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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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All bodies of water in England polluted with toxic chemicals, official data shows
Environment Agency assessments find just 14.3% of country’s surface waters in good ecological status Every single English water body is polluted with toxic chemicals, new government data shows, while just 14.3% of surface waters achieved good ecological status. Each of the country’s rivers, lakes and estuaries was assessed by the Environment Agency as part of a six-yearly evaluation into England’s water quality. The EA checked for a range of toxic chemicals, from Pfas forever chemicals to microplastics. Waters were also checked against a range of standards covering wildlife, water quality and physical habitat. Continue reading...
Virginia teens at golf tryouts rescue family from drowning and then make squad
Gavin Cain, Andrew Tuggle and Jackson Castro were at golf team tryouts when they heard screams from nearby lake A trio of Virginia teenagers recently showed up to golf team tryouts, jumped into a nearby lake to rescue three people – including a preschooler who couldn’t swim – after their kayaks capsized, and then earned spots on the squad, according to officials who are hailing their actions as “heroic”. In events that authorities say demonstrate the kind of leadership that young people are capable of, Andrew Tuggle, 15, and 17-year-olds Gavin Cain and Jackson Castro showed up to the Culpeper Country Club links on the afternoon of 27 July to compete for places on Eastern View high school’s golf team, the local police department said in a statement. Continue reading...
Top Democrats accuse Trump officials over Israeli settlers’ ‘unbridled violence’
Letter says lifting of sanctions sent ‘clear message’ settlers can use deadly force in West Bank without consequences Senior Democrats have accused Donald Trump’s administration of giving a green light to violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, warning that its policies created “a climate of impunity and unbridled violence” that endangers both Palestinians and US citizens. In a letter seen by the Guardian, a group of 19 Democratic senators and representatives call for the restoration of sanctions against extremist settlers and demand independent US investigations into the deaths of nine US citizens killed in the West Bank since 2022. Continue reading...
We need a wartime mindset to fight the threat of wildfires | Seth Klein
While many leaders compare the wildfire crisis to the second world war, governments fail to adopt the real lessons of pre-emptive wartime action As France and Spain battle historic wildfires , comparisons to the second world war abound. “One of the continent’s biggest evacuation efforts since World War II,” reports the Associated Press . The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has called the wildfires his country’s “ most difficult situation since the second world war ”. The images crossing all our screens certainly feel war-like – emergency aircraft and black smoke fill the skies, frantic civilians seeking shelter, historic towns lying in ruins, charred forests and burned-out vehicles, exhausted and sweat-soaked emergency responders. Continue reading...
‘Morocco feels emboldened’: Trump’s influence in spotlight after Ceuta disaster
Washington-Rabat ties under scrutiny as questions swirl over what led to deadly influx into tiny Spanish territory The cosy relationship between Washington and Rabat has long been flaunted by both sides, from Morocco’s announcement this year that it would be the first African state to join Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to the congratulatory message recently sent by Trump to mark King Mohammed VI’s 27 years in power. The latest example landed this week. As Spain grappled with the aftermath of the sudden influx – and swift return – of more than 70,000 people into Ceuta, Morocco’s monarch confirmed he had named a $1bn highway flanking the disputed territory of Western Sahara after Trump. Continue reading...
‘It just means more’: Black college gymnasts in a divided South
Nyla Aquino’s rise at Georgia reveals the tensions facing Black athletes as the SEC thrives while DEI programs and voting rights come under attack It’s a February Friday night at the University of Georgia, but Stegeman Coliseum is alive. Situated in the center of the sprawling southern campus, the towering arena has hosted Georgia Bulldogs basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams for over six decades. On 22 February 1964, Stegeman Coliseum hosted its first athletic event and, concurrently, its first win. Continue reading...
I knew Rod Liddle and hated what he became. He would have wanted me to say so | Zoe Williams
A man who prized blunt speaking has been selectively eulogised. There’s a balance between decency and honesty: I’m sad he caused such harm As tributes poured in for Rod Liddle, the Sunday Times and Sun columnist who has died at the age of 66, they were markedly coy and sanitised. Paradoxically, those were the exact deficiencies obituaries praised Liddle for avoiding – they said he shot from the hip and ruffled feathers, remorselessly attacked the liberal establishment and was ebullient. Michael Gove called him “special and brave”. But brave in the face of what? Attacked the liberal establishment how? This delicacy was particularly noticeable in a segment on Radio 4’s Today programme, of which Liddle was editor in the 90s, between Justin Webb and Amol Rajan . “If there was a golden thread that connected the person you saw back then with the person of a few weeks ago,” Webb said, “it was a distrust of authority.” But Liddle’s targets as a columnist were not the authorities. Often they were Muslims and immigrants, transgender people and chronic illness sufferers, African-Caribbean men from Harlesden. He did not attack the establishment, he attacked the marginalised, constantly. Continue reading...
