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Beyond the diplomatic platitudes global media focuses on the ‘immense’ scale of the challenge he faces in the jobUK politics live – latest updatesWorld leaders have warmly congratulated Andy Burnham on his entry into 10 Downing Street as Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, but international media largely focused on the scale of the challenges awaiting him.Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said he hoped for a deeper relationship “in the service of our peoples, and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the UK and the EU” rekindled by Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer. Continue reading...

• BJP leader Bindal claimed that recent civic poll results in municipal corporations, urban local bodies, and panchayat elections reflect widespread public anger against the Congress government. • The BJP reportedly secured strong victories in the Municipal Corporations of Mandi, Dharamsala, and Solan, while Bindal accused Congress of misrepresenting its success by not fielding candidates in several areas. • Bindal criticized the government for discontinuing the Himcare health insurance scheme and delaying financial assistance for seriously ill patients.

• The Socialist Women's Union of Korea, affiliated with the ruling Workers' Party, concluded its Eighth Congress in Pyongyang on July 15 after a five-year hiatus. • During the two-day event, the organization revised its internal rules, reviewed the work of the Seventh Central Committee, and reelected Jon Hyang-sun as chair. • The congress focused on pledging a stronger ideological campaign to align the nation's women with the state's political goals.

• Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared on Capitol Hill to advocate for increased security funding to address the high court's surging budget needs. • During the testimony, Justice Kagan emphasized the need for a formal enforcement mechanism to ensure security standards are met, while Justice Barrett expressed caution regarding the complexity of regulating judicial branch officials. • The request highlights growing concerns over the safety of the justices and the adequacy of current protection measures amidst a volatile political climate.

• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testified at his first congressional hearing, calling for a "regime change in policy" to improve the central bank's approach. • Warsh explicitly stated that under his leadership, the Fed will no longer be in the "bailout business," contrasting his stance with the $700 billion package used during the 2008 crisis. • The Chair emphasized that "mission accomplished" has not been reached and expressed a need for better data to inform future decision-making.

• Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appeared before Congress on Tuesday to discuss judicial security, the emergency docket, and ethics. • Justice Barrett made a personal plea for increased security funding, citing specific threats directed at her and her family members. • Justice Kagan addressed the difficulty of establishing an ethics enforcement system, arguing that neither the executive nor legislative branches should control the process.

• Fed Chairman Kevin M. Warsh testified before Congress on Tuesday regarding the economic threats posed by rising energy prices. • The testimony follows new data showing the Consumer Price Index slowed to an annual inflation rate of 3.5 percent in June. • Warsh advocated for a shift toward private-sector data and new technologies to gain a real-time understanding of the economy.

• Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before the Senate to advocate for an increased security budget. • The request comes in response to a significant rise in threats directed at the judiciary and its members. • This testimony highlights the growing safety concerns facing the nation's highest court amidst a volatile political climate.

• Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are testifying before Congress to request millions of dollars in additional security funding. • This rare appearance marks the first time justices have testified before lawmakers since 2019, driven by a surge in security risks. • U.S. Marshals Service data reveals over 600 threats against federal judges in the 2023 fiscal year, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

• Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before congressional committees to request additional funding for judicial security. • Justice Barrett shared a personal account of a "swatting" incident to illustrate the escalating nature of threats facing the court. • This marks the first time in seven years that justices have appeared before Congress for this purpose, highlighting a critical need for enhanced protection.

• Supreme Court justices provided rare congressional testimony to discuss critical security risks and ethical considerations facing the court. • The Court has requested a budget of $228 million for the next fiscal year, representing a roughly 10% increase over the previous year's funding. • This testimony highlights the judiciary's growing need for enhanced protection and transparency amidst increasing external pressures.

• Federal Reserve Chairman Warsh appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services to deliver the semiannual Monetary Policy Report. • The testimony serves as a formal requirement under the Federal Reserve Act, ensuring transparency between the central bank and Congress. • This appearance allows the Federal Reserve to outline its current economic outlook and justify its strategic decisions regarding interest rates and monetary stability.

• The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) issued a statement condemning the firing of officials within the Election Commission by the Trump administration. • The CBC asserts that these personnel changes threaten the integrity of the voting process and may lead to the disenfranchisement of marginalized communities. • This action is significant as it occurs ahead of the midterm elections, raising concerns about voter suppression and the fair administration of polls.

• Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett informed lawmakers on Tuesday that there has been a sharp increase in threats targeting her and other justices. • Barrett emphasized that these security risks are increasingly encroaching upon the personal and family lives of the court members. • The testimony serves as a formal request for Congress to allocate more funding to enhance the security measures protecting the justices.

• Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are scheduled to testify before Congress regarding a $228 million funding request specifically for enhanced Supreme Court security. • The broader judiciary has requested a total of $920.9 million for security for fiscal year 2027, marking a 3.2% increase of $28.9 million over the 2026 budget. • This request highlights a critical need to bolster protection for the nation's highest court amidst evolving security threats.

• Senator Lindsey Graham established himself as a critical dealmaker in Congress, frequently negotiating with both Democrats and fellow Republicans to resolve complex legislative issues. • His career is marked by a dramatic political shift, moving from a harsh critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 election to a staunch supporter and key ally. • Graham played pivotal roles in high-stakes events, including the failed Senate Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and attempts to challenge Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

• President Trump informed Congress that conflict with Iran has resumed, specifically regarding the control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. • Trump vowed that the U.S. would "probably run" the waterway and intends to charge fees for its use to maintain American control. • The situation remains volatile as dueling attacks continue between the two nations over the critical shipping lane.

