Political

The brother of former premier questioned over what, if anything, was done in return for $2m from developer turned fugitive Jean NassifGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFinally, we are hearing from one of the central characters, Charles Perrottet, in a saga that has occupied the Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac) for nearly four years.It began with the dismissal of the Hills Shire council and a late night 2022 speech in NSW parliament alleging secret payments from a developer. It pirouetted to a pressure campaign allegedly to remove the then NSW building commissioner, and ended with real world impacts: defective high-rise buildings and thousands of unhappy homebuyers, with the developer nowhere to be seen. Continue reading...

Brother of former state premier sent message regarding plan to damage political career of then-police minister David ElliottFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastCharles Perrottet wrote about a plan to damage a Liberal minister’s career following his brother’s accession to the New South Wales premiership in October 2021, stating “we execute the prick once party room is over”, a corruption inquiry has heard.Anita Perrottet told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) on Friday she could not recall the meaning of messages exchanged between herself and husband Charles Perrottet in the days before Dominic Perrottet was elected premier by Liberal MPs following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Campaigners accuse prime minister of U-turn after he decided not to back funding cap in elections billAndy Burnham recently supported an even lower donations cap than previously reported, according to correspondence seen by the Guardian, as the row over next week’s elections bill escalates.The prime minister wrote to a campaigner in May outlining his support for a £500,000 individual donations cap, which he said would “guard against the perception of any one party being unduly influenced or swayed by one person or organisation”. Continue reading...

PM said he would set bar at £500k, but trade unions say funding reforms could undermine their ability to donate to LabourAndy Burnham has dropped his support for capping political donations, causing anger among activists and Labour MPs who have long campaigned for change to the way parties are funded.The prime minister has decided not to back amendments to the elections bill, which would cap the amount a person or an organisation can give in a single donation, according to government sources. Continue reading...

• Thailand has implemented a new political amnesty law covering offenses committed over the last two decades. • The legislation provides legal relief for various political crimes but explicitly excludes lese majeste charges. • This move aims to resolve long-standing political tensions, though the exclusion of royal insult laws remains a point of contention.

• Thailand has implemented a new political amnesty law designed to reconcile national divisions stemming from years of political unrest. • The law provides pardons for various political offenses but explicitly excludes serious crimes, most notably lese majeste (insulting the monarchy). • Critics argue that excluding royal defamation charges limits the law's ability to address the root causes of the country's deep political rifts.

• Thailand has implemented a new political amnesty law covering offenses committed over the past two decades. • The law provides legal relief for various political crimes but explicitly excludes "lese majeste" charges, which criminalize insulting the monarchy. • This move is significant as it aims to resolve long-standing political tensions and legal disputes stemming from years of instability.

• Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, chairman of the European Parliament's Security and Defense subcommittee, reports that the EU is politically divided over imposing an entry ban on Russian citizens. • The bloc is split geographically, with Scandinavian and Baltic states pushing for a strict EU-wide solution to restrict entry. • Conversely, major powers including France, Italy, and Spain remain skeptical about implementing stricter entry requirements.

• Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that Europe has made no progress in limiting heat-related deaths over the past five years. • Experts, including Thierry, warn that wealthy, developed nations are reaching the limits of their ability to adapt to rising temperatures. • The findings highlight that addressing the root causes of the climate crisis is the only viable way to prevent mass casualties as summers are projected to get even hotter.

• Youth-led protests, referred to as the "cockroach" movement, have emerged to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's perceived political invincibility. • The unrest intensified around July 25, following actions by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, highlighting growing systemic frustrations among India's youth. • These demonstrations are significant because they expose vulnerabilities and "cracks" in the BJP's highly organized political machine and Modi's strongman image.

• Anita Earls and Sarah Stevens are competing for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court in a high-stakes election. • The candidates hold opposing judicial philosophies, with Earls arguing that the court must enforce constitutional educational rights while Stevens labels Earls an "activist judge." • A key point of contention involves the stability of legal precedents, as Earls argues against overturning rulings within the same case to avoid confusing litigants.

• Extreme heat waves across Europe are causing rising death tolls, signaling that even wealthy, developed nations are reaching the limits of their climate adaptation capabilities. • Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn that addressing the root causes of the climate crisis is the only way to prevent mass casualties in future, hotter summers. • The crisis is fueling political tensions, forcing governments to choose between assigning blame or implementing transformational systemic changes.

• The Cook Political Report has shifted its outlook on Texas statewide races for 2026, signaling a trend toward Democratic competitiveness. • Specifically, the U.S. Senate contest between candidates Paxton and Talarico is now categorized as "too close to call." • This shift mirrors the 2018 "Beto wave," where Beto O’Rourke nearly defeated Ted Cruz, coming within 3 percentage points and flipping several state legislative seats.

• A bogus pollster injected fake data into the political information ecosystem, leading to the spread of misinformation through news outlets. • The scheme involved multiple UK-based companies with minimal online presence filing copyright complaints to suppress content, some of which were processed automatically by Google. • This incident highlights critical vulnerabilities in how tech platforms handle copyright notices, which can lead to the removal of legitimate news stories for up to 14 business days.

