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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Labour MPs criticise language used by Kemi Badenoch in fractious PMQs
Tory leader reprimanded by speaker for invective against minister and saying Starmer had ‘400 knives in his back’ Labour MPs have criticised Kemi Badenoch after a fractious prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, in which she accused the education secretary of being a “spiteful class warrior”. In a rare move, Badenoch was chastised by the speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, in the chamber of the House of Commons after she took the personal swipe at Bridget Phillipson before saying that Keir Starmer had been betrayed and had “400 knives stuck in his back”. Continue reading...
H.Res. 1381: Electing a Member to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.
Agreed To (Simple Resolution): Last Action: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. Explanation: This simple resolution was agreed to on June 24, 2026. That is the end of the legislative process for a simple resolution.
Marjorie Taylor Greene joins Tucker Carlson in breaking with Republican party
Former Georgia congresswoman on social media says she’s ‘fed up’ and done backing a party ‘that betrays its voters’ Former US congresswoman and Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she is finished backing the Republican party, aligning herself with TV rightwinger Tucker Carlson after his own high-profile rejection of the GOP just months ahead of the midterm elections. During a recent episode of the Can’t Be Censored podcast, Carlson said when he appeared as a guest there was “no chance” he would support the Republican party any more, after years of being a prominent booster for Donald Trump . Continue reading...
Nicola Jennings on Andy Burnham’s chance to state his case – cartoon
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Colombia’s leftwing candidate concedes election to Trump-endorsed millionaire
Leftist Iván Cepeda conceded to far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella who won by razor-thin margin The defeated leftwing candidate in Colombia’s presidential runoff has conceded to the far-right, Trump-admiring millionaire lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella. Since Sunday night, the preliminary count had already pointed to a De la Espriella victory by a razor-thin margin of less than 1% of the vote. Continue reading...
Graceless Kemi concedes not a croak of kindness for newly liberated Keir | John Crace
It’s customary to say something complimentary about a departing PM but the Tory leader couldn’t meet the moment You learn a lot about a person at a time like this. Not so much about the prime minister, who has resigned. Keir Starmer has already revealed how he deals with a personal loss. But about the leader of the opposition. Here was a chance for Kemi Badenoch to show her human side. To give the world a rare sighting of her empathy gene. But Kemi just can’t go there. She can’t read a room. She has only one mode. All-out attack. Other people’s moments of weakness are just material for her to use against them. Even now, she probably thinks she played a blinder at prime minister’s questions. A chance taken to humiliate Keir when he’s down. She has no idea how graceless she is. How charmless. Continue reading...
Motion to Invoke Cloture: John George Edward Marck to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas: John George Edward Marck, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
Vote: Cloture Motion Agreed to 52/45 Sen. Duckworth [D-IL]: Nay Sen. Durbin [D-IL]: Nay
AI helps read papyrus scroll burnt to crisp during Vesuvius eruption
Previously hidden text revealed without unrolling scroll discusses stoic philosophy on ethics, art and human behaviour The surviving part of an ancient scroll that was burnt to a crisp when Mount Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago has been virtually unwrapped and read with help from artificial intelligence. Researchers uncovered 20 columns of previously hidden text covering more than a metre of charred papyrus without physically unrolling the scroll. The work discusses stoic philosophy on ethics, art and human behaviour and dates to the second or late-third century BC. Continue reading...
Senators alarmed at Trump administration website Moms.gov promoting anti-abortion facilities
Administration claims website is resource for ‘new and expecting mothers’ but group of senators says it raises ‘profound’ health and safety concerns A group of 11 senators have sent a letter to Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy urging them to remove a federal website and “cease using federal resources to direct people to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers”. On Mother’s Day this year, the US Department of Health and Human Services launched Moms.gov, a resource they claim is for “new and expecting mothers” and “offers guidance and information to support the health and wellbeing of mothers and their families”. Continue reading...
Trump says he’s ordered investigation into oil companies over alleged price gouging
Trump says he instructed justice department to investigate oil firms over high gas prices amid Middle East conflict Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had instructed the US Department of Justice to investigate oil companies for alleged price gouging, accusing them of not lowering gas prices enough amid conflict in the Middle East. “The big oil companies are not dropping their price at the pump commensurate with the sharply lower prices they are paying for oil. Those prices are dropping like a rock! In other words, customers are being ‘gouged.’ I have instructed the DOJ to immediately start looking into this,” Trump wrote in a social media post late Tuesday night. “Gasoline prices better start going down a lot faster than what I’m seeing!” Continue reading...
