{"id":3625,"date":"2026-05-27T12:39:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/27\/first-thing-trump-backed-ken-paxton-ousts-john-cornyn-in-texas-primary\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:39:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:39:43","slug":"first-thing-trump-backed-ken-paxton-ousts-john-cornyn-in-texas-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=3625","title":{"rendered":"First Thing: Trump-backed Ken Paxton ousts John Cornyn in Texas primary"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"5b757112-c937-4aa8-b7f9-254295934108\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ken Paxton waving towards a crowd with the US and Texas state flags in the background\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c68f277f6c6e83ae61c809fdf9f2ca2d1aa97431\/0_183_2711_1525\/master\/2711.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"261.5732202139432\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Ken Paxton on stage in Plano after winning the Republican party\u2019s nomination.<\/span> Photograph: Tony Gutierrez\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"5b757112-c937-4aa8-b7f9-254295934108\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Ken Paxton on stage in Plano after winning the Republican party\u2019s nomination.<\/span> Photograph: Tony Gutierrez\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">First Thing: Trump-backed Ken Paxton ousts John Cornyn in Texas primary <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Paxton\u2019s win, despite his history of scandals, signals the president\u2019s enduring grip over the state. Plus, one sex educator on why she doesn\u2019t define sex at all<\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Don\u2019t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Ken Paxton, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/ken-paxton-texas-senate-runoff\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">scandal-ridden Texas attorney general<\/a> who was backed by Donald Trump, beat the incumbent, John Cornyn, in the Republican primary runoff for senator, signaling how much sway the president still has in the deep red state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After the race was called, Cornyn said he would \u201csupport the GOP ticket\u201d in the midterms, where Paxton will face James Talarico, a Democratic state legislator and Presbyterian seminarian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But the Texas attorney general comes with significant baggage: Paxton was impeached in 2023 after being accused of corruption, though he was later acquitted in a trial in the Texas senate where his wife was a state senator (but was not allowed to cast a vote).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was also indicted on charges of felony securities fraud that could have led to a prison sentence, but the case was dismissed after a 2024 pre-trial diversion agreement. Last year, his wife filed for divorce \u201con biblical grounds\u201d, citing adultery.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>And Paxton\u2019s new opponent?<\/strong> As a Democrat, Talarico faces long odds in Texas, but he has built a groundswell of popularity through his message of peace and populism. Ahead of the primary, Cristina Tzintz\u00fan Ramirez, a former Democratic candidate for the Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/republican-primary-runoff-texas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">and a partner at Ascend Strategy Labs<\/a><em>, <\/em>a social justice consulting firm in Austin, said: \u201cIf Ken Paxton becomes the candidate, Talarico has a shot.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"war-on-iran-driving-historic-levels-of-global-hunger-un-says\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>War on Iran driving historic levels of global hunger, UN says<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"a76dc611-f58e-40b4-bd69-0e906817e39e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People grab sacks of flour from a moving lorry carrying World Food Programme aid in Gaza.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f6052b36220717f200e9a2e42a1fbe8d342d5bdf\/0_0_6000_3375\/master\/6000.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.3125\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"a76dc611-f58e-40b4-bd69-0e906817e39e\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">People grab sacks of flour from a moving lorry carrying World Food Programme aid in Gaza in November 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The US-Israel war on Iran has exacerbated other global disasters to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2026\/may\/27\/us-israel-war-on-iran-driving-historic-levels-of-global-hunger-un-says\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">drive record levels of hunger at a time<\/a> when funding to combat famine has fallen dramatically, the deputy head of the UN World Food Programme has said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The WFP says 363 million people around the world are now at risk of acute hunger, 45 million of them as a result of conflict in the Middle East and the consequent oil price spike. It comes against the backdrop of two famines declared in 2025, in Gaza and Sudan.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>How much has funding declined?<\/strong> The WFP\u2019s funding was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfp.org\/funding\/2025\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">cut last year<\/a> by a third, with the US, the largest donor by far, decreasing its contribution by more than half.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>How does the US-Israel war on Iran<\/strong><strong> affect famine?<\/strong> Most directly, it drives up food prices, mostly because of transport costs, but some aid routes have also been blocked.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"south-carolina-republicans-defy-trump-again-to-reject-rapid-redistricting-drive\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>South Carolina Republicans defy Trump again to reject rapid redistricting drive<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"27429a27-c5ec-4d7d-b6fc-f9109eaf4794\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lawmakers during a redistricting debate in a legislative chamber\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9d43ba549ce1be9cfe3013302ae36dbb75c603be\/0_0_6720_3780\/master\/6720.