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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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H.R. 7972: Taxpayer Workforce Modernization Act
Ordered Reported: Last Action: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 16. Explanation: The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on July 1, 2026.
Lily Allen defends length of West End Girl shows: ‘I don’t want anyone to feel ripped off’
Singer has likened live show to theatre rather than a conventional concert but fans have criticised the performances and lack of crowd interaction Lily Allen has defended the live tour of her latest album West End Girl, after fans complained about feeling short-changed by the 55-minute shows that have no crowd interaction. Allen is currently on the UK leg of the world tour for the album that was inspired by her divorce from the actor David Harbour. The show sees her perform the 45-minute album in its entirety, without speaking to the crowd or performing any of her back catalogue. Continue reading...
The Burnham blueprint, as told by one of its architects – podcast
Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson , from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thinking behind it Helen Pidd has been one of Andy Burnham’s constituents for almost a decade now. She says she has seen Greater Manchester thrive on his watch. Now he wants to do for the rest of the country what he has done for her region. On Monday Burnham stood up in the People’s History Museum in Manchester and delivered his economic manifesto. Barring some 11th hour challenge or unforeseen calamity, he will have moved into No 10 by the end of July. But he says he wants to build another No 10. A Manchester one. What he is promising is radical, but just how credible is “rewiring” Britain? Neal Lawson is the founder of pressure group Compass, and more recently the Burnham-aligned Mainstream. He explains to Helen why Burnham is so keen to devolve power and what he wants to nationalise. But, he says, “I think what Burnham has done is kind of, by a sort of minor miracle, reach base camp. And now there’s the mountain to climb.” Continue reading...
Trump news at a glance: Trump threatens to abolish birthright citizenship through Congress after supreme court rules against him
President calls ruling ‘too bad for our Country’ but says Congress should ‘start today’ to end matter – key US politics stories from Tuesday, 30 June at a glance The US supreme court has upheld birthright citizenship, which provides nearly all people born in the country with citizenship, ruling against a central piece of Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda . Trump called the ruling “too bad for our Country”, but said the US Congress should now take up the matter legislatively, suggesting another avenue to keep the issue alive. Continue reading...
Trump raked in more than $1bn from crypto businesses in 2025, filing shows
President’s crypto ventures have eclipsed in revenue much of his property portfolio that took decades to accumulate Donald Trump raked in more than $1bn from his crypto businesses last year, a federal filing released Monday shows, giving a substantial boost to his annual income. In his second term, the president and his family have heavily invested in digital money and various crypto businesses with Trump announcing at the start of 2025 that he wanted the US to be the “crypto capital of the world”. Trump’s crypto earnings are in addition to profit from his legal settlements, real estate and royalty deals. Continue reading...
‘Historic Event’: Trump announces Republican midterm convention
President unveils plans for Dallas summit, in break with tradition of conventions only in presidential election years Donald Trump has announced that Republicans will stage their first ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, a move aimed at energizing voters as the party fights to hold its narrow congressional majorities in November. The two-day gathering will take place in Dallas on 9 and 10 September, marking a break from the longstanding tradition of holding national conventions only during presidential election years. Trump confirmed the plans on Tuesday in a Truth Social post, describing Dallas as “One of my favorite places in the World”. Continue reading...
Pakistan roof collapse kills 14 children at tutoring centre
Local officials said preliminary reports showed the centre was unregistered and operating inside a privately owned residential building Fourteen children died after the roof of a tutoring centre collapsed in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday, rescue officials have said, as authorities opened the way for a possible negligence investigation. Punjab’s emergency service said rescuers found children and a 30-year-old female teacher under the rubble of the private after-school facility. The children killed were aged five to 16 with most below nine. Continue reading...