Burnham’s pick for chief of staff led firm that advised BP, Apple and Amazon
Appointment of James Purnell, former chief executive of Flint Global, described by one Labour MP as ‘very bad sign’ The advisory firm led by Andy Burnham’s incoming chief of staff counted BP, Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover and Uber among its clients, transparency records reveal. Burnham is facing unease within Labour over the lobbying links of James Purnell, a longstanding friend and former cabinet minister who was most recently chief executive of Flint Global. Continue reading...
UK records its hottest June day, beating highs from 1957 and 1976
Temperature of 35.7C recorded in Surrey, beating previous record of 35.6C, while France records hottest day nationally The UK has broken its all-time temperature record for June, as the World Health Organization chief says Europe’s heatwave is “putting lives at risk”. Temperatures bolstered by climate breakdown hit 35.7 in southern England, according to provisional records reported by the BBC. The record high was reached in Charlwood, Surrey. Continue reading...
The pianist from the audience at La La Land in Concert was a global feelgood story – but all was not what it seemed
Two orchestra members from the Sydney performance allege tensions behind the scenes were the cause of pianist failing to appear after intermission Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast When an audience member stepped in for a pianist at a Sydney performance of La La Land in Concert last month it made global headlines. During the intermission of the concert at Darling Harbour Theatre on 30 May, the two-time Oscar-winning composer and conductor Justin Hurwitz appealed to the 2,000-strong crowd for an “amazing sight-reader” , saying one of his two keyboardists had fallen ill. Continue reading...
Trump abruptly cancels plan to sign bipartisan bill aimed at lowering cost of housing
President is demanding Senate approve Save America Act, which would dramatically change voting regulations Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Donald Trump abruptly shelved plans to sign a broad bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing on Wednesday, demanding Congress approve his controversial legislation to overhaul US election rules and regulations. The president is pushing the US Senate to approve the Save America Act, which would dramatically change voting regulations by requiring proof of citizenship at voter registration and significantly curtail mail-in voting. Continue reading...
The Democratic party is being hit by a leftist tidal wave | Ben Davis
The party’s leadership is deeply out of touch with its base. A leftist politics of collective struggle is cresting across the US A tectonic shift has occurred in American politics over the last month, beginning with Chris Rabb’s victory in Pennsylvania and now culminating in New York. The Democratic party has been hit by a leftward tidal wave. Rabb’s win was a warning shot – a socialist winning in a seat that had been an establishment stronghold. Two weeks later, the left won across Los Angeles. Two weeks after that, the left swept the elections in the District of Columbia. And on Tuesday night, the left dominated New York City in an overwhelming display of force: progressive Brad Lander took out incumbent centrist Dan Goldman, socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier shocked incumbent Adriano Espaillat, and socialist Claire Valdez easily dispatched Brooklyn borough president Antonio Reynoso. Ben Davis works in political data in Washington DC. He worked on the data team for the Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign and is an active member of the Democratic Socialists of America Continue reading...
German swimming lake criticised for ban on non-German speakers
Policy at Heidesee lake in Halle introduced after cases in which visitors ignored rules and lifeguards’ instructions An open air swimming lake in the eastern German city of Halle which has refused entry to bathers who don’t speak German has been told it must lift the ban or face possible legal action. The Heidesee lake, a natural lake in a flooded former open-cast mine, recently introduced a check at the entrance to filter out visitors whose German was deemed not good enough to follow safety instructions. Continue reading...
‘Instant connection to the past’: how the Major oak affected those who saw it
Readers remember the Sherwood Forest tree that has failed to produce leaves for the first time in 1,000 years After hundreds of years inspiring wonder in Sherwood Forest, the Major oak has died . We asked readers to share their memories of one of the UK’s most recognisable natural landmarks, said to have offered a sanctuary for Robin Hood, and the response was overwhelming, with many sharing heartfelt stories of childhood adventures. Joanna de Graaf from Leicestershire wrote: “I grew up in Nottingham and we visited Sherwood Forest quite often as a family. I can remember being so excited to actually be inside the Major oak where Robin Hood and his merry men had hidden (and, for a little girl in the 1960s, Maid Marian too). Continue reading...
Keir Starmer to stay on as MP but unlikely to want cabinet role
Spokesperson says departing PM will serve out remainder of his term representing Holborn and St Pancras UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer will remain the MP for Holborn and St Pancras after standing down as prime minister, Downing Street has confirmed. Starmer’s spokesperson said he was not expecting to take a role in Andy Burnham’s cabinet if offered one, though some MPs have suggested Burnham could make Starmer foreign secretary. Continue reading...
