Politics

100 links
Iran nears Oman deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz Tehran signals control over inbound shipping while tying access to US port blockade, shipping data already shows traffic falling
theguardian.com
Trump seeks pause on court-ordered BBC access to financial records $10bn documentary lawsuit turns into discovery fight over family trust businesses, deadline arrives before merits are tested
theguardian.com
Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Democratic Senate primary Outside groups spend heavily to stop him, Democrats head into swing-state Senate race with internal fault lines intact
theguardian.com
GOP senators privately call Trump a midterm drag Fund proposal and voter ID bill create new attack lines as Iran war lifts gas prices, Texas Senate polling tightens
independent.co.uk
Andy Burnham blocks rapists and child sex offenders from early release Prison overcrowding forces sentencing changes as October rollout replaces September plan, ministers still will not say when capacity runs out
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Reform UK pitches Operation Fortress to stop Channel crossings Royal Navy interceptions and returns to France or Belgium would require emergency legislation, border policy recast as a military command problem
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
Met Police closed Special Demonstration Squad after internal review found unjustified surveillance Spycops inquiry hears unit targeted activists while terror infiltration lagged, decades of covert work end up audited in public
theguardian.com
Trump pauses planned Iran strikes Saudi crown prince warns escalation risks Gulf energy infrastructure, conditional restraint replaces weekend attack talk
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
Explosion kills at least three in central Moscow Tass cites Interior Ministry as police work the scene, wartime normality breaks down in the capital too
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
Italy suspends Schengen travel with Spain Ceuta migrant surge triggers diplomatic clash and new passport checks, EU free movement narrows via ad hoc controls
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Burnham plans technical education routes from age 14 England schools overhaul targets one million disengaged young people and promises parity with university track, employers become the bottleneck for a policy funded mostly on paper
independent.co.uk
Wildfire near Sizewell triggers major incident Evacuations spread across Suffolk coast as drought declarations widen, national firefighting resources pulled in while EDF says nuclear operations unaffected
standard.co.uk theguardian.com
Trump says Andy Burnham will open North Sea oil drilling Downing Street call summary omits any drilling pledge, UK energy policy drifts while output declines
standard.co.uk independent.co.uk
Norwegian teenager convicted over UK murder plot Old Bailey hears Foxtrot-linked recruiter and Iran-backed gang arranged hit remotely, Border Force stop still left time to collect guns and cash
independent.co.uk
Trump weighs Iran ceasefire decision after Netanyahu meeting Reuters Ipsos poll finds most Americans say war goals unclear, diplomacy runs through mediators while threats and executions continue
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
Andy Burnham plans biggest schools overhaul in 15 years Technical pathways open to pupils from age 14 with Ofsted metrics rewritten, university-first era gives way to local labour-market routing
standard.co.uk independent.co.uk
Andy Burnham targets UK welfare rules Benefits made conditional as sickness claims surge, social care overhaul promised without a timetable
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
US pauses strikes on Iran for second night Commanders cite dwindling munitions and exhausted target list, Hormuz talks continue while options stay on the table
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Metropolitan Police investigate Reform UK donations Electoral Commission referral triggers probe into Richard Tice-controlled company, campaign cash trail moves from regulator to criminal investigators
standard.co.uk independent.co.uk
Berlin Pride march called off after van hits crowd One killed and about 15 injured near Tiergarten, police launch manhunt as organisers order mass evacuation
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
US Energy Department admits grant cancellations tracked 2024 voting outcomes Lawsuit over clean energy cuts forces disclosure, federal money becomes a partisan lever
independent.co.uk
Greater Manchester Police admits missed chance before synagogue attack Seized phones were not examined until after killings, watchdog review follows once trials end
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham cuts business rates for pubs and clubs 20% relief for nearly 32000 hospitality firms starts next April, funding plan leans on cracking down on others tax compliance
standard.co.uk independent.co.uk
US signs nuclear cooperation pact with Saudi Arabia Deal opens path to Saudi uranium enrichment without IAEA Additional Protocol, non-proliferation standards bend as war messaging hardens
