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The GuardianEconomyLondon
What to expect from John Healey’s first budget: who wins, who pays?

What to expect from John Healey’s first budget: who wins, who pays?

Struggling households, new homebuyers and small shops stand to gain, while banks and online marketplaces could face higher levies John Healey will present his first budget on Wednesday, which will set the tone for Andy Burnham’s premiership. Despite the chancellor’s promises in the summer that the tax and spending event would not be beset by the leaks that preceded those of his predecessor, Rachel Reeves, both official and unofficial sources have indicated much of what Healey is likely to announce. Here’s what to expect:

2h ago
The GuardianPublic Policy
Chancellor targets cost of living crisis in budget for a ‘difficult moment’

Chancellor targets cost of living crisis in budget for a ‘difficult moment’

Healey hopes to give ‘hope for the future’ but only modest policies are expected with important decisions deferred John Healey has acknowledged the UK faces a “difficult moment” but insisted he would put the country on a better path as he delivers his first budget on Wednesday against a turbulent global economic backdrop. But despite the international uncertainty, the chancellor will signal “fresh hope for the future” as he attempts to sound a more optimistic note, by providing households with breathing space from rising cost of living pressures.

9h ago
The GuardianDiplomacyEngland
RAF Fairford plot ‘coordinated by handler working on behalf of Iran’

RAF Fairford plot ‘coordinated by handler working on behalf of Iran’

Two men charged under National Security Act were directed by handler believed to have been working for Iranian intelligence, court told A group of men were directed to drive vans loaded with petrol to Fairford RAF base by a handler known as Ali, who police believe was working on behalf of Iran, a court heard on Tuesday. One of the five men tasked with driving to the base called police in the early hours of 27 September after the handler warned the group about a bomb in the vans, prosecutors told Westminster magistrates court.

12h ago
The GuardianCompaniesLos Angeles
Anthropic accelerates – for the rest of us, the speed of growth spells precarity

Anthropic accelerates – for the rest of us, the speed of growth spells precarity

The AI industry is still defined by a careening intensity that’s taking the world’s finances along for the ride This was originally published in TechScape, a newsletter about how technology shapes our lives. Sign up to receive it here. Today in tech, we’re discussing Anthropic’s astronomic growth, how a settlement over social media safety dented Meta’s revenue, and Lula’s accusations of interference against Meta. ‘You can’t make this stuff up’: why we remain fascinated by Elizabeth Holmes Elizabeth Holmes is back in the spotlight: why can’t we look away? Anthropic’s Claude AI model accessed Georgia voter data in US The datacentre next door: on the frontline of tech’s latest David v Goliath battle Meta plans $95bn stock offering to help cover AI expansion iPhone Duo owners report cracks in Apple’s first foldable handset Microsoft to reportedly offer buyouts to 60,000 employees in latest cuts Ukraine’s military says Starlink satellite connection stable after recent restrictions Experts cast doubt on Anthropic report detailing how AI has altered work at the company ‘Black October’: cybersecurity experts sound the alarm over new era of AI-enabled hacking

16h ago
The GuardianEconomy
Four takeaways from Anthropic’s potentially record-breaking stock market filing

Four takeaways from Anthropic’s potentially record-breaking stock market filing

The AI company’s first public financial disclosures reveal explosive growth, huge costs and risks ranging from cyber-attacks to the limits of safeguards Anthropic has filed to go public on the US stock market, revealing for the first time the AI research lab’s financials and all the risks – more than 90 pages of them – that might negatively impact its business. The company’s investor prospectus, released Monday, veers from hyperbolic predictions about AI’s “incredible potential” to existential risks of the technology to the reality of its current business: explosive but incredibly expensive growth. The filing to US financial regulators, known as an S-1, provides the public’s first look at an audited version of Anthropic’s finances.