A decade after the Brexit vote, Europe has moved on even if Britain hasn’t
In this week’s newsletter: As the EU consolidates, the UK faces renewed debate over the long‑term shape of its relationship with the continent • Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The morning of 24 June 2016, the day after Britain voted to leave the EU, dawned grey and overcast in Brussels, after a stormy night. As the Guardian’s correspondent in the city, after a few hours’ sleep, I hurried to a breakfast briefing with Conservative MEPs at a smart hotel in the EU quarter. Large trays of eggs, sausages and beans were barely touched, as MEPs fielded questions they couldn’t answer: What happens now? When would the UK leave? Would David Cameron resign? A few hours later he did. In the EU institutions officials broke down in tears. A few top British EU civil servants prepared to resign. Anti-EU populists were jubilant. European leaders feared a domino effect of withdrawals. Sadness, shock and anger swirled on that humid day. The then-president of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, told me that EU lawyers were studying whether it was possible to speed up the triggering of article 50 , the then-obscure and untested EU exit clause. Then European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker declared he would like to get Brexit negotiations started “immediately”. The idea of hurrying Britain out the door was soon dropped, but those statements reflected the febrile mood. Continue reading...
Dior mashes up laid-back ‘indie sleaze’ with elegant luxury
Jonathan Anderson’s golden touch is on display in Paris with mix of metallics, brooches and ripped jeans Fashion brands were tuned to the weather forecast in Paris in the run-up to the menswear shows this week – and aware temperatures would reach 40C on Wednesday. This weekend a decision was made – the Christian Dior show, originally scheduled for the afternoon, would be moved to 9am, to avoid the heat of the day. The change in time certainly made the experience more palatable – as did (in possibly a fashion-week first) the cool towels handed to guests on arrival, umbrellas to block out the sun and personalised fans on seats. Taking place in the grounds of the grand Musée Nissim de Camondo, which is under renovation to reopen in 2030, those in the garden even had the benefit of the occasional breeze. Continue reading...
Top army general who was last US soldier to leave Afghanistan abruptly steps down
Gen Christopher Donahue, commander of forces in Europe and Africa, is leaving after just 18 months in the job The army’s commander of its forces in Europe and Africa – who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 – is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday. Gen Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa and commander of Nato’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish his command on 2 July, according to an army statement provided to the Associated Press. He is the latest in a line of nearly two dozen top military leaders to either retire or depart their jobs early under the leadership of the defense secretary Pete Hegseth, who has undertaken an effort to thin the ranks of the military’s top brass with the mantra “less generals, more GIs”. Continue reading...
Andy Burnham plans to move parts of No 10 operation to Manchester
Makerfield MP considering northern base for PM’s office as part of measures to devolve power away from London Andy Burnham is planning to move parts of the No 10 operation to Manchester as part of measures to devolve power away from London. The Makerfield MP will say next week he wants to transfer parts of the prime minister’s office to the north should he become prime minister later this year. Continue reading...
Driven to succeed: meet London’s youngest black-cab driver
Bahrain Mujagata is just 21 years old and balances taxi driving with university studies and acting classes “I’ve got T-shirts older than you!” The joke draws laughter from a table of black-cab drivers gathered in the Astral cafe on Regency Place in Westminster. Around the table, cabbies swap stories accumulated over decades behind the wheel: picking up the England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst, ferrying senior politicians around London, and navigating the capital long before smartphones and satnavs existed. At just 21, Bahrain Mujagata is an anomaly among them. In late 2025, he became London’s youngest licensed black-cab driver after completing the Knowledge – the notoriously demanding test of the capital’s streets – in just two years and five months. Most candidates take three to four years to qualify, according to Transport for London. Continue reading...
Hammon acknowledges Brunson’s greatness but won’t apologize for questioning star
Las Vegas Aces coach had said guard was not a ‘1A dude’ Hammon says Brunson ‘proved history wrong’ Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon twice on Tuesday acknowledged what Jalen Brunson accomplished in leading the New York Knicks to the NBA championship was historic and her “opinion was wrong,” but she offered no apology for her previous comments. Hammon spoke to reporters at the Aces shootaround earlier in the day and then before Las Vegas’ home game against the New York Liberty. In the pregame news conference, Hammon opened by making a point to say she was wrong that the 6ft 2in point guard was too small to lead the Knicks to the title. Continue reading...