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Police open corporate manslaughter probe into NHS trust Nottingham killings put mental health discharge decisions under criminal scrutiny, a doctor’s warning becomes an evidentiary trail
theguardian.com
Zelenskyy fires Ukraine army chief Drapatyi takes over as protests follow defence minister sacking, command reshuffle becomes domestic political test
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham orders cost-of-living push UK plans to remove VAT from household electricity and fund it by cancelling digital ID scheme, early agenda pairs bill relief with scrapped state IT build
independent.co.uk
Incendiary attack hits ICE-linked federal building in Manhattan Suspect identified as army veteran in custody, immigrant at hearing among those injured
independent.co.uk
Houthis announce maritime embargo on Saudi shipping Bab el-Mandeb threat widens Red Sea risk as Hormuz disruption already strains routes, enforcement details missing but insurers price the statement
globalnews.ca independent.co.uk
US service member killed in Iraq after downed Iranian drone incident Centcom says unidentified remains found at Jordan attack site, controlled detonations and recovery work add to war toll
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Andy Burnham moves to scrap UK digital ID plan Labour resets priorities after Brit card backlash, a national database dies again before a public budget appears
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
UK nationalises British Steel Jingye ownership ends after Scunthorpe furnace closure plans, China cites investment treaty and warns of legal measures
independent.co.uk
US strikes Iran for sixth straight night Bridges ports and Greater Tunb Island targeted as blockade enforcement expands, oil rises while two export chokepoints are put at risk
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
UK charges 14-year-old over alleged plot against Sutton mosques Prosecutors cite reconnaissance and weapon identification alongside online instructional material, youth court secrecy leaves communities with visible security costs
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
US sets 25% tariffs on some Brazilian imports Section 301 investigation cites unfair practices while exemptions protect key supply chains, trade surplus with Brazil does not stop the penalty
independent.co.uk
Trump threatens to hit Iran power plants and bridges US resumes naval blockade and keeps strikes going as Hormuz becomes the central prize, toll idea scrapped while leverage stays
theguardian.com theguardian.com
UK plans social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds Default midnight lockouts target infinite scroll and AI chatbots, policy built on settings teenagers can switch off
independent.co.uk
ICE pauses vehicle stops nationwide after deadly shootings Agency cites officer safety and promises new training while withholding tactics, two cases lacked body cameras
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
Counter-terror police take over Ann Widdecombe killing investigation Detectives probe leftwing or single-issue motive and hostility to Reform UK, security decisions shift only after a death
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
Olly Robbins seeks judicial review after Starmer sacks him Ex-Foreign Office chief disputes authority to fire diplomatic service head, Mandelson vetting row heads to court
independent.co.uk
Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine prime minister Law enforcement overhaul flagged as war strains state capacity, diplomatic roles reshuffled alongside energy-security fight
theguardian.com euronews.com
Mitch McConnell discloses fall and pneumonia after weeks off the Senate floor Office cites post-polio falls and intensive rehab, Washington runs on attendance until it does not
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Maia Sandu nominates Vasile Tofan as Moldova prime minister Pro-EU businessman gets two weeks to secure parliament, accession timetable collides with cabinet churn
euronews.com
Trump administration narrows Endangered Species Act harm definition Habitat protections rolled back to allow logging and mining, rule change shifts extinction risk away from permit applicants
theguardian.com
Trump fires remaining Election Assistance Commission members Agency certifies voting systems and maintains national mail registration form, midterm election machinery loses its federal standards shop
theguardian.com
US Justice Department threatens election officials with prosecution Harmeet Dhillon letters warn states over noncitizen voters on rolls, voter data fight expands into DHS cross-checks after court losses
independent.co.uk
ICE agent fatally shoots driver in Houston Agency says vehicle was used as weapon during targeted operation, FBI takes over as video evidence becomes central
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Maine Senate nominee faces new stealthing allegation Democrats debate replacement after primary win, a general-election race turns into an internal vetting failure
thedailybeast.com independent.co.uk
