White House fires USAid inspector general who issued damning report on Trump’s funding freeze – as it happened

12/02/2025 02:49 The Guardian

This live coverage has ended. You can find all of our live US politics coverage hereDonald Trump announced he is dispatching Treasury secretary Scott Bessent to Ukraine to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while also predicting the war in the country would end “soon”.The US president made the news on Truth Social:I am sending Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky. This War MUST and WILL END SOON — Too much Death and Destruction. The U.S. has spent BILLIONS of Dollars Globally, with little to show. WHEN AMERICA IS STRONG, THE WORLD IS AT PEACE.“As you know we have been ordered to cease all work. I don’t believe in these conditions I can effectively serve in my role, which is protecting American consumers,” said Halperin wrote. “Today I made the difficult decision to resign effective today.”Salas said she believed the decision by Vought to halt all supervisory work was illegal. Continue reading...

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‘Stone-cold racism’: Newsom condemns GOP redistricting efforts; Louisiana approves plan to erase majority-Black district – live

California governor calls efforts to dismantle majority-Black districts ‘Jim Crow 2.0’; Louisiana moves forward to eliminate one of two such districtsSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump will drive through a Chinese capital that is smoggier than it was on his last visit in 2017, wh...

14/05/2026 21:48 The Guardian

Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and even conflicts’ with US over Taiwan

Trump says China’s president also pledged ‘strongly’ not to send weapons to Iran, after two-hour meeting between the leadersTrump in Beijing – latest updatesFive key issues for Xi-Trump summitChina’s president, Xi Jinping, has warned of “clashes and even conflicts” with the US over Tai...

14/05/2026 17:37 The Guardian

Ukraine hit by second day of large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes

Widespread nature of attacks prompts warnings that Moscow is trying to overwhelm air defence systemsRussian missiles and drones are pounding Ukraine for a second day, as almost continuous heavy attacks hit the country, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of an assault that has killed at least eight people,...

14/05/2026 15:57 The Guardian

Latvia prime minister resigns days after ‘stray’ drone incursion – as it happened

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz has strongly condemned the Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight, and rejected Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that one of his predecessors could play a role negotiating a peace settlement.In a speech in Aache...

14/05/2026 14:45 The Guardian

Reeves seizes on surprise UK growth as evidence Labour leadership must stay

Chancellor says ‘now not the time to put economic stability at risk’ as ONS records 0.3% growth in first month of Iran warBusiness live – latest updatesAnalysis: Reeves says ‘if economy ain’t broke, don’t fix it’The chancellor has seized on official figures showing the UK economy was m...

14/05/2026 14:28 The Guardian

Latvian prime minister resigns amid row over drone incursions

Evika Siliņa stands down after coalition collapses following sacking of defence ministerLatvia’s centre-right prime minister has resigned over her government’s handling of Ukrainian drones that strayed into Latvian territory from Russia, bringing down her coalition government months before elec...

14/05/2026 13:11 The Guardian

First Thing: Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and even conflicts’ with US over Taiwan

Chinese president’s comments published after two-hour meeting with Trump. Plus, Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the Voting Rights Act is ‘evil incarnate’Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.On the western edge of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, in the imposing M...

14/05/2026 12:26 The Guardian

Republicans’ plan for zero state income tax could be ‘devastating’, experts warn

As Missouri asks voters whether to eliminate tax, experts say claims it will grow businesses and create jobs aren’t trueHannah Rejali, 34, lived through the failed so-called “Kansas Experiment” in the 2010s, when the Republican governor cut the state’s income tax to try to give a “shot of...

14/05/2026 12:00 The Guardian

Rachel Reeves suggests if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - as fight to keep her job goes on

The GDP boost has raised the chancellor’s prospects for staying in post, whoever wins the Labour leadership battleBusiness live – latest updatesUK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran warThe message from Rachel Reeves is clear. After Britain’s economy defied the predictions for a...

14/05/2026 11:44 The Guardian

Leadership rules should ‘not be tweaked’ to let Burnham run for PM, Labour NEC member says

Burnham’s backers understood to be lobbying Labour’s NEC who warn against Wes Streeting ‘coronation’UK politics live – latest updatesThe rules governing Labour party leadership contests should “not be tweaked” to allow Andy Burnham to run, a member of the party’s National Executive C...