1d ago
The GuardianPublic PolicyCentral Belt
Rosebank oilfield would not breach UK emission targets, say government insiders

Rosebank oilfield would not breach UK emission targets, say government insiders

Emissions from exported oil would not count against carbon budget, insiders say – reasoning likely to draw dismay from climate campaigners The giant Rosebank oilfield can be approved without breaching the UK’s emission targets, according to government insiders, in a boost to those in the cabinet who are pushing for it to be given the go-ahead. The Guardian revealed last week that Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, was leaning towards rejecting the project, but her position has put her at loggerheads with cabinet colleagues, including the chancellor, John Healey, who are lobbying for an approval.

12h ago
The GuardianFootball
Kylian Mbappé apologises after being dropped by Chinese brands for Mao Zedong comment

Kylian Mbappé apologises after being dropped by Chinese brands for Mao Zedong comment

Video appears to show Mao Zedong called a ‘dictator’ Dongpeng and Mengniu end deals with the player Kylian Mbappé has apologised for his “ill-judged” comment about the former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which has led to brands in China dropping the Real Madrid forward. In China jokes about Mao, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful and remain a social taboo. “Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” the drinks company Dongpeng said in a statement earlier on Tuesday, adding that “with immediate effect we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappé”.

20h ago
The GuardianEconomyUnited Kingdom
Healey is expected to shield low-income pensioners from income tax – but how will it work?

Healey is expected to shield low-income pensioners from income tax – but how will it work?

Retirees will get a personal allowance aligned with the new state pension, but experts say it could get complicated Retirees in the UK on low incomes are expected to be given a new personal allowance so that they do not have to hand any of their state pension to HMRC. The full details are due to be revealed by the chancellor, John Healey, in Wednesday’s budget, but here is what we know so far.

1d ago
The GuardianElections
Serbia’s Student List preparing for talks on forming government despite no clear leader

Serbia’s Student List preparing for talks on forming government despite no clear leader

Non-hierarchical movement is seeking to ‘rebuild society’ in Balkan country after years of authoritarian rule Europe live – latest updates Serbia’s triumphant but untested Student List movement is preparing to start talks on forming a government capable of reversing 14 years of increasingly authoritarian nationalist rule, after a seismic weekend election win. Supporters of the movement, which has no experience of government, took to the streets in the west Balkan country on Monday after the strongman former president, Aleksandar Vučić, was defeated in a historic landslide.

1d ago
The GuardianElectionsBalkans
‘This is a symbol for Europe’: streets of Belgrade resound with joy after Vučić defeat

‘This is a symbol for Europe’: streets of Belgrade resound with joy after Vučić defeat

Hundreds of thousands mark student-led victory on the same streets that were once the scene of police beatings Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić ousted by student movement in seismic election Standing on the streets of Belgrade, as passing cars honked excitedly and revellers high-fived police officers, Sara, 24, gestures to the streets around her to explain just how much things had changed for Serbia’s student-led movement. Moments earlier, the country’s longstanding leader, Aleksandar Vučić, had conceded defeat to the student movement, ushering in a seismic political shift in the Balkan country.

2d ago
The GuardianElectionsBalkans
‘It’s the smell of freedom’: Belgrade cleans up after Student List triumph

‘It’s the smell of freedom’: Belgrade cleans up after Student List triumph

Binbag-wielding volunteers clear encampment used by thugs to intimidate opponents of deposed government Student List cleaned up at Serbia’s parliamentary elections. So it was only fitting that the morning after a night of raucous celebrations, the movement’s supporters were gathering, bin bags in hand, at Pioneers Park, opposite the national assembly building in Belgrade. For the previous 18 months, this small patch of greenery – with its established trees and playground – had been a no-go zone. A pro-government camp known as Ćaciland had taken over the space with convicted criminals living there in white tents, happy to attack journalists, or anyone else who came too close. Police stood by but did nothing to prevent the violence.

