The Guardian

Most Makerfield voters say offensive posts would put them off candidate, poll finds

Survey in run-up to byelection also finds support for water renationalisation, wealth tax and cap on political donationsA majority of voters in Makerfield say they would be less likely to vote for an election candidate if they have posted offensive content on social media, polling shows.The polling for the campaign group 38 Degrees, undertaken by Survation, asked 518 voters in the Makerfield constituency for their views on a range of issues, with 55% saying they would be less likely to vote for

general  5h ago

The Guardian

World-leading UK science facilities at risk amid £162m funding crisis

Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source face cuts of up to 20% as Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks savingsBritain’s scientific capabilities face “serious damage” with some national facilities at risk of closure under spending cuts that are being considered to meet spiralling costs at the government’s infrastructure funding agency.The concern surrounds sites funded and operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), including the Diamond Light Source

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The Guardian

Global brands ‘likely’ using mineral that funds rebels accused of atrocities in DRC, investigation finds

Amazon and Sony among firms that may have sourced coltan, used in phones, from supply chains controlled by the M23 rebels, says Global WitnessLeading global brands including Amazon, Ericsson and Sony are “likely” to have sourced minerals linked to a militia accused of widespread sexual violence, summary executions and torture, a new investigation claims.The companies allegedlybut unknowingly, acquired coltan smuggled from mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that are occupied by t

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The Guardian

High court paves the way for multimillion-dollar compensation claims to NZYQ cohort in blow to government

Australian human rights lawyers and refugee advocacy groups are lauding the decision as a ‘significant outcome’Millions of dollars in compensation could be paid out to more than 350 unlawful non-citizens held in indefinite detention after the high court ruled against the Australian government.The ruling marks another blow for the Albanese government after its requirement that members of the NZYQ cohort released to wear ankle monitoring bracelets and abide by curfews were struck down as unconstit

general  6h ago

The Guardian

Bycatch has ‘shocking’ toll on British marine life, first-ever analysis reveals

Conservationists say cherished creatures such as whales, dolphins and seabirds are being killed in large numbers by fishing tackleThousands of Britain’s most charismatic and protected marine wildlife, including whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals and seabirds are being killed as “collateral damage” by fishing vessels every year, according to the first-ever analysis of bycatch data.The analysis, by the Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of voluntary conservation groups, reveals the devasta

general  6h ago

The Guardian

Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests

Exclusive: poll across 15 countries finds ‘deep mistrust’, with majority doubting US would come to their aid in an attackEuropean confidence in an American “security guarantee” has hit a historic low, a survey suggests, with only one in 10 people across 15 countries seeing the US as an ally and majorities in all doubting it would come to their aid if they were attacked.The survey, published on Wednesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) thinktank before critical G7 and Nato sum

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BBC World

Alleged Bondi Beach gunman charged with another 19 offences

Naveed Akram, 24, is already facing 59 charges over an attack on a Jewish festival in December.

general  7h ago

WSJ World News

Taiwan Test-Fires U.S.-Supplied Missile Launcher Toward China

The island staged the first use of Himars on the Taiwan Strait as part of invasion-defense drills.

general  7h ago

The Guardian

Middle East crisis live: Iran launches broad retaliatory attacks after US strikes over downed helicopter

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps says it has targeted an airbase in Jordan hosting US forces, as well as Kuwait and Bahrain, in response to US strikes Trump launches strikes against Iran after downing of US army helicopterJordanian armed forces said on Wednesday they intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran toward the al-Azraq area in Jordan.The military said that debris from the interception operation fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or material damage. Cont

general  7h ago

The Guardian

NSW admits pro-Palestine protester Hannah Thomas was assaulted by police officers and falsely imprisoned

State admits former Greens candidate entitled to damages and agrees to pay medical costs, but denies malicious prosecution and malfeasance in public officeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe state of New South Wales has admitted that a police officer punched Hannah Thomas in the eye while holding a torch at a pro-Palestine protest – and it’s offered to pay her medical costs.Court documents seen by Guardian Australia

general  8h ago

NY Times World

Trump’s Sharp Turn on China: Embracing It as a Peer Power

President Trump’s warming with Xi Jinping of China, a leader he admires, has ignited anxieties in Washington and across Asia.

general  8h ago

The Guardian

Who is Steve Hilton, the Briton who could become California’s next governor?

