Trump allies could use midterms ‘counting window’ to disrupt results, experts warn

• Prime Minister Rob Jetten recently called for greater cooperation among countries on key issues like international law, climate change, and accountability. • He emphasized that middle powers could play a crucial role in sustaining institutions that are being weakened by escalating geopolitical rivalry.

• The war between the United States and Iran has entered its seventh month with no clear resolution in sight, affecting global trade routes. • Around 20 percent of global oil trade, as well as significant amounts of liquid natural gas and fertiliser, normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is now effectively closed.

• China's vice president delivered a speech at the U.N. emphasizing global development as a solution to the world's challenges, a day after meeting with President Trump in Washington. • The speech included mild statements about the U.S. conflict with Iran, artificial intelligence, and protectionism, but made no direct mention of Taiwan.

PM says he will put proposals for NHS-style service funded by everybody into Labour’s next general election manifestoUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has said that he is going to “rip the plaster off” to fix the broken social care system, as he set out a vision for a universal service that would be free at the point of use for everybody in England.The prime minister said the new NHS-style social care service would be funded by “everybody” but did not give further details of how his radical long-term plan would be paid for. Continue reading...

Seventeen people killed at township bar near Johannesburg and 10 killed in separate incident at store near Cape Town, officers sayTwo separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities killed at least 27 people, police have said.The South African police service said on Sunday that 17 people had been killed on Saturday night when eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, south-west of Johannesburg. At least 15 other people sustained gunshot injuries in that attack, police said. Continue reading...

People evacuated from village near airbase used by US air force in GloucestershireVillagers have been evacuated from their homes near RAF Fairford after the arrest of several men on suspicion of explosives offences, police have said.A major incident was declared, with armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, near the site of the airbase which is used by the US air force (USAF). Continue reading...

A look evoking memories of All Saints and Destiny’s Child has fashion editors, Brad Pitt and the high street all blending inDiscussing their style while in All Saints, Nicole and Natalie Appleton said earlier this year that some things don’t change: “Army trousers and combat trousers will always be a staple with us.”If, for a long time after All Saints’ noughties heyday, the sisters would have known this look was not the height of fashion, things have changed in 2026. Judging by those attending shows at London fashion week this month, camo is very much back. Continue reading...

Unauthorised people accessed medical records of three-year-old who disappeared in Suffolk and was later found dead in pondAn NHS trust has apologised after the medical records of three-year-old Noah Woods were accessed by unauthorised people after his disappearance.Noah was found dead in a pond in Brantham, Suffolk, after going missing from a playground. More than 1,300 members of the public joined a search for the boy before police discovered his body. Continue reading...

More in Common projects Labour on 250 seats against Reform on 147‘I can deliver’: Burnham pledges radical change on eve of Labour conferenceAndy Burnham has announced a new help-to-buy scheme aimed at helping first-time buyers who cannot rely on the “bank of mum and dad”, Pippa Crerar reports.Good morning, and welcome to coverage of the Labour party conference. Or the Hope Again conference, as it is being billed here in Liverpool. Continue reading...

Online comments reflect class tensions at Scottish university between those from lower-income families and wealthier US undergraduatesWhen Sophie Rose Jenkins announced she would not return to St Andrews University this academic year because of her experiences of classism on campus, she did not expect much of a response. But in the two weeks since she published her story on LinkedIn, it has resonated with hundreds of others.“Working-class students have been made to feel ashamed of their home life at university,” the former comparative literature and classical studies student wrote in a lengthy post. “Arriving at a university ranked first in the UK at the time from a background like mine, I thought I was doing everything right. Continue reading...

Bumper fees paid in the year’s mergers and acquisitions spark anger over high City pay during cost of living crisisLondon’s investment bankers and lawyers have made more than £1bn from a frenzy of takeover deals this year, sparking anger over high City pay during the cost of living crisis.The value of mergers and acquisitions of UK stock market listed companies has surged 175% in 2026 to $132.9bn (£100bn), according to the London Stock Exchange, as overseas buyers snap up British companies at record pace. Continue reading...