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Politics
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Jeremy Bamber’s legal team challenge ban on his talking to the media
Lawyer says restriction comes at ‘significant moment’ in appeal process for White House Farm murder conviction The legal team of Jeremy Bamber, who has served 41 years in prison for murdering five members of his family, has challenged Wakefield prison’s decision to ban him from talking about his case to the media and long-term supporters. His lawyers have issued a claim for judicial review against the secretary of state for justice and the governor of the category A high-security prison, arguing that it is violating his right to free speech and obstructing his access to justice. Continue reading...
‘Disgraceful’: what one photo from Clacton tells us about British politics in 2026
Byelection results have been interpreted positively by Farage and Binface, but one spoiled ballot tells its own story UK politics live – latest updates It ended, perhaps fittingly, on a rather baffling note. After 34 days of campaigning to regain the parliamentary seat of Clacton on England’s south coast, Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, declined to turn up to the town’s leisure centre to hear himself declared the winner and MP. It was quite the thing. The last high-profile winning candidate to fail to enjoy his moment of victory was Bobby Sands in 1981. The IRA man had his reasons: he was on hunger strike in a prison in Northern Ireland, and went on to die 26 days later. Instead Farage attended a gathering of his supporters at an airfield on the outskirts of Clacton billed by his party as “Farage Fest”. He told fans he would be damned if he was going to stand on a stage “having won a resounding victory” and “be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies”. Continue reading...
Almost 500 arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France this summer
More than 180 minors among those detained, as firefighters tackle blazes across Europe amid record-breaking heatwave Europe heatwave – latest updates Almost 500 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France since the start of the summer, authorities have said, as firefighters in half a dozen European countries tackle ferocious blazes amid a record-breaking heatwave. With three out of five Europeans facing temperatures of at least 30C on Friday and about 150 million enduring 35C or more, France’s interior ministry said 474 people, including 183 minors, had been detained over wildfires in the country since 1 July. Continue reading...
I’m a neuroscientist. Here’s why our brains need pop concerts | Bala Subramaniam
Attending a Nick Jonas show with my kids was an invitation to ‘collective effervescence’. We need these shared experiences now more than ever Three years ago, I agreed to accompany my children to a Nick Jonas concert. The appeal of the Jonas Brothers, and in this case only one of them, was unfamiliar territory. The concert happened to land on a particularly inconvenient day. As I sprinted out of the hospital, my mind was filled with the “what if’s” and “should haves” about our work that day. Continue reading...
Digested week: Humid New York or London’s oven-blast heat? Tough one to call
Plus, heartbreakingly brilliant Cats: the Jellicle Ball, summer reads and Taylor Swift’s low-key wedding I’ve been in New York for two weeks, where the unthinkable has happened: even for a city accustomed to extremes, it is so hot, so humid, so reminiscent of Mobile, Alabama, or Mumbai, that all over the city, New Yorkers have been forced to break persona to talk about the weather. “Was it always like this?” (No.) “Can you believe this?” (No.) “Are you having a stroke?” (Possibly.) Continue reading...
Benjamin Netanyahu describes UK as ‘first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon’
Israeli PM criticised by political rival for attacking an international ally and overseeing ‘horrific diplomatic failure’ The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the UK “the Islamic republic of Britain” in a podcast interview, where he also described the country as the “first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon”. His comments, made during an interview for Israel’s army radio, played into a common far-right Islamophobic trope about Britain’s small Muslim population. Continue reading...