Hilton has worn many hats since he arrived in the US 14 years ago, and now faces steep odds of defeating Democratic Xavier Becerra in NovemberAfter years of working in the background of Conservative party politics in Britain, Steve Hilton has passed the first major test as his own front man: clinching a spot in the November run-off to become California’s next governor.The outcome was far from a given under California’s open primary system, which rewards the top two vote winners regardless of par

general  9h ago

The Guardian

Graham Platner shrugs off scandals to win Maine Democratic Senate primary

Platner, whose campaign was hit by series of negative headlines, to face Susan Collins in key midterm contest Graham Platner, a Marine veteran, oyster farmer and progressive activist, has scaled a mountain of personal controversies to win the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Maine.Victory on Tuesday caps a remarkable rise for a candidate who has never held elected office and whose campaign was shadowed by negative headlines that might have ended a more conventional political career. Co

general  9h ago

The Guardian

Trump-backed Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson head to runoff in South Carolina GOP governor race

Lieutenant governor and attorney general advance but result signals decisive defeat for controversial Nancy MaceDonald Trump-backed Pamela Evette, South Carolina’s lieutenant governor and Alan Wilson, the state’s attorney general, have advanced to a runoff in a competitive race to represent the Republican party in South Carolina’s gubernatorial election.The winner of the Republican primary is favored to win the closely watched general election, given South Carolina’s conservative tilt, although

general  9h ago

WSJ World News

The World’s Great Powers Are Learning They Have Limits

As technology levels the field between stronger and weaker nations, old-fashioned wars of conquest might no longer be possible.

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The Guardian

Prisoners in Western Australia are living in ‘cruel, inhuman or degrading’ conditions, report warns

Inspector of custodial services says inmates are sleeping on the floor and denied basic entitlements due to ‘a systemic failure across multiple prisons’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInmates in Western Australia are sleeping on mattresses on the floor of overcrowded cells and subjected to “cruel, inhuman and degrading” conditions, prompting the jails watchdog to call for urgent reform.Most of WA’s correctional faci

general  10h ago

The Guardian

Seattle enacts year-long ban on new AI datacenters

Home city of Amazon and Microsoft passes moratorium as backlash against energy-guzzling AI infrastructure growsSeattle has passed a year-long moratorium on the construction of new datacenters. The city council voted unanimously in favor of the temporary ban on Tuesday.A major tech hub whose metro area is home to Amazon and Microsoft, Seattle is the largest US city to have passed such a moratorium as the backlash against AI infrastructure grows across the country. Continue reading...

general  10h ago

The Guardian

Republican Steve Hilton advances in tight California governor’s race

Former UK political operative endorsed by Trump will face off against Democrat Xavier Becerra in November electionRepublican Steve Hilton, the former UK political operative turned Fox News personality, has advanced to the November general election in the race to become California’s next governor, facing off against Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former congressman, state attorney general and US health secretary.Hilton’s success, a remarkable achievement for a recent immigrant, came after he was endo

general  11h ago

The Guardian

Lammy’s cuts to jury trials could have ‘far-reaching’ effect on race relations, say MPs

Justice secretary’s plans likely to increase black people’s suspicion of court system, committee suggestsDavid Lammy’s planned changes to the criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations, a cross-party committee of MPs has concluded.The deputy prime minister’s plan to remove the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community”, the justice select committee said, be

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The Guardian

Staff at immigration detention centre wore England flags, report finds

Chair of prisons and detention watchdog concerned about intimidating effect as wide-ranging and damning review publishedGrim reality of prison conditions laid bare in damning reportStaff at an immigration detention centre wore England flags pinned to their uniforms while guarding migrants, a report from the prisons and detention watchdog has revealed.Their use by staff at one of the Home Office’s short-term holding facilities to detain migrants is revealed in the Independent Monitoring Boards’ n

general  11h ago