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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Civil service chief got record £500,000 payout after Starmer dismissal
Chris Wormald received unprecedented payment after serving as cabinet secretary for just 14 months The former head of the civil service Chris Wormald received a record payout, in the region of £500,000, when he was forced out of the top job in Whitehall by Keir Starmer, it has emerged. The unprecedented payment was made after Wormald served just 14 months in the role of cabinet secretary before being replaced by Antonia Romeo. Continue reading...
England’s children’s commissioner says Prevent failing to help young people ‘fixated with violence’
Report by Rachel de Souza finds 71% of children referred to UK anti-terror programme do not have a clear ideology The children’s commissioner for England has warned of a group of children “intoxicated by extremism” who need help the UK government’s anti-terror programme cannot provide. Referrals to Prevent – the programme designed to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised or drawn into extremism – involving children have risen in the past decade, from 2,918 in 2016-17 to 4,715 in 2024-25. Continue reading...
Controversial NDIS bill undergoes ‘substantial’ amendments as Labor and Coalition strike deal
David Pocock says legislation still includes ‘indiscriminate cut’ impacting hundreds of thousands of participants The government’s controversial NDIS bill will undergo “substantial” amendments after Labor and the Coalition struck a deal, with some of the changes attracting heavy criticism from the Greens, the ACT senator David Pocock and the disability community. Sixty-three government amendments across both houses will be introduced as part of backroom deals to pass the bill on Tuesday night, the NDIS ministers, Mark Butler and Jenny McAllister, revealed. Continue reading...
Virginia teacher and firefighters feud over whether a python started schoolhouse fire
Authorities blamed Nanner for knocking over a heat fixture, but Brittany Jacobs contends it was trying to escape blaze The snake didn’t start the fire. So says a Virginia science teacher who owns a python that was found outside its enclosure in a middle school classroom that caught fire recently. Authorities, meanwhile, have publicly blamed the fire on the snake, named Nanner, alleging the python knocked over a heat fixture in her owner’s classroom, igniting a blaze that caused damage at Bedford county’s Forest middle school and killed a tortoise there. Continue reading...
Top Democrats tussle in Florida primary but progressive liberalism not on menu
Politics that worked for Democratic candidates in New York, Minnesota, Michigan won’t cut it in red Florida, analysts say If primary elections elsewhere this summer were tussles between progressives and moderates for the direction of the Democratic party’s political future, Tuesday’s contests in Florida could not be more different. In a former swing state that has in recent years become reliably red, moderate Democratic candidates Alex Vindman and David Jolly are heavily favored to become the party’s nominees for November’s Senate and governor’s race, respectively. Continue reading...
The rise and fall of Tony Romo: what comes next for CBS’s $180m NFL analyst?
The former Dallas Cowboys star is on indefinite leave after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. His future in a competitive business is now in doubt After Tony Romo’s arrest last month, TMZ published a 31-minute “extended cut” of the body-camera footage from the Wisconsin police officer who arrested CBS Sports’ star NFL analyst on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. It’s an uncanny watch. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s familiar goofy geniality collides with the gravity and stilted formality of an encounter with law enforcement. The video of a disoriented Romo struggling to answer basic questions and failing a field sobriety test, and his rictus-grinning, disheveled, head-askew mug-shot, form a glaring contrast with his smart-suited look a year earlier : beaming as he posed in the spotlight with his play-by-play partner, Jim Nantz, at the network’s preseason media preview. Continue reading...
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley tightens hold on Hugo Boss
Frasers Group increases stake in German fashion house to 48%, after buying Harvey Nichols chain last week The retail billionaire Mike Ashley has given the latest indication that his summer shopping spree may be far from over, after he increased his stake in the luxury giant Hugo Boss to nearly half. Ashley’s Frasers Group, which last week bought Harvey Nichols department stores for a reported £40m, increased its shareholding in the German fashion house to 48%, falling short of taking full control. In June, the British billionaire made a nearly €2bn (£1.73bn) takeover offer for the luxury group, but its board rejected Frasers’ bid as “inadequate” and urged shareholders not to accept Ashley’s offer. The new, higher stake is a result of 17.6% of shareholders accepting Ashley’s offer, which amounted to €38 a share. That bid reflected only a 4% premium to Hugo Boss’s shares when it was tabled. Axel Rudolph, an analyst at the investing platform IG, said it was “another major step towards gaining control” of Hugo Boss. Ashley’s new shareholding puts Frasers “firmly in the driving seat as it looks to increase its influence”, he added. Continue reading...
