Hillary Clinton's lack of empathy has her limping to the finish line | TheNews Linzer

As the California primary looms, building a rapport with voters – an emotional connection with working Americans – must be Clinton’s biggest priority

This is a time of high anxiety for supporters of Hillary Clinton.

The polls show a tightening race between Clinton and a Republican nominee who, among other things, wants to date his own daughter, deport 11 million US residents, and start a trade war with China.

Other polls show a close contest in the final Democratic primary in California, between Clinton and a challenger who, among other things, wants to raise taxes on everyone and is proud to call himself a socialist.

Since the only common factor in these two sets of troubling polls is Hillary Clinton, there must be a connection. Right?

Wrong. Let’s start with the Democratic race against Bernie Sanders, who shows no sign of throwing in the towel in this nomination battle.

The most recent polling last week, by the Public Policy Institute of California, shows that Clinton is leading Sanders by just two points, down from a seven-point lead in March.




Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis:  Tuesday 31 May 2016 17.19 BST

Donald Trump has Bill Clinton's past in his sights – how should Hillary respond? | TheNews Linzer

When the Republican presumptive nominee dredges up historical sexual allegations against the former president, is it better to rise above or hit back?

Sanders condemns 'anointment' of Clinton as feud with party intensifies | TheNews Linzer

Senator criticizes Democrats’ ‘undemocratic’ party process
Clinton says general election polls this early ‘mean nothing’
Clinton: Trump presidency will put ‘kids at risk of violence and bigotry’

Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales lead England rally after Sri Lanka strike | TheNews Linzer

 First Test, day one: England 171-5 v Sri Lanka
Alex Hales (71*) and Jonny Bairstow (54*) counterattack from 83-5

Muirfield loses right to hold Open after voting to remain men-only | TheNews Linzer

Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which runs Muirfield course in East Lothian, continues policy of excluding women

Bernie Sanders wins Oregon primary while Clinton claims narrow win in Kentucky | TheNews Linzer

Sanders overcame state’s closed primary, which allows only registered Democrats – not independents – to vote, while Clinton declared victory in Kentucky

New York announces country's first major policy initiative for young women | TheNews Linzer

City council speaker reveals more than 100 policy recommendations, including free long-term contraceptives and expanding job programs

More than 100 policy recommendations to benefit young women – from hiring a police liaison for abortion centers to creating a fund for free long-term contraceptives – were announced by the New York City council speaker on Monday, in the country’s first large policy report to focus on young women.

Similar to Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper, a program aimed at supporting young black men nationwide, New York’s Young Women’s Initiative is the first time young women, specifically women of color and trans women, have been the focus of a major policy initiative.

Young women, particularly young women of color, are “in the business of opening doors and shattering glass ceilings”, said the city council speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, the first Latina to hold the role. She called on more young women to run for political office, and the report encourages the hiring of young women in city departments. Mesothelioma Law Firm, Donate Car 





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis:  Monday 16 May 2016 22.43 BST

Arsenal finish second as Olivier Giroud hat-trick sees off Aston Villa | TheNews Linzer

Premier League Emirates Stadium

It has happened again. For the 21st season in succession Arsenal finished above Tottenham Hotspur, and this time the result came coated in black comedy – at least, as far as the red half of north London was concerned.

Arsenal’s victory here against the most abject Aston Villa team in recent memory was never in doubt and, when it was coupled with Tottenham’s 5-1 capitulation at Newcastle United, the Emirates Stadium crowd could laugh and gloat loudly. A few weeks ago, Spurs were vying with Leicester City for the title. But they must now reflect on having somehow trailed in third in a two-horse race. How Arsenal gloried in it all and the Emirates Stadium has not felt this happy for quite some time.

