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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Monaco explosion injures three and triggers police hunt
Two people said to be in critical condition after CCTV shows man dropping backpack at residential building lobby An explosion in Monaco has triggered a police hunt for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift bomb that wounded three people. The blast occurred on Monday evening in the semi-enclave famous for casinos and superyachts, French media reported. Continue reading...
San Francisco archdiocese to pay $395m to settle over 500 child sexual abuse claims
Settlement requires archbishop to write apology letter to each survivor and implement child protection reforms The San Francisco Catholic archdiocese has agreed to pay $395m to settle more than 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church officials, plaintiffs’ attorneys said Monday. Salvatore Cordileone, the San Francisco archbishop, will have to write an apology letter to each survivor as part of the settlement. Continue reading...
Offenders in England and Wales who kill current or ex-partners face 10 more years in prison
Increase comes after seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murder Offenders who kill their current or ex-partner face spending an extra 10 years behind bars, with a new minimum sentence of 25 years in England and Wales, under plans announced by David Lammy. The increase, announced by the justice secretary on Monday, comes after a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murder. Continue reading...
Asylum seekers to pay £10,000 towards living costs under new UK law
Means-tested scheme included in immigration and asylum bill condemned by charities for placing tax on refugees Asylum seekers will be ordered to pay about £10,000 to cover their state-funded living costs or be denied settled status in the UK under a new law to be considered by MPs on Tuesday. The means-tested scheme, compared by officials to student loans and included in the immigration and asylum bill, has been condemned by charities for placing a tax on refugees fleeing war, torture and famine. Continue reading...
New defence secretary wins another £1.5bn to boost drone spending
Dan Jarvis persuaded Rachel Reeves to reduce £18bn funding gap that led to predecessor resigning The new defence secretary has secured an extra £1.5bn to the UK’s long-delayed defence investment plan, with the bulk of that to be spent on drones to deter Russia and Iran. Rows about closing an £18bn funding gap had led to the resignation of John Healey and raised questions about Britain’s commitments to Nato – though on Monday the head of the alliance told the Guardian he believed the UK would honour its commitments. Continue reading...
Grizzlies reportedly trade Ja Morant to Trail Blazers in blockbuster deal
Morant traded to Blazers in blockbuster deal Grizzlies land Grant, Murray as rebuild rolls on Portland adds Morant, eyes another big move Ja Morant is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade that would end his volatile run with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports Monday. Pending NBA approval and physicals, the teams agreed to a swap that sends Morant to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Continue reading...
High-street slot machines and casinos could face £460m tax rise under Burnham
Thinktank finds 43% of the public would support a move by Labour to raise taxes on adult gaming centres All-night slot machine shops and casinos could face a £460m tax rise if Andy Burnham acts on his concerns about the gambling industry as prime minister, after an influential thinktank found the policy would have public support. Known by some in the gambling sector as “slot sheds”, adult gaming centres (AGCs) have flooded UK high streets in recent years, disproportionately targeting economically deprived areas . Continue reading...
Lions release Terrion Arnold after allegations player orchestrated kidnappings and beatings
Cornerback’s bail set at $1m by judge of Florida Prosecutors say player believed he was robbery victim The Detroit Lions have released cornerback Terrion Arnold, only days after his arrest over allegations that he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men. Prosecutors believe he wrongly suspected the men of having stolen luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from him. The Lions made the announcement on Monday. The team did not give a reason, but the announcement came the same day that a Florida judge set Arnold’s bail at $1m. Continue reading...
Robert Lewandowski makes MLS move to Chicago Fire on deal till 2028
Former Barcelona striker joins for two and a half seasons 37-year-old’s 697 goals is third best total for current players The Chicago Fire on Monday officially announced their acquisition of Robert Lewandowski through to the 2027-28 season. Poland’s record goalscorer will occupy a designated player slot pending the approval of his visa as well as the completion of an international transfer certificate. The club described Lewandowski, 37, as “a global soccer icon” in social media posts. He was a free agent after spending the last four seasons with Barcelona, scoring 83 goals with 19 assists in 134 league matches (114 starts) while contributing to three La Liga titles. Continue reading...
Officials release names of three firefighters killed in Colorado wildfire
Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson killed working to contain raging fires on Utah-Colorado border The US Department of Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who were killed while working to contain wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border. Two other firefighters who were part of the specialized helicopter-deployed crew were also injured in the blaze, although authorities did not identify them. Continue reading...
