Category Archives: Politics

2025.05.08

Trump tariffs to hit small farms in Maga heartlands hardest, analysis predicts
Major corporations are best placed to benefit from Trump polices at the expense of independent farmers
Nina Lakhani in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/08/small-farms-trump-tariffs

‘Get rid of the pseudoscience’: top doctor’s plan to improve America’s health
Eric Topol says we can prevent age-related disease and live fuller lives – but only if we reject anti-science ‘malarkey’
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/08/eric-topol-health-book

Forever review – an absolutely adorable TV take on Judy Blume’s banned teen sex classic
The 1975 novel might be barred from US schools and libraries, but it gets a hugely important telling here. It’s powerful, sweet – and with a cast as excellent as Heartstopper’s
Rebecca Nicholson
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/08/forever-review-an-absolutely-adorable-tv-take-on-judy-blumes-banned-teen-sex-classic

‘A safe haven from racial violence’: Sinners shows the importance of juke joints
Ryan Coogler’s smash hit horror focuses on the opening of a juke joint, a one-time mainstay in Black southern culture
Andrew Lawrence
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/07/sinners-movie-juke-joints

Rio’s record, giant dogs and a psychic crocodile – take the Thursday quiz
Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?
Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/08/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-209

The stunning retro space-age homes that are perfect for today
Clare Dowdy
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250507-the-stunning-retro-space-age-homes-that-are-perfect-for-today

Men found guilty of violent murder of Aboriginal schoolboy
Tiffanie Turnbull
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9vzzxpdm7o

Teen unable to eat due to rare digestive condition
Stuart Woodward
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly5gkl3dg5o

Karmel Mall owner faces foreclosure suit against his Minneapolis apartments over maintenance issues
Basim Sabri contests many of the allegations in the suit made by Fannie Mae, mortgage holder on two apartment buildings he developed. (No Paywall)
by Mike Hughlett | The Minnesota Star Tribune
https://sahanjournal.com/news-partners/basim-sabri-karmel-apartments-fannie-mae-foreclosure-lawsuit/

2025.05.07

US supreme court allows Trump trans military ban to take effect
Justices rule ban can be enforced while challenge plays out in court, a decision that could lead to thousands discharged
Sam Levine
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/06/trump-trans-military-ban-court

Aardman announces third Shaun the Sheep movie: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
Studio promises ‘smashed pumpkins, wayward science and a wild hairy beast’ in third big-screen outing for the much beloved animation
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/07/aardman-announces-third-shaun-the-sheep-movie-the-beast-of-mossy-bottom

By calling a genocide a genocide, Andor just made its most political point yet
Tony Gilroy’s Star Wars show has repeatedly felt like it was ripped from today’s headlines – but Mon Mothma’s radical speech was written two years ago
Walter Marsh
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/07/by-calling-a-genocide-a-genocide-andor-just-made-its-most-political-point-yet

Gang who smuggled thousands of queen ants sentenced in Kenya
Akisa Wandera & Wycliffe Muia
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0x07pr8dno

2025.05.06

My coverage of the Met Gala:

Mall Park in Uptown: A missed opportunity for meaningful community engagement
Opposition to the redesign mostly came from renters adjacent to the Minneapolis park — not privileged residents fighting change.
by Mike Erlandson
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/05/mall-park-in-uptown-a-missed-opportunity-for-meaningful-community-engagement/

X-ray reveals ancient Greek author of charred first century BC Vesuvius scroll
Ink traces show text is part of work by Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, burned during AD79 volcano eruption
Ian Sample
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/06/x-ray-reveals-ancient-greek-author-of-charred-first-century-bc-vesuvius-scroll

Osteoarthritis study could lead to new treatments
Grace Shaw
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy48jynpm8wo

The enthusiast searching for stunning sea slugs
Zhara Simpson
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg1dk3km25o

I made a Wallace & Gromit contraption in real life! - Joseph's Machines

2025.05.05

Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison for ‘most ruthless offenders’
Plan to expand and reuse long-shuttered penitentiary off San Francisco described as ‘not serious’ by Nancy Pelosi
Edward Helmore and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/trump-plan-reopen-alcatraz-prison

Trump says non-US movies to be hit with 100% tariffs
Peter Hoskins Business reporter Maia Davies BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr7e2z1rxyo

US scientist who touted hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid named to pandemic prevention role
Steven J Hatfill, who promoted the drug despite scant evidence of efficacy, becomes special adviser at HHS
Chris Stein in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/covid-hydroxychloroquine-steve-hatfill

Madness, murder and rape on the Batavia: new theory on Australia’s most horrific shipwreck
Dutch academic says an ‘unlikely story about a mad heretic’ has been repeated for 400 years – and poses an alternative
Tory Shepherd
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/06/batavia-shipwreck-new-theory-what-happened