Olivier Giroud was barracked by sections of the home crowd but he still managed to score a hat-trick and the occasion was completed when Mikel Arteta, the club captain, came on as a late substitute on his farewell appearance. He almost marked it with a goal, too, but his injury-time shot came back off the crossbar, hit the Villa goalkeeper Mark Bunn and went in for an own goal. Continue reading.. Mesothelioma Law Firm,Donate Car to Charity California





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis:  Sunday 15 May 2016 00.33 BST

Ukraine wins Eurovision song contest with politically charged 1944 | TheNews Linzer

Singer Jamala calls for ‘peace and love’ after beating rivals with ballad about deportation of Crimean Tatars, seen as criticism of Russia’s actions in 2014

Ukraine has won the 2016 Eurovision song contest with an entry whose politically charged lyrics have caused tensions with neighbouring Russia. Singer-songwriter Jamala was crowned the winner for her haunting rendition of the ballad 1944, which evoked the deportation of Crimean Tatars by Josef Stalin and has been interpreted as a criticism of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. As she collected her trophy, she pleaded for “peace and love”. 

Before the final, which was held in Stockholm on Saturday evening and seen by many as the most politicised edition of the competition to date, Jamala had said her victory would show that Europeans were “ready to hear about the pain of other people”.

Jamala, whose real name is Susana Jamaladynova, is herself a Crimean Tatar who has not been home since shortly after Russia’s 2014 annexation of the peninsula. Her parents and extended family still live there.

“[If I win,] it will mean that modern European people are not indifferent, and are ready to hear about the pain of other people and are ready to sympathise,” Jamala told the Guardian by phone from the Swedish capital shortly before the contest. Mesothelioma Law Firm, Donate Car to Charity California.





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis:  Sunday 15 May 2016 00.33 BST

Facebook trends: Zuckerberg invites top conservatives to talk and denies bias | TheNews Linzer

As Facebook battles a report accusing it of suppressing conservative news, CEO says he plans to ‘invite leading conservatives ... to share their point of view’

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he plans to invite “leading conservatives and people from across the political spectrum” to talk with him about accusations of political bias at the social media company.

Zuckerberg made the announcement Thursday evening in a Facebook post that continued to deny the allegations of bias and the claim that the Facebook trending topics team suppresses conservative news.

“We have found no evidence that this report is true,” he wrote. “If we find anything against our principles, you have my commitment that we will take additional steps to address it.”


On Monday, Gizmodo reported that contracted workers at Facebook “routinely suppressed news stories of interest to conservative readers” and artificially “inject” stories into the trending topics section, citing anonymous former “news curators”.

Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Friday 13 May 2016 07.10 BST

Academy trust lauded by Cameron falls apart as executive head quits | TheNews Linzer

Exclusive: Resignation of Liam Nolan and governing board of Perry Beeches in Birmingham in wake of damning report leaves five schools without sponsors

The Birmingham multi-academy trust once celebrated by David Cameron as among the best in Britain has collapsed, leaving the five schools it runs with mounting debts and an uncertain future.

Parents and staff at the Perry Beeches academy chain in Birmingham will be told on Wednesday that Liam Nolan, the trust’s guiding force, has resigned from the organisation as executive head, having earlier stepped down as the trust’s chief executive after an investigation uncovered financial mismanagement.

An “exit statement” from the trust obtained by the Guardian reads: “Liam Nolan has presented his resignation from the post of CEO/executive headteacher at the Perry Beeches academy trust. He has made this decision to allow the necessary changes required to move the trust forward.” Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 10 May 2016 23.25 BST

Instagram unveils new logo, but it's not quite picture perfect | TheNews Linzer

Photo sharing app unveils new sunset-coloured logo and a sleeker in-app look, but opinion is mixed

Instagram, the photo sharing app owned by Facebook, responsible for such cultural highlights as hot-dog legs, The Fat Jewish memes and Rich Kids of, well, Instagram, has debuted a new logo.