Australia politics live: Anthony Albanese says tax reforms ‘make system fairer’ and backs Paul Hogan on Pauline Hanson
The prime minister tells 7.30 the housing market was ‘broken’. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Good morning and welcome to our live politics blog, as the last week of parliament before the winter break rolls on. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action. Anthony Albanese has defended the government’s housing reforms, telling 7.30 last night that he didn’t want to live in a country defined by intergenerational inequity. More coming up. Continue reading...
Maddy Cusack’s father tells inquest she was dismayed at Sheffield United manager’s return
Jonathan Morgan claims he provided player welfare Doctor says Maddy feared mental health stigma The most significant cause of the deterioration of the late Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack’s mental health was the behaviour of Jonathan Morgan, the team’s manager at the time, her father, David Cusack, has told an inquest. During a tense exchange with David Cusack, Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, accused the player’s father of relying on hearsay to form his opinion of him. Continue reading...
Burnham sets out vision to transform Britain and fix ‘broken’ system
Expected next prime minister focuses on restoring faith in politics, cost of living and devolution in major speech What is Andy Burnham’s economic and political blueprint for Britain? Andy Burnham has set out his blueprint to transform the UK with a promise to improve living standards and restore faith in politics through the “biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen”. The person widely expected to be the next prime minister said the current system was “broken” and that “more of the same” would not be enough to tackle the significant challenges faced by the country. A long-term ambition of greater public control of essential services such as water, housing, energy and transport to help curb the cost of living. A No 10 North hub to oversee the distribution of power and resources from Whitehall across the country, which the Guardian revealed would be run by his former chief executive in Manchester. The biggest council housing building programme since the postwar period, and a high street “renaissance” through reform of business rates. Rebalancing an education system that he said had been too focused on the university route and putting academic and technical courses on an equal footing. Continue reading...
US man dies while discarding body of girlfriend he fatally strangled, officials say
Police found man, who died of a heart attack, next to his girlfriend by abandoned vehicle in wooded area of Alabama A man recently died in Alabama from a heart attack while trying to discard his girlfriend’s body after fatally strangling her, according to authorities. At the center of the unusually macabre case was Daniel Robbins, 44, and Jessica Folds, 47. Continue reading...
Tenured California professor fired over Gaza protest wins job back
Arbitrator rules California State University system violated law when it dismissed Sang Hea Kil, who now plans to sue A tenured professor who was fired last year over her pro-Palestinian activism has won her job back and is suing her university over the termination. Last November, Sang Hea Kil , a justice studies professor at San José State University in California, became the first tenured faculty member to be dismissed from a US public university following nationwide campus protests over Israel’s enduring war in Gaza. After several appeals, an arbitrator last week ruled that the California State University system had violated the law and ordered it to reinstate her. Kil had previously filed a lawsuit against CSU, which it accused of “discriminatory and retaliatory attempts to silence her”. Continue reading...
USA say they are ready for surprises from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tim Ream not feeling additional pressure for knockouts USA play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday It’s easy to assume that the onset of a knockout bracket brings immediate tension. These are the games where legacies are crystalized in a zero-sum manner – every heroic turn paired with a Baggio-like blemish. Then again, the round of 32 is still new. The field doesn’t truly feel like it’s been narrowed down yet. So maybe the ho-hum start of the tournament’s business end has brought the temperature down as Tim Ream fielded questions from the press on Monday, hours before boarding a plane to the Bay Area and ending the team’s lengthy stay here in Southern California. The knockout round journey is about to begin. Continue reading...
H.R. 8873: Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act
Passed House (Senate next): Last Action: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. Explanation: This bill passed in the House on June 29, 2026 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.
EU sets up three months of talks with China over €360bn trade deficit
Two sides agree to try to make bilateral relationship ‘more balanced’ after weeks of threats The EU and China have agreed to enter three months of talks to try to avoid a trade war over the bloc’s €360bn (£310bn) annual import/export imbalance. In their first joint statement in seven years, the two sides agreed in Brussels to open a formal trade consultation after weeks of threats and recriminations from China if the EU imposed any measures to stop the flood of goods and components into the bloc. Continue reading...
What is Andy Burnham’s economic and political blueprint for Britain?