14/05/2026 10:34 The Guardian

Brazil’s Atlantic forest records lowest deforestation in 40 years

Environmentalists hail decline but warn weakened laws could reverse gainsBrazil’s Atlantic forest, the country’s most threatened biome, last year recorded its lowest level of deforestation since monitoring began 40 years ago, a new report shows.The forest is Brazil’s most populous biome, and h...

14/05/2026 10:29 The Guardian

War, inflation and Trump’s tariffs have shaken the US. Why does the stock market keep going up?

Wall Street has proved incredibly resilient to instability, and while consumer confidence has dipped, shares have soaredIt was a dark Friday for Wall Street on 27 March. Oil prices were climbing and the war with Iran raged on. Markets responded accordingly, with the Dow and Nasdaq entering correctio...

14/05/2026 10:00 The Guardian

Benjamin Netanyahu says he made secret trip to UAE at height of Iran war

Emirates’ foreign ministry rejects claims that Netanyahu visited country, describing them as ‘baseless’Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed he made a secret trip to the United Arab Emirates at the height of the Iran war to meet the president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.“This visit has led...

14/05/2026 09:47 The Guardian

‘Inevitable’ jet fuel shortages will drive up air fares this summer, says Willie Walsh

Impact of disruption from Iran war may be felt into 2027 even if strait of Hormuz reopens, says aviation body bossIncreases in air fares for travellers in Europe are “inevitable” over the peak summer period because of the high cost of jet fuel, according to the head of the international aviation...

14/05/2026 08:35 The Guardian

‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again

As Keir Starmer’s leadership totters, investors warn a Labour leadership contest ignoring public finances and market realpolitik could be disastrousA rise in borrowing costs and warnings to avoid a “Liz Truss moment”. As Keir Starmer faces a potential leadership challenge, the spectre of the b...

14/05/2026 06:00 The Guardian

Housing market in England and Wales weakening due to Iran war, say estate agents

Homebuyers more cautious due to possible mortgage rate rises and higher inflation as sellers sit on propertiesFears of higher mortgage rates and rising inflation as a result of the Middle East conflict are leading to a subdued and downbeat housing market, according to estate agents.Demand from poten...

13/05/2026 23:01 The Guardian

Senate fails to curb Trump’s war on Iran even as Republican opposition grows

Resolution fails by 49-50, with Lisa Murkowski and fellow GOP members Rand Paul and Susan Collins voting in favorThe Senate on Wednesday rejected the seventh attempt by Democrats to force an end to American involvement in the war on Iran, even as the ranks of Republicans opposed to Donald Trump’s...

13/05/2026 20:46 The Guardian

US Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, replacing Jerome Powell

Warsh will serve four-year term as chair, taking over amid rising inflation and pressure from Trump to lower ratesThe US Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve, one of the most powerful roles in the federal government that holds enormous sway over the economy.The 54-45 Senate v...

13/05/2026 20:10 The Guardian

Met warns about hate speech at Unite the Kingdom and Palestine marches

Organisers as well as speakers will be held responsible for unlawful speech as police face exceptionally busy weekendThe Metropolitan police have said organisers of this weekend’s Unite the Kingdom and March for Palestine demonstrations will be held responsible for any hate speech connected with t...

13/05/2026 17:27 The Guardian

At 10.15pm, do you know where Donald Trump is?

The US president’s late-night Truth Social vitriol riddled with erratic capitalization and spelling? That’s leadershipThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayGas prices are soaring because of blockages in the strait of Hormuz as...

13/05/2026 17:00 The Guardian

Slovakia closes border crossing with Ukraine amid warnings of further Russian strikes – as it happened

This blog is now closed, you can read more of our Ukraine war coverage hereResponding to the Guardian’s questions, the operator also confirmed that the vast majority of the 1,187 guests on board are British. There are also 514 crew members.Ambassador Cruise Line also confirmed that a 92-year-old m...