Blue Note to bring world-famous jazz club to London
Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper will headline opening of club’s first UK venue in Covent Garden next month The world-famous New York jazz club Blue Note will open its first UK venue in London next month. Located in the basement of St Martins Lane hotel, Covent Garden, the club promises the best of British jazz alongside world-class international artists, with a programme featuring emerging and established talent. Continue reading...
University of Greater Manchester ends contract of embattled vice-chancellor
George Holmes was suspended in 2025 over allegations involving financial mismanagement and other misconduct The University of Greater Manchester’s embattled vice-chancellor has had his contract terminated by the university’s governing body, ending a period of uncertainty over the university’s leadership. Sir George Holmes, who had led the university for two decades, was initially suspended last year over allegations involving financial mismanagement and other misconduct. Continue reading...
‘Performative reductions’: Labor MPs and business groups urge Burke against sweeping immigration changes
MPs say they are anxious for the government to avoid cuts to family and humanitarian visa categories Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Major business groups have urged Labor to suspend its immigration changes and consult further with industry about how to get more skilled workers into the country, amid questions about looming Labor tweaks on permanent migration. With home affairs minister Tony Burke delaying an anticipated immigration speech by at least one week, some Labor MPs say they are anxious to avoid major changes to the family and humanitarian visa categories, with one urging against “performative reductions” in migration in response to One Nation. Continue reading...
Reform to unveil controversial plan to fine firms and jail bosses who employ illegal workers – UK politics live
Reform say employers would be held responsible even if they were unaware of the worker’s immigration status Hello and welcome to the UK politics live blog. Reform UK says it will fine firms 10% of their global revenues and imprison bosses who employ illegal migrant workers under the party’s latest plans to bring down immigration. Under a Reform government, Britain will have the harshest penalties in the world for employing illegal migrants. Bosses of companies employing illegal migrants will be sent to prison, and their companies fined 10% of their global revenues. Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime. We are already closing the loopholes that allow illegal migrants to work in the UK by extending right to work checks to the gig economy and delivery sector. Jewish leaders have turned down a meeting with a former antisemitic internet troll as Kemi Badenoch defended his selection as a Conservative council candidate. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) have declined an offer from the Conservatives to meet Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who has been selected to fight the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset next May. But they said they would meet with the Conservatives to “discuss their decision-making process” and urge them to drop Mr Bonehill-Paine as a candidate. Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of Labour peer Baroness Luciana Berger, who is Jewish. Ministers continued to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation. Justice minister Jake Richards acknowledged the “unimaginable pain” of the deceased officer’s family but said “difficult decisions” must be made because law and order could “collapse” without a functioning prison system. The government is not “actively” considering an inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s UK activities, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson has confirmed. They said that while the department was “reviewing what is possible” and would “look at all options to support victims”, a public inquiry was “not being actively considered”. Continue reading...
Iran says a deal with Oman to reopen the strait of Hormuz is close to being finalised – Middle East crisis live
Under the proposed agreement Tehran would control inbound traffic according to reports Understanding reached on coordinates for shipping route through Hormuz, Iran says An Israeli strike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured her colleague Zeinab Faraj in April was a war crime, three rights organisations said on Thursday. Investigations from Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and Legal Agenda showed that Israel deliberately and directly attacked Khalil and Faraj, with apparent knowledge that they were civilians. The organisations called for the attacks to be investigated as war crimes, while HRW called for states to halt arm sales to Israel and put targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for ongoing crimes. Continue reading...
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refineries as Moscow continues attacks on Ukrainian cities – Europe live
Zelenskyy says military managed to hit two refineries in targeted attacks The UK has added 13 new designations and six new specifications to its Russia sanctions regime. The new entries include asset freezes, director disqualifications and transport sanctions, and shipping and trade sanctions, among others. Continue reading...
Labor faces fierce backlash from gambling giants as Coalition and Greens push for new controls on inducements
Despite reports the PM wants Labor’s bill to be passed in full or withdrawn, Anika Wells insists she is prepared to negotiate Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Labor will face strong opposition from gambling giants if it accedes to Coalition and Greens demands for a tough new ban on financial inducements for betting, part of closely watched Senate dealmaking expected within days. Despite reports on Thursday that the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, could insist Labor’s bill to limit advertising for online sports betting be passed in full or be withdrawn, the communications minister, Anika Wells, insisted she was prepared to negotiate. Continue reading...
Positive Persimmon looks to tap into ‘Burnham bounce’ on housebuilding
Firm lifts outlook saying it’s well placed to benefit from PM’s focus on new homes despite ongoing cost pressures of Iran war UK housebuilder Persimmon has lifted its outlook, saying it is “well-placed” to benefit from prime minister Andy Burnham’s policy agenda, despite growing costs linked to the Iran war. Despite rising cost pressures, Persimmon has lifted its outlook for the full year and now plans to complete 12,500 new homes by year-end, at the upper reach of its previous guidance. Continue reading...