How USMNT prepares for World Cup penalty drama: Confidence, composure, and consultants
The US have never had a match go to penalty kicks in their World Cup history – if it happens in 2026, Mauricio Pochettino says they have a plan Who would the US need to beat to win the World Cup? There is perhaps nothing more polarizing in the game of football than a penalty shootout. But however you feel about them, you can’t deny the drama involved, which was on full display in yesterday’s round of 32 matches. Germany were the first to fall victim to the cruel nature of the procedure, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the spot and handing a shock victory to Paraguay. The Netherlands, who have plenty of familiarity with the devastation of losing in a shootout, came next, putting in a poor effort against Morocco, who took full advantage. Continue reading...
Mexico v Ecuador: World Cup 2026 last 32 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan Team news will drop in a few minutes and kick-off is still some time away, giving you plenty of opportunity to join in the conversation by emailing me at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com. You could rhapsodise over France and celebrate Norway , the two nations through to the round of 16 already today, or ponder what went wrong for the Netherlands and fellow European powerhouses Germany yesterday. Continue reading...
UK poll highlights fears about access to emergency contraception
Doctors say survey shows need for morning-after pill to be available at corner shops, petrol stations and supermarkets Almost half of the UK population believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception on a Sunday, while nearly two-thirds think they would struggle after 10pm, according to a survey. The research, carried out by YouGov, found that only 7% of people believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception during the daytime on a weekday. Continue reading...
Northern Rail Project risks repeating costly HS2 failures, MPs warn
The £45bn scheme to link cities across north of England with new or upgraded lines has no convincing or properly costed plan, committee says Building Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) risks repeating the failures of HS2 with “no convincing plan” to deliver it within a £45bn budget, an influential committee of MPs has warned. The government announced in January its commitment and funding for the NPR project to connect cities across the north, consisting of new or upgraded lines between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Sheffield. Continue reading...
Women with irregular periods should be checked for PMOS, NHS says
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is underdiagnosed and inconsistenly managed, according to Nice Up to 4 million women with irregular periods should be investigated for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, according to new NHS guidance . PMOS, previously known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, is believed to affect up to 13% of reproductive age women , the World Health Organization estimates. Continue reading...
‘The things that connect us are fraying’: James Graham short film explores what it means to be English
Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Love Letter to England celebrates what English people have in common What does it mean to be English? Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Ian McKellen and the award-winning playwright James Graham have released a short film that attempts to answer that deceptively simple question. The film, Love Letter to England, explores and celebrates what people across the country have in common. It draws on early contributions to the National Conversation, a UK-wide initiative that began last month . Continue reading...
Jamaican delegation to travel to UK to lodge formal slavery reparations petition with King Charles
Visit to monarch planned for 6 September and will take Jamaica’s mission for reparatory justice to the ‘next level’ Jamaican officials will travel to the UK in September to formally lodge an unprecedented petition with King Charles to seek legal guidance on their slavery reparations claim from Britain, the country’s government announced on Tuesday. Speaking in the parliament of the Caribbean nation, Olivia Grange, the culture minister, confirmed that the trip was planned for 6 September, and was intended to take Jamaica’s mission for reparatory justice to the next level. Continue reading...
Alyssa Thomas calls out WNBA after receiving death threats, racial abuse from Caitlin Clark foul incident
Thomas blasts commissioner for silence on player safety Mercury star was suspended for hit to Clark’s throat Play was ‘complete accident’ and ‘unfortunate’, she says Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said she has received death threats and been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in last week’s matchup against Indiana. Thomas also criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing more to protect the league’s players when she spoke with reporters on Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. Continue reading...
Judge blocks rule to strip public service workers of student loan forgiveness
Trump, who had signed an order to the effect, handed legal defeat after judge sided with Democratic-led states A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from implementing a new rule stripping public service workers of eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness if it deems their employers to have a “substantial illegal purpose”. US district judge Myong Joun in Boston sided with Democratic-led states, cities and non-profits that argued the US Department of Education’s rule would allow it to target groups supporting immigration rights, transgender healthcare and other causes the Trump administration disfavors, by disqualifying them from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Continue reading...
H.Res. 1399: Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment.