Nigel Farage resigns to force Clacton by election Guardian reports bankers filed suspicious activity report over £5 million gift, main parties decline to run while standards process continues
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Tanker is hit in Strait of Hormuz UK maritime centre reports fire off Oman, shipping becomes enforcement tool in Iran route dispute
euronews.com euronews.com
Nato chief demands credible plans for 5% GDP spending target Ankara summit tests alliance discipline as US signals smaller security role, debt and dual use infrastructure do the quiet work
independent.co.uk
Dan Jarvis presses Andy Burnham on UK defence spending Labour pledge aims for Nato 3.5% of GDP after 2030, £298bn plan lands with funding gaps and cancelled infrastructure
theguardian.com
Iran stages mass funeral rites for Ali Khamenei Successor Mojtaba Khamenei stays out of sight as crowds chant for Trump’s death, Trump tells Axios one shot could kill assembled leaders
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Two Romanian men jailed over London stabbing of Iran International presenter UK judge says evidence points to attack benefiting Iran, extradition from Romania turns street violence into foreign state casework
euronews.com
Labour braces for uncontested Burnham leadership Party plans online Q&As instead of hustings, unions seek leverage through rule tweaks before conference vote
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Russian missile and drone attack hits Kyiv At least 13 killed and dozens injured as apartment block floors collapse, shelters fill while both sides trade strikes on fuel and logistics
theguardian.com theguardian.com
China brings ethnic unity law into force Mandarin promotion and anti-separatism clauses widen state leverage, critics warn legal liability can follow dissidents abroad
theguardian.com
German prosecutors charge suspect over Nord Stream sabotage Ukrainian national named in 2022 pipeline blasts case, courtroom timeline replaces diplomatic clarity
euronews.com
Starmer adds £15bn for UK defence Road and energy capital projects scrapped to fund uplift, spending totals rise as domestic investment is cut instead
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham lays out plan to remake Britain Public control of water housing energy and transport pitched as cost-of-living fix, fiscal rules still set the ceiling
theguardian.com
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises above 1450 Rescue teams arrive five days after twin quakes, shortage of heavy machinery turns survival into logistics
theguardian.com
Trump nominates Lance Schroyer to lead ICE Former Oklahoma trooper tied to 287g enforcement partnerships, agency still lacks a Senate-confirmed director since 2017
theguardian.com
US strikes Iranian sites after cargo ship attack in Strait of Hormuz Centcom says ceasefire still stands as toll rules and nuclear disputes resurface, shipping corridor policed by press releases and drones
independent.co.uk bbc.com
Dan Jarvis reopens UK defence investment plan Healey quit over funding gap and Treasury resistance, tanker seizure video lands as budgets are cut elsewhere
theguardian.com
Iran has not made final decision on US deal Fars contradicts Trump claim of imminent signing, Hormuz leverage becomes the argument against closure
independent.co.uk independent.co.uk
Switzerland votes on population cap SVP initiative ties migration limits to a 10 million ceiling by 2050, EU single-market access becomes collateral if threshold is breached
theguardian.com bbc.com
Nineteen arrested after Northern Ireland disorder BBC reports hate-motivated arson and race-hate graffiti as unrest spreads beyond knife attack, health workers question staying amid intimidation
bbc.com theguardian.com
Yoon Suk Yeol gets 30-year prison sentence Seoul court finds ex-president sent drones into North Korea, prosecutors say provocation aimed to bolster failed martial law bid
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
California sues to block new ICE site near Gilroy State says federal lease skipped environmental review and local consultation, office label masks detention capacity fight
english.elpais.com
John Healey resigns as UK defence secretary Dispute with Keir Starmer over defence spending triggers cabinet exit, Treasury control of the envelope becomes the story
theguardian.com
Northern Ireland police use water cannon against rioters Second night of anti-immigration unrest follows north Belfast stabbing, burnt vehicles and a still-burning house mark the dispersal
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Steve Hilton advances in California governor race Ex-UK Cameron adviser and Fox News figure faces Xavier Becerra in November, Trump endorsement meets a state built for Democrats
theguardian.com
UK weighs ban on London councils relocating homeless families Out-of-area placements spread as boroughs chase cheaper temporary housing, intermediaries profit while courts find some moves unlawful
theguardian.com
Kemi Badenoch targets Public Sector Equality Duty Conservative plan to scrap equality rulebook for public services, courtroom risk and compliance culture move to centre stage
standard.co.uk