The previous one, a retro-looking camera, and one of the most recognisable tech logos out there, has been replaced by a background swirl of sunset colours (orange, yellow, pink, purple) and a white outline of a camera. As if the camera was murdered, and chalk was drawn around its body. Murdered at sundown. Here it is:

The new logo was announced via a blog post, a longer post on Medium from head of design, Ian Spalter, and also a short introductory film. The kind that is usually intensely annoying, but actually this one is quite cute (warning though: the end has a lot of flashing and intense colours). Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 11 May 2016 15.55 BST

UK's 'golden era' with China in balance after Queen comments | TheNews Linzer

Monarch heard accusing Chinese officials of being rude to ambassador in connection with President Xi’s state visit last year



China has refused to say whether a “golden era” of relations with Britain still exists, after the Queen was caught on camera accusing Beijing officials of being rude.

In a discussion with a senior Metropolitan police officer, the Queen was heard accusing unnamed Chinese representatives of being “very rude” to the British ambassador in connection with President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to Britain last year.

The Queen was apparently unaware that the camera had picked up her comments to Metropolitan police commander Lucy D’Orsi, filmed by a pool cameraman working on behalf of British broadcasters during a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

When D’Orsi was introduced as the officer responsible for security during the visit, the Queen was heard to say: “Oh, bad luck.” Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 11 May 2016 11.10 BST

More than 1,200 new planets discovered through Nasa Kepler space telescope | TheNews Linzer

More than doubling the number of confirmed planets orbiting alien stars, astronomers said that the discovery is a step toward finding Earth-like planets

Nasa added more than 1,200 new planets to the known galaxy on Tuesday, more than doubling the number of confirmed planets orbiting alien stars.

Revealing data from the Kepler space telescope, the astronomers said that the discovery is a step toward finding Earth-like planets. “This gives us hope that somewhere out there, around a star much like ours, we can eventually discover another Earth,” said Ellen Stofan, Nasa’s chief scientist.

Analysis on data from Kepler found that 1,284 candidates have a 99% chance of being a planet, of 4,302 potential planets detected by the telescope. Kepler searches in particular for planets in the “habitable zone” – close enough to a star for water to pool on the surface of a planet. Not so close that the star scorches water out of existence, as on Mercury, and not so far that water only persists as ice, as on Pluto. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 10 May 2016 20.21 BST

Obama visit to Hiroshima should not be viewed as an apology, White House says | TheNews Linzer

Obama ‘will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb’ at the end of the second world war as he makes first visit to city by a sitting US president

Barack Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima should not be interpreted as an apology, his spokesman said on Tuesday in the wake of the announcement that Obama would become the first sitting president to visit the site where the US dropped an atomic bomb in 1945, killing an estimated 140,000 people in the final days of the second world war.

Asked if the trip might be seen as an apology, the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, replied: “If people do interpret it that way, they’ll be interpreting it wrongly.”

Earnest declined to comment on the morality of America’s decision to drop the atomic bomb, for which there have been calls for the country to apologise. He said: “The president intends to visit to send a much more forward-looking signal for his ambition of realising the goal of a planet without nuclear weapons.” Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 10 May 2016 20.07 BST

Sanders wins West Virginia primary as Trump rolls on toward convention | TheNews Linzer

Sanders’ victory does little to narrow Clinton’s large delegate lead, while presumptive Republican nominee claims wins in West Virginia and Nebraska

A defiant Bernie Sanders refused to go gently into the night on Tuesday with another last-minute primary win over Hillary Clinton that comes despite her commanding lead in the national race for delegates.

In a fundraising email sent out soon after polls closed, the leftwing senator hailed his victory in West Virginia and said: “Every vote we earn and every delegate we secure sends an unmistakable message about the values we share, the country’s support for the ideas of our campaign, and a rejection of Donald Trump and his values.”