Agreed To (Simple Resolution): Last Action: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 420 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 233). Explanation: This simple resolution was agreed to on June 30, 2026. That is the end of the legislative process for a simple resolution.
On Agreeing to the Resolution: H RES 1399 Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment
Vote: Passed 420/0 Rep. Krishnamoorthi [D-IL8]: Yea
EU diplomats clash with Trump administration over top Bosnia and Herzegovina post
Diplomats in Sarajevo failed to agree on a candidate for the high representative role, which carries a lot of power and influence across the Balkans Diplomats from the US and Europe have been unable to resolve their differences and agree on a new top international envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a standoff which has become a transatlantic test of wills over influence in the Balkans. A meeting in Sarajevo to select a new high representative, a post with far-reaching powers, ended without a compromise, in a spat that has undermined western cohesion in the region in the Trump era. Continue reading...
Charlie Kirk’s widow and parents to attend hearing for man accused of his killing
Hearing set to begin 6 July would mark the first time Kirk’s family has been in the courtroom with the suspect Charlie Kirk’s parents and his widow Erika Kirk are expected to attend a key hearing next week in Utah for the murder case against the man accused of slaying the conservative political activist, according to multiple news outlets. The preliminary hearing, set to begin 6 July, would mark the first time Kirk’s family has been in the courtroom with Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old charged with aggravated murder related to Kirk’s death. Continue reading...
How Trump is making the US's 250th anniversary about himself – video
The Fourth of July marks a momentous occasion for the US – 250 years of independence – but somehow Donald Trump has managed to make it all about himself. The Guardian's Washington bureau chief David Smith analyses how Trump has hijacked America's 250th and how instead the event should have been cause for a unifying celebration Donald Trump hijacked America’s 250 and turned it into a ‘theatre of the absurd’ Only Donald Trump could make America’s special 250th birthday all about him Continue reading...
More than half of asylum seekers rejected under tightened laws will remain in UK
Home Office assessment shows new limits on human rights route based on family ties could result in another 11,700 claims turned down More than half of the people whose asylum and visa claims will be rejected under tightened human rights laws will continue to live in the UK, according to the Home Office’s own assessment. Documents released on Tuesday show that plans to set new limits on article 8 of the European convention on human rights are expected to result in another 11,700 people having their claims rejected. Continue reading...
Australia politics live: Labor makes move to crack down on consultants after latest scandal
Federal government releases options paper to improve regulation of accounting, auditing and consulting firms. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The federal government has released an options paper to improve the regulation of accounting, auditing and consulting firms in Australia, the latest move in the wake of the KPMG scandal, in which partners leaked client information and mishandled the whistleblower who raised the alarm. KPMG staff leaked confidential Lendlease and Optus information to colleagues who were applying for lucrative audit contracts at Westpac, Dexus and Telstra. At least three partners were involved. In recent years, we have seen behaviour from some large accounting, auditing and consulting firms in Australia that is not fair and honest. This has undermined trust in the firms themselves and raised broader questions about the resilience of the frameworks meant to uphold market integrity. If you’re in that position, hearing that the government is waiting for Deloitte to finish a report before they can increase the childcare subsidy, doesn’t hold up. Families can’t budget around a maybe. I’ve written to the minister, and I want the government to commit to a national commission with a firm timeline – not keep it on the “considering” pile. Continue reading...
After last-32 upsets, US approach is simple: ‘We’re not going to go crazy’
US plays Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday evening Edin Džeko poses a challenge for US center backs Few knew what to expect from the newly hatched round of 32 when Fifa expanded the field for the 2026 World Cup. After Monday, we’ve gotten an answer: it resembles international knockout soccer as we’ve known it to be. Favorites (like Germany and the Netherlands) can’t rest on their laurels. Complacent play can, and often is, punished. The outside expectation is that the US enter their round of 32 clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina as the favorite, especially so given they will have a considerable home-field advantage. Continue reading...