8 h. ago Man bailed after arrest over ‘racially aggravated’ rape of Sikh woman in West Midlands

Police call on public for information as campaigners demand government address increased threat and ‘anti-Sikh hate’Police investigating the rape of a British-born Sikh woman in a racially aggravated attack in the West Midlands have made a fresh appeal for public help as they bailed an arrested man.The woman, in her 20s, reported being attacked by two white men while she was on her way to work in Oldbury on the morning of Tuesday 9 September. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago UNHCR says that US and European governments increasingly undermine the global refugee convention

The U.N. refugee agency says that governments around the world, especially that of the United States and countries in Europe, are increasingly undermining the global convention on refugees and asylum seekers — even threatening its very existence

Politics

39 h. ago John Swinney blasts Elon Musk and reveals he is considering quitting X after billionaire's latest rant

Swinney and other senior Scottish Government figures still routinely post on X despite being increasingly critical of its billionaire owner.

Politics

3 d. ago Primark owner says larger stores to come under pressure from rates changes

George Weston said the Government ‘should not increase taxes on businesses any more’ in November.

Events

3 d. ago Elon Musk says Government is guilty of a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' as he hits out at 'massive uncontrolled migration' via videolink at Tommy Robinson protest

Elon Musk has criticised the UK Government for a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' during Tommy Robinson's 'Unite the Kingdom' protest in London on Saturday.

Events

4 d. ago Elon Musk says Government is guilty of a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' as he hits out at 'massive uncontrolled migration' via videolink at Tommy Robinson proteest

Elon Musk has criticised the UK Government for a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' during Tommy Robinson's 'Unite the Kingdom' protest in London on Saturday.

Politics

4 d. ago Elon Musk says Government is guilty of a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' as he hits out at 'massive controlled migration' via videolink at Tommy Robinson proteest

Elon Musk has criticised the UK Government for a 'rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' during Tommy Robinson's 'Unite the Kingdom' protest in London on Saturday.

Politics

5 d. ago Russia cuts interest rate to 17% as wartime economy slows while deficit grows

Russia’s central bank is cutting its benchmark interest rate by one percentage point to 17%, a step that could support growth and business activity as the economy slows and the government budget deficit increases

Events

5 d. ago Kim Jong Un orders North Koreans caught watching foreign films to be EXECUTED

A government task force had increasingly been employed to raid houses in search of 'anti-socialist' materials. Those found consuming foreign media can now be executed

Events

7 d. ago Tech companies are stealing our books, music and films for AI. It’s brazen theft and must be stopped | Anna Funder and Julia Powles

If we don’t refuse and resist, not just our culture but our democracy will be irrevocably diminishedToday’s large-scale AI systems are founded on what appears to be an extraordinarily brazen criminal enterprise: the wholesale, unauthorised appropriation of every available book, work of art and piece of performance that can be rendered digital.In the scheme of global harms committed by the tech bros – the undermining of democracies, the decimation of privacy, the open gauntlet to scams and abuse – stealing one Australian author’s life’s work and ruining their livelihood is a peccadillo. Continue reading...

Culture

1 week ago Boosting the nation's defences is once again making Britain the workshop of the world, claims defence secretary JOHN HEALEY

Backed by our historic increase in defence spending, the Government's new Defence Strategy will place the UK at the leading edge of innovation, writes John Healey

Economics

2 w. ago Federal government to markedly increase number of inspectors trained to spot rail bridge concerns

The Transportation Department is going to train 163 track inspectors to dramatically increase the number of people who know how to spot critical problems with railroad bridges, but the railroads themselves will still be responsible for inspecting their own bridges and the results will still be kept confidential

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget will take place on 26 November

Treasury reveals date as speculation rises over potential tax increases to plug deficit in public finances of up to £40bnBusiness live – latest newsRachel Reeves’s autumn budget will take place on 26 November, the Treasury has announced, amid mounting speculation over tax increases.With the government under pressure on the economy, the chancellor has previously said measures designed to reboot growth would form the basis of her highly anticipated tax and spending plans. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Sánchez: Europe’s response to war in Gaza has been a ‘failure’