Plans include greater regional power, public ownership of utilities and the end of trickle-down economics Andy Burnham vows to set up No 10 North as ‘nerve centre of rewired Britain’ Andy Burnham’s speech at the People’s History Museum in Manchester was the first time we saw the man likely to be Britain’s next prime minister set out his vision for power. He promised “good growth in every postcode” in a speech that focused on a significant transfer of power out of Whitehall to local communities and a new economic vision. But what might this mean in practice? It will be about offering new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down. They require radical change if the country is to get back on track. All parts of the UK should now be given the chance to develop … focusing on the things that most matter to them. We will ensure all parts of the UK are able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport … Britain has lost almost 1.5 m council homes since the 1980s and around the same number of people are now on housing waiting lists and have been there for a very long time. Shouldn’t we make our high streets the symbols of Britain’s renaissance? We will support every region to set clear and credible industrial ambitions – and provide the support to achieve them. We need a complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed, and it has to start with the education system. We will set out 10-year plans to bring down the cost of … essentials to individuals, families and businesses. All of it backed by the stability that comes from sound public finances, as I said before, and the discipline of our current fiscal rules. Continue reading...
Warriors reportedly lining up deals to unite LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis
Draymond Green declines player option, freeing up space Curry and James’s battles defined NBA for years Draymond Green declined his $27.6m player option on Monday, signaling the Golden State Warriors could be preparing to make some big moves. ESPN reports that the Warriors needed some financial flexibility if they are going to pursue free agent LeBron James and complete a trade for Anthony Davis with the Washington Wizards. Continue reading...
Burnham brings emotional connection and optimism in vibe shift from Starmer
Labour MPs value Burnham’s warmth as a communicator but they know that will not be enough on its own When Keir Starmer welcomed Mark Rutte , the Nato secretary general, outside No 10 on Monday, the attire fitted the moment: dark formal suits, polished leather shoes. Almost 200 miles to the north, when Andy Burnham strode into the engine hall of the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the vibe could not have been more different. Dressed in his trademark dark T-shirt and jacket, Burnham could just as easily have been walking down the street outside. He even began with a joke about his thigh-skimming running shorts, after he was pictured going for a jog the morning after announcing his return to parliament, telling the assembled audience he had bought a new pair as it was “either do that or change the decency laws”. Continue reading...
The Guardian view on Andy Burnham’s speech: Rewiring Britain needs Westminster to give up real power | Editorial
The country’s likely next prime minister sketches a post-Thatcherite state built on radical devolution. The test is whether Whitehall yields Andy Burnham is not prime minister of the UK – yet. His speech on Monday at the People’s History Museum in Manchester might be read as campaign fodder. But given his lack of opponents, the race to be Labour leader looks already over. If he enters Downing Street, the oration would be the most serious challenge to the Thatcherite settlement attempted by any prime minister since 1979. In office, it will only become that if he turns the language of devolution and public control into institutional power. For decades, Britain has privileged markets over public provision. It weakened local government and organised the state from the centre. And it treated utilities, housing and industry as best disciplined by private ownership and competition. The financial crash forced Gordon Brown into a necessary repudiation of some of those ideas. But that was an emergency. Since 1979, no prime minister has taken on all three pillars of Thatcherism at once. Mr Burnham’s speech does. Continue reading...
The Guardian view on Venezuela’s earthquake: a test of state capacity and Trump’s promises | Editorial
A natural disaster provides unforgiving clarity in a country already reeling from years of crisis and the unlawful US seizure of Nicolás Maduro The devastation wrought by an earthquake is shaped by what happened before and after it as much as by the shock itself. The twin tremors that hit Venezuela moments apart last Wednesday were its biggest since 1900, at 7.2 and 7.5, and were shallow temblors, which often cause more destruction than deeper ones of similar magnitude. Aftershocks continued on Monday. At least 1,450 people have died, with tens of thousands reported missing and more than 3,000 injured. The UN estimates that there has been $6.7bn of damage – equivalent to 6% of the country’s GDP – including key infrastructure; 38 hospitals are said to need repairs. Unicef says that 1.8 million people need aid. The toll of such disasters reflects the condition of the nation before they struck, and the state’s capacity to respond. While remarkable rescues in the last few days have brought joy even after the 72-hour window judged crucial to saving lives had closed, the picture is not kind to Venezuela’s leaders. Continue reading...
Thai-based crypto investor funding Reform unlikely to avoid cap on overseas donations
Christopher Harborne, who also gave Nigel Farage £5m ‘gift’, reported to have registered to vote in Hampshire Christopher Harborne, the Thailand-based crypto investor who has given millions of pounds to Reform UK, would be unlikely to get around a planned cap on overseas political donations even if he has registered to vote in the UK, it is understood. Harborne, who also gave Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, £5m as a “gift”, has registered to vote in Hampshire, the Times reported , with a spokesperson for the billionaire quoted in the paper saying that he had decided to become a “registered voter in the UK”. Continue reading...