Pashinyan heads for decisive win in Armenia election Early results show Civil Contract leading as Russia applies import bans and influence claims swirl, balanced foreign policy gets tested in customs lines
euronews.com
Israel strikes Iran after Beirut attack triggers missile exchange Trump says he urged Netanyahu to hold back as White House stays silent on coordination, regional airspace closures and base sirens spread the cost
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Trump considers buying Chagos Islands from Mauritius Diego Garcia base and Iran strikes raise urgency, sovereignty dispute turns into a transaction proposal
theguardian.com
Sweden prepares adult prisons for child inmates Kumla refits cells and builds classrooms ahead of July change, parliament weighs lowering criminal responsibility age to 13
theguardian.com
DoJ tells appeals court it cannot block Trump White House ballroom Preservation lawsuit fights East Wing demolition order, bunker work continues while judges debate remedies
theguardian.com
EU commission targets foreign tech kill switches Cloud providers face risk tests in defence criminal justice and border systems, sovereignty push invites lobbying before any systems are moved
theguardian.com
Southampton protest over Henry Nowak death turns violent Footage of handcuffed stabbing victim draws Tommy Robinson and UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, police accountability debate collides with street-level order
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Justice Department scraps Trump anti-weaponization fund Acting attorney general Todd Blanche keeps IRS audit immunity deal, bipartisan objections stop the pot but not the carve-out
theguardian.com
Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia first-round vote Trump-admiring lawyer edges Iván Cepeda ahead of 21 June runoff, traditional conservative candidacy collapses to single digits
theguardian.com english.elpais.com
Israel captures Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon European leaders seek UN action as IDF expands ground push beyond Litani, evacuation lines replace ceasefire lines
theguardian.com bbc.com
Trump-linked firm nears Balkan gas pipeline contracts Guardian investigation traces AAFS ties to Trump allies and Bosnia powerbrokers, diversification pitch collides with thin track record
theguardian.com
UK-run French holding centres detained lone children 284 times in 2025 FOI data shows detentions missing from official immigration statistics, safeguarding referrals vanish as trafficking resumes
theguardian.com
Trump weighs Iran peace deal in Situation Room Proposed terms hinge on reopening Strait of Hormuz and clearing mines, blockade ends faster than verification
bbc.com independent.co.uk
Iran condemns Trump threat against Oman Muscat’s mediator role collides with Hormuz shipping politics, a single remark tries to redraw the map
theguardian.com foxnews.com
Shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego kills three Authorities investigate hate-crime motive as two suspects die from apparent self-inflicted wounds, mosque security costs spread beyond one crime scene
independent.co.uk bbc.com
Trump immigration crackdown spooks undocumented taxpayers Guardian reports up to 479 billion dollars in lost revenue over decade, IRS data-sharing push turns compliance into risk
theguardian.com
UK and France extend one in one out Channel scheme Returns-for-entry pilot runs to October 2025, smugglers shift routes as swaps remain small
theguardian.com
London police deploy drones and armoured vehicles for rival protests Metropolitan Police braces for tens of thousands at Tommy Robinson march and pro-Palestinian rally, mask removals and extra court capacity become part of the plan
bbc.com standard.co.uk
Trump wraps up Xi summit in Beijing Trade and Iran dominate closed-door agenda as Taiwan stays in careful language, claimed deals outnumber published terms
theguardian.com independent.co.uk
Cuba says CIA director met officials in Havana Fuel shortages push grid into critical state as protests erupt, Washington offers aid conditional on bypassing the Cuban government
theguardian.com
UK Border Force officer convicted of spying for China Home Office immigration database used to track Hong Kong dissidents, access logs did not stop searches on days off
bbc.com
Angela Rayner cleared by HMRC, stamp duty settlement closes tax case As Labour leadership manoeuvres intensify, administrative finding becomes political opening
standard.co.uk independent.co.uk
Trump meets Xi in Beijing Rubio ties Iran crisis to falling demand for Chinese exports, summit choreography masks bargaining over costs
independent.co.uk theguardian.com
Standards watchdog probes Nigel Farage over undeclared gift Inquiry tests Commons rule on pre-election benefits, earlier rectification over late filings hangs over new case
bbc.com
Bahamas votes in three-way election Immigration from Haiti dominates campaign alongside cost-of-living strain, sovereignty slogans compete with tourism-era stability pitch
theguardian.com theguardian.com
Keir Starmer refuses to resign Cabinet meeting ends without leadership challenge trigger, minister resignation turns Labour revolt into a test of who will file the paperwork
standard.co.uk standard.co.uk