13/05/2026 15:48 The Guardian

Russia targets Ukraine with more than 800 drones in deadly daytime assault

Strikes killed at least six people as Moscow and Kyiv trade long-range attacks after brief ceasefireEurope live – latest updatesRussia targeted Ukraine with more than 800 drones in a large-scale daytime assault that killed at least six people on Wednesday, hours after a previous deadly barrage.The...

13/05/2026 15:23 The Guardian

Marine Le Pen’s party hits back at Kylian Mbappé criticism

French football captain warned against prospect of far-right National Rally party gaining powerThe French football captain, Kylian Mbappé, has angered Marine Le Pen’s far-right party after expressing concerns about it winning next year’s presidential election.Mbappé, 27, who grew up in Paris...

13/05/2026 15:08 The Guardian

Man dies in Sydney prison unit that watchdog wanted shut down because it ‘cannot provide a safe environment’

Exclusive: Young inmate took own life in Long Bay prison five months after independent inspector warned of ‘ligature points in cells across all areas’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA 19-year-old man has died in a S...

13/05/2026 15:00 The Guardian

Has Labor’s tax reform killed ‘rent-vesting’ for young Australians seeking a foothold in the housing market?

Changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing will make the strategy of renting in a preferred area while buying a cheaper property elsewhere less attractive, experts sayExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverageFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breakin...

13/05/2026 15:00 The Guardian

Trump urged to rule out ‘unlawful’ Cuba takeover and stop using Guantánamo Bay for migrant detention

Exclusive: In letter seen by the Guardian, 30 members of Congress warn US president’s Cuba military operation would worsen ‘mass suffering’More than 30 members of Congress have urged Donald Trump’s top officials to end the use of the Guantánamo Bay naval base for immigrant detention and rul...

13/05/2026 14:47 The Guardian

‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,’ says Trump amid Iran talks

With US inflation at a three-year high, US president insisted he’s not focused on economic hardship sparked by the conflictSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailDonald Trump has said the growing financial pressure inflicted on Americans by the war on Iran is “not even a little bit”...

13/05/2026 14:03 The Guardian

Gunshots in Philippines senate where senator is holed up to evade arrest

Ronald dela Rosa, accused of crimes against humanity by international criminal court, still in standoff with authoritiesGunshots have been fired in the Philippine senate, as a senator who is wanted by the international criminal court (ICC) remained holed up in the building to evade arrest.The Philip...

13/05/2026 12:23 The Guardian

US-based internet suicide forum implicated in 160 UK deaths fined £950,000

Ofcom attempts to block UK access to site cited in multiple coroners’ reports as it levies fine under Online Safety ActA nihilistic internet suicide forum implicated in over 160 UK deaths has been fined £950,000 by the online regulator in its latest attempt to shut it down.Ofcom said the US-based...

13/05/2026 12:09 The Guardian

Trump due in China for high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping | First Thing

The Iran war will cast a long shadow over the talks. Plus, the 100 best novels of all timeDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump is due to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening, the first visit to China by a US president since he was last there nearly a...