High-profile Indian investigative journalist convicted of raping colleague
Tarun Tejpal, ex-editor of Tehelka magazine, was initially acquitted in 2021 in case that drew nationwide attention An Indian court has convicted a high-profile former editor of an investigative news magazine of raping a junior colleague, overturning his acquittal in a case that drew nationwide attention. Tarun Tejpal, 63, the founder and former editor of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping a journalist in the lift of a five-star hotel in the western coastal state of Goa during an event in November 2013. He was arrested and spent seven months in jail until the supreme court granted him bail. Continue reading...
Starbucks Korea raided by police after ‘Tank Day’ campaign sparks public outrage
Coffee chain faced backlash over marketing promotion tied to anniversary of Gwangju massacre South Korean police have raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign accused of trivialising the country’s 1980s pro-democracy movement. Investigators searched the building in southern Seoul on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday. No further details were released, although South Korean media reported that officers also searched the homes of the Starbucks Korea executives. Continue reading...
‘Orange elephant in the room’: Pauline Hanson’s political rise is inspiring racism, inquiry hears
Former AFL inclusion manager tells inquiry One Nation leader’s conduct is encouraging people to use ‘similar behaviour and words’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The rise of One Nation is fuelling racism, a federal parliamentary inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at First Nations people has been told, with high‑profile Indigenous journalists warning the inquiry that 1970s‑style racism “is back”. The inquiry is holding public hearings in Melbourne this week, hearing evidence from prominent personalities and sporting groups about their experiences of racism, discrimination, violence and harm across Australia. Continue reading...
Australian politician admits to sending text saying ‘my job is boring’ during a hearing
Mark Parton defends sending text message but denies he sent it to a sex worker, saying he is a ‘multi-tasker from hell’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast An Australian politician has admitted sending a text message that read “fuck, my job is boring” during a parliamentary hearing , but denied an allegation that he sent it to a sex worker. Mark Parton, the leader of the opposition in the Australian Capital Territory, made the admission after an anonymous complaint referred to the Legislative Assembly’s commissioner for standards alleged that last week’s text was sent to a sex worker. Continue reading...
Alan Jones’s alleged victim denies ‘fabricating’ claims against broadcaster during robust cross-examination
Former 2UE and 2GB radio broadcaster is facing 22 charges. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A former student sports star has denied in a Sydney court that he “fabricated” indecent assault allegations against broadcaster Alan Jones after he lost his police job and fell on “extremely hard times”. Jones’s defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC on Wednesday suggested to complainant J during cross-examination that he had a financial motive to report his alleged indecent assaults 20 years after the incidents. Continue reading...
Healey urged to be bold on borrowing in first test of Burnham’s growth pledge
Some want the chancellor to exploit newly flexible fiscal rules – others want a more creative approach, such as borrowing from markets With just 12 weeks to go until his first budget, new chancellor John Healey is seeking ways to ramp up public investment, without busting the Treasury’s fiscal rules – and some economists are urging him to be bold. As he settles into No 11 Downing Street, the former defence secretary’s most immediate challenges concern day-to-day government spending. Continue reading...
Council wants pubs in London’s Soho and West End to ban standing
Sadiq Khan criticises Westminster council’s ‘anti-growth policies’ after it recommends stopping ‘vertical drinking’ Waiting at the bar and trying to catch the bartender’s eye so you can order a pint, before going to stand with your friends and have a catchup, has been how British people have experienced going to the pub for centuries. But Westminster council has been accused of trying to put a stop to it. The council, which has jurisdiction over one of the busiest nightlife districts in Europe – Soho and the West End – has recommended not allowing “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in its new draft licensing policy. Continue reading...
Israeli strike that killed journalist in Lebanon was war crime, say rights groups
Investigation by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and Legal Agenda shows Israel deliberately attacked Amal Khalil and colleague Zeinab Faraj knowing they were civilians An Israeli strike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured her colleague Zeinab Faraj in April was a war crime, three rights organisations said on Thursday. Investigations from Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and Legal Agenda showed that Israel deliberately and directly attacked Khalil and Faraj, with apparent knowledge that they were civilians. The organisations called for the attacks to be investigated as war crimes, while HRW called for states to halt arm sales to Israel and put targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for ongoing crimes. Continue reading...
Texts suggest Angus Taylor ‘paid money to the Reformers … or was refusing to’, Icac inquiry hears
Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former NSW premier, asked about messages referencing federal opposition leader and factional group Reformers Icac’s spotlight has shone on Dominic Perrottet’s brother – and it won’t be the last we hear from his family New South Wales’s anti-corruption watchdog has been shown text messages which suggest Angus Taylor “had paid some money to the Reformers … or was refusing to”, according to the lawyer assisting the inquiry. Taylor, the federal opposition leader, is not named in Icac’s allegations and has previously denied making payments to the hard-right factional group the Reformers. Continue reading...