He added: “There is nothing I would like more than to take on and defeat Donald Trump, someone who must never become president of this country. But I believe that it is not enough to just reject Trump – this is an opportunity to define a progressive vision for America. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 11 May 2016 02.26 BST

Olympics 2016: Brazil World Cup winner Rivaldo warns tourists to avoid Rio |TheNews Linzer

• Former Fifa world player of year says violence is ‘getting uglier’
• Wider public concerns over Zika virus and political turmoil

Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is telling tourists to stay away from the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because of the danger of endemic violence.

Rivaldo posted the warning on his Instagram account and alluded to the case of a 17-year-old woman killed on Saturday in a shootout.

“Things are getting uglier here every day,” Rivaldo wrote. “I advise everyone with plans to visit Brazil for the Olympics in Rio — to stay home. You’ll be putting your life at risk here. This is without even speaking about the state of public hospitals and all the Brazilian political mess. Only God can change the situation in our Brazil.”

The Olympics open in just under three months.

In a recent statement, Amnesty International said at least 11 people were killed in police shootings in Rio’s impoverished favelas in April. It said at least 307 people were killed by police last year, accounting for 20% of the homicides in the city. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Monday 9 May 2016 18.24 BST

Obama to become first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima |TheNews Linzer

The US president ‘will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb’ at the end of the second world war, national security adviser Ben Rhodes says

Barack Obama has announced he will visit Hiroshima, Japan, becoming the first sitting president to visit the site where the US dropped an atomic bomb in 1945, killing an estimated 140,000 people the final days of the second world war.

In a statement the White House confirmed the visit, saying Obama’s visit will “highlight his continued commitment to pursuing peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons”. Obama will be joined with prime minister Shinzo Abe, who is hosting the G7 summit in Ise-Shima later this month.

Earlier this month White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the president does not believe the US should apologize for its use of atom bombs on Japan in 1945, a point reiterated by national security adviser Ben Rhodes on Tuesday.

Obama “will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II”, Rhodes wrote in a post on Medium. “This visit will offer an opportunity to honor the memory of all innocents who were lost during the war.” Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 10 May 2016 14.16 BST

North Carolina's 'bathroom bill' battle embarrasses residents on both sides | TheNews Linzer

The escalating fight over LGBT rights has turned the historically sophisticated, inclusive southern state into a battleground of intolerance

In the family of southern states, North Carolina has long been the cousin who made it.

It enjoyed excellent universities, world-class industries, smooth roads and political stability. A whole class of people arose called “halfbacks”: people who retired from the north-east states to Florida, only to realize North Carolina was better and moved halfway back.

Now, with the state squaring off against the federal government about who can use which bathrooms, the state finds itself at the pointy end of jokes, and lumped in with more strident southern states like Mississippi and – most bitterly – South Carolina.

It’s unfamiliar for North Carolinians. It’s uncomfortable. And many are asking: how did we get here? How did the high-achieving, well-educated cousin end up with a black eye and busted knuckles, reeling over a public toilet? Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 10 May 2016 13.09 BST

Paul Ryan offers to step down as GOP convention chair if Donald Trump asks |TheNews Linzer

The speaker of House, who has declined to endorse the presumptive Republican nominee, made comment as Trump chasm between party leaders widens

Paul Ryan told reporters on Monday that he is willing to step down from role as co-chairman of the Republican National Convention in July if Donald Trump asks him to do so.

The comment, made in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, was the latest sign that many Republican leaders are willing to walk away from their party’s presumptive nominee and distance themselves from the controversy and chaos of his campaign. Many believe Trump will lose badly in a general election, and that he could take senators and representatives down with him.

Ryan declined to endorse Trump last week, telling CNN: “I’m just not ready to do that at this point. I’m not there right now.”

Trump at first responded with statement: “I am not ready to support Speaker Ryan’s agenda.”

He later expressed disappointment, telling NBC on Sunday: “He called me, I think, to congratulate me about New York, ’cause I won by massive numbers.” Continue reading....