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.3125\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"27429a27-c5ec-4d7d-b6fc-f9109eaf4794\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Lawmakers during a redistricting debate in the South Carolina legislature in Columbia last week.<\/span> Photograph: Jeffrey Collins\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Republican lawmakers in South Carolina have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/south-carolina-republicans-redistricting\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">defied Donald Trump<\/a> and rejected an aggressive effort to gerrymander the state\u2019s congressional districts ahead of November\u2019s midterms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a 26-18 vote, state senators rejected mid-decade redistricting in a special session of the legislature, shooting down an attempt to split up the Democratic congressman Jim Clyburn\u2019s district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The proposal would have cancelled the congressional election, for which early voting began on Tuesday, and rescheduled it with new district lines that would have significantly reduced the number of reliably Democratic voters in Clyburn\u2019s district.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>How many Republican senators voted with Democrats?<\/strong> Fourteen of South Carolina\u2019s 34 Republican state senators voted with Democrats against the redistricting bill.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"928e538d-97ff-4512-a32e-f2a28e22225e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A person riding a bike past a row of red and blue Taiwan flags\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/995c6f556807ef1ef441bebf283b7162a2abfdec\/0_179_4500_2532\/master\/4500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.38666666666666\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"928e538d-97ff-4512-a32e-f2a28e22225e\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Experts have questioned the Trump administration\u2019s justification for pausing weapons sales to Taiwan, saying the transfers are unconnected to the Iran war.<\/span> Photograph: Ritchie B Tongo\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The Trump administration\u2019s war against Iran should not affect arms sales to Taiwan,<\/strong> experts have said, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/us-arms-sales-to-taiwan-pause-unlikely-due-to-iran-war-experts\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">after a US official suggested<\/a> that a pause in the delivery of a key weapons package was due to the conflict.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The US military launched another strike on Tuesday on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, <\/strong><strong>killing one man and leaving two survivors<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong> Since the US began its campaign against alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin American waters in September, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/26\/us-military-strike-pacific-drug-boat\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">it has not provided evidence<\/a> that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Iceland\u2019s foreign minister has said she fears her country faces a \u201cBrexit moment\u201d in its <\/strong><strong>approaching EU referendum<\/strong> amid warnings over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/iceland-foreign-minister-thorgerthur-katrin-gunnarsdottir-brexit-moment-eu-accession-referendum\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">misinformation, foreign interference and AI<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The Russian government has told top banks <\/strong><strong>they should shoot down Ukrainian drones themselves,<\/strong> as Kyiv\u2019s forces target infrastructure used to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/ukraine-war-briefing-shoot-down-drones-yourself-russia-tells-its-banks\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">carry out and fund the war<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-the-average-female-face-is-rated-more-attractive-than-about-60-of-male-faces\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Stat of the day: The average female face is rated more attractive than about 60% of male faces<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"6b3963ed-3ecf-464e-aa77-c6c79c06eee6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Portrait of a diverse group of an attractive young women, isolated on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/18c498c2e3b0d1fe5a600bd1adc56bf8bdd2c221\/0_898_8660_4875\/master\/8660.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.50519630484987\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"6b3963ed-3ecf-464e-aa77-c6c79c06eee6\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The research gathered together the world\u2019s largest dataset on facial attractiveness, drawing on 52 studies in 76 countries.<\/span> Photograph: AleksandarNakic\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The average female face is rated more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2026\/may\/27\/women-faces-rated-more-attractive-study\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">attractive than about 60% of male faces<\/a>, a global study has found. Both men and women rate the average female face as more attractive than men\u2019s, but the perceived gap declines with age, researchers said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"well-actually-im-a-sex-educator-heres-why-i-dont-define-sex-at-all\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Well actually: I\u2019m a sex educator \u2013 here\u2019s why I don\u2019t define sex at all<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"1332331b-647d-4162-b235-bb71b1cfb706\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Abstract painting of interconnected characters.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/575adab3f284436c3c09833ea83dcec4f93c5bfa\/0_0_3800_2138\/master\/3800.