rare visit after taking off from the Andrews air force base in Maryland. Continue reading...
How to lose Trump’s trade war: Test Canada’s resolve with threats to hockey sticks
The US president expected Ottawa to bow to tariff demands, but Canada is striking back – and it could cost Americans This was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday Earlier this year a survey found that Canada , along with Switzerland , was the best-liked country in the world. We all know this kind of polling is about as scientific as a high school popularity contest, but at least anecdotally, Canadians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, respectful and polite. Many people would find it difficult to dislike Canadians. But not Donald Trump, who in a “hold my beer” moment this week demonstrated that he, at least, finds it easy to resent Canadians. The US president called the country “difficult and unreasonable”, and in a particularly hysterical moment, threatened to rename a lake , after trade talks collapsed. Continue reading...
Amol Rajan warns BBC destined to shrink at ‘accelerating rate’
Presenter says he is moving to YouTube to avoid being left ‘behind the curve’ as media landscape changes The outgoing Today programme presenter Amol Rajan has warned that the BBC is destined to “get smaller at an accelerating rate”, as he prepares to depart for a new project on YouTube. Rajan, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving BBC News to “unleash my inner entrepreneur” in the creator economy, said he was making the shift to ensure he was not “behind the curve”. Continue reading...
Wes Streeting describes ‘unbelievable volume’ of homophobic abuse since becoming defence secretary
‘People cannot cope with the idea that a gay person might lead the armed forces,’ says Streeting Wes Streeting has described receiving a mass of homophobic abuse since he was made defence secretary last month, while also saying his appointment had been welcomed by some in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a sign of change. Until 2000, gay men and lesbian women were banned from serving in the UK military, with about 200-plus personnel thrown out of the forces each year due to their sexuality – an estimate, as proper records were not kept. Continue reading...
Rangers finalize deal for Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy
£9.5m/$13m fee is an outgoing record for Portland Kelsy not expected to feature this weekend Rangers have acquired forward Kevin Kelsy from Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers, a source with direct knowledge of the deal told the Guardian on Wednesday. That source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the agreement. The deal, worth some $13m/£9.5m – potentially more if Kelsy hits certain performance goals for Rangers – also includes a sell-on fee for the MLS club. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert first reported details of the deal on Wednesday morning. Portland acquired Kelsy from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk last January, paying $6m for the Venezuela international. The 22-year-old has been erratic but ultimately productive for the Timbers, finding the back of the net 16 times in 43 appearances. Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been vocal about wanting another striker before the end of the summer transfer window after losing Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti to an ACL tear in early August. Portland had little intention of moving Kelsy this window, a source said this week, but the fee, a club record for an outgoing transfer, proved impossible to turn down. The Timbers already added a center forward this summer – former Tottenham and Monterrey striker Vincent Janssen – and might make other moves before the window closes. Portland currently sit at ninth in MLS’ Western Conference, only narrowly in position for the final play-in spot to the MLS playoffs. They have already navigated a coaching change earlier in the season, with nPhil Neville dismissed during the World Cup break. Former Leicester City and QPR boss Martí Cifuentes took over in July. Rangers sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership after a tumultuous opening to their season which has seen them yet to win in the opening two games of league play and drop the the Uefa Europa Conference league after losing a Europa League qualifying tie to Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok. An anemic attack has seen McInnes push the club to sign reinforcements, having already added former Girona winger Kim Min-su and Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota earlier in the summer. Kelsy will travel to Glasgow this week to finalize the deal and undergo a medical and will join the team permanently when his visa is sorted. A source said on Wednesday that Kelsy is highly unlikely to feature for Rangers this weekend, when the club takes on eighth-place Aberdeen on Sunday. Continue reading...
Girl, 13, among missing British citizens after flash flood in Nepal
More than 400 travellers are said to be missing after flood on Tibet border, including 33 Britons Flash floods on Nepal-Tibet border – latest updates Thirty-three British citizens including a 13-year-old girl are among more than 400 travellers missing after a flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border, according to Nepal’s tourism board. The sudden flood happened on the Tibetan side of the Bhote Koshi River at about 8.30am local time on Wednesday. The 33 UK citizens are among at least 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for. Continue reading...
