14 h. ago Trump has found in El Salvador a model for the repressive state he wants to build – and he’s just getting started | Jordana Timerman

Nayib Bukele has shown how brutal control can be sustained not just through force, but by raising the cost of speaking outThe Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) maximum security prison in El Salvador is the crown jewel of President Nayib Bukele’s efforts to quash not only criminal gangs, but also criticism and political opposition to his government. The “mega-prison” is also one of the more visible destinations in the emerging map of American deportations – a sprawling archipelago that includes conservative US districts, the Guantánamo military base and Central American waypoints connected by a tangle of military and charter flights.That the two states have connected their penal architecture is no coincidence. Donald Trump’s aggressive policies towards foreigners build on Bukele’s infamous iron fist crackdown against criminal gangs: it’s a political toolkit that leverages anti-establishment anger to justify an authoritarian slide. In deploying strongman tactics to address social c...

Politics

59 h. ago UK military tests new weapon that takes down drones at base in Wales

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has hailed the trial as the largest counter-drone swarm exercise the British Army has ever conducted, with a weapon developed domestically

Events

3 d. ago Dutton admits he made mistake on Indonesia in ABC leaders’ debate as Albanese evasive on electricity prices

Opposition leader also says ‘I’ll let scientists pass that judgment’ when asked if climate change impacts getting worse in second showdownPolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideListen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastPeter Dutton has admitted he made a mistake by wrongly claiming the Indonesian president had announced a proposal for Russia to base military aircraft in Indonesia, and declined to state whether the impacts of climate change were getting worse.The opposition leader has also confirmed his plan to reduce the size of the federal public service by 41,000 positions by 2030 would not pay for the entirety of the Coalition’s policy platform, suggesting further cuts to government spending may be necessary.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Australia investigating after report claims Russia seeking access to Indonesian military base

Australian defence minister says Jakarta assured him report ‘simply not true’

Events

4 d. ago Indonesia dismisses report Russia seeking to base aircraft in country as ‘simply not true’, Australia says

Australian defence minister Richard Marles says he has spoken to Indonesian counterpart about report Moscow filed official request over military aircraftIndonesia’s defence minister has said reports Russia is seeking to base military aircraft in the country “are simply not true”, according to the Australian government, after Canberra made urgent calls to Jakarta.The report from defence and security news website Janes said Moscow had filed an official request with Jakarta for permission for Russian aerospace forces (VKS) aircraft, including several long-range aircraft, to be based at a facility in Biak. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Australian PM voices concern after report Russia requested access to Indonesia air force base

Anthony Albanese says ‘obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region’, and analysts say it is unlikely the unusual request would be grantedAustralian prime minister Anthony Albanese has said officials are seeking further information after a report emerged that Russia is seeking to base military aircraft in Indonesia’s remote Papua region, on Australia’s northern doorstep.Albanese said on Tuesday: “We obviously do not want to see Russian influence in our region, very clearly. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Fears over extremism in US military as soldier revealed as neo

US army investigates after young private follows the Base, which has vowed to recruit soldiers for so-called race warAn active-duty serviceman in the US army is openly following a proscribed neo-Nazi terrorist group on social media, one that has vowed to recruit soldiers in preparation for a so-called race war.Experts say examples like this shows how under Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon is allowing extremism to go unchecked. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago U.S. fires head of military base in Greenland after JD Vance visit ‘for undermining chain of command’

Colonel Susannah Meyers emailed base staff distancing herself from the Vice President’s visit

Events

8 d. ago Ukraine allies hold Brussels summit as Trump’s envoy makes Kremlin visit – Europe live

Representatives of around 50 countries gather to discuss support for Ukraine as Steve Witkoff arrives in RussiaMeanwhile in Greenland, the head of the US military base that was visited by vice-president JD Vance has been fired for criticising Washington’s agenda for the Arctic island, AFP reported.Colonel Susannah Meyers, who had served as commander of the Pituffik Space Base since July, was removed amid reports she distanced herself and the base from Vance’s criticism of Denmark and its oversight of the territory during his visit to the base two weeks ago. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Mysterious US military flight to Afghanistan sparks speculation about Bagram air base

Military cargo plane from Doha was reportedly carrying CIA deputy chief

Events

2 w. ago Virgin plane passengers stuck at military base with 'no food' after mid

Virgin Atlantic Flight VS358 to Mumbai was forced to land at a military base in Turkey after a woman was taken seriously ill mid-flight - but the 200 passengers onboard were left stranded

Events

2 w. ago Passengers on Heathrow flight 'abandoned' at remote airfield due to visa issue after emergency landing

The Virgin Atlantic service was diverted to a remote military base in Turkey, allegedly leaving passengers including pregnant women ‘with no food’

Society

2 w. ago More than 200 passengers on London to Mumbai flight stranded at Turkey military base after plane forced to make emergency landing

The flight had left Heathrow for Mumbai at 11.40am but never arrived as a woman started 'shouting and screaming at 30,000ft'.

Events

2 w. ago Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited islands and a US military base

President announces levies on Heard and McDonald Islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean

Events

2 w. ago Trump signs off Chagos Islands deal between UK and Mauritius

Agreement has security implications for joint military base with US on Indian Ocean archipelago

Politics

2 w. ago Chagos deal being 'finalised' with Mauritius after winning Donald Trump's approval, confirms Downing Street

The plan means the UK will hand sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius and then pay to lease back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base

Economics

3 w. ago JD Vance says military force won't be needed in US plan to take over Greenland during controversial visit

US delegation’s visit has caused fury for its ‘underlying agenda’ after Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the Danish semi-autonomous territory

Events

3 w. ago JD Vance and wife Usha in Greenland for controversial visit to base as Donald Trump says US needs island

The visit has caused fury for its ‘underlying agenda’ after Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the Danish semi-autonomous territory

Politics

3 w. ago JD Vance and wife Usha in Greenland for controversial visit to military base as Trump says US 'needs' island

The visit has caused fury for its ‘underlying agenda’ after Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the Danish semi-autonomous territory

Events

3 w. ago JD Vance and wife Usha arrive in Greenland for controversial visit to military base

The visit has caused fury for its ‘underlying agenda’ after Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the Danish semi-autonomous territory

Events