1 hour ago For now, let’s revel in Bluesky’s promised land and kid ourselves it will never get like X | Tim Adams

Watching the numbers migrate from Elon Musk’s toxic platform is addictive, but the best social media is finiteThe fabulous Carol Vorderman got me briefly hooked last week in watching a particular number increase by the second. The number was the user count for the social media site Bluesky, the chosen distraction engine for those who can no longer stomach the toxic inanity of Elon Musk’s X. Most days, the ticker on the screen suggested the number of new Bluesky users had grown by about a million. And, of course, the newbies, inevitably myself included, revelled in the latest online promised land, a place where things would be done differently – with kindness and respect – without quite acknowledging the fact that, as yet, no platform which confuses a venture capitalist’s favourite metri...

Politics

2 hours ago Trump depends on the EU and UK to act as peacemakers more than he thinks

The US doesn’t need to spend more on Ukraine. Britain can bring funding to the table – and help Trump reboot alliancesWith Donald Trump the very meaning of words is up for negotiation. What does he really mean when he promises to “build a wall”? When he pledges to end the Russo-Ukrainian war in one day?His supporters say they don’t take him literally but seriously – but who decides what “serious” is? The very ambiguity can be part of Trump’s appeal. There’s something exhilarating in the sense one is in an exclusive negotiation with the president to define reality. It’s as if he’s welcoming you backstage from the reality show of politics to the discrete board room where meaning is made. Continue reading...

Politics

5 hours ago Gaetz without ‘the baggage’: Trump’s new pick Pam Bondi could still disrupt Justice Department

Trump’s attorney general nominee says ‘prosecutors will be prosecuted’

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8 hours ago Trump’s counter terror pick Sebastian Gorka is a ‘conman’ who needs FBI background check, Bolton says

Former Trump national security adviser calls right-wing personality the ‘perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump’

Events

8 hours ago What to know about Brooke Rollins, Trump's pick for agriculture secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has selected former White House aide Brooke Rollins to lead the Department of Agriculture

Politics

10 hours ago Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries

President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary

Politics

11 hours ago King Charles laughs at comedian’s impression of Donald Trump at Royal Variety Show

Camilla was absent as she is advised by doctors to rest due to lingering chest infection symptoms

Politics

12 hours ago King Charles makes comedian roar with laughter over joke at Royal Variety Performance that plays off Donald Trump's 'they're eating the cats, they're eating the dogs' comments

The King's response to political satirist Matt Forde's joke at the Royal Variety which played off of comments made by Donald Trump made the comedian burst into laughter

Politics

13 hours ago Thousands protest against femicides and sexual and sexist violence in France

Thousands of protesters have demonstrated in Paris and other French cities against femicides and sexual and sexist violence

Events