The Guardian

Rightwing commentator says she is hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket and claims she was misled by promoter RocksmanGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNone of the 15,000 ticket holders for conservative influencer Candace Owens’ cancelled Australian tour are expected to get their money back from the promoter, after it spent all its money then collapsed.Owens herself says she is hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket and claims she was misled by the promoter, Rocksman, a company with links to the influential conservative lobby group Turning Point Australia. Continue reading... Source link

US president says it’s a ‘solid 50/50’ on either making a ‘good’ deal with Iran or striking the country anewDonald Trump said he would meet today with American negotiators to review Iran’s latest proposal and decide by Sunday whether he will strike Iran “to kingdom come”.Trump told Axios it was a “solid 50/50” on whether he would be able to make a “good” deal with Iran or begin striking the country anew. He will be meeting with special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, along with JD Vance. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/23/iran-hosts-pakistani-delegation-diplomacy-to-avert-new-us-strikes Author : William Christou in

Official assessing formal complaint into Green party leader’s potential ‘breach of conduct’ as assembly memberLondon assembly officials are weighing up whether to launch an investigation into Zack Polanski after he admitted he may have failed to pay the correct council tax while living on a houseboat in the capital.The Green party leader has faced questions over whether the houseboat, moored in east London, was his primary residence. A spokesperson for his party had described the situation as an “unintentional mistake” and said Polanski had “immediately taken steps” to pay any tax owed. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/23/zack-polanski-greens-houseboat-council-tax-gla-investigation Author :

Threat of jihadism continues to lurk along borders with Mali and Burkina FasoThese days, when she is not organising the annual International Day of Reggae celebrations in Côte d’Ivoire, Rose Ebirim picks up litter scattered on the beach in the historic port town of Grand Bassam, 25 miles east of Abidjan. Both activities have become a form of therapy since the time she saw someone die.“13 March 2016 was a Black Sunday for me,” she said. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/23/cote-divoire-wary-of-jihadist-threat-in-north-10-years-on-from-major-attack Author : Eromo Egbejule in Grand Bassam Publish date : 2026-05-23 13:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

Ex-foreign secretary urges reset at ‘higher dosage’ after officials revealed to have pitched single market for goodsBritain needs a “national consensus” about rejoining the European Union, David Miliband has said, in response to revelations that the UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU to the bloc.The former foreign secretary, who is now president of the International Rescue Committee, said he thought the UK needed a reset of its relations with the EU at “a much higher dosage” than the government was planning. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/23/uk-eu-european-union-reset-david-miliband-single-market-goods Author : Donna Ferguson Publish

Chancellor’s supporters urge MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced, saying she is only candidate who can safeguard UK’s financesRachel Reeves has launched a rearguard action to save her job as chancellor, telling friends she would like to stay in the post even under a new prime minister.The chancellor’s supporters have been urging MPs to back her if Keir Starmer is replaced later this year, saying she is the only candidate who can safeguard the country’s finances. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/23/rachel-reeves-makes-case-chancellor-reports-andy-burnham-favour-ed-miliband Author : Kiran Stacey Policy editor Publish date : 2026-05-23 07:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content

The premier is offering 2,000 apprenticeships at the revived State Electricity Commission as part of a pre-election pushGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJacinta Allan has used Labor’s final state conference before the election to announce a plan for a government-owned electricity body to hire apprentices to address significant workforce shortages and job insecurity.The Victorian premier announced the plan in a speech that drew on her father’s experience as a linesman at the State Electricity Commission (SEC), which was revived by Daniel Andrews in 2023 after being privatised by former premier Jeff Kennett in the 1990s.

Phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family says names and contact details appear to be affected, but not credit card or banking informationA phone company launched by Donald Trump’s family business is investigating a potential security flaw on its website that appears to have exposed the personal details of an estimated 27,000 people who sought to buy a gold-coloured smartphone.Trump Mobile said in a statement that it was investigating the issue – “with the assistance of independent cybersecurity professionals” – in which the full names, addresses and phone numbers of people who filled out preorder forms appeared to be exposed.