First Thing: Court files show how federal agents spied on anti-ICE protesters | Martin Belam
Undercover agents infiltrated meetings, private chats and local events. Plus Wile E Coyote returns to the big screen Good morning. The extent to which federal law enforcement targeted political opponents and peaceful organizers has been laid bare in newly disclosed court documents . Internal investigative files reveal that the Department of Homeland Security launched a sweeping surveillance operation against anti-ICE protesters, major labor unions and left-leaning advocacy groups – sending undercover agents to infiltrate community meetings and issuing administrative subpoenas to seize financial records. The documents show that DHS investigators obtained financial records of unions and non-profits, as part of an inquiry into “domestic terrorist financing”. What did undercover government agents do? They infiltrated community meetings, joined private activist Signal chats and surreptitiously recorded audio at local events – including a “resistance skills training” at a public library and a sparring session at a church gym, where an agent accidentally dropped his recording device. Agents posed as activists and actively engaged participants by offering to help with “direct-action” protests. How have activists responded? Emilia González Avalos, the executive director of Unidos MN, a Minneapolis social justice non-profit group, said: “I believe that this is a clear attempt to intimidate us, to punish and politically repress disagreement and difference. And that is not the America that we have built through hundreds of years. And it’s definitely not the America that we are organizing for.” Where did the attack take place? The attack took place in Sevastopol, the biggest city in Russian-annexed Crimea. The regional governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said a woman had been arrested on suspicion of assassinating Shageyev on behalf of Ukrainian special services. What has Poland said about Russian activity there? A Russian plan to kill a Ukrainian American citizen in Warsaw was thwarted by Poland before it could be carried out, the Polish prime minister has said . Donald Tusk said it was the first time that “someone on the order of Russia” had sought to attack a US citizen on the territory of another Nato country. Continue reading...
Nolan Wells’ parents recount ordeal of son’s death at Atlanta convention
Ben Crump and Rev Al Sharpton, also present at National Association of Black Journalists, demanded ‘truth’ and ‘transparency’ in Wells’ case On Thursday morning, the parents of Nolan Wells, Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, along with Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney, and Rev Al Sharpton, the famed civil rights activist, spoke at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Atlanta. Wells was an 18-year-old college student who was found dead on 6 July after a boating trip with friends, and his death captured national attention . Wells went missing on 4 July and a photo of the teen, who was Black, and his three friends on the trip, who were white, went viral. Social media users have speculated that Wells’s disappearance, death and the perceived lack of urgency in the county’s investigation into what happened to the teen are because of his race. Continue reading...
US firms that kept DEI policies despite ‘go woke, go broke’ threats thrived
Exclusive: Companies that kept policies did just as well financially, even after Trump’s executive order, as those that didn’t Conservative backlash was supposed to put an end to the diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) movement as companies were warned “go woke, go broke”. In January 2025, Donald Trump delivered a death knell, ending DEI within the federal government with executive orders and threatening to target companies that still supported it. Companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McDonald’s and Walmart that had embraced DEI years earlier fell into line and announced an end to their policies. Continue reading...
Karoline Leavitt leaves behind a legacy of lies. What’s next for the Trump aide? | Arwa Mahdawi
The press secretary’s communication style made her eminently qualified for a role in this administration Karoline Leavitt, 28, is leaving her demanding job as Donald Trump’s press secretary to spend more time with her two young children and her 60-year-old husband. According to a post by Trump On Truth Social, Leavitt will be departing her role at the end of the month and will serve as one of Trump’s “top outside advisors”. In other words: the official version of events is that Leavitt is resigning on her own terms for family reasons and not because Trump’s approval ratings are at record lows and she’s a rat fleeing a sinking ship. Continue reading...
Trump’s great plane escape | Politics Weekly America
When Air Force One took off from Turkey after July’s Nato summit, almost everyone believed Donald Trump was on board … but he wasn’t. Jonathan Freedland talks to Tara Setmayer of the Seneca Project about why the White House felt the need to come up with such an elaborate lie to protect the president Continue reading...
Green groups urge Andy Burnham to break silence on climate crisis
More than 50 organisations say PM urgently needs to show leadership and prepare British people for scale of change needed as UK struggles through another heatwave UK politics live – latest updates The UK’s leading climate organisations have accused prime minister Andy Burnham of “remaining silent” on the climate crisis as the country struggles to cope with its fifth heatwave of the year. As widespread droughts and devastating wildfires grip the country green groups have written to Burnham urging him to “show leadership” and be honest with workers and the public that the climate crisis is driving the extreme conditions they are facing. Continue reading...
