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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Andy Burnham picks former Blair minister James Purnell as chief of staff
Decision is one of Makerfield MP’s most significant since his Westminster return as he builds his team for government Andy Burnham has chosen his Blairite former colleague James Purnell as his chief of staff, the Guardian understands, as he begins to finalise his team for government. The Makerfield MP has picked his former cabinet colleague to be his right-hand man in Downing Street, in one of the most significant decisions he has made since returning to Westminster. Continue reading...
Card payments outage hits pubs and shops during England match
Customers report having to use cash at stores such as Tesco and to buy drinks due to outage at payments processor WorldPay Shoppers reported problems with making card payments at British pubs and supermarkets on Tuesday after a power outage affected one of the world’s largest payment processing platforms. Customers said contactless payments were not working at a number of stores including Tesco branches at a time when football fans were watching the World Cup group game between England and Ghana at pubs, screenings and restaurants. Continue reading...
Most IVF ‘add-on’ treatments have no effect on fertility or remain unproven, study says
Review shows majority of procedures offered alongside standard IVF not backed by reliable evidence Most IVF “add-on” treatments sold to people hoping to boost their chances of having children are not backed by reliable evidence, fail to boost fertility and may be a complete waste of money, the largest study of its kind has concluded. There has been a surge in extra procedures, medicines or techniques offered to patients in addition to standard IVF with bold claims they will increase the probability of success. Take-up is widespread, with more than 70% of IVF patients in the UK, Australia and New Zealand paying for one or more add-on during IVF treatment. Acupuncture – inserting thin needles into points on the body. Corticosteroids – medication to reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity. Endometrial receptivity testing – a biopsy of the uterine lining to assess gene expression patterns. Intralipid infusion – a liquid containing fats that is administered into the blood. Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma – injecting platelet-rich plasma into the ovaries. Intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma – insertion of platelet-rich plasma into the uterus. Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy – a screening test to check whether embryos have the expected number of chromosomes. EmbryoGlue – an embryo transfer medium containing hyaluronic acid. The evidence review found it may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth; however, the effect on live birthrates was not robust. Endometrial scratching – a minor procedure undertaken to scratch or disturb the lining of the uterus. The review found this may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth. Physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) – a technique used to select sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. There was weak evidence this may lower the risk of miscarriage. Continue reading...
Scientists find ‘smoking gun’ evidence of world’s oldest meteorite strike in Western Australia
Curtin University researchers use innovative techniques to date three-billion-year-old impact crater in Pilbara region A meteorite that struck Earth three billion years ago left behind a “smoking gun” – evidence of the world’s oldest impact crater in a remote part of Australia. Ancient rocks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region record the event, which occurred during the Archean eon, a period 4 to 2.5 billion years ago, when tectonic plates were beginning to form and early life emerging. Continue reading...
Australia politics live: ‘Keep the flame of memory burning’, PM tells opening of new Australian War Memorial gallery
Anthony Albanese presided over ceremony in Canberra last night. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A major new gallery at the Australian War Memorial will keep the “flame of memory” burning for future generations, the prime minister told the opening ceremony in Canberra last night, Australian Associated Press reports. Anthony Albanese was among those on hand last night for the opening of the memorial’s atrium and Anzac Hall, a gallery that focuses mainly on Australia’s commitments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations. That most unadorned of sentences that dwells within us like a heartbeat – we vow to keep the flame of memory burning so brightly that its glow reaches future generations. Today we adjourned the parliament so that everyone who wished to could come mark the opening of this Atrium and Anzac Hall, an addition to the Australian War Memorial that makes that flame burns so much brighter. Look at the faces and get lost amid the smiles, the hope and camaraderie – the counterpoint to war’s relentless, inhuman arithmetic. They are its true cost. Yet, amid this loss and sacrifice, what pulses so powerfully is life, and an abiding sense of what is worth fighting for. Continue reading...
US Senate approves war powers resolution challenging Trump’s Iran war authority
Four Republicans joined Democrats to back a measure seeking to limit the US president’s military authority US politics live – latest updates The US Senate on Tuesday approved a war powers resolution preventing Donald Trump from continuing the conflict with Iran, delivering the president a significant but symbolic rebuke over a conflict that has proven unpopular with the US public. The resolution passed by a 50-48 vote, with four Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky – breaking with their party to vote in favor. John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, was the sole Democrat to vote against it. Continue reading...