Michael Agzarian was charged despite internal legal advice that the images were ‘political satire’, court hearsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice charged an artist who depicted prominent Australians in military uniforms emblazoned with Nazi symbols despite internal legal advice the images were “political satire”, a court has heard.Police dropped the case against Michael Agzarian before the Downing Centre local court on Friday, almost a year after he had been charged with one count of displaying Nazi symbols by a public act without lawful excuse. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/23/police-drop-case-against-artist-who-depicted-prominent-australians-in-uniforms-with-nazi-symbols-ntwnfb Author : Jordyn Beazley Publish

Change criticized by advocates marks the latest significant move by the Trump administration on immigration policyForeigners seeking to adjust their immigration status in the United States to secure green cards will have to do so from outside the country via the state department, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said on Friday, in a move criticized by aid groups, policy analysts and immigration attorneys.USCIS announced the move in a policy memo, which directed officers to consider relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether extraordinary relief is warranted. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/22/green-card-applicants-trump-administration Author :

Judge said Trump administration would not have prosecuted Ábrego García had he not challenged his high-profile deportationSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA US judge dismissed a criminal indictment against Kilmar Ábrego García on Friday, finding that the Trump administration would not have prosecuted him had he not challenged his high-profile deportation.Ábrego García, who had entered the United States without authorization in the past, became a symbol of the Trump administration’s drive for mass deportations when he was sent to the notorious anti-terrorism mega-prison in El Salvador known as Cecot last March. This was despite a prior court

Exclusive: Top official presented idea in Brussels, but sources say EU rebuffed itThe UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU as the cornerstone of an ambitious attempt to reintegrate British trade back into Europe, the Guardian can reveal.During recent visits to Brussels, the Cabinet Office’s top official on EU relations, Michael Ellam, presented the idea to deepen the UK’s economic relationship with the bloc. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/22/uk-pitched-single-market-for-goods-with-eu-as-it-pursues-trade-reintegration Author : Jennifer Rankin in Brussels and Rowena Mason Publish date : 2026-05-22 17:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Ken Martin faces calls to resign as botched handling of postmortem of 2024 race calls leadership into questionWhat’s in the Democrats’ 2024 election autopsy report, and what isn’tSign up for the Breaking News US email“There’s broad recognition there are going to be eventually less US troops in Europe than historically,” Rubio saysRubio said he didn’t set the timeline for reducing the number of US troops in Europe, but “it has been an ongoing process that started from the first day of this administration.” Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/may/22/donald-trump-ai-china-iran-war-powers-hormuz-latest-news-updates Author : Maham Javaid (now) and Morgan Ofori (earlier) Publish date

Labour MPs and PR experts praise his refreshingly forthright approach that is a marked contrast to Keir StarmerUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham’s fingers must be aching. Between pitching to become the MP for Makerfield, continuing in his day job as the mayor of Greater Manchester and going for his regular runs, Keir Starmer’s would-be challenger has also found enough time to reply to dozens of posts on social media.Since it became clear that Burnham planned to stand as a candidate in the Makerfield byelection last Thursday, allies have delighted in his snarky retorts on X, pointing to posts

The US secretary of state said that leaders will have to respond to Trump’s ‘disappointment’ with the alliance’s ‘response to our operations in the Middle East’Rubio begins with thanks to Sweden for hosting the ministerial meeting.But that’s where the niceties end as says the upcoming Ankara summit will be “one of the more important leaders’ summit in the history of Nato,” as the leaders will have to respond to Trump’s “disappointment” with the alliance’s “response to our operations in the Middle East.”“That will have to be addressed, that won’t be solved or addressed today. That’s something for the leaders level

US secretary of state says president would like a negotiated agreement with Havana but likelihood ‘is not high’The US president, Donald Trump, and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, on Thursday again raised the spectre of military intervention in Cuba, a renewed threat that takes on greater weight a day after the administration announced criminal charges against the island’s former leader, Raúl Castro.Trump said previous US presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades but that “it looks like I’ll be the one that does it”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/22/marco-rubio-doubtful-diplomacy-cuba-trump-renews-threat-military-action Author : Associated Press Publish date : 2026-05-22

