7 d. ago Britons believe the UK is seen by the rest of the world as ‘weak’ and ‘soft touch’, top pollster says

Just 1 in 4 Brits think the UK is viewed positively on the world stage, with most wanting their country to play a large role in international affairs, exclusive poll shows

Politics

1 week ago Trump’s UN rant revealed his true priorities – and Britain should watch out | Martin Kettle

Less than a week after his state visit, the president launched a surprise attack on the UK – and sent a clear signal about US powerTrying to pin down the real Donald Trump is a mug’s game. Doubtless, some will have persuaded themselves that the real Trump was the one we saw in Windsor a week ago, fawning over the royals, treating Keir Starmer with respect, and claiming that Britain and the United States were two notes in the same chord. Well, maybe.Perhaps the more plausible version was actually the one who went to the United Nations this week. This Trump went not to fawn but to boast and trash, whingeing about everything from the UN’s supposed failure to back his claims to have ended seven “un-endable” wars, to its refusal to award him a renovation building contract – “I said at the time that I would do it for $500m, rebuilding everything, it would be beautiful” – for its New York headquarters complex.Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised ...

Politics

2 w. ago Pakistan’s answer to Love Island sparks anger ahead of debut

The country's broadcasting regulator said it was not in a position to act on public complaints

Politics

3 w. ago What's so Great About Britain? Stars unite for GQ shoot celebrating British culture and reveal what they love about the country... but not everyone is positive

What is so great about Britain? Ask some of the nation's biggest stars and their answers range from the NHS to our unmistakable accent... and Mr Blobby.

Events

3 w. ago Women’s suffrage is apparently up for debate again in America | Arwa Mahdawi

The country’s finest male intellectuals – including some in positions of power – are weighing in on the matter Should women in the US have the right to vote? You’d be forgiven for assuming this particular issue was sorted out quite a long time ago. But, because we live in hell, it seems the question is once again up for debate.Not by women, though; the fairer sex is obviously too emotional for such muscular discussion. So please sit this one out, ladies, and listen to what America’s finest male intellectuals have to say.Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Charlie Kirk’s shocking killing sets the stage for a federal crackdown | Moustafa Bayoumi

Maga leaders blame a mythically powerful left for political violence. Now, they are bent on destroying anyone who opposes themI disagreed with Charlie Kirk on pretty much everything, but his shocking and morally repugnant assassination is deeply concerning, and not just because it’s another example of the lethality of our politics. Kirk’s killing is also sending prominent conservatives on a warpath, setting the stage for a dangerous expansion of federal government repression.Kirk was a social media megastar and the founder of Turning Point USA, the foremost rightwing youth organization in the country. His political positions were to the far-right, and his language was often combative, to say the least. He called Martin Luther King, Jr “awful” and said “we made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s”. He believed in the so-called great replacement theory, which asserts that elites are encouraging mass migration to undermine white people in western countries. ...

Events

3 w. ago Stojkovic’s struggles continue as Serbia chase euphoria against England

Lack of form among head coach’s attackers and a dearth of tactical solutions have led to a shortage of fan passionThe TV show Only Fools and Horses was extremely popular in Serbia, which is no surprise considering most of the business in this former Yugoslav republic is done in the “grey zone”. Shady people with lots of money and little education are all around in management positions, which is the reason for protests across the country.For decades, people such as Derek “Del Boy” Trotter – who have good connections and know how “the street works” – have held executive positions at the top of Serbian football. They are perceived as loyal to the ruling political party (currently the Serbian Progressive party). It is the main reason why people in the country have lost belief in the domestic league and the national team. Continue reading...

Politics