Top auto regulator investigates deadly Tesla crash into Texas home
The vehicle was using an automated driving feature at high speed and killed a 76-year-old woman standing in the home Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The top US auto regulator opened an investigation on Monday after a Tesla using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a 76-year-old woman standing inside. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it’s opening a special investigation into the Tesla Model 3 crash on Friday near Houston, a significant investigation because the car was using technology that Elon Musk considers key to his company’s future. Continue reading...
Israel deliberately targeting Gaza children to commit genocide, UN inquiry finds
Report says by aiming at children Israel is undermining capacity of Palestinian people to exist Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, an independent UN inquiry has found. The report by the UN independent international commission of inquiry examined violations against Palestinian children since the start of the war in Gaza, and said about 30% of those killed by Israeli forces have been children. Continue reading...
UK defence secretary promises delayed investment plan before Nato summit
Dan Jarvis, who took role earlier this month, is said to have secured billion more for plan than predecessor Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, promised to publish the delayed defence investment plan (Dip) before the Nato summit in a fortnight amid indications he has already secured around a billion more than his predecessor, John Healey. Haggling between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury is continuing – while a source in Andy Burnham’s team said he was happy for a final deal to be concluded while Keir Starmer serves out his last days as prime minister. Continue reading...
Timeline: what Farage has said about the £5m gift from a crypto-billionaire
Whether the money was a reward for Brexit or for personal security, media interest in it has intensifed as the Reform UK leader returns to the public eye Having largely, and uncharacteristically, avoided media attention for much of the past couple of months – a period that has coincided with people asking some searching questions about the £5m given to him by a billionaire Reform backer – Nigel Farage returned to the airwaves on Tuesday. If he had hoped broadcasters, and their listeners, had forgotten about the issue, he was sorely mistaken. Continue reading...
Populist and rightwing figures take aim at Ed Miliband and UK net zero policies at ‘anti-woke Davos’
Kemi Badenoch, who joined US anti-abortion activists and European far-right parties at ARC, described energy secretary as a ‘villain’ Britain’s net zero policies and energy secretary Ed Miliband have come under fire at a conference of conservatives, rightwing populists and wealthy US backers linked to Donald Trump . The energy policies pursued by the British government were described as a “tragic mistake” by Trump’s energy secretary, one of a number of officials from the US administration who are attending the event. Continue reading...
Searing UK heat leaves schools, hospitals and transport networks struggling to cope
Temperature on Tuesday hits high of 34.6C in Surrey, England, with heatwave forecast to get more intense on Wednesday and Thursday Searing heat has swept the UK with schools, hospitals, transport networks and water companies struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures caused by climate breakdown. Temperatures hit highs of 34.6C in Wisley in Surrey, the Met Office said on Tuesday, with the UN chief warning that London was “cooking”. Reduced rail speeds and services; Hospital patient appointments cancelled; School closures across southern England and Wales; Hosepipe bans in south-east England; Spikes in sales of fans, ice-cream makers and sun cream. Continue reading...
Burnham and Starmer hold ‘frosty’ meeting to thrash out transition of power
With Burnham and his team potentially having only weeks before he becomes PM, Starmer has agreed to give him access to civil service Keir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power. The prime minister has agreed for his likely successor to have talks with the civil service to smooth his path, but there is deep resentment within his inner circle towards Burnham for ousting Starmer. Continue reading...
On the Nomination PN859-3: Darrell Owens, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, with the rank of Ambassador
Vote: Nomination Confirmed 67/30 Sen. Duckworth [D-IL]: Nay Sen. Durbin [D-IL]: Nay
Bev Craig to stand as Labour candidate for Greater Manchester mayor
Leader of city council braces for bitter fight with Reform UK in byelection for Andy Burnham’s replacement Labour’s candidate to replace Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor has been named as Bev Craig, the leader of the city council. Burnham, who could be prime minister in under four weeks, is expected to campaign heavily for Labour in a tight contest with Reform UK on 30 July. Continue reading...
