World elections
Updated
South Africa
Mandela’s party loses majority for the first time in 30 years
South Africa’s election results put it on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago.
- by Gerald Imray and Mogomotsi Magome
Latest
Sunak v Starmer: The difference between the men who want to run Britain
The contenders in the much anticipated July election will be doing their best to argue the other guy can’t be trusted.
- by William Booth
Analysis
UK election
Besides rain and bad polls, Sunak also must contend with ghosts
Two key figures, adored and detested by their respective tribes in equal measure, will make life harder for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
- by Rob Harris
Opinion
China relations
When Taiwan changed leader, Beijing sent its own guests, uninvited
This is the atmosphere in which Taiwan on Monday inaugurated its new president, Lai Ching-te.
- by Peter Hartcher
Updated
CCP influence
Meet Xi’s new No.1 enemy: The man at the heart of the US-China superpower battle
Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te has demanded Beijing stop threatening the island, while urging the world to see the protection of Taiwan’s democratic freedoms as essential to global peace.
- by Lisa Visentin and Daniel Ceng
‘Make America Godly Again’: Christians refuse to lose faith in Trump
Donald Trump is increasingly leaning into religion, and his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
- by Peter Smith
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Why Biden wanted to debate Trump early, and why Trump said yes
Joe Biden’s advisers have long believed that the dawning realisation of a Trump-Biden rematch will be a balm for the president’s droopy approval ratings.
- by Reid Epstein and Shane Goldmacher
Dozens of politicians killed ahead of Mexican election. Hundreds more quit
Enter the world of a political hopeful in a country dominated by cartel violence. An armed convoy transports Willy Ochoa; one of his guards watches the sky for drone strikes.
- by Mary Beth Sheridan
Barron Trump named among Republican Party delegates ahead of US election
Former president Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, is about to make his political debut.
- by Annabelle Timsit and Andrew Jeong
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Trumpeting a terrible vision: What awaits if Biden loses … or even wins?
Donald Trump has outlined his manifesto for a second term, and it’s a disquieting smorgasbord of retribution and paranoia.
- by Peter Hartcher
Updated
China relations
Solomon Islands choose China friend as new PM
Currently the foreign minister, Jeremiah Manele has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation’s foreign policy that made it grow close to China.
- by Kirsty Needham