Company founder Steven Marks says US stores will close as it can no longer justify cost of trying to break into crowded marketFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGuzman y Gomez is closing its US business after failing to establish itself in a market already rich with Mexican food, confirming the American country’s reputation as a “graveyard” for Australian fast food companies.The Mexican-themed chain told shareholders on Friday that the performance of its US stores had not been acceptable, despite its well-publicised plans to “become the best and

President says reality star a ‘big Maga person’ but backing may prove more hindrance than help in deep-blue bastionUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s endorsement is typically a boon for candidates seeking elected office – a show of support, or disapproval, from the president has proved significant in races across the US this year.But Trump’s recent comments on the Los Angeles mayor’s race, just weeks before the primary, are sure to benefit Democrats. The president spoke favorably of Spencer Pratt, a former Republican and reality TV star who is polling second in the contest to lead America’s second-largest city.

Eleven Australians were among pro-Palestine activists detained by Israel from the Global Sumud flotilla. Follow today’s news liveVictoria police investigating fire at car dealership in MelbourneVictoria police are investigating the latest suspicious fire, at a car dealership in Richmond overnight. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/may/22/australia-news-live-flotilla-sumud-israel-al-roj-camp-isis-budget-capital-gains-negative-gearing-jim-chalmers-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-ntwnfb Author : Nick Visser Publish date : 2026-05-21 23:15:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

‘I have a thing called Iran, and other things,’ says president as he considers invitation to Donald Trump Jr’s nuptialsGet Me to the Church on Time, sang Alfred Doolittle in the musical My Fair Lady. But for Donald Trump, attending a wedding is not simple – even when it’s that of his son.On Thursday, the US president admitted that he might skip Donald Trump Jr’s nuptials, reportedly taking place in the Bahamas over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/21/trump-son-wedding-invite Author : David Smith in Washington Publish date : 2026-05-21 20:22:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs

DNC chair Ken Martin apologizes for initial bid to block release of report on the party’s disastrous election defeatThe Democrats have belatedly published a postmortem on the party’s disastrous 2024 election defeat, after an initial decision to withhold the document triggered an angry backlash.Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), released the report – accompanied by an apology to party members angered by his initial decision to keep the analysis of Kamala Harris’s loss to Donald Trump and defeat in both houses of Congress under wraps. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/21/democrats-2024-election-autopsy Author : Robert Tait in Washington

Prime minister tells reporters reporters he would campaign personally in the contestThe Home Office has also published asylum figures this morning. These show that the number of asylum seekers being housed temporarily in hotels stood at 20,885 at the end of March 2026, down 35% year-on-year from 32,326. The Press Association says:It is the lowest figure since data was first reported in 2022, Home Office figures show.The total had climbed as high as 56,018 at the end of September 2023.Brits are leaving on a massive scale and non-EU immigration remains far too high. Mass immigration undermines our society and low

Republican senators have queried the timing and lack of detail in secret service bid to add money to the Department for Homeland security billSign up for the Breaking News US emailOn Capitol Hill today we are expecting votes in the House and in the Senate.Lawmakers in the lower chamber could vote for legislation that would hold Trump back from continuing the war with Iran. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/may/21/donald-trump-ballroom-reconciliation-bill-republicans-democrats-war-powers-iran-epa-ai-latest-news-updates Author : Maham Javaid (now) and Tom Ambrose (earlier) Publish date : 2026-05-21 13:30:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Exclusive: Scotland Yard had been in talks to use Palantir’s AI technology to automate intelligence analysisA £50m Met police deal with the controversial US tech company Palantir has been blocked by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, with City Hall citing a “clear and serious breach” of procurement rules.Scotland Yard had been in talks, revealed by the Guardian last month, to use Palantir’s AI technology to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations. But Khan intervened on Thursday to stop the flagship contract, which would have been Palantir’s largest yet in British policing. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/21/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-blocks-met-police-deal-with-palantir Author : Robert

European state officials are meeting in Prague to discuss the state of the transatlantic alliance at a global security conferenceJust as Pavel was speaking in Prague, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was pursuing escalation of the conflict between the two countries.It’s quite a claim given (checks notes) Russia’s continued and relentless invasion of Ukraine for years.“Ukraine has demonstrated not only determination and heroism, but also unbelievable capacity to adjust, to innovate, to change.It is something that we in Europe have lost through many regulatory measures that are necessary in peacetime, but of