Mykhailo Fedorov’s blistering critique comes at a time of growing pressure for democratic renewal in UkraineFor more than a month, demonstrators have gathered in Ivan Franko Square outside Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office. The protesters have been chanting a name – not that of Ukraine’s embattled president but that of the man he recently sacked as defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. On Sunday evening, 2,000 people marched along Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s main boulevard, waving cardboard banners in support of their ousted hero.Zelenskyy has refused to reinstate Fedorov, who during his six months in the job was widely seen as an effective and reforming figure. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament, the Rada, voted to approve a successor as defence minister, Yevhen Khmara. The move shows that Fedorov has been shut out from government permanently, and confirms his transition from trusted insider and Zelenskyy loyalist to a potent political opponent. Continue reading...

• The UN Security Council received updates on Libya's deteriorating situation, characterized by a political impasse that continues to delay long-planned national elections. • Recent escalations include armed clashes and drone strikes that resulted in a major oil refinery being set ablaze, threatening critical infrastructure. • An activist warned the Council that political division and insecurity are colliding with environmental shocks, including extreme heat and water scarcity, to create a severe peace and security crisis.

Despite leading in the polls, Hanson is allowed to offer thought bubbles instead of actual policyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAll sides of politics are feeling the heat from Pauline Hanson.On Tuesday, the One Nation leader pulled the rug out from under the Coalition by announcing a policy to slash tobacco excise by 75%, to deal with surging illegal sales. The policy was remarkably similar to one Liberals and Nationals have been discussing for months. Continue reading...

• Ukraine continues to face a critical shortage of Patriot interceptors four years after Russia's full-scale invasion. • To address this, Berlin is seeking U.S. approval for the licensed production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors within Germany. • German manufacturer Diehl Defence and Lockheed Martin have agreed to expand the PAC-3 MSE supply chain to increase availability.

• Political leaders from the PTI, JUI-F, and other circles welcomed a Supreme Court order on Tuesday to transfer PTI founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. • The ruling has received broad support across the political spectrum, with various leaders calling for the immediate implementation of the court's directive. • PTI representatives stated they will not politicize Khan's health issues, emphasizing the need to maintain the dignity and respect of the judiciary.

Network alleges FCC demand for early license renewal is retaliation for political purposeAfter being forced to apply early to renew its license to broadcast on the eight local television stations it owns, ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that it is being retaliated against for content-based reasons.The network filed the lawsuit on Tuesday while it waits to hear whether the Brendan Carr-led FCC approves its renewal requests, or, more likely, holds a hearing on their merits. Continue reading...

• Poland's Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski announced that the country will maintain its ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect local farmers. • This move reflects a broader trend where voters feel mainstream European politicians have failed to address critical daily struggles. • The shift highlights a growing disillusionment with the political center, fueling the rise of right-wing parties like Meloni's in Italy, Le Pen's in France, and the AfD in Germany.

• Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a landmark mutual defense pact. • Geopolitical Futures experts George Friedman and Kamran Bokhari analyze the agreement as a potential "Islamic NATO" that alters the regional balance of power. • The pact signifies a major geopolitical realignment, shifting how these three influential nations coordinate security and defense strategies.

• The Parliament Monsoon Session has been adjourned sine die following weeks of intense disruptions and political deadlock. • Proceedings were halted due to deep divisions between the government and the Opposition over the NEET controversy, police actions during Delhi protests, and Ram Mandir donation allegations. • The session's failure to conclude smoothly highlights the growing friction between political factions over critical governance and social issues.

• The U.S. Marshals Service reports that hundreds of federal judges and their families have received violent threats this year. • These threats follow a series of verbal and written "dehumanizing attacks" directed at judges by President Trump and his administration after unfavorable rulings. • The situation highlights a growing concern over the safety of the judiciary and the potential erosion of the rule of law due to political rhetoric.

• European stocks remained steady with the STOXX Europe 600 holding near its record 660 level as investors await the release of US July CPI data, currently forecast at 3.4%. • Sector-specific gains were led by defense and energy, with German naval shipbuilder TKMS rising 14.6% amid escalating geopolitical tensions and increased defense spending. • Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas surged 18.1% following a strong earnings report or an upgraded outlook, contrasting with weakness in luxury stocks.

• India's Parliament Monsoon Session is approaching its conclusion amidst a political deadlock between the government and the opposition. • The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. • The stalemate persists as one side pushes for general parliamentary functioning and debate, while the other demands specific answers before engaging in broader discussions.

• European shares remained largely flat as investors weighed mixed corporate earnings, rising oil prices, and renewed geopolitical tensions. • Energy stocks saw gains during the session, while the automobiles and parts sectors experienced declines. • Market caution is driven by ongoing concerns regarding global trade, inflation levels, and the future outlook for interest rates.

• Ethiopia is currently navigating a turbulent environment shaped by overlapping conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and significant economic risks. • The situation highlights the limitations of diplomacy, as weak trust between major international actors hinders the resolution of regional crises. • These developments illustrate a global trend where security shocks, climate emergencies, and humanitarian pressures are interconnected rather than isolated events.