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.37105263157892\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"1332331b-647d-4162-b235-bb71b1cfb706\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Using a singular definition of sex indirectly affirms that there is a right and a wrong way to have sex.<\/span> Illustration: Donnie O\u2019Donnell\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Maya Walsh-Little, a sex educator, asks a seemingly simple question at the beginning of her classes: \u201cWhat is sex?\u201d She argues that no matter how much knowledge you have about sexuality, it can be useful to investigate your ideas about it. \u201cUsing a singular definition of sex indirectly affirms that there is a right and a wrong way to have sex, and right and wrong roles to play during sex,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/wellness\/2026\/may\/22\/definition-of-sex-educator\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Walsh-Little writes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-the-agony-of-losing-your-furniture-as-well-as-your-soulmate\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: The agony of losing your furniture as well as your soulmate<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"0f1702d4-7e5c-4129-8e77-2dc44e554bff\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Illustration of couple arguing over furniture.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6afefdcd05dd27da1771d4cd717aa9c233aec949\/0_179_5000_2813\/master\/5000.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.357\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"0f1702d4-7e5c-4129-8e77-2dc44e554bff\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span> Illustration: Vaso Michailidou\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Breakups are bad enough, but have you ever also lost all your furniture in the process? For cohabiting couples, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2026\/may\/27\/excuse-me-can-i-have-my-rug-back-agony-of-losing-furniture-as-well-as-your-soulmate\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">dividing the apartment\u2019s furnishings<\/a>, appliances, as well as decorations and other items can be costly \u2013 economically and emotionally.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-climate-crisis-is-accelerating-antibiotic-resistance-study-says\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Climate check: Climate crisis is accelerating antibiotic resistance<\/strong><strong>, study says<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"7ed84b49-884b-4cfc-b8fb-0292fb4bf6b4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Salmonella bacteria as seen through a microscope\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1db1604afa41b715aee1e2c9edaa63abf5940926\/0_0_2835_1596\/master\/2835.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.51851851851853\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"7ed84b49-884b-4cfc-b8fb-0292fb4bf6b4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Rising temperatures and altered rain patters amplify the antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogens such as salmonella, the researchers said in a study.<\/span> Photograph: Janice Haney Carr\/Centers for Di\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The climate emergency is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2026\/may\/26\/climate-crisis-accelerating-antibiotic-resistance-across-world-salmonella-study\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">worsening a global rise in antibiotic resistance<\/a> that poses a serious threat to human health, according to a study showing the crisis was associated with a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023. While antimicrobial resistance is mainly driven by the overuse of antibiotic drugs, the research suggests that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can influence the spread and mutation of bacteria.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-how-japans-feline-fixation-has-become-an-industry-worth-billions\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Last Thing: How Japan\u2019s feline fixation has become an industry worth billions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"63059615-5a61-46f2-89cf-14b186f4f47b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A crowd of cats on the harbourside of an island in Japan\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f69e92e3cf2bfdd62750d64c0b68f5dee86242c4\/0_0_2200_1238\/master\/2200.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"250.41363636363636\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-9\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"63059615-5a61-46f2-89cf-14b186f4f47b\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Yanaka Ginza, a neighbourhood in north Tokyo, is seeing a tourism boom fuelled by its historical association with cats, Japan\u2019s most popular pet.<\/span> Photograph: Thomas Peter\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The influence of cats is evident across Japanese society, with one neighbourhood in Tokyo even nicknamed \u201ccat town\u201d for its historical association with felines. Now a report has credited the animals with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/27\/japan-obsessed-wth-cats-popular-pet-industry-worth-billions\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">generating an expected 3tn yen ($18.8bn)<\/a> in value to the Japanese economy this year, in a phenomenon dubbed \u201ccatnomics\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"44241b3f-090d-4382-ae51-5d10b93b04b3\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-1vu3ut5\">\n<div class=\"dcr-p9o6z7\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=First%20Thing:%20Trump-backed%20Ken%20Paxton%20ousts%20John%20Cornyn%20in%20Texas%20primary%20&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/27\/first-thing-trump-backed-ken-paxton-ousts-john-cornyn-in-texas-primary?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F27%2Ffirst-thing-trump-backed-ken-paxton-ousts-john-cornyn-in-texas-primary&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/27\/first-thing-trump-backed-ken-paxton-ousts-john-cornyn-in-texas-primary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ken Paxton on stage in Plano after winning the Republican party\u2019s nomination. Photograph: Tony Gutierrez\/AP View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3625\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}