1d ago
The GuardianElectionsBalkans
As students we never sought power – here’s how we reclaimed Serbia | Novak Simin

As students we never sought power – here’s how we reclaimed Serbia | Novak Simin

After freedom, we want to give our people something radical: a normal, functioning state Two years ago, I harboured no political ambition whatsoever. I was a student at the faculty of technical sciences in Novi Sad, my home town, pursuing a PhD in human resources and simply living my life. That was until the canopy collapse at the newly renovated train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. I took part in street protests and rallies in response to this shocking event, and like many others, realised that it needed to be a turning point. This was not an unavoidable tragedy. Systemic corruption and a culture of entrenched impunity were obvious factors in the collapse. But instead of ordering a full and impartial investigation and coming clean on official failings, the authorities began pushing back against us for demanding justice. We were vilified and attacked in the streets but law enforcement did nothing. So we took refuge in our lecture halls and schools, barricading ourselves inside faculty buildings, ready for a long haul. Novak Simin is a member of Serbia’s Student List movement

1d ago
The GuardianElectionsLondon
Serbia wakes up to new reality after student-led movement ousts Vučić – as it hapepned

Serbia wakes up to new reality after student-led movement ousts Vučić – as it hapepned

Hopes raised for a reset in relations with EU and other partners following the defeat of authoritarian president Serbian leader ousted by student movement in seismic election Back to Serbia, we are expecting to hear from two groups of election monitors in the coming hours: first, very shortly, from Serbia’s Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), and then a bit later from a group of international observers, including from the OSCE, the ODIHR, and the European parliament. I will keep an eye on their findings and bring you the key lines.

1d ago
The GuardianElectionsMaryland
Israel election results live: vote count underway as exit polls point to tie between Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs

Israel election results live: vote count underway as exit polls point to tie between Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs

Both blocs fall short of the 61 seats needed to form a government in initial forecasts as support for Palestinian parties surges Full report: Coalition talks loom as Israel exit polls suggest Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs tied Analysis: Rise of Palestinian parties in Knesset will redraw Israel’s political landscape Israel election: what we know so far One apparent loser from Tuesday’s election was far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was expected to better his party’s result of six seats from the 2022 elections. But instead there was stunned silence at the watch party for Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) in central Israel as results from the exit polls flashed across the screen, with most channels suggesting the party would remain on just six seats.

1h ago
The GuardianElectionsIsrael
Rise of Palestinian parties in Knesset will redraw Israel’s political landscape

Rise of Palestinian parties in Knesset will redraw Israel’s political landscape

Exit polls indicate opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot will have to work with Arab-Israeli leaders to have a hope of governing Israeli elections: live updates Israel election: what we know so far The big gains made by Palestinian parties in Israel’s general election pose an urgent and fundamental challenge to the country’s mainstream opposition: either cooperate with Arab Israelis or hand Benjamin Netanyahu a roadmap to political survival. In the wake of Tuesday’s exit polls, the leader of the opposition bloc, Gadi Eisenkot, declared them a victory for “Israel’s Zionist national majority” but the real outcome looks as if it will be far more complex than that.

8h ago
The GuardianPoliticiansTexas
Trump says government to ‘terminate’ Biden-era methane emissions rules

Trump says government to ‘terminate’ Biden-era methane emissions rules

Critics warn of climate danger as president in Texas claims change will save companies and consumers billions Donald Trump announced his administration is “terminating” Biden-era regulations holding oil and gas companies accountable for large leaks of planet-warming methane during a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday evening. Trump said during a campaign rally in Texas that the change would save consumers and energy producers $45bn and unlock 210 million barrels of oil – equivalent to about 10 days of US petroleum consumption. “Tonight, I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers,” Trump said, lifting what he called “crippling regulations on methane that caused prices to skyrocket” for small oil and gas operators.

