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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Japan admits growing need to counter espionage after Russian ‘den of spies’ report
Issue must be addressed with ‘even greater rigour’, says government spokesman, after New York Times report on how it has become a spy hub for Vladimir Putin Japan has said it recognised the need to counter foreign intelligence better after the New York Times reported that Russia had turned the country into a “den of spies” and key source of weapons components. The newspaper, in an investigation published on Sunday, reported that thanks to “weak espionage laws”, Moscow was using Japan as a key hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine. Continue reading...
Darline Graham Nordone: Lindsey Graham’s sister and interim US senator
Nordone was 13 when brother became her legal guardian – and was a key presence as he rose in the Republican ranks When Lindsey Graham was in college, his parents died, just over a year apart. But he worried most about his sister, who, at 13, was suddenly an orphan. Graham became her legal guardian – and later adopted her so she could receive his benefits through his service as an air force lawyer. On Monday, Henry McMaster, South Carolina’s Republican governor, announced that the late senator’s younger sister, Darline Graham Nordone, would fill the Senate seat he held until his sudden death on Saturday night, aged 71. Continue reading...
US refunds $81bn in Trump tariffs after supreme court ruled them illegal
Government had been forced to pay back duties to companies that imported goods into the US that were hit by Trump’s tariffs The US government has already paid back tens of billions of dollars in tariffs it collected before the supreme court ruled them illegal, according to budget figures released on Monday. Tariffs – taxes on imported goods – have been a key part of president Donald Trump’s game economic plan since he took office again last year. Continue reading...
Trump dramatically cuts size of two national monuments held sacred by tribes
Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah will lose ‘close to a million and a half acres each’ and open land to developers and oil industry Donald Trump has approved a sharp reduction in the size of two national monuments in Utah held sacred by many Native Americans, in the latest move to open US public land to corporate developers and the oil and gas industry. The two monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, will see a reduction of “close to a million and a half acres each”, Trump said during an executive order signing event on Monday, undoing protections established by former presidents. Continue reading...
Marco Rubio launches campaign to dismantle International criminal court
US secretary of state claims the global tribunal is interfering with US military and law enforcement operations Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, launched a campaign to dismantle the International criminal court (ICC) on Monday, claiming that the global tribunal was interfering with US military and law enforcement operations at the risk of American sovereignty. Rubio invoked images of US Border Patrol agents and elected leaders being “dragged before an international court” and tried by judges from around the world in a lengthy op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal Monday. Continue reading...
One of strictest US abortion bans could be overturned in November’s election
Idaho to have ballot measure for reproductive freedom law that would reverse ban on abortions at all pregnancy stages One of the strictest abortion bans in the country will be on the ballot this November after Idaho ’s secretary of state certified a ballot measure on Monday that would reverse the state’s abortion ban that prohibits the procedure at all stages of pregnancy. The ballot initiative was headed by a volunteer-run group called Idahoans United for Women & Families, which ran a petition drive to get the measure in front of voters this fall. They gathered more than 100,000 signatures, surpassing the required 70,725 to get on the ballot. Continue reading...
H.R. 8897: Improving Travel for American Families Act
Vote: Passed 398/12 Rep. Krishnamoorthi [D-IL8]: Yea
World Cup and sunshine prompt UK consumers to splash out on beer and online shopping
Despite spending increase in June, Barclays says most people still pessimistic about economy Relentless sunshine and the World Cup coaxed consumers to spend more on beer and online shopping last month, with purse strings expected to remain loose as England fans gear up for Wednesday’s semi-final. Most people remain pessimistic about the UK economy, according to data from Barclays Bank based on debit and credit card transactions. Continue reading...
UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades, doctors say
Analysis of 12 indicators including asthma, obesity and vaccination finds child health is ‘national embarrassment’ Children in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades, with child health outcomes having declined or stalled completely across all areas, a group of leading paediatricians has said. Reduced vaccination rates alongside rising hospital admissions for asthma and mental health disorders are all contributing factors to the UK’s record on children’s health, which should be seen as a “national embarrassment”, their analysis has found. Continue reading...
H.R. 3106: Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
Vote: Passed 400/7 Rep. Krishnamoorthi [D-IL8]: Yea
Andy Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissent
Prime minister-in-waiting votes for plans to tighten appeals system as 14 Labour MPs oppose measures Andy Burnham has backed the government’s controversial asylum changes, voting for legislation that has divided Labour MPs over plans to tighten the immigration system and reshape the appeals process. The prime minister-in-waiting and Labour MP for Makerfield supported the immigration and asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening, despite a rebellion by 14 Labour MPs. Continue reading...
US launches third night of strikes on Iran as Trump announces Hormuz blockade
American president says ships will be charged for safe passage through strait in apparent policy reversal Middle East crisis live – latest updates The US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after president Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparently policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage. “These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said. Continue reading...
Police hope new photos will help find remains of British backpacker Peter Falconio 25 years after infamous murder
Northern Territory police reopen evidence boxes in bid to close investigation of horrific crime Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Northern Territory police have reopened evidence boxes to uncover several previously unseen photographs from the investigation into the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio and attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees. Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of the outback disappearance, which still resonates as one of Australia’s most horrific and culturally defining crimes. It also carries unanswered questions for Falconio’s family. Continue reading...
Mexico to file criminal complaints over migrants killed by ICE in US
Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexicans ‘outraged’ over killing last week of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by agents in Houston Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that Mexico would be filing criminal complaints in the US for the deaths of more than a dozen Mexican migrants in immigration detention and those killed in anti-migrant operations. The deaths include last week’s killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, whom Sheinbaum said was “practically murdered”. Continue reading...