13/05/2026 11:10 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

14/05 21:48 - ‘Stone-cold racism’: Newsom condemns GOP redistricting efforts; Louisiana approves plan to erase majority-Black district – live 14/05 21:00 - Abu Dhabi 'doesn't want to appear too much in cooperation with Israel', analyst says 14/05 21:00 - Could Iran war trigger a hunger crisis? 14/05 21:00 - Could Iran war trigger a hunger crisis? 14/05 20:56 - ‘China is gaining from what the US is doing in Iran’ 14/05 20:56 - ‘China is gaining from what the US is doing in Iran’ 14/05 20:51 - BBC on the ground during march through Jerusalem's Old City 14/05 20:18 - Nobel winner Mukwege warns of predatory US deal for DR Congo 14/05 19:37 - Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Carried Out Secret Attacks in Iran, U.S. Officials Say 14/05 19:34 - Iran, Taiwan, and trade: Trump’s high‑stakes return to Beijing 14/05 19:34 - Iran, Taiwan, and trade: Trump’s high‑stakes return to Beijing 14/05 19:27 - Russia pummels Kyiv, killing at least 10 as advance in the east slows 14/05 19:07 - Xi warns Trump that mishandling Taiwan could spark ‘conflicts’ 14/05 19:00 - Iran expands tiered internet access amid continued online blackout 14/05 19:00 - Iran expands tiered internet access amid continued online blackout 14/05 18:49 - Iran accuses United Arab Emirates of being 'active partner' in US-Israeli war 14/05 18:39 - FIFA warned ‘gruelling heat’ could impact a quarter of World Cup games 14/05 18:39 - FIFA warned ‘gruelling heat’ could impact a quarter of World Cup games 14/05 18:23 - Acute hunger grips nearly 20 million people in war-battered Sudan, says IPC 14/05 18:23 - Acute hunger grips nearly 20 million people in war-battered Sudan, says IPC 14/05 18:21 - News24 | Former top Zelensky aide detained over large-scale money laundering scheme in Ukraine 14/05 18:13 - Trump says Xi offered help to open Hormuz, vowed not to arm Iran 14/05 17:37 - Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and even conflicts’ with US over Taiwan 14/05 17:29 - Iran urges BRICS nations to condemn US-Israeli war aggression 14/05 17:29 - Iran urges BRICS nations to condemn US-Israeli war aggression 14/05 17:26 - Pope Leo slams Europe’s military buildup as ‘betrayal’ of diplomacy 14/05 16:44 - Iran’s small businesses collapse under war, inflation and internet blackout 14/05 16:41 - News24 | Xi warns Trump that missteps on Taiwan could lead to conflict at high-stakes Beijing summit 14/05 16:20 - 'Extremely positive and productive talks': Trump praises Xi meeting 14/05 16:19 - UK: Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival 14/05 16:17 - US-China priority is 'economic relationship': Trump 'heavily prioritising trade and investment' 14/05 15:57 - Ukraine hit by second day of large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes 14/05 15:47 - How much? NATO chief calls for ‘Ukraine tax’ bigger than members’ economies 14/05 15:46 - 'We have learned to live with our neighbours': Liberia's President Joseph Boakai 14/05 15:00 - Trump’s Iran War is Punishing America’s Working Class 14/05 14:45 - Latvia prime minister resigns days after ‘stray’ drone incursion – as it happened 14/05 14:35 - Latvian government collapses amid dispute over breaches by Ukrainian drones 14/05 14:31 - Judge freezes Trump sanctions on UN official critical of Israel 14/05 14:30 - 'Conflict' possible: Xi Jinping issues Taiwan warning during Donald Trump's visit 14/05 14:28 - Reeves seizes on surprise UK growth as evidence Labour leadership must stay 14/05 14:22 - Why did Saudi Arabia and the UAE allegedly carry out secret bombing raids on Iran? 14/05 14:06 - Trump Might Welcome Chinese Investment, but America Is Wary 14/05 13:48 - Seth Meyers Absolutely Destroyed Trump With The Most Succinct Explanation Of His Iran War Claims 14/05 13:45 - BRICS meeting overshadowed by war on Iran 14/05 13:45 - BRICS meeting overshadowed by war on Iran 14/05 13:38 - Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensy's former top aide arrested as corruption probe widens 14/05 13:31 - Xi-Trump diplomacy: Beijing envisions 4 pillars of 'stability', warns US over Taiwan 'interference' 14/05 13:31 - Russian drone attack hits Kyiv apartment block during ceasefire 14/05 13:31 - Russian drone attack hits Kyiv apartment block during ceasefire 14/05 13:28 - Cuba says oil reserves have 'run out' as blackouts, fuel shortages spark protests 14/05 13:16 - Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble of Kyiv flats after massive Russian strikes 14/05 13:11 - Latvian prime minister resigns amid row over drone incursions 14/05 13:08 - UK economy sees surprising growth - these six charts explain what is going on 14/05 13:07 - Latvian prime minister resigns after drone incident 14/05 13:07 - Latvian prime minister resigns after drone incident 14/05 13:00 - A Fact Check of Trump’s Claims on Inflation and Gas Prices in Iran War 14/05 12:34 - China’s Xi warns Trump about Taiwan at Beijing summit 14/05 12:34 - China’s Xi warns Trump about Taiwan at Beijing summit 14/05 12:32 - How Sudanese children are going back to school in a refugee camp after years of war 14/05 12:26 - First Thing: Xi warns Trump of ‘clashes and even conflicts’ with US over Taiwan 14/05 12:20 - News24 | Vatican warns of ‘a grave offence against God’ if Catholic group appoints own bishops 14/05 12:00 - Republicans’ plan for zero state income tax could be ‘devastating’, experts warn 14/05 11:52 - US intel fears Iran war handed China strategic advantage – WaPo 14/05 11:46 - Watch: BBC at Kyiv block of flats hit by Russian drone strike 14/05 11:44 - Rachel Reeves suggests if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - as fight to keep her job goes on 14/05 11:39 - News24 | How the Iran war could derail Somalia’s fragile recovery 14/05 11:32 - Putin remark on war ‘coming to a close’ points to exhaustion, not peace, analysts say 14/05 11:22 - Zimbabweans lured into Russia’s war as families plead for their return 14/05 11:22 - Zimbabweans lured into Russia’s war as families plead for their return 14/05 11:12 - Gulf states attacked Iraq amid waning faith in US – Reuters 14/05 10:53 - Latvian PM resigns after row over stray Ukrainian drones 14/05 10:52 - Russia pummels Ukraine, hitting regions far from the front lines 14/05 10:34 - Leadership rules should ‘not be tweaked’ to let Burnham run for PM, Labour NEC member says 14/05 10:29 - Brazil’s Atlantic forest records lowest deforestation in 40 years 14/05 10:19 - Russia launches hundreds more drones at Ukraine, killing three people 14/05 10:19 - Russia launches hundreds more drones at Ukraine, killing three people 14/05 10:19 - What did Trump and Xi discuss at high-profile Beijing summit? 14/05 10:03 - Zelensky's former top aide Andriy Yermak remanded in Ukraine corruption probe 14/05 10:00 - War, inflation and Trump’s tariffs have shaken the US. Why does the stock market keep going up? 14/05 09:53 - UK economy sees surprise growth in March despite Iran war 14/05 09:53 - Taiwan says China 'sole risk' to peace after Xi warned Trump over Taiwan issue 14/05 09:48 - 800 drones in 24 hours? Russia launches massive daytime barrage on Ukraine 14/05 09:47 - Benjamin Netanyahu says he made secret trip to UAE at height of Iran war 14/05 09:13 - Donald Trump and Xi Jinping hold high-stakes meeting in Beijing 14/05 09:10 - Nvidia's Jensen Huang attends Trump-Xi summit in bid to revive sales of chips to China 14/05 08:58 - ‘Divide and rule’: Mahmoud Abbas keeps Fatah 'divided', ensuring no potential successor can emerge 14/05 08:49 - Japanese snacks go black-and-white: Why Iran war is driving up ink prices 14/05 08:49 - Japanese snacks go black-and-white: Why Iran war is driving up ink prices 14/05 08:41 - A massive overnight barrage on Kyiv splits a residential building in two 14/05 08:35 - ‘Inevitable’ jet fuel shortages will drive up air fares this summer, says Willie Walsh 14/05 08:23 - Nepal in a bind as US-China drone war reaches Everest 14/05 08:23 - Nepal in a bind as US-China drone war reaches Everest 14/05 07:37 - Potential leadership challengers jostle for positions as PM's allies warn of 'chaos' 14/05 07:36 - Xi warns Trump over Taiwan 14/05 07:00 - Iran war day 76: Vance says progress made in talks; Israel pounds Lebanon 14/05 07:00 - Iran war day 76: Vance says progress made in talks; Israel pounds Lebanon 14/05 06:01 - Russia pounds Kyiv and cities across Ukraine in deadly aerial attack 14/05 06:00 - ‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again 14/05 05:18 - I nearly died after buying skinny jab from friend of friend 14/05 05:07 - Fifa risking player safety over heat at World Cup - scientists