69 h. ago This fiasco didn’t start when Britain leaked Afghans’ names, but when we invaded their country | Simon Jenkins

Even after Tony Blair’s bungled war, UK leaders still yearned to dominate the world stage. With the lifting of the superinjunction, we can all see where that has ledWhat odds on a public inquiry into the Afghan superinjunction? Gold-plated, judge-led, three years of fun and games, that is how British politics normally kicks an embarrassment into the long grass. And what odds on who will get off scot free – Tony Blair?The more we pick away at the stages of this fiasco, the more from the start one blunder seemed to follow inevitably from another. There was no reason for the British invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. If the US wanted revenge on the Kabul regime for harbouring al-Qaida after 9/11, it could have done what Donald Trump did last month to Iran. A savage retaliatory blow against the country’s rulers would have made the point.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Stephen Colbert on Pentagon deal with Musk’s Grok AI: ‘Such a bad idea’

Late-night hosts discuss AI at the defense department, new Trump tariffs and the Maga schism over the Epstein filesLate-night hosts mocked the Department of Defense’s contract with Elon Musk’s Grok AI, Donald Trump’s White House decor and Maga infighting over the Epstein files. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Trump threatens to impose drug and chip tariffs as soon as 1 August

US president talks of low tariff to give pharmaceutical firms a year or so to build, and then making it ‘very high’Business live – latest updatesDonald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical products and semiconductors as soon as 1 August, the latest deadline for the introduction of his “reciprocal” levies on individual countries.The US president told reporters late on Tuesday the taxes on drug imports could be announced “probably at the end of the month, and we’re going to start off with a low tariff and give the pharmaceutical companies a year or so to build, and then we’re going to make it a very high tariff”. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago EU pauses trade retaliation against US after Trump’s 30% tariff threat

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen calls for negotiated solution to dispute

Politics

1 week ago Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil seeks $20 million from Trump over ‘political retaliation and abuse of power’

Palestinian student activist accuses administration of carrying out targeted arrests designed to ‘terrorize’ him and his family

Politics

1 week ago Lula threatens 50% tariff on US goods in retaliation for Trump levy on Brazil

Brazilian president says ‘if he charges us 50%, we’ll charge him 50%’ after Trump cited trial of Bolsonaro to justify tariffBrazil threatened to hit back against Donald Trump’s plan to introduce 50% tariffs on its exports with its own 50% tariff on US goods, setting the stage for a precipitous trade war.“If he charges us 50%, we’ll charge him 50%,” Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, told local news outlet Record, a day after Trump threatened to impose steep duties on Brazilian goods and accused the country of conducting a “witch-hunt” against its former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing a trial over his attempt to overturn his 2022 election defeat. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Flight attendant shares why you should 'never' wear a dress on long

A YouTuber and ex-Emirates flight attendant is sharing her expert advice for a comfortable long-haul flight, including two key reasons why wearing a dress is a bad idea

Politics

1 week 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

1 week ago China threatens retaliation for Trump tariffs as Rubio starts first Asia trip

China has warned US president Donald Trump against reigniting trade tensions by reimposing tariffs on Chinese goods and threatened retaliation against countries siding with Washington at Beijing’s expense.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump threatens 17% tariffs on food and farm produce exports from Europe

EU says it ‘favours a negotiated solution’ but is prepared for potential trade war with retaliatory dutiesDonald Trump threatened to impose 17% tariffs on food and farm produce exports from Europe during talks in Washington this week, it has emerged.Such tariffs would hit everything from Belgian chocolate to Kerrygold butter from Ireland and olive oil from Italy, Spain and France, all big sellers in the US. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Got a savings account with one of these Big Five banks? Why you must move your money NOW: SYLVIA MORRIS

Leaving your cash in one of the most popular easy-access accounts was a bad idea - but it's about to get a lot worse.

Economics

2 w. ago Do you have a savers account with one of these Big 5 banks? This is why you must move your money NOW: SYLVIA MORRIS

Leaving your cash in one of the most popular easy-access accounts was a bad idea - but it's about to get a lot worse.

Economics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s China deal: rare earths pave the green road to militarisation | Editorial

Clean tech’s key minerals now drive western rearmament, reviving extractive ambition and exposing the toxic cost of dependenceIt’s an irony that the minerals needed to save the planet may help destroy it. Rare earth elements, the mineral backbones of wind turbines and electric vehicles, are now the prize in a geopolitical arms race. The trade agreement between Washington and Beijing restores rare earth shipments from China to the US, which had been suspended in retaliation against Donald Trump’s tariffs. Behind the bluster, there has been a realisation in Washington that these are critical inputs for the US. They are needed not just by American icons such as Ford and Boeing but for its fighter jets, missile guidance systems and satellite communications.This understanding suggests that Washington will scale back some of its countermeasures once Beijing resumes delivery of rare earths. The paradox is that to reduce its dependence on China, the US must depend on Beijing ...

Events

3 w. ago EU retaliation against Trump drug tariffs would be bad idea, says industry

European pharmaceutical body says it would be ‘negative for both sides’ if Brussels hits back on threatened US leviesThe European pharmaceutical industry has urged Brussels not to retaliate if Donald Trump brings in threatened tariffs on imported drugs, amid fears he could impose the levies as early as next week.The US president said last week that the sector-specific tariffs were coming “very soon”. There is concern in Brussels that he could impose them imminently to give himself further leverage ahead of his self-imposed 9 July deadline for trade deals with the EU and about 60 countries. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US Treasury asks Congress to scrap retaliatory tax measure in Trump bill

Scott Bessent says deal with G7 will stop so-called Pillar 2 taxes from applying to American companies

Politics

3 w. ago Trump says 'last thing' on Iran's mind is nuclear weapons as he gives Netanyahu order

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "significantly scaled back" his planned retaliation against Iran's ceasefire violation after pressure from Donald Trump, it has been claimed

Events

3 w. ago EU readies retaliatory tariffs to secure better trade deal with Trump

German chancellor backs more muscular approach ahead of July talks deadline

Economics

3 w. ago Labour STILL can't bring themselves to back Donald Trump's strikes after Iran retaliated by launching missile barrage at US airbase in Qatar

As Tehran launched revenge attacks on US bases in the Middle East, the Prime Minister was last night accused of a 'lack of moral clarity' as he refused to take sides in the deepening conflict.

Events

3 w. ago Even during a heat wave, taking a cold shower might be a bad idea. Here’s why

Your body may not respond to refreshing cold water in the way you want

Politics

3 w. ago Iran warns Trump its retaliation for nuclear labs bombing is NOT over after firing barrage of missiles at U.S. base: Live updates

LIVE UPDATES: Iran has warned that its retaliation to President Trump's strikes on its nuclear facilities is not over after the largest US military base in the Middle East was targeted.

Events