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Monday 9 May 2016 14.50 EDT

Donald Trump: I don't need Republican unity to win | TheNews Linzer

• Donald Trump expresses surprise at Paul Ryan’s withheld support
• Palin vows to campaign against speaker but McCain will back nominee

Facing rebellion from within his own party, Donald Trump has dismissed unity as a prerequisite for winning the White House in November.

“I think it would be better if it were unified,” said the presumptive Republican nominee in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press broadcast on Sunday. “And I think there would be something good about it. But I don’t think it actually has to be.”

Trump’s last two opponents in a rumbustious primary, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, dropped out abruptly this week. Senior Republicans, including former presidents George HW Bush and George W Bush and House speaker Paul Ryan, subsequently refused to endorse him.

Trump’s lack of support within the Republican party, especially from elected officials who will also facing voters in November, has come as a striking rebuke to his candidacy. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Monday 9 May 2016 08.02 BST

Facebook to sponsor GOP convention despite Zuckerberg's veiled dig at Trump

In April, Zuckerberg talked of ‘fearful voices building walls’ – but Facebook insists that sponsorship of Republican convention is not an endorsement

Facebook will sponsor the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer providing “financial and other support” – despite pressure from progressive organizations and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s own veiled criticisms of presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric.

“This support allows Facebook to facilitate an open dialogue among voters, candidates and elected officials during the conventions, just as it has during other critical moments in the US elections and in elections around the world,” Erin Egan, Facebook’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.

Facebook maintains that its sponsorship of the GOP convention, which will reportedly include a “lounge”, does not constitute an endorsement, but the announcement has angered a coalition of organizations that have launched campaigns urging technology companies and other corporations not to sponsor the party of Trump. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Friday 6 May 2016 20.32 BST

Panama Papers: US launches crackdown on international tax evasion

Barack Obama is taking executive action to close loopholes used by foreigners in US, White House announces

Barack Obama is launching a crackdown on international tax evasion in response to recent disclosures in the Panama Papers revealing the scale of offshore financial activity.

In a series of initiatives announced by the White House on Thursday night, the president will take executive action to close loopholes used by foreigners in the US and call on Congress to pass legislation

Though the later steps may hit political obstacles in an election year, the package of measures are among the most comprehensive response yet to the Panama Papers revelations, disclosed by a consortium of international journalists including The Guardian. 

“In recent weeks, the disclosure of the so-called ‘Panama Papers’ – millions of leaked documents reportedly revealing the use of anonymous offshore shell companies – has brought the issues of illicit financial activity and tax evasion into the spotlight,” said the White House in a statement. Continue reading...

Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Friday 6 May 2016 02.07 BST

Neither George HW nor George W Bush will endorse Donald Trump

Non-endorsements come as Trump has become presumptive nominee and many have tried to come to terms with fact that he will be party’s standard-bearer

Neither George HW nor George W Bush, the only two living former Republican presidents of the United States, will endorse Donald Trump.

In statements released to the Guardian on Wednesday evening, spokesmen for both former presidents said they would be sitting out the 2016 election. Freddy Ford, a spokesman for George W Bush, told the Guardian: “President George W Bush does not plan to participate in or comment on the presidential campaign.”

The statement by the 43rd president was echoed in one released by his father. Jim McGrath, a spokesman for George HW Bush, told the Guardian: “At age 91, President Bush is retired from politics. He naturally did a few things to help Jeb, but those were the ‘exceptions that proved the rule’.” Continue reading...

Published By - Theguardian.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Thursday 5 May 2016 07.41 BST

Today Only: Uber is Delivering Puppies in Celebration of Puppy Bowl XII

Having a ruff week? For those struggling to get over the hump, Uber has just the thing.

Today and today only, the mobile ride hail company is offering users in seven cities the chance to book a puppy playdate in celebration of Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl, whose upcoming 12th edition will see over 80 adoptable dogs face off in a model Super Bowl stadium hours before the big game.