The Guardian view on electoral reform: don’t wait for a crisis to fix a broken system | Editorial
In an era of multiparty politics, first past the post risks generating perverse outcomes that delegitimise the democratic process If the system that elects MPs to Westminster was obviously the most democratic one available, there would be no need to use alternative modes when electing the UK’s devolved assemblies or England’s regional mayors. The fact that first past the post (FPTP) was not preferred when establishing those institutions reflects an acceptance that there are better ways to turn popular opinion into fair political representation. So why should the Commons stick with an inferior system? This question is raised by an amendment tabled to the representation of the people bill, which returns to parliament next week. The call to establish an independent national commission on electoral reform has been endorsed by 185 MPs. Continue reading...
US issues sanctions against UK-based direct action group Palestine Action
US labels group ‘global terrorist’ as its legal challenge against proscription in UK nears supreme court hearing The US has issued sanctions against the UK-based direct action organisation Palestine Action, describing it as a “transnational terror group”. The US Department of the Treasury labelled Palestine Action a specially designated global terrorist on Wednesday, which allows the US to freeze the assets of foreign individuals and entities. Continue reading...
Dolly Parton: why the world loved the queen of country - The Latest
Tributes have poured in for Dolly Parton, the pioneering country music singer, songwriter and actor, who has died aged 80. Stars including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney have paid tribute to one of the world’s greatest music artists, with many praising her lifelong philanthropy and advocacy for literacy and LGBTQ+ rights. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian deputy features editor Jenny Stevens Continue reading...
Should Kamala Harris runs for president again? ‘No,’ says Iowa Democrat
‘We need some new leadership,’ says the Democratic nominee for governor in Iowa, Rob Sand US politics live – latest updates The Democratic nominee for governor in Iowa bluntly answered a question that scores of national Democrats have thus far refused to respond to. Asked by Politico whether the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris , should run for president again, Rob Sand responded : “No.” Continue reading...
No further energy bills support likely before price cap rise, say UK government sources
Andy Burnham stops short of pledging further help as gas and electricity prices due to increase by 4% in October Households are unlikely to receive further energy bills support before the October price cap, though more targeted measures could be looked at if there is a further shock in January, government sources said. Gas and electricity prices will rise by 4% from October under the new cap . The government has already removed VAT from domestic electricity bills to save average households £45 a year, in a move announced in Andy Burnham’s first week in office. Continue reading...
FDA gives expedited approval to new groundbreaking pancreatic cancer drug
FDA officials approve first-of-a-kind pill called daraxonrasib to fight one of the deadliest types of cancer The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a groundbreaking new drug for the most common form of pancreatic cancer, offering US patients a more effective treatment against one of the deadliest types of the disease. FDA officials gave expedited approval to the first-of-a-kind pill, called daraxonrasib, that blocks a mutated protein that fuels tumor growth in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. It’s an approach that has eluded drugmakers for decades. Continue reading...
‘Escape wizard’ who used human pyramid arrested in Spain after breaking out of four jails
A dangerous Albanian criminal also sawed through bars and clambered down knotted sheets to breach prison walls Police in Spain have arrested a dangerous Albanian criminal nicknamed the “escape wizard”, who has managed to break out of four jails in Italy and Belgium by sawing through bars, clambering down knotted sheets and even using a human pyramid to breach prison walls. The fugitive, who has not been officially named, was arrested after officers from the Policía Nacional force discovered that the he was living in the north-eastern Spanish city of Tarragona and was the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by the Italian authorities. Continue reading...