Three people killed after shooting in Phoenix restaurant
Five others injured while police say more than one person may have been firing a gun in Arizona restaurant
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/05/phoenix-arizona-shooting-restaurant

NZ airport to remove Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures
Koh Ewe
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7949plre0o

2025.05.04

Have you followed Trump’s 100-day disaster? Try this quiz!
Lawrence Douglas
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/04/trump-100-days-quiz

Trump feels tug of political gravity as economy falters and polls plunge
The president started his second term fast and furious with a flurry of activity – much of it legally dubious – but analysts say the honeymoon is over
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/trump-popularity-voters-economy-immigration

Trump says he doesn’t know if he needs to uphold constitutional due process
President also says he sees himself as leaving office at the end of his current term and not seeking a third one
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/trump-due-process-rights-constitution

Paris-based thriller offers fresh inside take on French-Tamil community
Writer, actor and director Lawrence Valin says that in Little Jaffna he wanted to ‘show new role models’
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/04/paris-based-thriller-offers-fresh-inside-take-on-french-tamil-community-little-jaffna

Are actors getting better (and ‘bett-ah’) at Australian accents?
No longer must we wince through a jarring Cockney-Kiwi mix: Hollywood has finally cracked Aussie dialects. Is it the teaching, the spread of Bluey, AI – or something else?
Donna Lu
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/03/are-actors-getting-better-and-bett-ah-at-australian-accents

‘It was born to be a champion’: How Dubai chocolate conquered the world
Soumya Gayatri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250502-how-dubai-chocolate-conquered-the-world

The bizarre space explosions scientists can’t explain
Jonathan O’Callaghan
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250502-cow-flares-the-bizarre-space-explosions-scientists-cant-explain

Scientists say they’ve found another source of gold in the cosmos
Ashley Strickland
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/03/science/magnetar-flare-cosmic-gold?Date=20250503&Profile=cnn&utm_content=1746272935&utm_medium=social&utm_source=threads

Vietnamese artists trace the fragments of war and refugee life in new St. Paul exhibit
Fifty years after the first wave of Vietnamese refugees arrived, five artists map the diasporic experience through art installations reimagining nail salons, prisons booths and border checkpoints.
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/vietnam-war-diaspora-art-exhibit-st-paul-minnesota/

2025.05.03

Once bitten, twice shy. But oft bitten? A Wisconsin man has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times. Often on purpose, it turns out. Tim Friede “began injecting himself with small doses of snake venom and then slowly increased the amount to try to build up tolerance. He would then let snakes bite him,” according to MPR News and Associated Press. Now scientists are studying his blood. Via MinnPost

‘Unparalleled’ snake antivenom made from man bitten 200 times
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5d0l7el36o

World may be ‘post-herd immunity’ to measles, top US scientist says
As infections pummel communities in the US, Mexico and Canada, fear of ‘the most contagious human disease’ grows
Jessica Glenza
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/03/measles-post-herd-immunity

Could DNA testing shed new light on 93-year mystery of Lindbergh baby case?
A new lawsuit seeks to examine ransom notes linked to the 1932 kidnap and murder of the transatlantic aviator’s son
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/03/lindbergh-baby-case-dna-testing

‘Clothes can contain a lot of emotion’: How black men have used flamboyant fashion to express pride and resistance
Deborah Nicholls-Lee
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250502-how-black-men-have-used-bold-fashion-as-resistance

From cassoulet in Carcassonne to patisseries in Paris – a tour of France in 10 classic dishes
France does many foods exceptionally well, but certain areas offer unique and exceptional culinary experiences. We select 10 delicacies and the best regions in which to try them
Carolyn Boyd
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/may/03/culinary-tour-of-france-french-food

The artichoke so prized that people sell fakes
Catherine Bennett
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250502-the-artichoke-so-prized-that-people-sell-fakes

Ribbon cutting for ‘modern Asian mall’ at new Pan Asian Center in Maplewood planned for this weekend
Toua Xiong’s long-range redevelopment plan for former Sears and Macy’s stores includes retail, restaurants, offices, a spa and event center.
by Alfonzo Galva
https://sahanjournal.com/business-work/pan-asian-center-maplewood-mall-redevelopment/

My local Shuang Hur Supermarket’s meat guy retired. They’ve lost the duck roaster! The whole pig roaster! Ittsa calamity!
http://shuanghur.com/