6h ago
The GuardianElectionsVictoria
Two key unions turn on Labor, running attack ads and pulling campaign funds a month out from Victorian election

Two key unions turn on Labor, running attack ads and pulling campaign funds a month out from Victorian election

Exclusive: ASU launches ‘Ben Lied. Labor lies’ ads while ETU diverts money to defending members at royal commission Follow our Australia politics live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Two major unions in Victoria have turned their backs on the Labor government a month out from the state election, with one launching attack ads calling Ben Carroll a liar and the other pulling campaign funding. The Labor-aligned Australian Services Union (ASU), which launched the ads, has also confirmed it won’t doorknock for Labor in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) state council resolved on Wednesday not to run a statewide campaign for Labor, despite spending more than $1.6m supporting the party at the last election, with funds to be diverted to support members who could be called before the construction royal commission.

2h ago
The GuardianElectionsAustralia
Guardian Essential poll: One Nation and Labor’s primary vote on par as discontent with Albanese rises

Guardian Essential poll: One Nation and Labor’s primary vote on par as discontent with Albanese rises

The prime minister’s disapproval rating increases to 56%, the equal highest in Essential polls since he took the job in 2022 Get our daily political email, free app or daily news podcast One Nation’s primary vote is back on par with Labor in the latest Guardian Essential poll, with Anthony Albanese’s public disapproval rising to its equal highest on record and more Australians than ever before believing the country is on the wrong track. But Australians are still not convinced One Nation or the Coalition would do a better job than the current government, with Labor still the most trusted party on the economy and managing the country.

18h ago
The GuardianPoliticiansAustralia
Labor condemns One Nation cartoons depicting Penny Wong being murdered as Hanson says videos ‘not going anywhere’

Labor condemns One Nation cartoons depicting Penny Wong being murdered as Hanson says videos ‘not going anywhere’

Foreign affairs minister says party’s social media content promotes division and violence as One Nation leader claims Liberal and Labor want cartoons censored Follow our Australian politics live blog for latest updates Get our daily political email, free app or daily news podcast Labor has accused Pauline Hanson of stoking division and violence in cartoons showing attacks on the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, as One Nation defends its social media content, admitting it might not always be “in good taste”. As parliament grapples with the safety of politicians in the wake of an alleged attack against Indi MP Helen Haines last week, cartoons produced by Hanson have come under increased scrutiny.

1d ago
The GuardianElections
Angus Taylor criticised for ‘tone deaf’ response to alleged attack on Helen Haines

Angus Taylor criticised for ‘tone deaf’ response to alleged attack on Helen Haines

Zali Steggall and Monique Ryan say Coalition leader was wrong to deny link between parliamentary debate and political violence Angus Taylor has been criticised for his response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines, with crossbenchers Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall labelling a speech by the opposition leader “tone deaf” and saying he did not “read the room”. Parliament returned in Canberra on Monday, a week after an alleged attack outside the Indi MP’s northern Victorian electorate office, which led to her losing both legs. A 43-year-old man has been charged and the incident continues to be investigated. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here

2d ago
The GuardianElections
‘Will Lula’s win end Latin America’s far right turn?’: Our correspondent in Brazil answered your questions

‘Will Lula’s win end Latin America’s far right turn?’: Our correspondent in Brazil answered your questions

Having lost the first round of Brazil’s presidential election to far right rival Flávio Bolsonaro, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spectacularly triumphed in the second. The Guardian’s Latin America corrrespondent Tom Phillips answered your questions on what’s next for Brazil. Jeremy Hurley asks: Why did the Brazil stock market tank after the election result, and will it recover? Tom: Basically, because the markets had been convinced that Flávio Bolsonaro was going to win and that after taking power he would implement a “chainsaw” style austerity programme inspired by Javier Milei’s government in Argentina, deal with Brazil’s budget deficit, and bring down interest rates. Lula’s victory came as a shock to investors who believe his fourth presidency will see increased and unsustainable public spending. Yes, I’m sure things will stabilise at some point soon after the initial panic – during Lula’s previous administrations investors made a lot of money, particularly during his first two terms. There is talk of Lula naming his vice-president, the centre-right politician Geraldo Alckmin, as finance minister in order to calm markets down. Another possible name Rafael Fonteles, a mathematician who is the governor of Piauí and used to run that state’s finances. Tom: That’s a really good question and, as someone who lives in Rio de Janeiro, it is one that has been on my mind a lot. The far right has been very good at blaming “soft” left wing policies and federal government incompetence for the failure to control armed violence. It was a huge part of the campaign against Lula in the run up to this election. But public security is a state matter and Rio state has largely been governed by the right for years now. Their hard-line, shoot first ask questions later approach has not worked - in fact many believe it has made the violence even worse and led to massacres such as the one I covered in the Complexo da Penha almost exactly one year ago. It must be said that similar tactics have been used in Bahia state, which has a huge problem with violence and is governed by the Worker’s party (PT). My colleague Tiago Rogero has written about this.

