Condemns

Emma Reynolds says demonstrations ‘cross a line’ Good morning. John Healey is giving his first major speech on economic policy since he became chancellor seven weeks ago. It is meant to be the main government news of the morning and, as Pippa Crerar writes in her preview story, Healey will argue the government’s plans to boost growth across the whole country will enable the British economy to “turn a corner”.Healey’s deputy, Emma Reynolds, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has been giving interviews as part of the build-up. Continue reading...

• The Labour Party has condemned Reform UK's proposal for £100bn in spending cuts, labeling the plan "half-baked" and "incredibly reckless." • Labour officials warn that such drastic reductions could jeopardize essential public services, specifically targeting risks to hospitals, schools, and law enforcement. • To offset economic impacts, Reform UK's consultation paper suggests loosening or abandoning planning regulations to stimulate development on brownfield sites.

Ombudsman Iain Anderson says he is concerned police ‘had no clearly understood definition of racial profiling’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe commonwealth and ACT ombudsman has criticised the Australian federal police for failing to clearly define “racial profiling” after police in Canberra pulled guns on an Indigenous teenager who they mistook for a suspect in an aggravated burglary.The scathing investigation, released on Tuesday, made eight recommendations to the Australian federal police (AFP) and ACT Policing after investigating the November 2025 incident. ACT Policing sits under the AFP as the community policing arm. Continue reading...

• Iran has condemned former President Donald Trump's threat of an "economic D-Day," signaling a potential escalation in financial pressure. • Analysts, including Jorge Leon of Rystad, note that Iran has built a "survival economy" over decades of sanctions, making it more resilient to economic pain. • To be effective, the US Treasury suggests a crackdown on clandestine trade and banking networks operating through Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

Jenny Ware, member of inquiry that recommended wagering advertising ban, says ‘public health crisis’ demands stronger response from major partiesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former Liberal MP Jenny Ware has condemned her one-time Coalition colleagues for backing Labor’s gambling legislation, claiming “vulnerable Australians have been let down”, as the parliament failed to back a full ban on wagering ads.Ware, a member of the Peta Murphy-led inquiry in 2023 that recommended entirely ending wagering advertising and inducements, called gambling a public health crisis that demanded a much stronger response from both sides of politics. Continue reading...

Independent senator urges prime minister to reconsider, arguing $5,000 cap for allied health services did not go far enoughFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJacqui Lambie has slammed Labor over its controversial $5,000 cap for allied health services for veterans, and accused it of a “callous disregard for veterans’ health and wellbeing”.The independent Tasmanian senator told the Senate in a fiery speech on Wednesday of her own medical battles, and said the department of veterans affairs had shown “no duty of care”. Continue reading...

Foreign minister says Australia is ‘outraged’ after Israeli government decided not to pursue criminal proceedings over 2024 triple drone strike on humanitarian convoyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s foreign minister has expressed “outrage” and will call in the Israel ambassador over the IDF decision overnight not to open a criminal investigation into Gaza strikes that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.In a statement released on Thursday, Penny Wong called the timing of the decision, on World Humanitarian Day, “ especially insulting”. Australia’s ambassador to Israel has been directed to convey the government’s views directly. Continue reading...

Democratic senator intensifies White House feud after remarks about ‘Natalie’ drew ire of president and alliesDemocratic senator Jon Ossoff called Donald Trump a “draft-dodging, crook president” while defending senator Mark Kelly as a hero during a Tuesday campaign appearance in Georgia, escalating his public feud with the US president.“I don’t think anything illustrates the times more aptly than that the draft-dodging, crook president, who has plunged our nation recklessly into a war he knows not how to end or to win, tried to imprison this man, who embodies American heroism,” Ossoff said while appearing alongside Kelly and his wife, the former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Continue reading...

• Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of a committee, ruled that a campaign video featuring Prime Minister Netanyahu violated prohibitions against involving children in election propaganda. • The ruling mandates that the video may only be re-uploaded if segments showing children in personal contact with Netanyahu are edited out. • This decision highlights the legal boundaries of political advertising and the protection of minors from being used in electoral campaigns.

Japanese PM says islands seized by Soviets late in second world war are part of Japan under international lawThe Japanese government has reacted angrily to Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, which are claimed by both Tokyo and Moscow.Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, summoned the Russian ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev, while the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, called Putin’s actions “absolutely unacceptable”. Continue reading...

Labour chair says Reform deputy leader is trying to harass journalists over reporting on his financial affairsUK politics live – latest updatesRichard Tice has been accused by Labour’s Bridget Phillipson of mounting a “deeply chilling attempt to silence the free press” after he sent a legal threat to the Guardian over its reporting on his financial affairs.Lawyers for Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, singled out a Guardian correspondent for her journalism about a series of Tice’s financial transactions that were referred to the National Crime Agency. Continue reading...

• Italy has condemned Spain's introduction of border controls on Italian visitors, labeling the move "unacceptable." • The retaliation follows a diplomatic dispute triggered by events in Ceuta, leading Madrid to implement checks on travelers from Italy. • This escalation highlights deep sensitivities regarding migration management across the EU and reflects growing tensions between member states.

Travellers caught up in ongoing migration row as Madrid introduces retaliatory measures on visitors from Italy after Rome imposed checks Italy’s foreign minister has called Spain’s decision to impose retaliatory checks on travellers from Italy “incomprehensible and completely unacceptable” as people making their way between the two EU countries were left grappling with the fallout of the escalating feud.Spain started carrying out spot checks on visitors from Italy at midnight on Saturday. The tit-for-tat move came after Rome infuriated Madrid by launching checks on 1 August for travellers from Spain in response to the recent influx of about 72,000 people into Ceuta, a Spanish territory in north Africa. Continue reading...

