3 hours ago Angela Merkel expresses ‘huge concern’ at Elon Musk’s US government role

Former German chancellor says politics should govern the social balance between powerful and ordinary citizensAngela Merkel, who in her new memoir raises fears for the western democratic order with Donald Trump as US president, has also expressed deep concerns about the outsized role to be played in Trump’s administration by Elon Musk.The former German chancellor, who during Trump’s first term was given by some observers the designation of “leader of the free world” usually reserved for US presidents, said 16 years in power had taught her that business and political interests must be kept in fine balance. Continue reading...

Politics

4 hours ago The Guide #166: If 2024 is the year of the podcast, here’s what still sucks about the medium

In today’s newsletter: As Joe Rogan’s three-hour ramble with Donald Trump vindicates lengthy runtimes, here are our biggest grievances from the last 12 months• Don’t get the Guide delivered to your inbox? Sign up to get the full article hereWhat a year it has been for the podcast, which has a decent shot at being considered the most important cultural medium of 2024. Once the scrappy underdog of broadcasting, podcasts now sell out arenas and set the political agenda. They are inescapable.They are also at times teeth-grindingly annoying. We first shared our podcast pet peeves – from live episodes to paying for pods – a few years ago, but since then the irritations have only piled up further. So we’re going to turn that whingefest into an annual event. Here are our five biggest podcast gr...

Politics

4 hours ago UFC boss Dana White says he’s done with ‘disgusting’ politics after helping elect Trump

‘I’m never f***ing doing this again,’ the UFC chief executive said

Politics

4 hours ago We can still have progress under Trump. We just need to focus on our mission | Aaron Glantz

As an investigative reporter, I was able to push for change under a Donald Trump presidency. That can be true for all of usSign up for Fighting Back: a pop-up newsletter on defending democracy under TrumpWelcome to Fighting Back, the Guardian’s new pop-up newsletter from our opinion desk. From now until the inauguration, you will hear from big thinkers on what we can all do to protect civil liberties and fundamental freedoms in a Trump presidency. If you aren’t already a subscriber, you can sign up here. ***Take a deep breath. Go on a walk. Meditate if it’s your practice. Talk with your family, friends and longtime collaborators. And then, when you are ready, sit down and write a personal mission statement rooted in an issue that’s important to you.Think about all the levers of power – ...

Politics

4 hours ago Matt Gaetz says he'd be in prison if the sex 'smears' were true in first interview since withdrawing as AG pick

Matt Gaetz said he fell victim to a 'smear' that dredged up old and discredited allegations in his first interview since withdrawing his name for consideration as Donald Trump 's attorney general.

Events

6 hours ago Five actions Biden can take to protect civil liberties before Trump’s presidency

From confirming judges to closing detention centers, six experts address how the president can limit Trump’s impactIn less than two months, Donald Trump will take office, threatening several areas of American life and international policy. The president-elect has pledged to take aim at LGBTQ+ rights, specifically for transgender and gender-non-conforming people. He has promised to conduct mass deportations and raids as a part of a far-right approach to US immigration. And he is expected to roll back data collection practices on police misconduct and stifle any hope of passing police reform in Congress – specifically the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.Trump will largely be able to roll out his agenda, outlined in the 900-plus-page Project 2025 document, as Republicans took control ...

Politics

7 hours ago Trump’s pick of Pam Bondi for attorney general doesn’t end transition drama – live updates

Trump’s contentious choice of Pam Bondi came after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination; attention remains on Pete Hegseth as controversies come to lightHegseth wrote of military taking sides in ‘civil war’Profile: Who is Pam Bondi?Trump’s cabinet and White House picks – so farIf confirmed by the Senate, Pam Bondi will assume the nation’s highest law enforcement role under Donald Trump’s administration as attorney general. The Guardian’s Abené Clayton reports on Bondi’s background:The Senate will not vote on four of Joe Biden’s appellate court nominees in order to hasten the processes of other nominations.Former health secretary Tom Price says he expects Trump to implement block grants for Medicaid. Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs

Politics

8 hours ago California prepares to fortify state’s abortion access: ‘Fight for what’s right’

Lawmaker Mia Bonta outlines new bills package to protect reproductive rights in interview with the GuardianAs Donald Trump returns to the White House, anti-abortion groups are hoping this is their moment.With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and the US supreme court governed by a conservative supermajority, activists are pushing an extreme agenda, including a nationwide abortion ban, a prohibition on abortion pills, a “fetal personhood” doctrine that could restrict in vitro fertilization and attacks on contraception. Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago Hats off to Jaguar’s ‘inclusive’ new branding: now people of all backgrounds won’t buy its cars | Marina Hyde

In the aftermath of Trump’s victory, the ad already looks like a period piece. But aside from that – I mean, seriously?There are many eve-of-the-offensive conversations I would love to have been a fly on the wall for. Inside the Trojan horse, say, with that Ancient Greek SAS unit bantering the day away, before busting out for their daring small-hours raid. Or inside the Jaguar marketing department, on the night before their new rebrand, as these crack experiential troops prepared to release this week’s new ad on an unsuspecting luxury car market. Picture the champagne corks popping as the socials are timed to post the video at the appointed hour. “I hope the pre-order guys are ready for an onslaught – because we’ve got eight capital-D diverse models in category-five tulle busting out of...

Economics