On the Nomination PN930-3: Arthur Roberts Jones, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
Vote: Nomination Confirmed 46/44 Sen. Duckworth [D-IL]: Nay Sen. Durbin [D-IL]: Nay
The western US is running out of water. What happens next? – Stateside with Kai and Carter
Thanks to pollution, overpopulation and the climate crisis, Earth is facing a terrifying new crisis: an irreversible 'water bankruptcy'. Now, fights over water have ramped up across the world, including in the US west. Host Carter Sherman speaks with Guardian extreme weather correspondent Gabrielle Canon about the battle over the future of the Colorado River Basin, whose water sustains some 40 million people across seven states – but is now drying up. Gabrielle recently rafted down the basin's last 'wild' river, the Yampa. Damming or diverting the Yampa could bring the west some much-needed hydration. It may also devastate the vast natural ecosystem that relies on the river's free-flowing waters. Also: Carter and Kai Wright react to the death of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham Gabrielle Canon’s story on the Yampa River Guardian stories on Lindsey Graham: Analysis on Graham as dealmaker The scramble to replace Graham Lindsey Graham in his own words Continue reading...
Australia news live: NT police still seek answers over 25 year-old murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio
Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of 28-year-old’s murder but remains were never found Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Northern Territory Police have opened evidence boxes to uncover several previously unseen photographs from the investigation of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio and attempted abduction of his girlfriend Joanne Lees. Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of the infamous outback disappearance. Continue reading...
Lawyers to investigate claims of GB power grid cover-up over blackout risk
Operator brings in independent legal firm to look into whistleblower allegations relating to June heatwave Great Britain’s grid operator has brought in independent investigators to look into accusations that its staff were involved in a cover-up over the power system being at a greater risk of blackouts during the heatwave. The government-owned energy system operator will face the scrutiny of an external legal firm after a whistleblower claimed that control room staff were warned against leaving a paper trail relating to efforts to stabilise the power system during record high temperatures in late June. Continue reading...
Minnesota prosecutors get evidence on ICE killings from federal authorities
Previously withheld material concerns fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during immigration crackdown Previously withheld evidence regarding the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti is now in the hands of Minnesota prosecutors, helping the state gain clarity on the deaths that occurred earlier this year during protests against a federal immigration crackdown. “Through the cooperation of our federal partners, we have obtained hard drives of previously withheld evidence in the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis,” the Hennepin county attorney, Mary Moriarty, said in a video statement posted on social media. Continue reading...
Man tossed into the air by ‘agitated’ bull bison was grandfather visiting Yellowstone with grandson
Carl McDaniel was ‘respectful distance’ from animal when it charged and had severe injuries, including broken bones A tourist who was tossed 8ft in the air by a bison at Wyoming’s Yellowstone national park – an encounter viewed by more than a million social media users thanks to a viral video online – has been identified as a “community minded” grandfather from Washington state. Carl McDaniel had severe injuries including broken bones after Friday’s campsite encounter with the bison, which was posted to YouTube by the Wyoming news outlet Cowboy State Daily. A photographer named Mike MacLeod rushed to help the victim on the ground after making the recording. Continue reading...
Andy Burnham secures Labour leadership with landslide support of MPs
Additional 27 nominations mean it is impossible for any other candidate to launch leadership challenge Andy Burnham has effectively been confirmed as the next Labour party leader after receiving an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs, taking his total to 349. The additional nominations, on top of the 322 he received last week, mean it is now impossible for any other candidate to gain the 81 endorsements needed to challenge for the Labour leadership . Continue reading...
Tice gauges the mood on the death of Ann Widdecombe, but only on second try | John Crace
After a wild attack on the Times, Reform’s deputy leader was all poise in the Commons – unlike some of his party’s other MPs This is the third murder of either a sitting or former MP that I’ve covered in the last 10 years. It doesn’t get any easier or less shocking. Every death diminishes us all. The least you would hope is for politicians to behave with dignity. To set an example. For those who knew Ann Widdecombe to express their personal loss, for party leaders and ministers to convey the horror of her death and offer their condolences to her family and friends. Probably best for everyone else to say as little as possible for now. The police have asked for everyone to refrain from speculating about the motives of the suspect, as of Monday lunchtime being questioned by counter-terrorism officers, and not to politicise the murder if at all possible. A time for our political class to behave like grownups. And the overwhelming majority have done that. Just for now, even Nigel Farage has stopped acting as if he was the detective leading the investigation by offering his insights to every passing TV crew and has fallen silent. Continue reading...
‘Coalition of the willing’ to build shared European anti-ballistic programme
Ukraine and nine other countries including UK issue joint statement as leaders meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany and France are to build a shared protection programme for Europe against ballistic missiles, using Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than four years. “Our goal is to build a shared ballistic missile defence capability for Europe,” the 10 nations said in a statement on Monday as leaders met the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for talks in Paris. Continue reading...
US outbreak of parasite causing ‘watery diarrhea’ rises to more than 2,800 cases
Outbreak comes a year after Trump administration cut funding for state and local health departments What is cyclosporiasis, the parasitic illness causing ‘explosive’ diarrhea? State health officials in Michigan and Ohio are reporting thousands of cases of cyclosporiasis, a – a parasitic infection that causes “watery diarrhea”, loss of appetite and weight loss. The outbreak of more than 2,800 cases comes a year after the Trump administration cut funding to state and local health departments and reduced the remit of a program dedicated to coordinating information on food borne illness, including of cyclospora. Continue reading...