Donald Trump to give speech on crime and safety during New York visit – US politics live
President visiting police academy in Long Island as he looks to boost Republicans in battleground races ahead of November midterms Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. President Donald Trump plans to highlight his record on crime and safety during a visit to New York on Friday, pivoting to one of his strongest issues as he looks to boost Republicans in battleground races ahead of the November midterms. Luigi Mangione , the man accused of gunning down a health insurance executive, is due in federal court on Friday for a hearing where he is expected to plead guilty to stalking or similar charges. There is more on the story here . The battle over the Kennedy Center’s future escalated Thursday as President Donald Trump ’s allies on the board took new steps to commemorate him with physical changes to the iconic performing arts institution that could defy a federal court order. The Pacific-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington began heading toward the Middle East as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is leaving the Trump administration in the coming weeks, Axios reported on Friday. The White House did not respond to a request for comment outside business hours. The report has not been independently verified. Tropical Storm Lala formed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to become a hurricane while approaching the Big Island of Hawaii, where it could bring heavy rain and flooding this weekend, forecasters said. The storm is forecast to bring rain to the Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday as well as high winds and dangerous surf, the National Hurricane Center said. Continue reading...
So Nigel Farage has beaten a man in a bin. But he's in deep trouble, and he knows it | Owen Jones
The Reform leader claims vindication from the people, and it’s too early to write him off. But the problems he now faces may be more than he can bear Nigel Farage is a rattled, embattled politician. Perhaps he feels buoyed up by securing slightly more votes in a byelection boycotted by all the main parties than he did in the general election two years ago. That was despite 10,000 fewer people turning out to vote. But there was never any question that he was going to win a byelection he called purely to deflect scrutiny of his undeclared £5m personal gift from a Thai-based crypto-billionaire and donations from a convicted fraudster. Farage chose Clacton as his parliamentary launchpad for a reason. It was here that his previous outfit, Ukip, secured its breakthrough in the byelection of 2014. It is one of the most pro-leave seats in Britain, while Electoral Calculus estimates that almost no other constituency is this rightwing. Owen Jones is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
Luigi Mangione hearing fuels speculation of a guilty plea in federal case
Mangione also faces separate state trial over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, due to start on 8 September A hurriedly scheduled hearing for Luigi Mangione’s federal case in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is set for later on Friday morning, fueling speculation that he might plead guilty in these proceedings. Mangione faces two stalking counts in his federal case, as well as murder and weapons charges in a separate New York state case. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Both the federal and state cases could lead to a life prison sentence. Continue reading...
Is Florida ready for a democratic socialist?
Oliver Larkin, a 34-year-old DSA candidate, is running for Congress in a newly drawn district in Florida. On Tuesday, voters will decide between him and a ‘DeSantis Democrat’ Doors don’t get knocked on much in this stretch of south Florida , where yard signs for Republican and Democratic candidates alternate from home to home. Oliver Larkin, the 34-year-old democratic socialist running for Congress here, knows this. With a clipboard in hand five weeks before the state’s primary, Larkin and two canvassing volunteers walked down palm tree-lined streets with single-family homes to pitch residents on his plan for a better way of life. Surprisingly, many wanted to chat with the strangers at their door. Continue reading...
American missionary kidnapped in Niger freed after nine months
Kevin Rideout, who was abducted by unknown assailants in Niamey, said to be in good health and in care of US officials An American missionary who was kidnapped in Niger in October has been released, his organisation has said. Kevin Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials” and would soon be reunited with his extended family, SIM International said in a statement. Continue reading...
Albanian ambassador attacks UK right wing for ‘unhinged’ fixation with 2022 migrant surge
Exclusive: Uran Ferizi says arrivals fell sharply after short-lived influx, but country continues to be stigmatised The number of Albanians who travelled to Britain in small boats four years ago remains the focus of “unhinged” and “hysterical” criticisms from rightwing politicians and the media, according to the country’s UK ambassador. Uran Ferizi said the influx of more than 12,000 people from the Balkan state in 2022 was “real”, “exceptional” and “short-lived”, but the Albanian community in the UK was still being framed by those events by Reform UK and the Daily Telegraph. Continue reading...
