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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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The US supreme court’s ruling on trans people in sports is an assault on bodily autonomy | Judith Levine
Laws banning trans athletes claim to defend science, fairness, and women’s safety. They do the opposite Last week, the US supreme court ruled that states may restrict participation in girls’ and women’s sports to “biological females” and exclude transgender athletes from competing. In the past six years, 27 states have enacted such bans; before the court were challenges to West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act and Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act . The majority opinion , penned by justice Brett Kavanaugh, upholds the laws’ legality under Title IX, the federal statute that guarantees women’s equal participation in college sports, and their constitutionality under the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. It also vindicates Donald Trump’s February 2025 executive order “ Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports ”. That directive withdraws funding from “educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy”. US policy, the order continues, will “oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth”. Continue reading...
Red scare revived as Trump leads push to attack Democrats as ‘communists’
In wake of primary wins by leftwing candidates in New York and elsewhere, president has resorted to well-worn tactic Moments after Donald Trump rang the ceremonial opening bell on Monday, starting the trading day from the Oval Office, 232 miles north on Wall Street, the US senator Ted Cruz celebrated the president’s new savings accounts as his administration’s “New Deal”. “But instead of having government taking care of everyone,” the Republican senator declared, “Trump accounts are about making every child and every American a capitalist.” Continue reading...
Why does JD Vance keep saying loony things? | Margaret Sullivan
Scratch their surface and you see exactly what he’s trying to do: stand up strong for intolerance and corruption Given how impetuous Donald Trump is, his vice-president, JD Vance, strikes some Americans as a more stable alternative. A good bet, some of the Maga faithful believe, as the 2028 Republican nominee for president, and the eventual occupant of the Oval Office. Every bit as rightwing as Trump but more serious and predictable – that seems to be Vance’s pitch to the public. And he clearly wants to be president; he’s as ambitious as they come. Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture Continue reading...
Female US rower reflects on ‘surreal’ record-breaking journey from California to Hawaii
Kelsey Pfendler, 32, says she hopes her solo 2,400-mile trek across the mid-Pacific inspires other women to take risks A Grand Canyon river-rafting guide who recently became the first US woman to row solo from California to Hawaii – traveling in record time – says she hopes her accomplishment inspires other women to push their limits and take risks. “It’s really motivating to think [that], maybe one day, I will get to see another woman work even harder to do what I did,” Kelsey Pfendler, 32, told ABC’s Good Morning America program on Monday, three days after completing the record-setting journey across the mid-Pacific. “And it would be so special to watch.” Continue reading...
So it’s Trump 1, Belgium 4 – and the world rejoices. Nothing like failed chicanery to bring us together, is there? | Marina Hyde
Joy is unbounded and when it dies down perhaps the guilty will be held to account for cheating and facilitation: perhaps they won’t. Still, enjoy the moment Oh dear. Such a shame to see the US lose at football after their insanely embarrassing president cheated for them . Still, it really brought the world together. The last time this many people cheered on a Belgian resistance, it was 1914 and the Germans had just crossed the Meuse. As you’ll be aware, the US were dumped out of their own World Cup on Monday night by a wholly superior Belgium, after Donald Trump boasted that he’d personally intervened in three phone calls with Fifa president Gianni Infantino to get the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun rescinded. Yes, the US cheats at football. Pass it on. You’ve heard a lot about shithousery during this tournament. We have even, excruciatingly, seen a few American commentators attempt to use the word in conversation. Guys, please, just – no . It’s not for you. You have ’erbs, “a couple things”, and “a ways to go”. But let’s call the events of the past few days by the name they deserve in all the languages of the world: Whitehousery. Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
‘Serious consequences’: Farage attacks Sky News after question about George Cottrell
Reform UK leader confronts journalist after question about gifts from friend and convicted fraudster UK politics live – latest updates Nigel Farage has said Sky News bosses face “serious consequences” in an outburst triggered by questions over fresh revelations about his finances. The Reform UK leader has faced renewed scrutiny after the Sunday Times revealed he had received funding from his longtime ally, the convicted fraudster George Cottrell. Continue reading...
Fifa accuses Uefa of hypocrisy in latest war of words over Folarin Balogun decision
It says overturning red cards is a common measure No talk from Uefa before about ‘red line’, Fifa states Fifa has hit back at Uefa in the war of words over the lifting of the USA striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension by accusing it of hypocrisy in its condemnation of the decision . In a statement attributed to the chair of Fifa’s disciplinary committee, Mohammad Al Kamali, published before the USA’s last-16 defeat by Belgium , Fifa insisted that “the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure” in Uefa-affiliated leagues, “yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’”. Continue reading...