Spanish prime minister says double standards over Gaza and Ukraine threaten to undermine the west’s global standing‘You need solidarity and consistency’: Pedro Sánchez on the EU, Trump and fighting the far right Europe and the west’s double standards over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza threaten to undermine its global standing, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has warned, describing the response to Israel’s assault on the Palestinian territory as one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century.In an interview with the Guardian before talks with UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, in London on Wednesday, the socialist leader also said the US under Donald Trump was trying to end the post-second world war, rules-based global order it had originally created. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Pedro Sánchez: Europe’s response to war in Gaza has been a failure

Spanish prime minister says double standards over Gaza and Ukraine threaten to undermine west’s global standing‘You need solidarity and consistency’: Pedro Sánchez on the EU, Trump and fighting the far right Europe and the west’s double standards over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza threaten to undermine its global standing, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has warned, describing the response to Israel’s assault on the Palestinian territory as one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century.In an interview with the Guardian before talks with UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, in London on Wednesday, the socialist leader also said the US under Donald Trump was trying to end the post-second world war, rules-based global order it had originally created. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Europe live: US treasury secretary indicates growing frustration with Putin over Ukraine

Scott Bessent says ‘all options on the table’ and condemns ‘despicable’ increase in attacks as Russian leader receives warm welcome in Chinain BrusselsBelgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly, adding to the growing number of countries seeking to put pressure on Israel and keep alive a two-state solution to end the conflict.“In view of the humanitarian tragedy playing out in Palestine and particularly in Gaza, and in the face of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and the Hamas terrorists.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Belgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN and sanction Israel – Middle East crisis live

Foreign minister says move is not aimed at Israeli people but ‘ensuring their government respects international and humanitarian law’The Guardian’s political correspondent Eleni Courea has done an explainer in July with a section looking at what recognising Palestine would look in practice. Here is an extract:Recognition is a symbolic step but one that would infuriate the Israeli government, which argues that it would encourage Hamas and reward terrorism.It is in effect a formal, political acknowledgment of Palestinian self-determination – without the need to engage in thorny practicalities such as the location of its borders or capital city.In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government an...

Politics

2 w. ago Blame migrants, or blame the rich? That’s the populist divide in Britain’s politics now | Gaby Hinsliff

Taxing the ultra-rich may be a vote winner, but it’s just as important to shift the conversation away from Reform’s immigration doom loopThe long, hot summer of discontent is finally over. Parliament returned this week if not exactly with a rush of back to school energy, then at least with the sense that the government is now back to fill what was becoming an increasingly dangerous August vacuum.When exhausted ministers retreated to lick their wounds over the summer, Nigel Farage saw his chance and took it, filling the slow news days with encouragement of protesters over asylum seeker accommodation. He was rewarded by polling showing voters now see immigration – the terrain on which Reform UK is palpably desperate to fight an election, because it’s terrain on which Labour can never go far enough to please some supporters without horrifying half the rest – and not a broken economy as Britain’s biggest problem, an impression arguably only reinforced when the government’s first announc...

Politics

2 w. ago Ryanair axes one million seats to Spain as leaving UK gets harder for Brits

Ryanair has announced that one millions seats to and from Spanish airports will be scrapped as the government insists on an 'unjustified and damaging' fare increase on passengers.

Politics

2 w. ago Parents in England to pay more for school lunches as caterers blame rising costs

As a new academic year begins providers say national insurance rises and food price inflation has forced up pricesParents across England are facing higher prices for school lunches as the new school year begins, with caterers blaming the government’s national insurance increase alongside rising food and energy costs.Lunch providers say increases in staffing costs, including employer national insurance contributions announced by the chancellor last year, have added “significant extra pressure” to their budgets. Continue reading...

Economics