NFL preseason storylines: are the Rams inevitable and will the Pats survive scandal?
With the Hall of Fame game done, and the second round of preseason games underway, let’s look at the storylines that could dominate the coming weeks Winning the Super Bowl back in February puts the Seattle Seahawks in line to become the 10th team, and the ninth franchise, to repeat as champions (the Pittsburgh Steelers went back-to-back twice in the 1970s). While a lot of Super Bowl winners experience massive drains of coaching and playing talent after clinching the title, these Seahawks are left in pretty good shape. Continue reading...
Little rain on the horizon as England and Wales experience driest July on record
England received only 10% of its average July rainfall and some areas may just get the odd shower for rest of August England has experienced its driest July since records began in 1836, receiving only 6.5mm of rainfall – 10% of the country’s long-term meteorological average for the month. Wales also experienced its driest-ever July, while Northern Ireland recorded it was its eighth driest. Scotland was the only country in the UK not to set new records but still received only 69% of its average rainfall for July compared with the long-term average. Southern England has faced the worst of the dry conditions with some areas, including the Sussex coast, receiving less than 0.2mm of rain in July. This has resulted in widespread low moisture content within the soil, enabling temperatures to reach the high 30s celsius. Looking ahead, despite notable spells of rain in the north, parts of southern England may receive only the odd shower for the rest of August. Throughout summer, forecast models have hinted at more unsettled weather reaching the south-east of England at a 10-day range. However, as time edged closer the rain was largely been confined to north-western parts of Britain, failing to reach the south-east with any significance. With much uncertainty within forecast models, the risk of this dry period persisting is not out of the question. Continue reading...
Futile Clacton byelection has done Farage no favours
The Reform UK leader forced a vote that failed to make financial questions disappear, only the man himself • Clacton byelection – UK politics live Dawn had long broken in the Essex town of Clacton-on-Sea when the results for the byelection came in. After a gruelling count, an atmosphere of deep exhaustion had settled over the room. Even the man with a dustbin on his head looked weary. As it was declared that Nigel Farage had, as expected, won , there was no cheering in the room, which had been boycotted by the Reform UK leader and his supporters; instead there was only an overwhelming sense of futility. Continue reading...
Standards watchdog resumes investigation into Nigel Farage over financial gifts
Reform UK leader’s return to Clacton restarts inquiry into £5m gift from cyrpto-billionaire and support from fraudster The suspended parliamentary standards investigation into Nigel Farage over accusations he failed to declare gifts and donations has resumed after the Reform UK leader’s re-election as the MP for Clacton. The twofold investigation by Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, was paused after Farage resigned from his seat and called a byelection in protest at what he said was unfair scrutiny of his finances. Continue reading...
Pocock and crossbenchers call Labor’s NDIS overhaul ‘too far, too fast’ in scathing Senate inquiry report
Greens say Labor’s reform set to ‘rip life-changing supports away from disabled people instead of raising additional revenue through taxing gas exports’ Crossbenchers have slammed the Albanese government’s proposed overhaul of the NDIS as going “too far, too fast” as the changes to curb the growth of the $52bn program appear set to pass the parliament as early as next week. The Greens and independent ACT senator, David Pocock, delivered scathing assessments of the bill they warn will enable blunt and indiscriminate cuts to individual budgets supporting more than 770,000 Australians with disabilities in a final Senate inquiry report released on Friday afternoon. Continue reading...
Lending to property investors falls sharply in ‘tiny’ step towards fairer housing market in Australia, expert says
ABS data shows an almost 9% slump in new lending to investors after three interest rate hikes this year Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast In what one economist is describing as a “tiny step” toward a fairer housing market after decades of bad policy, property investors are shying away from established homes, and putting money into new builds instead, new data shows. New lending to property investors fell sharply in the three months to June, slumping almost 9%, ABS data showed, while the number of total new home loans dropped by 5.4% in the June quarter. Continue reading...