Two women accuse former Fat White Family member Saul Adamczewski of physical and emotional abuse
Insecure Men singer has now been dropped by his record label and had tour dates cancelled after two women shared allegations about his behaviour Saul Adamczewski of Insecure Men and formerly of Fat White Family has been dropped by his record label and had tour dates cancelled after two women shared allegations of physical and emotional abuse against the musician. One woman said that the pair had a short relationship that resulted in a pregnancy, after which, she alleged, Adamczewski “made it his duty to make me suffer. He has been violent, pushed me, thrown glass bottles at me, showered me with beer […] insulted me, taken my passport from me, stolen my money and more, all while I had our baby.” Continue reading...
With Nige still sulking, Honest Bob was left to unveil Reform’s latest ‘policies’ | John Crace
The sense of futility hanging over the room was almost overwhelming as Robert Jenrick took the stage It’s turning out to be one of the longer sulks in Nigel Farage’s already sulk-filled career. Few politicians are better at having a strop and holding a grudge than Nige. At least on this side of the Atlantic. Donald Trump could give Farage a run for his money, but skin doesn’t come much thinner than Nige’s. He’s the soul of the Reform party as long as he’s the centre of attention and the yes-men and women – that’s everyone – around him are saying yes. But the moment reality challenges his narcissism, the mirror cracks. There was a time when you couldn’t keep Nige away from a TV camera or a gathering of reporters. It’s what he lived for. But ever since the Guardian revealed his £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, Farage has gone all shy. Unable to bear the humiliation of being seen for the man he really is. The posh. The entitled. The venal. The grifter. Everything he has spent the last 25 years trying to persuade people he isn’t. Continue reading...
Three pro-Israel Democrats given key roles on House foreign affairs panel
Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Wesley Bell to join as Jared Moskowitz becomes ranking member on sub-committee Three pro-Israel Democrats have been given key roles on a powerful congressional body overseeing US foreign policy in a move rounding sharply counter to popular sentiment within the party and likely to anger leftwing activists. The appointments to the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee follow a succession of wins in party primaries for progressive candidates who put criticism of Israel and its actions in Gaza at the core of their campaign messages. Continue reading...
Texas law banning drag shows where children may be present struck down again
‘This is a profoundly flawed decision that endangers our children and is an affront to Texas values,’ Ken Paxton says A federal judge has, for a second time, struck down a Texas state law banning drag performances in settings where children may be present. In a ruling issued on Tuesday, US district judge David Hittner said Texas cannot enforce its drag show ban. He said that the measure improperly restricts speech and violates the first amendment of the US constitution. Continue reading...
South African police arrest two Thai men for allegedly smuggling parrot eggs
Bird eggs intercepted in homemade incubators at Johannesburg airport as officials try to halt wildlife trafficking South African police have arrested two Thai nationals in separate incidents for allegedly attempting to smuggle endangered parrot eggs out of the country as authorities try to stem the tide of wildlife trafficking. A 50-year-old Thai national was arrested at OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg on 20 August, carrying 50 bird eggs in a homemade incubator in a hand-luggage bag, South Africa’s environment ministry said in a statement . Continue reading...
Dolly Parton fans pay tribute to late country music legend across US – in pictures
After the musician and philanthropist died at age 80 on Tuesday, people came out in droves to celebrate her life Continue reading...
Ending private health rebate for Australians 65 and over is ‘good policy change’, report co-author finds
Research finds just 0.1-0.4% of the total insured population will ditch insurance, while the government will save as much as $940m a year Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Removing the higher private health insurance rebate for people aged 65 and over is good policy that is unlikely to place additional pressure on public hospitals, according to health economists. The proposed changes, set to take effect in April 2027, will mean the private health insurance rebate will depend only on how much money a person earns – matching the rules for people aged under 65. Continue reading...
‘Pack of lies’: Robert Jenrick launches personal attack against Kemi Badenoch
Reform MP seeks to heap pressure on Tory leader amid confusion about details of meeting with Giorgia Meloni Robert Jenrick has accused Kemi Badenoch of telling “a pack of lies” about her meeting with the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, as he launched a deeply personal attack on his former boss. The Reform UK MP sought to heap pressure on the Conservative leader amid confusion about whether Meloni had used a meeting in Rome with Badenoch to urge her to “be her own woman” and resist doing a deal with his party. Continue reading...