For a $30 fee, riders in Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York can summon the paw-esome troupe for a 15-minute cuddle session via the Uber app. (Clients in New York and D.C. can enter “PUPPYNYC” or “PUPPIESDC” to unlock the special “PUPPIES” option.)





Published By - forbes.com- Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: 

20 best Chinese recipes: part 2

Stuffed squid, a classic Peking duck and stir-fried clams: OFM’s collection of Chinese recipes from cooks including Yan-kit So and Hunan’s Mr Peng

Mr Peng’s stuffed baby squid

Both chicken and prawn mince work well as a stuffing for the squid here, though chicken offers a greater contrast in texture after cooking. Try the squid with other sauces too, like sweet and sour sauce or sweet chilli sauce etc.

The punchy Sichuan chilli sauce is essential to Hunan’s cooking, and the Sichuan peppercorns lend their characteristic numbing spice to many of our dishes. You need a lot of oil to make this sauce as it captures the flavours of the chilli and also helps to preserve it. When the sauce settles, you should have a layer of oil on top. If you add too much, you can always use the excess as chilli oil. Continue reading...

Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 3 May 2016 08.00 BST

Chanel's Havana show: controversy, communism and Tony Castro

Staging an elite fashion show in a country with an annual salary of £3,000 is rife with complications, but it’s also classic Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld likes to ruffle feathers almost as much as he likes to make ballgowns out of them. Remember the Feministe fashion show? The time he dissed sweatpants? That time he dissed ADELE, for freak’s sake?

His latest spotlight-grabbing setpiece was to stage a catwalk show in communist-ruled Cuba less than a year into the warming of diplomatic relations with the west. Lagerfeld told Reuters the show was a homage to the “cultural richness and opening up of Cuba”. But the staging of an elite fashion event in a country with an average annual salary of £3,000 was always likely to court controversy. Chanel goods are not available to buy in Cuba.

Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 4 May 2016 12.47 BST

Google given access to healthcare data of up to 1.6 million patients

Artificial intelligence firm DeepMind provided with patient information as part of agreement with Royal Free NHS trust

A company owned by Google has been given access to the healthcare data of up to 1.6 million patients from three hospitals run by a major London NHS trust.

DeepMind, the tech giant’s London-based company most famous for its innovative use of artificial intelligence, is being provided with the patient information as part of an agreement with the Royal Free NHS trust, which runs the Barnet, Chase Farm and Royal Free hospitals.

It includes information about people who are HIV-positive as well as details of drug overdoses, abortions and patient data from the past five years, according to a report by the New Scientist.

DeepMind announced in February that it was developing a software in partnership with NHS hospitals to alert staff to patients at risk of deterioration and death through kidney failure. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 4 May 2016 00.34 BST

Indiana primary: 10 things we learned on an eventful night

Trump emerged as the presumptive Republican nominee in Tuesday night’s primary as Cruz left the race and Sanders won an upset victory over Clinton

We’re going to wrap up our live coverage of the Indiana primaries shortly. Here’s what happened:

• Donald Trump emerged as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee with a resounding victory in Indiana, as Ted Cruz suspended his presidential campaign.
• Bernie Sanders scored an upset victory over Hillary Clinton, though the two split the delegate pile. Sanders vowed the nominating race was not over.
• Cruz did not mention Trump as he mothballed his campaign but called for the Republican party to look to the far horizon (his 2020 bid?).
• “I’m sorry to say, it appears that path [to victory] has been foreclosed,” Cruz said. “We gave it everything we’ve got.”

Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 4 May 2016 04.07 BST

Ted Cruz suspends campaign, clearing path for Trump to get nomination

Texas senator quits the race after losing to Donald Trump in Indiana, while Bernie Sanders beats Hillary Clinton



Ted Cruz suspended his campaign on Tuesday after a crushing defeat in Indiana’s primary, leaving the way clear for Donald Trump to become the Republican nominee for president.

