13 hours ago Donald Trump announces picks for labor and treasury departments, CDC and surgeon general in flurry of nominations – live

Scott Bessent, Russ Vought, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Sebastian Gorka and Dave Weldon among choices for key posts in second Trump administrationTrump picks hedge-fund investor Scott Bessent for treasury secretaryTrump selects key Project 2025 figure Russ Vought to head budget officeIn a new interview on Friday, Matt Gaetz revealed that he will not be returning to Congress next year.Speaking to conservative talk show host Charlie Kirk, Gaetz, who withdrew his attorney general nomination yesterday, said:“I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” CNN reports.“There are a number of fantastic Floridians who’ve stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service. And I’m ...

Politics

16 hours ago Republican blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Markwayne Mullin stalls promotion of Lt Gen Christopher Donahue, photographed as last US soldier to leaveThe US general who was photographed as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan is seeing a promotion blocked by a sole Republican senator, multiple outlets reported.The move comes amid separate reports that the incoming Trump administration is considering courts martial, for offenses including treason, for officers involved in the evacuation. Continue reading...

Politics

18 hours ago Trump claimed Kim Jong Un missed him. The North Korea leader has a different message

First Trump administration saw angry threats and diplomatic meetings between president and North Korean leader

Politics

21 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

25 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

27 hours ago Who is in Donald Trump's new top team? Pam Bondi replaces Matt Gaetz alongside Elon Musk and Robert F Kennedy

President-elect shuffles his pack ahead of January inauguration

Politics

27 hours ago Elon Musk vows to summon MPs to the US 'to explain censorship and threats to American citizens': Billionaire hits back at calls for him to testify in UK over X's role in summer riots

The intervention is a fresh escalation in the American billionaire's war of words with Labour in the months before he prepares to take a major role in the new Trump administration next year.

Events

29 hours ago Warren says Trump’s ‘unprecedented’ actions during transition risk security

US Senator Elizabeth Warren sounds alarm over president-elect’s refusal to sign MOU and failure to release ethics planDonald Trump’s refusal to cooperate with the outgoing Biden administration is putting national security at risk and weakening safeguards against corruption, the US Senator Elizabeth Warren has warned.The president-elect has broken from precedent by refusing to sign memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the current White House team and failing to release a comprehensive ethics plan. Continue reading...

Events