2025.05.02

Elliot Hughes at the Star Tribune reports: “Jill Sobule, whose 1995 single “I Kissed a Girl” was the first song with openly gay themes to hit the Billboard Top 20, died Thursday morning in a house fire in Woodbury.” Via MinnPost
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/05/i-kissed-a-girl-singer-killed-in-woodbury-house-fire/

Groundbreaking musician Jill Sobule dies in house fire
George Wright
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4l9nxjd0o

Trump officials gut 25 centers that monitor flooding and drought in the US
White House orders closure of USGS water science centers, which shares data with weather service for flood warnings
Tom Perkins
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/02/trump-administration-united-states-geological-service

Moldy food, used underwear: inside the US prisons where Trump is jailing immigrants
As Trump dramatically expands detention, immigrants are moved to notorious penitentiaries where they report horrific conditions
Sam Levin in Los Angeles
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/trump-immigrants-federal-prisons

Mummy mystery solved: ‘air-dried’ priest was embalmed via rectum
Method of preserving 18th-century Austrian vicar has never been seen before, say researchers
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/02/mummy-mystery-solved-air-dried-priest-was-embalmed-via-rectum

David Beckham at 50: his gorgeous, outrageous life in 50 pictures
One of the most photographed men in the world, he has gone from captain of the England football team to elder statesman. We look back at the red cards, redemption, scandals, fashion and family life
Tim Dowling on David Beckham at 50
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/02/david-beckham-at-50-his-gorgeous-outrageous-life-in-50-pictures

Archaeological project maps historic boat sheds on Isles of Scilly
‘Pilot gigs’ were crucial for islanders for centuries and 90 important sites housing the boats have been identified
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/02/archaeological-project-maps-historic-boat-sheds-isles-of-scilly

‘Delicious seafood served with charm and ice-cold white wine’: readers’ favourite restaurants in France
From a hidden gem in Nice to a rustic revelation in Beaujolais and a bargain bistro in Brittany
Guardian readers
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/may/02/readers-favourite-restaurants-in-france

Thunderbolts* to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: 12 of the best films to watch this May
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250423-12-of-the-best-films-to-watch-in-may


Public Functionary launches free series by local filmmakers of color
Also this weekend: A community open mic honors elders at Indigenous Roots Cafe and a pop-up market at Eat Street Crossing features 26 local makers and six food vendors.
by Myah Goff
https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/twin-cities-things-to-do-film-screenings-open-mic-pop-up-market/

2025.05.01

Robert De Niro supports daughter Airyn as she comes out as trans: ‘I don’t know what the big deal is’
After her announcement of her transition, the actor said: ‘I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter’
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/01/robert-de-niro-daughter-airyn-trans

Lawyers for New Orleans clergy abuse survivors ramp up pressure to depose archbishop
Lawyers for hundreds of survivors argue Gregory Aymond should be questioned under oath about role in the clergy abuse crisis
David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-archbishop

Justice department civil rights division loses 70% of lawyers under Trump
More than 250 lawyers have left or been reassigned since January as critics fear ‘end of the division as we’ve known it’
Sam Levine in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/01/civil-rights-division-doj-trump

In the US, not even $11,000 a month can buy you dignity at the end of your life
After watching my father’s struggle in a system that values profit over compassion, I wonder: how much longer will we accept a future where most of us lose our sense of human worth in old age?
Laura Fraser
https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2025/may/01/nursing-home-assisted-living-costs-care

Shoes on at home or shoes off? If you care about your health, it’s a no-brainer
Polly Hudson
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2025/apr/30/shoes-on-at-home-or-shoes-off-if-you-care-about-your-health-its-a-no-brainer

Trial aims to silence tinnitus before it takes hold
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cd02x42z0ndo

The Underground Railroad went all the way to Canada – and a new photo exhibit preserves that legacy
For an estimated 30,000 Black people, the journey from enslavement in the US ended north of the border
Adria R Walker
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/01/canada-underground-railroad

Tate Modern: 25 jaw-dropping and unforgettable moments from the first 25 years
When the gallery opened in 2000, it transformed the artistic life of Britain – and the world. We look back at spiders, splinters, sexual dependency and sunsets
By Dale Berning Sawa, Eddy Frankel, Tim Jonze, Charlotte Jansen, Oliver Wainwright and Evan Moffitt
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/01/tate-modern-25-jaw-dropping-and-unforgettable-moments-from-the-first-25-years

Dachshunds, kangaroos and a tortoise on the loose – take the Thursday quiz
Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?
Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/01/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-208

That…: 10 of the best TV shows to watch this May
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250429-10-of-the-best-tv-shows-to-watch-this-may

2025.04.30

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy, err. night
US economy shrinks in first quarter of Trump 2.0 amid sweeping tariffs
Drop comes amid a huge fall in consumer sentiment which in April dropped 32% to lowest level since 1990 recession
Lauren Aratani
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/30/economy-gdp-q1-trump-tariffs

