7 h. ago Copper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariff

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economyBusiness live – latest updatesCopper prices hit a record high in the US after Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on the industrial metal, in the latest escalation in his trade war.Trump said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “Today we’re doing copper,” proposing a 50% tariff rate for imports. He also threatened to impose a 200% border tax on pharmaceuticals but in a year or year and a half’s time. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Australian government ‘urgently seeking more detail’ after Trump flags 200% tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals

Global trade tensions linked to unpredictable and expanding US levy regime a ‘substantial concern’, Jim Chalmers saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor is making urgent representations to the White House about Donald Trump’s threat to impose 200% tariffs on drug imports to the US, an announcement Jim Chalmers says is very concerning for the Australian economy.The US president said on Wednesday that the punishing new border levies would come with a transition period that could last more at least a year, after sustained pressure from the US pharmaceutical industry over price controls on common drugs in countries like Australia.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago Trump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff rates

US president announces tariffs of up to 200% on foreign drugs and 50% on copper as he continues to shift plansDonald Trump vowed to further escalate his trade wars on Tuesday, threatening US tariffs of up to 200% on foreign drugs and 50% on copper, amid widespread confusion around his shifting plans.Hours after saying his latest deadline for a new wave of steep duties was “not 100% firm”, the US president declared that “no extensions will be granted” beyond 1 August. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Senate races to pass Trump’s flagship tax bill as deadline looms

Republicans can only afford to lose three votes to secure a simple majority, with all Democrats opposed

Politics

1 week ago Ottawa ‘urgently seeking more information’ about death of Canadian citizen in Ice custody

Johnny Noviello was detained by US immigration in Florida over a 2023 conviction and died while awaiting deportationAuthorities in Canada are seeking information about the death of a 49-year-old Canadian man who died while in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) custody in Florida this week.In a statement, Ice, part of the Department of Homeland Security, said Johnny Noviello, 49, died on 23 June after being found unresponsive at a federal detention center in Miami, where he was being detained “pending removal proceedings” from the US. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago PIC OF THE DAY: Trump declares he 'was right' about ceasefire that was immediately broken

The Daily Star's picture of the day is a graphic of US President Donald Trump hugging and kissing the American flag with the words 'Trump was right about everything', which was posted to his Truth Social platform

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump erects 'beautiful' massive flag poles in bizarre White House upgrade

Donald Trump has ordered a huge addition to the White House after returning to the presidency, with the leader wanting everything to be 'bigger and more beautiful'

Politics

3 w. ago ‘These are the most magnificent poles made’: As Middle East rages, Trump brags about new flag poles at the White House

‘They are tall, tapered, rust proof, rope inside the pole, and of the highest quality,’ the president wrote of the flagstaffs

Politics

3 w. ago Indonesian volcano LIVE: Red alert as Mt Lewotobi erupts ash 32,000ft into air

The volcano spewed ash 32,000ft into the air and prompted the Australian Government to issue a red alert. This is a breaking news story

Society

3 w. ago Iran and Israel trade attacks amid reports Tehran could be seeking talks – live updates

Hostilities continue for fourth day but Iran reportedly seeking urgent negotiations to end strikes and resume nuclear talksIran strikes Tel Aviv and Haifa as conflict enters fourth dayLiving in Israel: how have you been affected?Living in Iran: how have you been affected?If you are just tuning in to the latest developments in the escalating conflict in the Middle East, here is our new wrap on the strikes between Israel and Iran.Iran has executed a man who was found guilty of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Monday, as reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Photos of preparations for Trump's military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the US Army

Troops get military assets into place and security fencing goes up around the National Mall where a large image of President Donald Trump drapes a federal building in preparation for Saturday's military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with Flag Day and Trump’s birthday.

Events

4 w. ago 'These animals proudly carry other countries' flags but only burn the American flag': Trump condemns 'foreign invasion' as he prepares full anti

The president went on to call LA 'a trash heap' with 'entire neighborhoods under control' of criminals, adding the government would 'use every asset at our disposal to quell the violence'

Events

4 w. ago Watch: Trump says people who burn the American flag ‘should go to jail for a year’

Donald Trump says that anyone who burns the American flag should be thrown in prison.

Events

4 w. ago Trump wants to shrink the cap on Pell Grants. It could have a major impact on paying for college

The proposal comes as Republicans debate the enormous cost of Trump’s flagship ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, which critics describe as a massive wealth transfer from poor to rich.

Politics