Labour asks Electoral Commission to investigate claims Farage broke electoral law by not disclosing gifts – UK politics live
Parliamentary authorities are already looking into a £5m donation to the Reform Uk leader from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne Good morning. One of the reasons why Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, is relatively popular is because he presents as genial and good-natured. A rather different Farage was on display last night, after he angrily berated a Sky News cameraman who doorstepped him as he arrived back in the UK off a flight from the US. Farage also accused Sky News of harassing his family, which Sky denies. Perhaps Farage had a grim journey next to a noisy passenger in economy, but it is hard not to conclude that the outburst has more to do with Farage fearing that the ongoing controversy about his failure to declare gifts and support he received in the period shortly before he became an MP in 2024 could fatally damage his chances of becoming PM. The Labour party has posted the clip. Continue reading...
UK-based couple say overseas surrogacy agency made twins using wrong sperm
Couple ‘devastated’ after DNA tests for children’s British citizenship showed no biological connection to them A British-based couple who had twins through an overseas surrogacy agency later discovered they had no biological connection to the children after the agency mistakenly used donor sperm. The couple, referred to as PP and QQ in court documents, were “devastated” after making the discovery via DNA tests while applying for British citizenship for the children. Continue reading...
Nato summit begins with focus on defence spending as Zelenskyy and Trump due to meet - Europe live
Meeting of 32 member states comes at crucial time for alliance after tensions with US over Iran and Greenland Nato leaders, including the moody US president Donald Trump, are set to meet in Ankara, Turkey today and tomorrow for the latest round of talks on transatlantic defence. As our defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh says, there has been “a remarkable effort behind the scenes at Trump-proofing whatever happens in Ankara” given his tendency to go into angry outbursts directed at the allies. “ Trump is expected to bring 1,400 people with him to Turkey, including those responsible for bringing back his toilet waste – a standard protocol to prevent other countries analysing the material for intelligence about his health. That the US is coming in large numbers is seen as a relief, given that Trump has at times flirted with the idea of leaving Nato, including at a summit in 2018 .” Continue reading...
UK house prices rise for first time since start of Iran war
Typical property cost £299,330 in June, 0.2% more than the month before, says Lloyds Business live – latest updates House prices across the UK have risen for the first time since before the onset of the Iran war , leaving property values narrowly below those seen at the start of the year, according to a survey. The typical property cost £299,330 in June, a 0.2% increase on the month before. This comes after a monthly drop of 0.2% in May, according to the latest Lloyds house price index, previously known as the Halifax HPI. The annual growth rate edged higher to 0.6% from 0.5%. Continue reading...
NSW’s top prosecutor gave false evidence on media leak about young Indigenous offender, inquiry finds
Sally Dowling admits her office pitched the story but says it was not authorised by her, while her colleagues call her ‘a person of integrity’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A New South Wales parliamentary committee report has made findings accusing the state’s top prosecutor of giving false evidence under oath to an inquiry and recommended the attorney general investigate whether there are grounds to remove her from office. The upper house inquiry voted 4-3 to find that the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, Sally Dowling, authorised pitching a story to radio station 2GB about a sentencing hearing involving a young person, and “falsely denied having done so in her evidence to the committee”. Continue reading...
World Cup 2026: USA bounced out by Belgium after Balogun furore; backlash against Fifa builds – live
⚽ News and previews before the final last-16 match-ups ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Luke Hello sports fans. USA, the co-hosts, have been knocked out after a thumping 4-1 last-16 defeat by Belgium in Seattle. They insist the Donald Trump-induced Folarin Balogun red-card furore had nothing to do with the result . Continue reading...
Severe storms in China bring tornadoes and landslides that have killed 15 people
Chinese leader Xi Jinping calls for ‘all out’ rescue effort as death toll rises and 16 people remain buried after a landslide in the country’s west The death toll from devastating storms in parts of China rose to 15 on Tuesday, with hundreds more injured and tens of thousands evacuated, state media reported, as the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, urged “all out” efforts to rescue people affected by the weather. Thunderstorms and gale-force winds killed at least 11 people and injured 331 in the central province of Hubei, where “severe convective weather” hit cities, while tornadoes were reported elsewhere late Monday, state news agency Xinhua said. Continue reading...
Five charged in Liberia after more than 200kg of cocaine seized in drug bust
Shipment discovered at airport in Monrovia and valued at £14.2m had been falsely declared as seasoning cubes Authorities in Liberia have charged five suspects over one of the largest drug seizures in the country’s history, after police found more than 200kg of cocaine falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes. The shipment, with an estimated value of $19m (£14.2m), was discovered at the international airport in Monrovia on 8 June, but the suspects were not named until a press briefing at the weekend. Continue reading...
AI models already ‘doing things their creators never intended’, Australia’s assistant technology minister warns
Andrew Charlton says artificial intelligence ‘cheating, deceiving, going their own way’ – and time to get ahead of it is in testing lab Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Artificial intelligence models are already “cheating, deceiving and going their own way”, Australia’s assistant minister for technology, Andrew Charlton, has warned, as the federal government’s AI Safety Institute begins testing the latest models. In a speech to an AI safety forum in Sydney on Tuesday, Charlton said safety for AI matters now as “AI systems are already doing things their creators never intended”. Continue reading...
Tuesday briefing: What challenges would Ed Miliband face as chancellor?
