3 d. ago This Fourth of July, the world declares its independence from America | Stephen Marche

The lesson the Americans once taught the British, they are teaching the rest of the world: there are no permanent global ordersThis year, like every other year, Americans will celebrate Independence Day with flag-waving, and parades, and fireworks. The political system the flag and the parades and fireworks are supposed to represent is in tatters, but everybody likes a party. It was 249 years ago, when the United States separated from the British Empire. Over the past year it has separated from the world order it built over those 249 years, and from basic sanity and decency as well. For Americans, the madness gripping their country is a catastrophe. For non-Americans, it is an accidental revolution. This Independence Day, the world is declaring its independence from the US.As the United States retreats from the world, it is reshaping the lives of its former trading partners and allies, leaving huge holes in its wake. For Canada, where I live, the sudden absence of a responsible Unit...

Politics

4 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves' family life, husband with top government job and famous sister

After Keir Starmer came to Rachel Reeves' defence after a difficult PMQs, we take a look at the Chancellor's life away from politics - including her famous family member

Politics

7 d. ago Former SNP MP backs Fergus Ewing to defeat Nationalist MSP with 'no life experience'

Joanna Cherry warned voters are "sick of politicians with no life experience virtue signalling".

Politics

1 week ago Scientists sound the alarm for Nullarbor’s fragile limestone caves and unique underground creatures

A massive renewable energy project threatens the treasures that lie beneath, including rare cave animals and a record of ancient life forms, experts warnAustralia news live: latest politics updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereOn the Nullarbor plain, the world’s largest hydrogen export hub is being developed, a colossal renewable energy and industrial project comprising up to 3,000 wind turbines and 60m solar modules – which, at 70GW capacity, is larger than the national grid.Beneath it lies an internationally significant limestone cave system, a fragile home to globally unique creatures, and a time capsule of life since the Pliocene. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Trump warns Israel over breaking its ceasefire with Iran after officials vow 'powerful strikes' in retaliation

The latest reported violence comes despite US President Donald Trump’s plea for both sides to maintain the ceasefire

Events

1 week ago Words of War review – Maxine Peake leads line as murdered Putin

Peake stars opposite Jason Isaacs, as Politkovskaya’s husband, in this sentimental look at the life of a woman who, 19 years after her death, remains a folk heroThis British-American co-production offers a dramatised portrait of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya (played by Maxine Peake) who was assassinated in 2006. Politkovskaya’s gutsy, impassioned reporting on the second Chechen war was highly critical of the Kremlin, the Russian army and Vladimir Putin personally. (The fact that she was murdered on his birthday was surely no coincidence.) Nineteen years after her death, she remains a folk hero worldwide for resistances to autocracy, especially given the rise in repression everywhere and constant threats to journalists.Given all that, the film deserves respect for the subject matter, even though this is a pretty basic rendition of Politkovskaya’s story, a little too sticky with hagiographic sentimentality and the cliches of crusading journalist-led movies. It also should be n...

Events

1 week ago Israel accuses Iran of breaking ceasefire hours after it was agreed and vows to 'respond forcefully'

The latest reported violence comes despite US President Donald Trump’s plea for both sides to maintain the ceasefire

Politics

2 w. ago Kirsty Coventry takes over as Olympic president and promises to change lives

First woman in the role replaces Thomas Bach‘We are guardians of the Olympic movement’Kirsty Coventry has promised to change lives and inspire hope during an official ceremony to mark her taking over from Thomas Bach as president of the International Olympic Committee.The 41-year-old from Zimbabwe, who in March became the first woman and the first African to be elected to the most powerful job in sports politics, also paid tribute to the strong women in her life as she was given the golden key to the IOC by Bach. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Almost 500 Police Scotland officers and staff currently on long

The figures released under Freedom of Information come at a time of increasing violence towards officers.

Events

2 w. ago ‘The final countdown’: Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez fights for his political life

Series of allegations facing those around the PM have hit the reputation of the socialist-led minority governmentPedro Sánchez could be forgiven for remembering the autumn of 2018 with a deep and nostalgic sigh. Back then, having been in office for just six months, Spain’s socialist prime minister could afford to mock his opponents’ frequently hyperbolic attempts to depict him and his administration as an existential threat to the country.“I know you think I’m a dangerous, extreme leftwinger who’s trying to break Spain apart,” he told the senate at the end of October that year. “I know that everything I do, and everything my government does, is illegal, immoral and even fattening.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Assisted dying House of Commons vote: Key numbers and trends

A majority of female MPs backed the Bill, while slightly more male MPs opposed the legislation than voted in favour.

Politics

2 w. ago Assisted dying: All you need to know following the crunch Commons vote

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the Bill and what will happen after a significant moment in its journey through Parliament.

Politics

2 w. ago MPs share their own stories as assisted dying debate continues

If MPs back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at third reading, it will face further scrutiny in the House of Lords at a later date.

Events

2 w. ago Assisted dying Bill not now or never moment, says Cleverly ahead of crucial vote

Supporters and opponents of a change in the law gathered at Westminster early on Friday, holding placards saying “Let us choose” and “Don’t make docto

Politics

2 w. ago Assisted dying law faces crunch Commons vote as MPs switch sides

The relatively narrow majority of 55 from the historic yes vote in November means every vote will count on Friday.

Politics

2 w. ago MPs switch sides to vote no to ‘drastically weakened’ assisted dying Bill

The four Labour MPs confirmed their intention on the eve of a crunch Commons vote.

Politics

2 w. ago Esther Rantzen and terminally ill preacher make case for assisted dying Bill

The House of Commons will vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, which will see it either progress to the Lords or fall.

Events

2 w. ago Assisted dying: All you need to know ahead of the next crunch parliamentary vote

The Bill is back in the Commons for a debate and major vote which would see it either pass to the House of Lords or fall.

Politics

2 w. ago 'Spend a day in our life, PM' says mum whose disabled daughter may lose PIP benefits

Holly Wright is a mum of four - three of whom have various levels of disability who could lose hundreds of pounds of support a month under the new rules

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer hints he will back assisted dying Bill ahead of crunch vote

The result of Friday’s expected vote could see the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill either progress to the House of Lords or fall completely.

Politics