15h ago
The GuardianEconomyLondon
Britain issues costliest five-year debt since 2008 in run-up to budget – business live

Britain issues costliest five-year debt since 2008 in run-up to budget – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news UK shop price inflation ‘highest since 2024’ as retailers struggle to limit price rises The 6% drop in HSBC’s share price this morning has made rather a dent in the FTSE 100 share index. The ‘Footsie’ is down 108 points, or 1%, at 10,659 points. “You don’t usually get fireworks from HSBC results, and these are no exception. There are signs of some improvement overall, and a boost to the buyback is welcome, but it’s clear why the market wasn’t really inspired by these numbers. HSBC seems to be doing ok, but ok doesn’t really cut it in a world where inflation is back on the menu and growth may start to slow. At least it’s not exactly rolling in profits this time around, providing some useful air cover ahead of a UK budget that will may include another raid on banks.”

19h ago
The GuardianElectionsLondon
My advice for Burnham’s first budget? Hit the banks – and hit them hard | Polly Toynbee

My advice for Burnham’s first budget? Hit the banks – and hit them hard | Polly Toynbee

Bankers have barely begun to repay the billions they cost the country after 2008. In this PM they may have met their match Vibes matter. We live by how we feel – an idea that orthodox economics gets wrong and Andy Burnham’s first budget looks set to get right. This walking good-vibes maestro is spreading a confetti of small good deeds. These may not shift the dial yet on 40 years of neoliberal economics, but they show the way he’s heading. Eyecatching everyday things – from capping bus fares to that small but resonant sum of £45 VAT on average off electricity bills – get people talking, alongside bigger plans for a national care service, electoral reform and a possible journey back to the EU. Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist

1d ago
The TelegraphElections
‘Boring Budget’ would pave way for early election, City fears

‘Boring Budget’ would pave way for early election, City fears

Andy Burnham risks triggering a spike in Britain’s borrowing costs if he calls an early election in the wake of this week’s “boring Budget”, City economists have warned. The City is increasingly expecting Mr Burnham to go to the polls next year, with some interpreting John Healey’s expected low-key maiden Budget on Wednesday as a sign the Prime Minister is laying the ground for a snap election.

2d ago
The GuardianScandalChina
Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown in the spotlight as China prepares for meeting of top leaders

Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown in the spotlight as China prepares for meeting of top leaders

The fifth plenum comes against a backdrop of years of purges that have had some analysts wondering if the issue is corruption or a lack of loyalty When Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, he pledged to stamp out corruption all through the ranks of the Communist party. More than a decade later, the pace of investigations has not slowed. Last year, China’s disciplinary authorities opened investigations into more than 1 million people, including more than 100 officials at or above ministerial or provincial level. As Chinese Communist party (CCP) officials prepare for an important meeting this week discipline – and party loyalty – is high on the agenda. For those who try to read the tea leaves of elite Chinese politics, concern about the apparent lack of discipline is dominating CCP discussions.

2d ago
The GuardianDiplomacy
North Korea has opened up bridges to Russia and China – in which direction will it go?

North Korea has opened up bridges to Russia and China – in which direction will it go?

