55 m. ago Starmer hails Labour victory after surprise win in Hamilton byelection for Scottish parliament – UK politics live

PM congratulates Davy Russell but Reform also performed strongly, gaining third place with 26% of the voteScottish Labour win pivotal Holyrood byelectionHere is an extract from the full statement John Swinney, the SNP leader and Scottish first minister, issued after the byelection result was announced. He said it showed the need for the SNP to offer “a vision of hope and optimism”.Labour won by an absolute landslide in this area less than a year ago - we came much closer tonight but the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have made clear that we still have work to do. Over the next few days we will take time to consider the result fully. When I became leader of the SNP last year I made clear my intention to bring the party together and focus more than ever on standing up for the people of Scotland. During this campaign we heard a lot of anger about the cost of living - and it is clearer than ever that Westminster control is making Scotland poorer, whether that is the damage ...

Politics

2 h. ago Foraged mushrooms, fatal doses and food binges: the week Erin Patterson told her story to triple murder trial

Accused told court the moment she realised she could be blamed for harming her in-laws came before they even diedAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIn Erin Patterson’s telling, the moment she realised she could be blamed for harming her in-laws came before they even died.According to evidence Patterson gave at her triple-murder trial this week, she was in a Monash hospital room alone with her estranged husband, Simon, after their two children had left to buy food from a vending machine, when he asked her: “Is that how you poisoned my parents, using that dehydrator?”Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Australian navy ship accidentally blocks wifi across parts of New Zealand

Incident happened as one of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest ships was on its way to Wellington this weekAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian defence force (ADF) has conceded that one of its ships inadvertently blocked wireless internet and radio services across swathes of New Zealand’s North and South islands this week.The incident occurred on Wednesday morning as HMAS Canberra, one of the largest ships in the Royal Australian Navy, was on its way to Wellington, where it ultimately arrived on Thursday.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Families of children killed in Hillcrest jumping castle incident ‘shattered’ after not guilty verdict

Rosemary Gamble, owner of Taz-Zorb which set up the equipment in Tasmania, had pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with workplace safety lawsAustralia news live: latest politics updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe families of the six children killed in a primary school jumping castle incident are angry after the operator who set up the castle was found not guilty of a workplace safety charge.Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Peter Dodt died after the incident at Hillcrest primary school in Devonport in December 2021.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago War of words between president and former adviser escalates – as it happened

This blog is closed. Musk calls for Trump to be impeached as extraordinary feud escalatesTesla share plunge amid Trump feud wipes $152bn off companyMusk says SpaceX will retire Dragon spacecraftPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Rubio imposes sanctions on four ICC judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel

US secretary of state cites ‘illegitimate actions’ of court that issued arrest warrants against Israeli officialsThe United States is placing sanctions on four judges from the international criminal court (ICC) for what it has called its “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel.The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, announced the sanctions in a statement on Thursday. They target Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. Continue reading...

Events

12 h. ago Musk endorses Trump impeachment push as president and Tesla CEO’s fight explodes: Live

Elon Musk claims ‘the real reason’ Epstein files ‘have not been made public’ is because they include Donald Trump

Politics

12 h. ago Elon Musk escalates war of words with Trump after president threatens to terminate government contracts – live

In flurry of X posts, former adviser hits out at Trump - including threat to decommission Dragon spacecraft - as allies-turned-enemies spar on social mediaMusk calls for Trump to be impeached as extraordinary feud escalatesTrump and Musk trade barbs as rift over tax and spend bill erupts into openPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Rubio sanctions international criminal court judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel

US secretary of state cites ‘illegitimate actions’ of court that issued arrest warrants against Israeli officialsThe United States is sanctioning four judges from the international criminal court (ICC) for what it has called its “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel.The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, announced the sanctions in a statement on Thursday. They target Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago Trump and Musk trade online attacks as Elon accuses president of being part of infamous Epstein files: Live

Elon Musk claims ‘the real reason’ Epstein files ‘have not been made public’ is because they include Donald Trump

Politics

14 h. ago Trump threatens to ‘terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts’ as feud with Musk escalates – live

Trump claims he asked Musk to leave administration and suggests cutting Musk’s governmental contracts would achieve Doge’s mission of saving US moneyTrump says he is ‘very disappointed’ in MuskPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Musk claims he is why Trump won in 2024 as president and ‘first buddy’ trade barbs over spending bill: Live

President says, ‘Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody’

Politics

15 h. ago Elon Musk claims ‘without me, Trump would have lost the election’ – US politics live

Former adviser accuses Trump of being ungrateful in tweet after US president said he was ‘very disappointed’ in Tesla CEOTrump says he is ‘very disappointed’ in Elon Musk after attacks on tax billPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Trump says he’s ‘very disappointed in Elon’ and unsure if they will have good relationship after Musk’s criticism of his tax bill – live

US president says he’d rather have Elon Musk criticize him than the tax legislation because ‘the bill is incredible’President Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Trump says Xi invited him to China during ‘very good’ phone call – live

US president says call was entirely about trade; Chinese president Xi says ‘Consensus has been reached’President Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Trump travel ban latest: President accused of bigotry and distraction tactics to push through spending bill

President’s new policy recalls ‘Muslim travel ban’ that caused outrage during his first term

Politics

18 h. ago US supreme court sides with heterosexual woman in ‘reverse discrimination’ case

Judges rule 9-0 in case where Marlean Ames argued she was denied a promotion because she is heterosexualUS politics live – latest updatesThe US supreme court made it easier on Thursday for people from majority backgrounds such as white or straight individuals to pursue claims alleging workplace “reverse discrimination”, reviving the case of an Ohio woman who claimed that she did not get a promotion at a state agency because she is heterosexual.The justices, in a 9-0 ruling, threw out a lower court‘s decision rejecting a civil rights lawsuit by the plaintiff, Marlean Ames, against her employer, Ohio’s department of youth services. Continue reading...

Events

20 h. ago Human rights groups condemn Trump’s ‘racist’ and ‘cruel’ travel ban – live

Human Rights First said Trump’s ban ‘disproportionately targets Muslim-majority nations and undermines the United States’ foundational principles of equality under the law’Trump bans citizens of 12 countries from entering USEverything to know about Trump’s new travel banPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago Trump travel ban live: President accused of ‘bigotry’ after banning citizens of 12 countries from the US

President’s new policy recalls ‘Muslim travel ban’ that caused outrage during his first term

Politics

22 h. ago Trump travel ban live: President says ‘we don’t want them’ as he bans travel to the US from 12 countries

President’s new policy recalls ‘Muslim travel ban’ that caused outrage during his first term

Politics