• New clinical trials have been launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo to evaluate the efficacy of two drugs, MBP-134 and remdesivir, against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. • These trials are critical because the Bundibugyo species currently lacks any approved vaccines or therapies to mitigate its spread. • The outbreak has already resulted in over 1,561 confirmed cases and more than 500 deaths, according to the CDC.

• Republicans have returned to Capitol Hill to begin their legislative agenda, though they face immediate complications including demands from Donald Trump and the absence of Mitch McConnell. • The sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has created further uncertainty for the GOP's leadership and scheduling. • Despite these setbacks, the Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled two days of confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for acting attorney general.

• Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died suddenly at the age of 71, leaving Congress in mourning. • His death creates a critical vacancy for Senate Republicans, who currently hold a narrow 52-47 majority amid ongoing uncertainty regarding Mitch McConnell's health. • The loss is particularly impactful for acting attorney general Todd Blanche, who relied on Graham's support for his Senate judiciary committee confirmation hearing this Wednesday.

• Congress returns to Washington on Monday to tackle a dense legislative agenda before the upcoming August recess and the midterm election cycle. • Lawmakers face a constrained timeline to address several key priorities, though the specific legislative goals were not detailed in the report. • The return to the Capitol is overshadowed by the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, adding a layer of mourning to the political proceedings.

• Investors are focusing on a high-impact week featuring the release of June Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data and testimony from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh on Tuesday. • Several major banks will report quarterly earnings, with executives expected to provide updates on the U.S. economy, trading activity, and the outlook for mergers and acquisitions. • Market sentiment remains mixed as JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned of potential stagflation and Goldman Sachs Chief David Solomon noted that uncertainty could hinder IPOs.

Lawmakers face obstacles, including demands from Trump, Mitch McConnell’s absence and Graham’s sudden deathHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Republican lawmakers return to the Capitol this week after the unexpected death in office of Lindsey Graham, as the party seeks to appoint a new senator to see out his term.The Senate judiciary committee has scheduled two days of confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general Trump has nominated to the post, though it was unclear if the death of Graham, who served on the committee, will affect the schedule. The intelligence committee has separately announced that the confirmation of Clayton is back on.Republicans in both chambers remain confounded by Trump’s renewed fixation on the Save America Act, which would ban mail-in ballots and impose new rules on voting nationwide. The measure, a version of which was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year almost entirely with Republican votes, has no path through the Senate, where it faces opposition from Democrats and some in the GOP.Ro Khanna accused the Israeli government and military of “lying” on Sunday about the US congressman’s detention by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers during a recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Khanna – a California Democrat – had posted video evidence on social media of Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking the path of his convoy on Wednesday in the South Hebron hills, near the village of Zanuta, where Israelis have driven Palestinians from their homes in what Amnesty International calls a government-backed “ethnic cleansing campaign”. Continue reading...

Senator played major role in critical negotiations with Democrats and members of his own party on key issuesWhen Democrats and Republicans were earlier this year locked in a standoff that had plunged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) into the longest partial government shutdown in US history, news of a path forward emerged in the form of a statement from Republican senator Lindsey Graham.By announcing that the budget committee he chairs would set to work on a measure to fund the agencies leading Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign for the remainder of his presidency, Graham played a major role in rallying the GOP behind a plan that reopened DHS. Continue reading...

• U.S. Congress is struggling to address a critical list of "must-do" legislative items as the deadline for the midterm elections approaches. • Internal conflict has intensified, with members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), voting down rules and withholding support for scheduled legislation. • The deadlock is driven by accusations of broken promises from leadership and lawmakers prioritizing their individual campaign goals over collective legislative progress.

Israeli ambassador to US accuses Ro Khanna of political stunt to distract from support for Graham PlatnerRo Khanna accused the Israeli government and military of “lying” on Sunday about the US congressman’s detention by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers during a recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.Khanna – a California Democrat – had posted video evidence on social media of Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking the path of his convoy on Wednesday in the South Hebron hills, near the village of Zanuta, where Israelis have driven Palestinians from their homes in what Amnesty International calls a government-backed “ethnic cleansing campaign”. Continue reading...

• A panel of legal experts reviewed the Supreme Court's recent term, characterizing it as a period of "judicial supremacy" that significantly eroded the legislative power of Congress. • Key legal setbacks highlighted include the gutting of the Voting Rights Act in *Callais and Milligan* and the expansion of "unitary executive" power in *Trump v. Slaughter*. • Experts argue the Court has rewritten the Reconstruction Amendments and increasingly allowed its "shadow docket" to influence formal merits decisions without sufficient justification.

Ro Khanna said settlers were armed with US-made weapons and Israel Defense Forces refused to interveneThe US congressman Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him during a visit to the Israel-occupied West Bank recently, describing the experience as a first-hand view of the realities faced by Palestinians living under occupation.In an interview with Reuters on Thursday from a Palestinian village, the progressive US House Democrat from California said his detention happened the previous day while his delegation visited an area of the southern West Bank that has experienced repeated attacks by Israeli settlers. Continue reading...