Kim Jong-un has opened the borders to both his key allies in Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, but for different reasons For more than a decade, local Chinese residents pilloried it as nothing more than an empty bridge that led to a North Korean vegetable patch on the other side. Fast forward 12 years and dozens of trucks are now traversing the bridge linking China to North Korea, boosting trade for the reclusive regime. But it has also triggered concern that it could intensify a struggle for influence over the North between Beijing and the region’s other major power, Russia.

4d ago
The GuardianHumanity
King Charles to discuss legacy of slavery with Commonwealth leaders at summit

King Charles to discuss legacy of slavery with Commonwealth leaders at summit

Royal tour of Caribbean comes as Commonwealth nations renew calls for Britain to engage in reparation talks King Charles has confirmed he will discuss the legacy of slavery at a summit with Commonwealth leaders as he begins his Caribbean tour. The king arrived in the Bahamas to a ceremonial welcome and attended a youth rally at Clifford Park, the site where the country officially gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1973.

8h ago
The GuardianHumanity
‘We want a full apology for slavery’: Commonwealth at a crossroads as king heads to the Caribbean

‘We want a full apology for slavery’: Commonwealth at a crossroads as king heads to the Caribbean

Campaigners say tour could hasten Charles’s removal as head of state unless he does more to confront monarchy’s historic role in slave trade King Charles’s upcoming Caribbean tour could accelerate moves to remove him as head of state in several countries unless he does more to confront the monarchy’s historic links to slavery, campaigners have warned. The king will embark on a nine-day tour on Tuesday, visiting the Bahamas and Guyana before travelling to Antigua and Barbuda, and will attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm).

1d ago
The GuardianPoliticiansLondon
‘It’s a better experience’: shoppers praise Oxford Street pedestrianisation

‘It’s a better experience’: shoppers praise Oxford Street pedestrianisation

Many punters say inconvenience of bus rerouting is small price to pay for more space, but not everyone is happy To the east of Oxford Circus, there is chaos. A steady stream of red London buses swing round the last junction before the newly pedestrianised Oxford Street begins. The streets are crammed with pedestrians, some squabbling over who poked whom with their umbrella first. To the west, pedestrians walk freely through the temporary bollards on to a green welcome banner rolled along the tarmac, declaring Oxford Street traffic-free.

1d ago
The GuardianPoliticiansLondon
How will pedestrianisation of UK’s most famous shopping street work in practice?

How will pedestrianisation of UK’s most famous shopping street work in practice?

A stretch of London’s Oxford Street is to be vehicle-free as part of £150m government-backed scheme Much of Britain’s most famous shopping street will be closed to traffic from Monday as the long-awaited pedestrianisation of London’s Oxford Street begins. About half of the 1.2 mile street will initially be vehicle-free, after decades of planning and dispute over how to best use the street, an important transport thoroughfare and the home for flagship stores for big shopping chains.

2d ago
Revista OesteEconomyChicago
‘Lula earthquake’ rattles markets: dollar surges and stock market plunges 17%

‘Lula earthquake’ rattles markets: dollar surges and stock market plunges 17%

A day after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) defeated Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) in the presidential runoff, financial markets were gripped by panic, as the dollar surged against the real and the Ibovespa, Brazil’s main stock market index, plunged. Continuing a trend that began in the early hours of Monday the 26th, when the real fell sharply against the U.S. currency in futures trading, the dollar surged more than 12% in the morning and continued to climb steeply as the session progressed.

1d ago
The GuardianElectionsCalifornia
Court blocks bid by Trump DoJ to stop California from counting mail-in ballots

Court blocks bid by Trump DoJ to stop California from counting mail-in ballots

Newsom accuses Trump of ‘assault on democracy’ as DoJ claims 20,000 registered voters in state are non-citizens A US federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s move to block California from counting the ballots of 20,000 registered voters that the justice department claims are non-citizens. The court on Monday ruled 2-1 against Donald ⁠Trump’s ​justice department in the dispute, denying the administration’s demand that election officials segregate the thousands of ballots until people on the list could verify their citizenship. The justice department had given the California secretary of state 48-hours to carry out the order, which state election officials refused – leading to the lawsuit.

1d ago