The Texas senator, who rose to fame with his quixotic 17-day attempt to shut down the government, was the last remaining competitor to Trump with a clear shot at the nomination. However, after staking his campaign on a win in Indiana, Cruz suffered an overwhelming loss in the Hoosier State.

In an inclusive victory speech in which he tried to heal some of the open wounds of the past year and begin the long and very difficult process of unifying the party, Trump had kind words for his vanquished rival.

“I don’t know if he likes me or doesn’t like me,” he said of the senator for Texas. “But he is one hell of a competitor. He has an amazing future.” Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Wednesday 4 May 2016 01.46 BST

Ted Cruz bruised in Indiana as Leicester City stage huge soccer upset

Republican candidate heckled by 12-year-old on eve of primary as England witnesses a sporting fairytale



High noon for Ted Cruz in Indiana
Donald Trump is on the verge of a win in Indiana tonight that would leave him the likely Republican nominee. One recent public poll had the real estate mogul up 15 points over rival Ted Cruz, who was heckled by a 12-year-old and quizzed about his birthplace while his wife faced questions over whether he was a serial killer yesterday. Oh, and he seemed to ignore his running mate Carly Fiorina falling off the stage. These indignities and others came on the last day of campaigning in a state he desperately needs to win in order to continue his strategy of denying Donald Trump the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination. Here’s where the delegate count stands for both parties. On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton is a few points ahead of Bernie Sanders in the polls. Results are expected some time after 6pm ET and we’ll have live coverage throughout the evening. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 3 May 2016 13.27 BST

20 best Chinese recipes: part 1

The first instalment of Observer Food Monthly’s collection of the best Chinese recipes, including dishes from Kenneth Lo and Fuchsia Dunlop

Kenneth Lo’s egg fried rice
Simple as it is, this is a satisfying dish to eat even with only a very limited amount of accompaniments, such as some chopped pickles, or just a tablespoon or two of soy sauce.

Serves 2-3, with at least one other dish
onion 1 medium-sized
eggs 2
salt 1 tsp
spring onions 2
vegetable oil 3½ tbsp
cooked rice 1½ bowls, cold

Slice and coarsely chop the onion. Break the eggs into a cup, add the salt and beat with a fork for 10 seconds. Clean and cut the spring onions into fine shavings. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Monday 2 May 2016 08.00 BST

'America is a better country without you': Ted Cruz's very bad day

Candidate is heckled by a child, quizzed about his birthplace and facing questions over whether he’s a serial killer – all while polling behind in Indiana



Politicians who run for president are used to scorn, mockery and a healthy skepticism from the American people. But few have been heckled by a 12-year-old, questioned about their Canadian birth, or had their spouse field questions about their resemblance to a serial killer. All in one day.

Ted Cruz suffered all this and more on Monday in Indiana, a state where he desperately needs to do well if he wants to preserve any hope of winning the Republican nomination for president. Simple arithmetic eliminated Cruz from an outright victory two weeks ago, but he has clung to the possibility that he could deny Donald Trump the 1,237 delegates a candidate needs to win the primary election.

Indiana and California are the two largest states that could tilt the race in favor of a contested convention, in which Cruz would have a chance of beating Trump. But Cruz, called “Lucifer in the flesh” by one of his former colleagues in Congress last week, found little more love in Indiana than in Washington. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Monday 2 May 2016 23.06 BST

Frozen fans urge Disney to give Elsa a girlfriend in sequel

Twitter campaign calls on producers to use Frozen 2 to reveal that blockbuster’s heroine is a lesbian

Twitter users are calling for Disney to give its Frozen heroine Elsa a girlfriend in the blockbuster’s keenly anticipated sequel.

The record-breaking and critically acclaimed 2013 animated film tells of Princess Elsa’s struggle to master her magical powers to reconnect with her sister Anna.

It was widely construed as the studio’s first foray into feminism because it eschewed a traditional happy-ever-after with a prince in favour of sisterly devotion.