We are witnessing slow constitutional collapse in the US
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2025/apr/30/we-are-witnessing-slow-constitutional-collapse-in-the-us

The US left Vietnam 50 years ago today. The media hasn’t learned its lesson
Norman Solomon
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/01/us-vietnam-war-media

Florida to become second state to ban fluoride in water, alarming experts
Following Utah, Florida passes DeSantis-backed bill to block flouride use, ignoring CDC guidance on child health risks
Jessica Glenza and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/30/florida-fluoride-water-ban

Erin Patterson concocted cancer diagnosis to ensure children missed fatal mushroom lunch, murder trial hears
Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she served at her house in South Gippsland in 2023
Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/30/erin-patterson-mushroom-poisonings-murder-trial-ntwnfb

Runaway kangaroo on the loose named Sheila shuts down Alabama interstate
Marsupial spotted hopping along side of interstate before police surrounded area and owner used dart to tranquilize it
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/kangaroo-sheila-alabama

Woman’s eyesight saved by cutting-edge test after mystery infection
Fergus Walsh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx45vze0vyo

The experts: neurologists on 17 simple ways to look after your brain
Sleep well, swap butter for olive oil, learn a musical instrument – or embrace some other ‘magnificent obsession’. Here is what doctors do themselves to delay the onset of cognitive decline
Sarah Phillips
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/30/the-experts-neurologists-on-17-simple-ways-to-look-after-your-brain

Scientists use live human brain tissue to speed up hunt for dementia cure
Exclusive: British team exposed live cells to toxic proteins to gather rare insight into how dementia develops
Andrew Gregory Health editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/30/scientists-use-living-human-brain-tissue-mimic-early-stages-alzheimers

Billion year old meteorite ‘influenced early life’
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg3pg4edro

Piers Morgan warns rise of YouTube is a ‘wake-up moment’ for traditional media
Presenter is expanding his own business on the platform and likens change to when vinyl music went digital
Michael Savage Media editor
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/apr/30/piers-morgan-warns-rise-of-youtube-is-a-wake-up-moment-for-traditional-media

Is Doctor Who doomed?
With record low ratings and Ncuti Gatwa rumoured to be departing, the Time Lord faces an uncertain future. Could this be it for good?Martin Belam
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/30/is-doctor-who-doomed-ncuti-gatwa-russell-t-davies

Carême review – a sexy French romp about a chef who’s too spicy to handle
It’s hard to resist this moreish story about Napoleon’s renegade pastry chef (who is also a spy). Orgies, opium and tantalising fun with whipped cream are all on the menu
Rebecca Nicholson
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/30/careme-review-french-superchef-drama-is-bake-off-in-the-tuileries-even-if-its-not-the-bear

Thunderbolts* review – Florence Pugh is saving grace of Marvel’s hit-and-miss mess
The Oscar nominated actor is the most impressive member of a ragtag Suicide Squad-esque team in an often charmingly unusual yet still baggy adventure
Radheyan Simonpillai
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/29/thunderbolts-review-florence-pugh-marvel

2025.04.29

Jeremy Olsen at the Star Tribune reports: “Minnesota is entering a bittersweet phase in its fight against HIV: Improved treatments have helped people with the disease live so long that they are dying of other age-related causes.” Via MinnPost

100 days of Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/29/trump-100-days-president

Trump’s first 100 days – in numbers
We measure this presidency so far on polling, actions, economy and immigration.
https://www.bbc.com/news/resources/idt-17e9c07b-93f4-45b3-9558-7590b9eaf3ad

Trump 100 days: delusions of monarchy coupled with fundamental ineptitude
Trump has wasted no time in trying to remake the US in his image – with results that are sweeping, vengeful and chaotic
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/trump-100-days-doge-trade-wars-economy

How much has Elon Musk’s Doge cut from US government spending?
Lucy Gilder, Jake Horton and the Data Science team
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4j33klz33o

Irish woman living in US for decades detained by immigration officials
Cliona Ward, who had returned from trip to Ireland, held over criminal record from almost 20 years ago
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/irish-woman-cliona-ward-us-detained-immigration

‘I didn’t know they existed’: US exhibition highlights rarely seen Picasso artwork
Gagosian, New York
Veronica Esposito
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/29/picasso-gagosian-exhibition-new-york

Drinking champagne could reduce risk of sudden cardiac arrest, study suggests
Maintaining a positive mood and eating more fruit may also help lower risk, researchers find
Andrew Gregory Health editor
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/29/drink-champagne-reduce-risk-sudden-cardiac-arrest-study-suggests