The Guardian

Tuesday briefing: What happens next after Germany’s far-right breakthrough?

In today’s newsletter: The AfD’s local election triumph has shocked Europe, and raised questions about how to counter the rising far rightGood morning. Across Germany – and Europe more widely – there has been a palpable sense of shock and disbelief after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) swept to a historic state election victory in the early hours of Monday.It was, according to France’s European affairs minister, Benjamin Haddad, “a very grave moment for Europe”. The resonance was

general  10h ago

The Guardian

Tokyo tourist hotspot bans short-term rentals amid surge in complaints

Shinjuku ward targets accommodation in residential areas and near cultural sites as locals complain visitors disposing of rubbish improperly and being too noisyA neighbourhood in Tokyo popular with foreign tourists will ban visitors from using thousands of short-term rental accommodations after a slew of complaints about behaviour.In the latest sign that Japan’s patience with mass tourism is wearing thin, Shinjuku ward – home to the notorious Kabukicho nightlife district and the world’s busiest

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WSJ World News

China’s Trade Surplus Widens as Export Growth Accelerates

Exports have become a key pillar of support for the Chinese economy, helping to sustain growth amid tepid domestic consumption.

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The Guardian

Andrew Hastie threatens One Nation with ‘costly’ fight over claims he is a ‘traitor’ to Australia

Liberal MP says One Nation is trying to unseat him because he gave evidence against Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-SmithAndrew Hastie has threatened Pauline Hanson and One Nation strategist James Ashby with a “costly” fight over claims he is a traitor to Australia, labelling his critics “cowards” who don’t believe in the rule of law.In some of the Liberal MP’s strongest comments yet about attacks from Hanson and her insurgent party, the Liberal MP said One Nation was trying to unseat him a

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The Guardian

UK retailers to create 100,000 placements for young people out of work

In partnership with DWP, firms such as John Lewis and M&S plan to offer 18- to 24-year-olds placements of two to four weeksUK retailers plan to create up to 100,000 short-term placements for young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) over the next three years to give them a first step on the ladder to paid work.In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 40 retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Pets at Home, Asda and the John Lewis Partners

general  11h ago

The Guardian

Ban on neo-Nazi White Australia party is ‘authoritarian’ and breaches constitution, high court hears

Lawyers also argue commonwealth does not have the power to ban a political party, as the high court ruled in 1951 over attempt to ban the Communist partyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLawyers for an outlawed neo-Nazi political party have argued anti-hate laws passed after the Bondi terror attack rely on the opinion of a politician and are “authoritarian in nature”.The White Australia party, formerly known as the Na

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The Guardian

Witness told Alan Jones he was ‘the greatest broadcaster ever’ while labelling SMH reporter ‘evil’

Former 2GB and 2UE radio host has denied 22 indecent assault and sexual touching chargesA friend of Alan Jones who has denied witnessing an alleged assault in a Mosman restaurant has agreed in court that he sent the broadcaster a text message saying “if you need me to refute any lies, I of course will”.Under cross-examination by prosecutor Georgina Wright, the witness agreed he was a loyal and “very good friend” to Jones and the two men shared an “unbreakable bond”. Continue reading...

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BBC World

Canada braces for prolonged trade war as counter-tariffs on US take effect

The tariffs will apply to $20bn worth of American products, jeopardising the stability of the world's largest bilateral trading relationship.

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The Guardian

Australia to force social media giants to allow users to opt out of algorithm

Draft legislation enforces digital duty of care including limiting children’s exposure to misogynistic and eating disorder contentAustralia will allow social media account holders to opt out of the powerful algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users’ feeds, part of new laws designed to boost online safety.Users over 16 years of age will be given new tools to turn off algorithm-driven content, with platforms facing fines of more than $100m for non-compliance. Continue reading...

general  11h ago

The Guardian

Hijacking pirates exploit regional chaos to return to seas off Somalia

US-Israel war on Iran and political instability in Somalia lead to pirates targeting cargo ships off Horn of AfricaThe scourge of Somali piracy targeting cargo ships and smaller dhows off the Horn of Africa has returned to levels not seen in a decade, driven by a convergence of factors including disruptions to the shipping industry caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran and a resurgence of political instability in Somalia.Since late April there have been eight hijackings by Somali pirates, in

general  12h ago

The Guardian

Majority of Tory and Reform voters do not back cuts to disability benefits, survey finds

Nearly half of respondents say spending on personal independence payments should be increasedThere is little appetite for cuts to disability benefits even among Conservative and Reform voters, and proposals to reduce spending could prove politically risky, according to an authoritative national survey.The British Social Attitudes (BSA) report found that while support for welfare spending as a whole had dipped sharply in recent years, just 7% of respondents backed cuts to disability benefits – an

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NY Times World

Online Posts Show Families’ Grief for Flood Victims on Tibet’s Side of China-Nepal Border

The authorities have not released an official list of those missing in the Tibet flood, creating an information void that people have tried to fill.

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BBC World

North Korea and Russia open first road bridge linking both countries

It comes as relations between both countries have strengthened since the start of the Ukraine war.

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The Guardian

‘Forced out with nowhere to go’: First Nations families face eviction as council sells homes over charity’s unpaid rates

Mount Isa city council to auction off first of 24 homes after Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Welfare Services accrues almost $1m in unpaid debtsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA rural Queensland council is auctioning off 24 homes to recover unpaid rates, potentially forcing First Nations families into homelessness.Residents claim they were left in the dark about the debt, which stretches back

general  12h ago

The Guardian

Barnaby Joyce says he’s not ‘Jesus Christ’ and admits One Nation has not modelled super policy in fiery interviews

Jim Chalmers says One Nation’s superannuation policy is ‘an absolute shambles’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce, One Nation’s Treasury spokesperson, says his party has not modelled the potential impact on retirement incomes and inflation from his party’s plan to give millions of households early access to their super savings in his second combative interview in two days.The morning after telling the ABC’

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WSJ World News

The Trillion-Dollar Bright Spot in China’s Economy: Tourism

Tens of millions of foreigners visit each year and domestic travel is rising, but some visitors are tightfisted.

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WSJ World News

See How Drones Are Infiltrating NATO Territory in Europe

Almost every week this summer brought new reports of drone incursions over the alliance’s eastern frontier—the airspace over which is now a front line.

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BBC World

UK government expected to announce restrictions on trade with West Bank settlements

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline proposals targeting goods from Israeli-occupied areas on Tuesday.

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BBC World

Trial over alleged murders of Australian surfer brothers starts in Mexico

The bodies of Jake and Callum Robinson and their US friend were found with gunshot wounds to their heads.

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BBC World

Ukraine's chief prosecutor resigns over call centre corruption scandal

In his resignation letter, Ruslan Kravchenko denied the allegations against him, saying he did not want his office "to be used as a tool in political confrontation".

general  14h ago