Family of missing 18-year-old hiker ‘absolutely devastated’ as search continues in rugged NSW terrain
Lily Hooper has not been seen since leaving for a hike in Nattai national park, south-west of Sydney, on 12 August Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The family of missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper say they are “absolutely devastated” that she hasn’t been found after a multi-agency search. On Tuesday, search efforts for the teenager continued through the dense tree canopy and rugged terrain of Nattai national park, about 90km south-west of Sydney, for a seventh day. Continue reading...
Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel – UK politics live
Burnham has announced a range of policies aimed at relieving pressure on financially squeezed households and businesses Disabled bus pass holders in England will be able to travel for free at all hours from April next year, the government has announced. Currently, disabled bus passes are valid for travel only on weekdays from 9.30am to 11pm unless local authorities fund an extension, as Greater Manchester did earlier this year when Andy Burnham was mayor. Continue reading...
Ukraine launches over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas – Europe live
Russian-controlled regions, including the occupied Crimea, also reported heavy attacks Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time. Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. “ Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion. Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.” Continue reading...
Man charged with manslaughter after dog-bite death in Wakefield
Man to appear in court charged over death of 55-year-old man who was bitten by dog on footpath on Saturday A 55-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man who was bitten by a dog on a footpath. West Yorkshire police were called to reports of an altercation on the old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading...
Moscow warns UK over reports Ukraine using British drones to attack Russia
Ministry of Defence rebuffs threat of ‘consequences … for deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis’ Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time. Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported. Continue reading...
Victoria moves to expand definition of ‘corruption’ before state election
Former Ibac head welcomes potential change that could capture actions that currently cannot be used to make corrupt findings Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Ben Carroll has committed to changing the definition of “corruption” before the Victorian election in a move a former anti-corruption boss says could have captured the conduct of senior government figures had it been in place earlier. The Victorian premier announced on Tuesday said it was his intention to introduce the legislation – which will expand the jurisdiction of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) – before the government enters caretaker mode in November. Continue reading...
Wetherspoons pubs ban playing music or taking calls on phone speakers
Chain tells customers to ‘pipe down’ and use earphones instead, calling its venues ‘an oasis of tranquillity’ The pub chain Wetherspoons has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after growing complaints about the noise. The company announced it had introduced the ban across its 792 pubs, saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an “increasing problem in recent years”. Continue reading...
Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman
Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrender Business live – latest updates Oil prices have risen again after the two-month window to negotiate a peace deal in the US-Israel war on Iran expired on Monday with no end to the conflict in sight. Iran said on Monday that it would take a more aggressive stance if talks with the US failed, while Donald Trump demanded Tehran “put up the white flag of surrender” in an interview with Fox News. Continue reading...
UK pay growth slows as Iran war prompts cost of living squeeze
Unemployment rate remained at 4.9% in the three months to the end of June, ONS figures show Wage growth in the UK slowed in June as workers come under pressure from a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war, official figures show. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show average growth in total earnings, including bonuses, fell to 4.1% in the three months to June, down from 4.3% in the three months to May. City economists had forecast a larger fall to 4%. Continue reading...
Coalition MPs cross floor over ‘weak’ gambling crackdown as major parties strike deal
Labor’s bill to restrict gambling ads is set to pass this week, with the Greens calling the agreement ‘cowardly’ Two Coalition MPs have crossed the floor after a deal between the major parties to pass Labor’s new restrictions on betting advertising and inducements, which the MPs say are too “weak” and place “too much faith in the hands of the gambling companies”. Anthony Albanese and the communications minister, Anika Wells, secured the support of the opposition to pass the bill, with amendments including tweaks to ad timing rules and some restrictions on inducements . Continue reading...
