3 hours ago Trump and Musk have launched a new class war. In the UK, we must prepare to defend ourselves | George Monbiot

Across the world, societies are reverting to oligarchies. How to resist? Fight for democracy with all we’ve gotSeldom in recent history has class war been waged so blatantly. Generally, billionaires and hectomillionaires employ concierges to attack the poor on their behalf. But now, freed from shame and embarrassment, they no longer hide their involvement. In the US, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, will lead the federal assault on the middle and working classes: seeking to slash public spending and the public protections defending people from predatory capital.He shares responsibility for the Department of Government Efficiency with another billionaire, Vivek Ramaswamy. They have been recruiting further billionaires to oversee cuts across government. These plutocrats will not be paid. They will wage their class war pro bono, out of the goodness of their hearts.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

13 hours ago Labour in gagging row over Commons chief who urged Rachel Reeves to speak up for democracy campaigner jailed in Hong Kong

Ms Ghani is understood to have been ticked off by her boss, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle , and reminded of the convention that, as his deputy, she must avoid major public political interventions.

Events

6 hours ago Minister slaps down Sadiq Khan over 'resurgent fascism' jibe at Donald Trump as Labour scrambles to forge ties with new president

Sadiq Khan fuelled his long-running feud with the returning president by urging Labour and the Left to 'confront' the forces of 'reactionary populism'.

Politics

7 hours ago ‘Has the world gone mad? It has’: foreign reporters share a view of Trump from abroad

Journalists from countries that have seen challenges to democracy give their view on the second Trump presidencyWhat is the view of US democracy from abroad, and what can Americans learn from other nations with a history of political tumult?During his first term Donald Trump tested democratic norms by undermining trust in fair elections, encouraging political violence and demonizing the media and public servants. He has promised to be a dictator “on day one” of his second term. Continue reading...

Politics

7 hours ago Sadiq Khan lashes out over 'resurgent fascism' as he renews feud with Donald Trump ahead of inauguration and swipes that Labour ministers must 'speak truth to power'

The London Mayor urged Labour and the Left to 'confront' the forces of 'reactionary populism' on the eve of the White House changeover.

Politics

8 hours ago The Westminster whistleblower: how my friend Sergei tried to expose the Kremlin plot against Britain

Russian-born UK citizen and Tory party activist Sergei Cristo fought to make MI5 sit up and take notice of the Russian political interference operation now threatening democracy in Britain – and around the worldIn the dark days of the spring in 2022, as Russian troops terrorised Bucha and every day brought shocking new scenes of Ukrainians fleeing for their lives, I rang an old acquaintance, Sergei Cristo. Cristo is a Russian-born British citizen and I prepared for what I suspected might be a long conversation: he is a talker. He was born in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, but he moved to Britain when he was 19 and it’s fair to say we’re not the most obvious of allies. He loves the royal family and is a passionate Conservative party activist. He used to be on the committee of a donor club for young Conservatives, “and then I became vice-chairman, I knew the cabinet, I knew the leader, everybody”.He’s not kidding. He has photos of himself with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Bor...

Politics

8 hours ago AI predicts 'erosion' of US democracy at end of Donald Trump's second term

EXCLUSIVE: The Orange Manbaby cometh and fears of an 'oligarchy', economic ruin and the end of the world have erupted – so the Daily Star turned to AI for answers on Earth's most pressing questions

Politics

9 hours ago His good guy feminist stance makes Neil Gaiman’s fall from grace all the more ignoble | Catherine Bennett

Allegations of sexual misconduct are proving hard for fans and friends of the ‘geek royalty’ author to process Perhaps uniquely in the history of #MeToo, the women now alleging sexual misconduct on the part of the fantasy writer Neil Gaiman would appear to have their alleged perpetrator’s full support. Back when this movement seemed full of potential, in 2018, Gaiman urged the public to believe women like Christine Blasey Ford, whose allegations of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh were then being trashed.“On a day like today it’s worth saying,” Gaiman wrote. “I believe survivors. Men must not close our eyes and minds to what happens to women in this world.” Continue reading...

Politics

9 hours ago As a writer, Neil Gaiman is a serial fantasist. That, it seems, also applies to his feminism | Catherine Bennett

Allegations of sexual misconduct are proving hard for fans and friends of the ‘geek royalty’ author to process Perhaps uniquely in the history of #MeToo, the women now alleging sexual misconduct on the part of the fantasy writer Neil Gaiman would appear to have their alleged perpetrator’s full support. Back when this movement seemed full of potential, in 2018, Gaiman urged the public to believe women like Christine Blasey Ford, whose allegations of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh were then being trashed.“On a day like today it’s worth saying,” Gaiman wrote. “I believe survivors. Men must not close our eyes and minds to what happens to women in this world.”Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk Continue reading...

Politics

10 hours ago As Trump signals it's 'no more Mr Nice Guy', Swinney and Starmer must try to influence him

It is vitally important for the world that the US remains a liberal democracy

Politics

10 hours ago US rejects Venezuelan President Maduro's reelection, but keeps financial lifeline for his government

In 2022, the White House granted Venezuela a financial lifeline “to support the restoration of democracy” after President Nicolás Maduro promised to work toward an open presidential election, granting U.S. energy giant Chevron a permit to pump and export Venezuelan oil despite sanctions

Politics

28 hours ago An American tragedy: how Biden paved the way for Trump’s White House return

To admirers, Biden will remain one of the most consequential one-term presidents in US history – to detractors, he was undone by a fatal flawHis back straight, his voice steady, Joe Biden stood at the US Capitol just days after a violent insurrection and declared: “Democracy has prevailed.” Fast forward three and a half years and America’s president cut a different, diminished figure. “We finally beat Medicare,” he muttered in confusion in Atlanta, Georgia.From the soaring hopes of inauguration day to that grim debate night against Donald Trump, the very public decline of the 46th president had the makings of an American tragedy that paved the way for the return of Trump to the White House. Continue reading...

Politics

30 hours ago Town Hall Hotel London review: Sleep in the heart of democracy at this stylish Bethnal Green hotel

It’s always cheered to see historic buildings put to another use rather than being bulldozed, and even more so when it’s done with distinct style and taste.

Politics