Now Twitter users have called upon Disney to give Elsa a girlfriend in Frozen 2, which is currently in production.

Alexis Isabel was the first to use the hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend on Sunday, tagging the studio in her tweet. It has since been retweeted more than 1,500 times. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Tuesday 3 May 2016 04.46 BST

Bernie Sanders vows a contested convention despite 'tough road' ahead

The underdog presidential candidate in the Democratic primary admitted ‘uphill climb’ to nomination but promised to shape the party’s future

Bernie Sanders acknowledged “an uphill climb” ahead of him in the Democratic nomination race on Sunday, but vowed to continue battling against Hillary Clinton despite his diminishing chances of catching her.

In a press conference to mark the one-year anniversary of an insurgent campaign that few ever imagined, he also revealed plans for a new series of mega-rallies in California and renewed calls on the party’s handpicked superdelegates to change their allegiances before this summer’s national convention.

The Vermont senator conceded that in order for such appeals to make a difference, he would also have to win a majority of the remaining “pledged delegates”, whose votes are fixed according to election results. He would require him to win 65% of those 1,083 in remaining states to have a chance. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Sunday 1 May 2016 22.16 BST

Duchess of Cambridge to be Vogue cover star

Pictures taken by British fashion photographer Josh Olins will hang in National Portrait Gallery as part of exhibition to mark magazine’s centenary

The Duchess of Cambridge is to appear on the front cover of the British edition of Vogue to mark the magazine’s centenary.

Several more pictures of the duchess will appear inside the magazine, and two of the photographs will go on public display in London on Sunday 1 May.

The photographs, taken by British photographer Josh Olins, will hang in the National Portrait Gallery, where the duchess has been a patron since 2012.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The duchess was delighted to play a part in celebrating the centenary of an institution that has given a platform to some of the most renowned photographers in this country’s history.

“She is incredibly grateful to the team at Vogue and at the National Portrait Gallery for asking her to take part. Continue reading..,





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Saturday 30 April 2016 23.14 BST

Obama takes aim at Trump and Republicans at final correspondents' dinner

The president mocks the billionaire’s foreign policy and business credentials and pokes fun at himself and other politicians

Barack Obama has delivered a scathing satirical take-down of Donald Trump, lampooning the Republican frontrunner’s foreign policy and business credentials, and ending his final White House correspondents’ dinner by literally dropping the mic and saying: “Obama out.”

In the traditional tongue-in-cheek address to the Washington press corps, the president also had fun at the expense of fellow Democrats Bernie Sanders, who was present, and Hillary Clinton, whose efforts to appeal to younger voters were mercilessly mocked.

Although he did not linger on Trump for as long as some had expected during the half-hour speech, especially those who recall the correspondents’ dinner in 2011 where he roasted the celebrity tycoon as he sat in the room, Obama did deliver some zingers. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Sunday 1 May 2016 06.12 BST

New Hampshire Republicans try to limit Trump's convention influence

The state’s party establishment is trying to pack convention committees with anti-Trump officials despite the mogul’s clear win in the February primary

New Hampshire’s Republican establishment is trying to limit the influence of Donald Trump supporters at the party’s crucial national convention in July despite the presidential frontrunner having won the state’s primary overwhelmingly.

In an email obtained by the Guardian, the state’s Republican leadership proposed a slate where the delegate chair and every committee slot would be filled by supporters of other candidates.

Trump won overwhelmingly in the Granite State’s February primary with 35% of the vote. His nearest competitor, John Kasich, only received 15% of the vote in the state’s first-in-the-nation primary. Under New Hampshire’s relatively proportional rules, where any candidate who gets over 10% of the vote receives delegates, Trump was awarded 11 of the state’s 23 delegates. Continue reading...





Published By - Theguardian.com - Tech News, Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis: Sunday 1 May 2016 01.54 BST