In today’s newsletter: Former Reasons to Be Cheerful guests on the challenges facing the presumptive next occupant of No 11 Downing Street Good morning. Does anybody else remember Reasons to Be Cheerful ? The podcast was hosted by radio presenter Geoff Lloyd and Ed Miliband, during what has been unkindly described as his wilderness years, after he stepped down as Labour leader in 2015. I flipping loved that podcast. It started in 2017, soon after my son was born, and I have fond memories of driving across the country with a pooping infant, listening to Ed and Geoff discuss ideas to fix the world. It gave me hope my kid might grow up into a half-decent future. UK politics | Nigel Farage has been accompanied by his friend George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, to numerous Reform events and fundraisers and on a trip to Abu Dhabi, raising questions about the claim that he has no official role in the party. World Cup | Donald Trump said he personally asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun, saying he believed the dismissal was unfair but insisting he did not pressure football’s governing body to overturn the suspension. UK news | One of the UK’s most horrific and shocking child custody scandals was collectively ignored for decades because the victims were working-class boys from the north of England, a government minister has said. Immigration | A Jamaican man who has lived more than half his life in the UK is facing deportation to his home country in one of the first cases since new anti-immigration measures were announced in last week’s immigration bill. Israel | A British charity is funding a religious school at the heart of expansion plans for the illegal Israeli settlement in the Palestinian city of Hebron. Continue reading...
WiseTech shares rise after Richard White resigns as executive chair amid police investigation
Rise in share price adds nearly $1bn to tech giant’s market value while White continues on as a board director and chief innovation officer Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Richard White has resigned as executive chair of WiseTech, the Australian tech company he co-founded, denying allegations he exploited a worker’s financial and visa status for sex. White will stay on as a board director and chief innovation officer, with Raelene Murphy replacing him as chair, the company announced on Tuesday. Continue reading...
June heatwave in UK led to ‘mass sleep deprivation’, poll suggests
Exclusive: Record temperatures fuelled by climate crisis left 86% of homes ‘too hot’ and many people feeling unwell With parts of England once again in the grip of a heatwave, an opinion poll shows the one at the end of June led to “mass sleep deprivation”, with two in three people struggling to sleep during the sweltering nights. Almost half of people said they had lost at least three hours of sleep each night. The results are consistent with scientific research showing that global heating is damaging sleep across the world. Continue reading...
US airman accused of exposing himself to 16-year-old girl avoided British trial
Hannes Marschalek, who allegedly exposed his penis to four other women in Cambridgeshire, tried via US court martial A US airman who allegedly exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl and four young women in England was able to avoid the British justice system after the US military was permitted to take control of the case, the Guardian can reveal. Cambridgeshire police received complaints that the airman, Hannes Marschalek, had indecently exposed himself to the women as they walked past his home in Littleport, a small town in Cambridgeshire, in 2022. Continue reading...
Rapid endometriosis tests to be made available on NHS in England and Wales
Saliva and gut sensor-based tests hailed as ‘gamechanger’ for millions of women who can wait years for diagnosis Two tests that can dramatically speed up diagnosis of endometriosis are to be made available on the NHS in England and Wales, in a move hailed as a “gamechanger” for millions of women. One in 10 women of reproductive age are affected by the condition, where tissue similar to that found in the womb lining grows elsewhere, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Symptoms include painful periods, painful bowel movements, pain when urinating and pain during or after sex. Continue reading...
Student loan promotion in England and Wales amounted to mis-selling, MPs say
Treasury select committee also says ministers have moral obligation to reverse last year’s repayment threshold freeze Slideshows that compared student loan repayments with the cost of a mobile phone contract, and YouTube videos that did not mention the fact that loan terms could change amounted to mis-selling by the government, MPs have said. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, caused a furore last year when she announced that the repayment threshold on plan 2 student loans would be frozen at £29,385 for three years from April 2027. Continue reading...
Nato braces for difficult summit as Trump puts pressure on spending
Meeting of 32 member states comes at crucial time for alliance after tensions with US over Iran and Greenland Nato leaders will gather in Ankara on Tuesday after a turbulent six months. And as the US continues to pressure its allies to increase defence spending , the other 31 members of the alliance will be hoping to mollify an unpredictable Donald Trump. On Monday, Mark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general, called for the allies to present “clear, concrete and credible plans” to reach the organisation’s spending targets. “President Trump fully expects that all allies will step up immediately and get on the path to 5% and do it with urgency,” he said. Continue reading...
Europe faces up to prospect US may be unable to arm Nato allies
Wars in Iran and Ukraine have expended stockpiles of sought-after missiles, leaving gap in military resources There are growing concerns in Europe that the US defence industrial base is no longer providing the weapons pledged to Nato allies with US stockpiles depleted owing to the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, leaving allies to consider new avenues to arm and defend themselves. As Nato leaders including the US president, Donald Trump, convene in Ankara , Turkey, the US plans to address European defence spending and concerns over the Trump administration’s future commitment to the military alliance. Continue reading...