11 h. ago Starmer delays tackling child poverty leaving tens of thousands on the brink

Labour prime minister facing calls to scrap the controversial two-child limit, brought in as part of former Conservative chancellor George Osborne’s ‘austerity’ policies

Politics

12 h. ago The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: a boon to the UK, as well as audiences elsewhere | Editorial

Britain would benefit from pledging more sustained and committed support in this age of disinformation and global turmoilTwo years ago, BBC Arabic radio left the airwaves after decades. Soon afterwards, Russia’s Sputnik service began broadcasting on the frequency left vacant in Lebanon. That detail illuminates a larger picture. China, Russia and others see global-facing media as central to their global ambitions and are investing accordingly – pumping out propaganda to muddle or drown out objective, independently minded journalism. These outlets are state-controlled as well as state-owned.Meanwhile, conspiracy theories and disinformation proliferate online, attacks on press freedom intensify and the Trump administration is dismantling media organisations including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia (RFA), which have been essential sources of information for audiences under repressive regimes. Official Chinese media were gleeful at what RFA’s president, Bay Fang, cal...

Events

13 h. ago US university scholars and international students: are you considering working or studying elsewhere?

We’d like to hear from scholars and students from abroad in light of the Trump administration’s attack on universitiesInternational students at Harvard University were ordered this week to transfer schools or lose their legal status following the Trump administration’s revocation of the university’s eligibility to enroll students from abroad.While that order was swiftly blocked by a judge, it is one of a series of events creating uncertainty on campuses across the US. It follows the US government’s revocation of hundreds of student visas on various grounds, including minor infractions or participation in protests against the war in Gaza. (Some of those visas have been reinstated.) Academics have also felt the impact of funding cuts and subsequent hiring freezes, leading to hundreds looking to leave the US to work elsewhere. Continue reading...

Society

15 h. ago White House doubles down on stance on Harvard and calls university’s lawsuit ‘frivolous’ – live

Harvard’s president says school’s ‘refusal to surrender’ behind Trump administration’s ‘unlawful’ and ‘unwarranted’ latest actionFresh attack on Harvard intensifies chaos for international students in USHarvard University has sued the Trump administration over its decision to revoke the Ivy League school’s ability to enrol international students, a move the school called unconstitutional and retaliatory.Reuters reports that in a complaint filed in Boston federal court, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the US constitution’s first amendment and other federal laws.HHS alleged that Columbia violated Title VI, which prohibits those receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, or national origin -- including discrimination against individuals based on their actual or perceived Israeli or Jewish identity or ancestry.The notice, both from HHS and the Department of Education, “articulates extensiv...

Society

18 h. ago Trump launches extraordinary attack on Labour's Net Zero drive branding wind farms 'unsightly' and urging more 'drilling' in North Sea

Donald Trump criticised Keir Starmer for focusing on 'costly and unsightly windmills' - insisting there should be more drilling in the North Sea.

Politics

45 h. ago Israeli diplomats Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim shot dead just days before engagement by pro

Israeli embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim were named as the victims of the vile attack early on Thursday morning, which was condemned by President Donald Trump .

Politics

58 h. ago Trump attacks South Africa’s Ramaphosa over alleged targeting of white farmers

US president brandishes printed media reports of what he claims are murdered farmers in Oval Office exchange

Events

59 h. ago Trump attacks South Africa’s Ramaphosa over targeting of white farmers

US president brandishes printed media reports of murdered farmers in extraordinary Oval Office exchange

Events

61 h. ago Voices: This is the beginning of the end of international aid. What will the new world look like?

Donald Trump's attack on aid has been a long time coming, argue Heba Aly and Nilima Gulrajani. Now is the time to create a response fit for the 21st century

Politics

67 h. ago James Comey reveals wife’s role in infamous ‘8647’ post during Colbert interview

Asked what he thought of President Trump’s pardoning of January 6 rioters, Comey said ‘It was an obscenity that will stain this country forever’

Politics

3 d. ago January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Trump arrested for burglary

Zachary Alam was imprisoned for role in Capitol attack and later pardoned, and now allegedly entered Virginia home and stole itemsA participant in the January 6 attack pardoned by Donald Trump was recently arrested for burglary and vandalism in Virginia in what is believed to be the first incidence of new charges for a person who took part in the 2021 US Capitol insurrection.Zachary Alam received one of the longest prison sentences, eight years, for his part in the violence committed in Washington DC by Trump supporters attempting to keep him in office after his 2020 election defeat by Joe Biden. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago From ‘convict stain’ to badge of honour: Tasmania’s early criminals inspire celebrated musical

In Vandemonian Lags, Mick Thomas, Tim Rogers and a cast of musicians bring Lutruwita/Tasmania’s past to life with songs and ‘ripping yarns’Get our weekend culture and lifestyle emailIn 1802 Martha Hayes was transported from England to what was then called Van Diemen’s Land, accompanying her convict mother. The teenager was the first white female to set foot in the new colony and, having become pregnant on the voyage, she gave birth to the first white child – a baby girl – on the island we now call Lutruwita/Tasmania.While that child had a convict grandmother, her father was Lt John Bowen, a colonial administrator who led the first white settlement at Risdon Cove.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Former FBI director James Comey says claim that his ‘8647’ Instagram post was threatening is ‘crazy’

‘It’s not my first rodeo’ with Trump, Comey tells Nicolle Wallace

Events

3 d. ago James Comey breaks silence to reveal real culprit behind post calling for 'Trump assassination'

James Comey blamed his wife for what he called a 'totally innocent' post in which he said people should '86 47' that made some think he wanted Donald Trump taken out.

Politics

4 d. ago Comey says ‘8647’ post that caused Trump firestorm was totally innocent

Former FBI director describes as ‘crazy’ claim that seashell photo on Instagram signified assassination callJames Comey was taking a walk on the beach with his wife when they happened upon a message in the sand: 8647.According to the former FBI director, his wife initially asked if the cryptic seashell formation was an address. They puzzled over the shells, trying to decipher meaning. His wife, according to Comey’s account, remembered her days as a server in a restaurant, when 86 was the term staff used to remove an item from the menu. Comey mused that when he was younger, kids would say 86 to mean “to ditch a place”. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Gary Lineker to quit BBC after social media post backlash, report claims

The Match of the Day host was set to leave the programme but carry on with other presenting duties

Politics

5 d. ago Ukraine war latest: Russia launches ‘biggest drone attack since invasion’ ahead of Trump ceasefire call

Trump says ‘hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war ... will end'

Events

6 d. ago ‘Fight back and don’t let them win’: actor Pedro Pascal decries Trump’s attacks on artists

Comments at Cannes come after US president’s social media posts against Bruce Springsteen and Taylor SwiftPedro Pascal has sharply criticised Donald Trump’s attacks against artists, as the director of a conspiracy theory satire starring the actor said he feared the political messages of films could be weaponised by US border guards.“Fuck the people that try to make you scared,” the Game of Thrones and The Last of Us actor said at a press conference at the Cannes film festival, promoting Ari Aster’s new film Eddington. “And fight back. And don’t let them win.” Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Million Palestinians could be relocated to Libya under US plans, report claims

Gaza health officials say more than 250 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since Thursday, in a return to some of the deadliest bombing campaigns of the war

Politics

7 d. ago Donald Trump attacks Bruce Springsteen for his comments at Manchester gig

'A dried out prune'

Politics