Isles of Scilly friendliest place in England, social division research finds
All local authority areas ranked, with two Devon districts in top five and Barking and Dagenham named least friendly The Isles of Scilly have been named as the friendliest place in England as part of a major study into social division across Britain. All 296 local authority areas have been ranked in a new index using government data from the community life survey, measuring how often people chat to neighbours, feelings of loneliness and belonging, local pride, and levels of participation in civic life. Continue reading...
Burnham urged to intervene over ‘zero-hours’ custody officers in private prison
Exclusive: Prison officers’ union strongly opposes HMP Millsike offering flexible work escorting prisoners amid staff shortages Andy Burnham is under pressure to intervene in a privately run prison that is seeking to recruit custody officers on zero-hours contracts for the first time across England and Wales’ prison estate. Managers at HMP Millsike, a category C prison for 1,500 prisoners near York operated by the outsourcing company Mitie, have signed off online adverts for £25-an-hour prisoner escort roles “on a flexible, task-based basis”. Continue reading...
South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills
Lee Jae Myung reiterates desire for full command back in Seoul’s hands after Donald Trump cuts joint exercises, citing warm ties with Kim Jong-un ‘Inane, haphazard decision’ by Trump to gut South Korea alliance South Korea’s president has renewed his push to regain independent control of the military from the US in the event of war and urged faster progress in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines after Donald Trump’s order to cut joint drills. On Sunday night, Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” this week’s joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nuclear-armed North “has been unthreatening and respectful” and that the US president had a “very good relationship with Kim Jong-un”. Continue reading...
Tuesday briefing: What the Simon Levy case tells us about the women the justice system keeps failing
In today’s newsletter: The women most at risk of violence are often the least likely to be heard – the murder of two sex workers shows why that must change Good morning. Last week, Simon Levy, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to a rare whole life tariff for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins. Both women, as well as others targeted by Levy, were vulnerable and involved in sex work. This was no coincidence: in the sentencing remarks, it was noted that Levy – who had a history of sexual offending dating back to 2018 – selected women who sold sex as his victims because he believed he could get away with it . UK politics | Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed efforts to tackle climate breakdown , urging British people to “enjoy” the summer heatwaves. US news | Donald Trump issued a threat to bomb Oman if the country ‘gets in the way’ of ending the US-Israel war on Iran. World news | The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is now the deadliest in the country’s history , with at least 2,325 dead from the virus, according to official data. Jason Arday | Tens of thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square in London to remember and pay tribute to Jason Arday, the former Cambridge professor who died on Friday. Housing | Half of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to “wait and see” if they can get a better deal, according to a report. Continue reading...
Alleged victim tells Alan Jones’s barrister he was ‘groomed for 10 years’ and to ‘get real’ during combative cross-examination
Former broadcaster has pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges in relation to six men Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Alan Jones allegedly groomed a junior staffer at 2GB for a decade, resulting in the young man sending multiple explicit texts to the broadcaster, a Sydney court has heard. As a young man, Complainant C was a driver for the 2GB star broadcaster when Jones allegedly touched his penis and kissed him, C has told Downing Centre local court. Continue reading...
Burnham is choosing jobs over climate security. That’s a big risk | Gaby Hinsliff
The PM’s net zero pragmatism may please some voters, but as parts of the country go up in flames, it’s an increasingly hard sell When the siren sounded on Friday night, my first thought was fire. Weeks of unrelenting sun in the normally soggy Peak District, where I was visiting my mum, have bleached green valleys a dangerously dry, crispy blond. One of her neighbours had earlier pointed out an ominous cloud of smoke on the horizon, coming from one of the wildfires raging all summer on the moor. When that harsh, discordant shriek blared from every mobile phone in the house, I was half-braced for an evacuation order, not what turned out to be a faintly melodramatic warning to the nation to lay off the barbecues. A false alarm, of sorts, but one that felt uneasily like a wake-up call. Continue reading...
Half of homes in Great Britain taking longer to sell than last year amid mortgage volatility
Many buyers wait in hope of better deal, although there are hotspots in Scotland and northern England Half of homes in Great Britain are taking longer to sell than last year as volatile conditions in the mortgage market amid the Iran war prompt buyers to “wait and see” if they can get a better deal, according to a report. As the Middle East conflict continues to unfold, the property platform Zoopla said homes in 180 out of 363 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales were taking longer to sell compared with a year ago. Continue reading...