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the European Union as "selfish" following a mass migrant crossing in Ceuta. • The tension escalated after France and Italy tightened their border controls, prompting Sánchez to call for an emergency meeting to address the crisis. • This diplomatic row highlights the friction between EU member states over the shared responsibility and management of migration flows.

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned EU leaders' "selfish" responses to a migrant crisis in Ceuta as the death toll continues to rise. • The crisis has sparked internal EU division, leading Italy to temporarily suspend the Schengen border-free arrangement with Spain, a move supported by Denmark and Finland. • U.S. President Donald Trump further escalated the situation by publicly branding the border breach as a "catastrophe."

• Actor Naseeruddin Shah condemned the "zulm" (oppression) directed toward students during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 22, 2026. • During his critique, Shah compared the actions and tactics of the Delhi Police to those of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). • The incident highlights growing tensions between activists and law enforcement, with a prominent public figure drawing international parallels to criticize police conduct.

• The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 12 p.m. on Monday during the first day of the Monsoon Session following an uproar in Parliament. • Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sparked the disruption by condemning a police "lathi charge" and raising concerns over alleged NEET paper leaks. • The incident highlights escalating tensions between the opposition and the government regarding student protests and examination integrity.

• The Citizens' Public Justice (CJP) alleges that activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly dragged away from a protest site by authorities. • Opposition leaders have condemned the police action, accusing the government of suppressing peaceful protests rather than addressing the underlying grievances. • This incident highlights escalating tensions between activists and the state over regional issues and the right to public demonstration.

Trade office cites investigation of Brazilian trade practices while Marco Rubio says Lula’s policies ‘bad for Americans and bad for Brazilians’ Brazil has condemned the US decision to impose 25% tariffs on certain Brazilian products, after the Trump administration found a range of what it deemed unfair trade practices by the South American country.“The Brazilian government repudiates the decision announced today by the United States government regarding the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on Brazilian products,” the office of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said in a statement on X, denying it had engaged in unfair trade practices. Continue reading...

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was in prison with Sepideh Kashani, who worked with husband Houman Jokar to save Asiatic cheetahNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has described the rearrest of two Iranian environmentalists, one of whom she met at Evin prison, as “unimaginably cruel and alarming”.Husband and wife Houman Jokar and Sepideh Kashani were arrested by the ministry of intelligence at their home on 1 July. No reason has been given and their whereabouts are unknown. Continue reading...

• Former President Donald Trump criticized NATO for its perceived lack of support during the conflict in Iran. • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the alliance to make a "strong decision" to provide further assistance in the fight against Russia. • Geopolitical analyst Yörük Işık highlighted Turkey's role as a key actor essential for stabilizing the alliance.

Australian government confirms it was informed by China of its intent to conduct the test on Monday China has conducted a long-range missile test in the Pacific, in a move the Australian government has condemned as “destabilising to the region”.A ⁠test missile topped with ‌a ‌dummy warhead landed ‌in “designated waters” of the Pacific, China’s state news agency Xinhua ‌reported on Monday. The missile test was a “routine arrangement” of China’s annual ⁠military training, with prior notification to relevant countries, Xinhua said. Continue reading...

• Israel launched strikes in southern Lebanon, resulting in at least one death according to state media. • The attacks occurred just one day after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement intended to stabilize the region. • Tensions escalated on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel following an Israeli strike that killed Iran's supreme leader.

No immediate reports of damage after Bahrain hit by ‘number of drones’ as ship in strait of Hormuz also targetedBahrain said it was attacked by Iran with a wave of drones on Saturday, apparently in response to overnight US strikes on Iran. A ship in the strait of Hormuz was also attacked.Bahrain’s foreign ministry said a “number of drones” were launched at the country, though there were no immediate reports of damage. It condemned the attack and described it as a “flagrant threat to the security of citizens and residents”. Continue reading...

• An IRGC commander issued a direct threat to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), demanding that "Zionists" immediately withdraw from all Lebanese territory. • The commander characterized Lebanon as an "arena of resistance" rather than a "playground for occupiers" in a recent social media post. • Simultaneously, Iran's deputy Foreign Minister condemned several NATO member states, escalating diplomatic tensions in the region.

Hilary Benn says 16 people arrested and 12 police officers injured during second night of disorderThe Northern Ireland secretary has condemned “racist thuggery” in Belfast after a second night of violent anti-immigration protests, in which 16 people were arrested and 12 police officers were injured.Hilary Benn said during the violence, which followed a serious knife attack on Monday, people were stopped in their cars to be asked where they come from and were targeted because of the colour of their skin. Continue reading...

‘If you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin how else can you describe them?’ said Hilary BennFull report: Police use water cannon against rioters in Northern IrelandGavin Robinson MP, DUP leader, has said borders into the UK need “protecting” more. Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, he also said that he believed that there was “less” violence last night than on Monday.Of the violence, he said: “You cannot raise your concerns about damage to British values and then behave in such an unBritish way, Continue reading...

• Qatar has formally condemned Iranian attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, labeling the actions a "grave violation" of national sovereignty. • The State asserts that these strikes breach the 1949 Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, specifically the principles prohibiting indiscriminate attacks on civilians. • This diplomatic response highlights the regional instability caused by unprovoked aggression and the urgent need to protect non-combatants from the consequences of armed conflict.