Appeals court allows Trump to fast-track deportation process nationwide
Ruling lets DHS apply expedited removal to non-citizens who are living far from border A federal appeals court cleared the way on Tuesday for the Trump administration to expand a fast-track deportation process that would allow for the expedited removal of immigrants who are living far from the border. A panel of the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit ruled 2-1 to overturn a decision by a judge who in August 2025 blocked the US Department of Homeland Security’s move to expand who qualifies for expedited removal. That expedited removal process has for nearly three decades been used to quickly return migrants apprehended at the border. Continue reading...
Canadian police warn of possible copycat attacks after deadly shootout in Montreal
Assailant behind shooting that left three people dead wrote ‘incel’-like manifesto that was posted by a far-right outlet Police in Canada are warning of possible copycat attacks after three people died in a shootout in Montreal and the assailant’s lengthy manifesto, which called for “a new bloodletting”, was posted online by a far-right outlet. The document contains many of the hallmark grievances of the “involuntary celibacy” – or “incel” – movement in addition racist and misogynistic conspiracy theories. Continue reading...
Electricity prices jump in Europe as demand soars in the heatwave
Great Britain has paid at least six times the normal price for imported power as millions turn on air conditioning and windfarm output sags The heatwave has prompted a sharp rise in electricity prices across European markets as millions turn to air conditioners and electric fans to battle record high temperatures, which have also caused a string of power plant outages across the continent. Great Britain imported electricity from Europe at more than six times the normal price on Tuesday as the high pressure heat dome has slowed wind speeds, hitting renewable energy generation, and caused outages at multiple gas plants across the country. Continue reading...
The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in need of renewal | Editorial
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney’s government faces new challenges in a changing landscape The Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political drama unfolding in London since May’s local elections, culminating on Monday in Sir Keir Starmer’s enforced resignation , has also been welcome for a more discomfiting reason. The glare of the spotlight on Labour’s internal revolution has allowed its own travails to play out in the shadows. The five-year sentence handed down on Tuesday to the former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell, brings a form of closure to one of the biggest political scandals in Britain for decades. Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, has rejected calls for an inquiry into Murrell’s embezzlement of more than £400,000 from SNP funds over a 12-year period. But unanswered questions remain regarding how Murrell got away with stealing from the SNP for so long. The party’s financial probity is also under scrutiny over the use of more than £600,000 theoretically ringfenced for an independence referendum. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading...
Tiger Woods returns to introduce golf’s two-tier PGA Tour shake-up from 2028
New elite series to include promotion and relegation 23-24 events spread across February to August The PGA Tour has announced sweeping changes to its competitive structure, approving a two-tier system with promotion and relegation to take effect in 2028. The elite-tier PGA Tour Championship Series will run from February to August and feature 23-24 events with $20m (£15m) purses, while the $4m events on the Challenger Series will provide a path for players to earn their way to the top level. Continue reading...
HMRC announces 22% tax on cash interest held in stocks and shares Isas
Treasury also promises new first-time buyer Isa with no upper age limit reflecting ‘age at which a first home is bought is rising’ Isa reforms announced on Tuesday promise a new first-time buyer account with no upper age limit, and a tax on interest on cash savings held in a stocks and shares wrapper. Savers and investors can currently hold up to £20,000 a year in Isas, which offer the chance to earn returns which are not subject to tax. Continue reading...
Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s route to power – cartoon
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Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni Infantino
Two men due to share trophy-presenting on 19 July ‘We are together all the time’, says Fifa president Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July, Gianni Infantino has said. Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the build-up to these finals, but the US president has barely talked about the tournament since it began on 11 June, and is yet to attend a match. Continue reading...
DUP seeks to distance party from ‘wicked deceiver’ Jeffrey Donaldson
Denunciation comes after former Democratic Unionist leader convicted of child sexual offences The Democratic Unionist party has denounced Jeffrey Donaldson as a “wicked deceiver” who led a “double and duplicitous life” a day after its former leader was convicted of child sexual offences . Leaders at the Stormont assembly on Tuesday sought to distance the DUP from Donaldson and described him as a manipulator who had hoodwinked Northern Ireland and hid his crimes behind a facade of respectability and Christian faith. Continue reading...