98 m. ago Donald Trump has built a regime of retribution and reward | Sidney Blumenthal

The president’s purges and attacks on his enemies have developed into a system in which injustice is made routineDonald Trump’s voracious desire for retribution has quickly evolved into a regular and predictable system. In the year since his election his rage and whims have assumed the form of policies in the same way that Stalin’s purges could be called policies. Figures within the federal system of justice who do not do his bidding are summarily fired and replaced by loyalists. Leaders who have called him to account or are in his way may face indictment, trial and punishment. Opponents have been designated under Presidential National Security Memorandum No 7 as “Antifa”: “anti-American,” “anti-Christian,” and “anti-capitalist,” and threatened with prosecution as a “terrorist”. Meanwhile, many aligned with him escape justice, whether through the hand of the Department of Justice or the presidential pardon power. Now, he demands compensation for having been prosecuted to the tune of...

Politics

3 d. ago Photographer Coreen Simpson’s illustrious career capturing Toni Morrison and Muhammad Ali: ‘I’ve never gotten bored’

Star-studded work from Simpson, whose instincts also led to success in jewelry design, is assembled in a new photo bookCoreen Simpson carved her own path to success – she never waited for anyone to hand her an opportunity. In her 1978 portrait of Toni Morrison, the author gazes directly into the camera with a striking expression that holds the viewer’s eyes fixed on hers.A shadow fills the space between Morrison and the world, compelling the audience to reckon with her presence. The cigarette held effortlessly in Morrison’s left hand is a gesture to her power and influence as a literary giant. The image captures the essence of Simpson’s photography, seamlessly revealing the nature of her subjects while commanding their presence in the world. Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago Panicked Olivia Attwood misses out on huge Celebrity Catchphrase jackpot

Olivia Attwood 's attempts to bag a whopping £50,000 on Celebrity Catchphrase sadly slipped through her fingers thanks to a particularly tricky question.

Politics

1 week ago Julia Roberts oozes sophistication in a black power suit as she joins handsome co

Julia Roberts showcased her impeccable sense of style as she joined her co-star Andrew Garfield on the red carpet at the London premiere of their latest movie, After the Hunt. 

Politics

2 w. ago Tory plan to abolish stamp duty ‘will benefit London and the wealthiest the most’ – UK politics live

The Social Market Foundation thinktank says council tax reform and a property-based tax would be more sustainable and fairerVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understa...

Politics

2 w. ago Tories would abolish stamp duty, Badenoch tells party conference – UK politics live

Party leader says measure is a ‘bad tax’ and scrapping it would free up the housing market and improve social mobilityVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understand tha...

Politics

2 w. ago Politics latest: Kemi Badenoch delivers keynote conference speech amid Tory coup speculation

Conservative leader will try to win back support in face of discontent and mass defection of councillors to Reform

Politics

2 w. ago Politics latest: Tory coup speculation overshadows Kemi Badenoch’s keynote conference speech

Conservative leader will try to win back support in face of discontent and mass defection of councillors to Reform

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Not words that I would have used’: Stride distances himself from Jenrick’s ‘no white faces’ comments – UK politics live

Shadow chancellor distances himself from words after Robert Jenrick accused of racism in comments he made about Handsworth Asked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments and his attack on judges labelled ‘serious mistake’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racistAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments as he also claims ‘collapse of old order is in sight’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racistAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Jenrick addresses Tory conference after being accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments about Birmingham – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments were racist because he focused on colour to make negative point about HandsworthAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Robert Jenrick savaged over 'cynical' plan to abolish Sentencing Council

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick is accused of further undermining the independence of the judiciary as he seeks to hand more power to politicians over sentencing

Politics

2 w. ago Term ‘disabled’ being used too widely, shadow work and pensions secretary says – UK politics live

Helen Whateley says ‘millions are sitting on the sofa at home’Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke division, trying to bla...

Politics

2 w. ago Tory plan to scrap green energy measures called ‘contradictory nonsense’ by environment groups – UK politics live

Shadow energy secretary’s plans dismissed as ‘dead wrong’ by environment groupsMel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke divisi...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘First job bonus’ worth £5k planned for young people, Stride tells Tory conference – UK politics live

Shadow chancellor sets out spending plans as party conference continues in ManchesterMel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke ...

Politics

2 w. ago Poll shows Starmer's 'fightback' Labour conference flopping with Reform extending lead to 13 POINTS and PM's personal ratings at another low

Keir Starmer was seen as having given himself some breathing space from mutinous MPs and activists after ramping up attacks on Nigel Farage in Liverpool last week.

Politics

2 w. ago ANDREW NEIL: The headwinds Starmer and Reeves should worry about are the ones likely to have blown them both away by this time next year

Keir Starmer left the Labour conference in Liverpool this week in better shape than he arrived. But his troubles are far from over.

Politics

2 w. ago Zack Polanski warns Keir Starmer’s Britain is descending into authoritarianism

The politician is pitching the Green Party as a left-wing alternative for disgruntled Labour voters

Events

3 w. ago Keir Starmer a ‘handmaiden’ to the rise of Reform UK, Green Party’s Polanski warns

Zack Polanski is pitching the Green Party as a left-wing alternative for disgruntled Labour voters

Events