• India is experiencing a shift in political contestation, moving beyond traditional party machinery and electoral vote-bank consolidation toward "digital pressure politics."
• Recent civil agitations demonstrate that single-issue pressure movements are gaining significant leverage by utilizing digital communication networks to organize and mobilize.
• This evolution matters because it reshapes democratic accountability, allowing citizens to exert influence on the government between election cycles rather than only during polls.
• The SNP has officially written off the value of a £100,000 motorhome from its financial accounts, according to documents published Thursday by the Electoral Commission.
• The vehicle was originally purchased using party funds by former chief executive Peter Murrell, sparking previous scrutiny over the use of organizational resources.
• This accounting move removes the asset from the party's balance sheet, effectively acknowledging the loss or disposal of the vehicle's value.
Hearing called after the former chief medical advisor invoked the fifth and refused to answer questions at a hearing on Covid-19 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.The Senate is expected to vote today on whether to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Continue reading...
Reform say employers would be held responsible even if they were unaware of the worker’s immigration statusHello and welcome to the UK politics live blog.Reform UK says it will fine firms 10% of their global revenues and imprison bosses who employ illegal migrant workers under the party’s latest plans to bring down immigration.Under a Reform government, Britain will have the harshest penalties in the world for employing illegal migrants.Bosses of companies employing illegal migrants will be sent to prison, and their companies fined 10% of their global revenues.Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime.We are already closing the loopholes that allow illegal migrants to work in the UK by extending right to work checks to the gig economy and delivery sector.Jewish leaders have turned down a meeting with a former antisemitic internet troll as Kemi Badenoch defended his selection as a Conservative council candidate. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) have declined an offer from the Conservatives to meet Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who has been selected to fight the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset next May.But they said they would meet with the Conservatives to “discuss their decision-making process” and urge them to drop Mr Bonehill-Paine as a candidate. Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of Labour peer Baroness Luciana Berger, who is Jewish.Ministers continued to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation. Justice minister Jake Richards acknowledged the “unimaginable pain” of the deceased officer’s family but said “difficult decisions” must be made because law and order could “collapse” without a functioning prison system.The government is not “actively” considering an inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s UK activities, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson has confirmed. They said that while the department was “reviewing what is possible” and would “look at all options to support victims”, a public inquiry was “not being actively considered”. Continue reading...
• President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to discuss Ukraine's European integration and the opening of four new EU negotiation clusters.
• The leaders focused on the implementation of the PURL and SAFE programs to strengthen bilateral cooperation and security.
• Separately, over 180 fake social media posts linked to the Russian influence operation "Matryoshka" were detected in Germany.
• A new report marks seven years since the August 5, 2019, abrogation of Article 370, arguing that the discourse surrounding Jammu and Kashmir must evolve.
• The analysis suggests shifting the focus away from political and constitutional debates toward evaluating tangible performance and ground-level changes.
• This shift is considered crucial for assessing the actual impact of the constitutional changes on the region's governance and stability.
• The Middle East is shifting toward "Energy Redundancy Diplomacy," a strategy focused on maintaining energy production, financing, and exports through multiple interchangeable systems.
• This approach aims to ensure stability by creating backup infrastructures that can be activated when geopolitical disruptions occur.
• The strategy matters because it enhances a state's strategic capacity to withstand shocks and maintain global energy supplies despite regional instability.
The former public health official has slight lead over congresswoman Haley Stevens, but vote count could continue well into the dayEl-Sayed holds narrow lead in Michigan Senate primary but race too close to callUS representative Haley Stevens, who is currently trailing in the Democratic primary for Senate in Michigan, has cast herself throughout her campaign as a pragmatic problem-solver and workhorse.Stevens, who has represented Michigan’s 11th House district since 2019, after flipping the seat, has a long list of high profile endorsements from within the Democratic party that include the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, the Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and Gary Peters, the retiring senator who holds the seat she is now running for. Her campaign had also been boosted by tens of millions of dollars in outside spending, including from groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), the pro-Israel lobbying organization. Continue reading...
Jake Richard acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’Good morning and welcome to the UK politics blog.Ministers continue to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation.Well, look, we understand that people are angry. The Harper family are, of course, angry. The police are angry too.We’re angry that we’re in this situation where we face the unenviable position of having to make sure that we have a sustainable prison system, which is so vital to a functioning law and order system in our country, but also that we do right by victims as far as possible.Because without a functioning prison system, it means it’s difficult for police to make arrests, it’s difficult for our courts to try cases, and it could mean to the collapse of law and order in this country.We cannot be in that situation, so that is the challenge that we face as government ministers and the prime minister faces ultimately.I feel sick to my stomach, if I’m really honest with you. I’ve had a gut wrenching feeling in my stomach the past couple of weeks with this, and it doesn’t go away.And arguably, I would say that many of my members across Thames Valley also have this gut wrenching feeling, even at the prospect of these two killers being released in the space of weeks, potentially.Ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to prove their green and progressive values before they are awarded government contracts, and instead ask firms to prove they will help young people back into work.Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.An official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.Andy Burnham has inherited a Labour membership that is sceptical about increased welfare spending, supportive of higher defence spending, and ranks the climate crisis as one of the country’s biggest challenges, according to new polling.BP’s chief executive has urged Andy Burnham to make use of the UK’s oil and gas resources even as the oil company prepares to sell its North Sea business after 60 years in the ageing basin.The Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has defended the selection of a former neo-Nazi activist as a candidate for a local election in Somerset despite him being jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of the former Labour MP Luciana Berger.Pupils in Scotland’s schools received their exam results this morning, with exam pass rates at all levels having risen this year, including a record number of National 5 passes. Continue reading...
• Italy has suspended free movement and border-free travel with Spain following a deadly crossing incident in Ceuta.
• Analysts suggest the decision is driven by political motivations rather than practical security needs.
• The move raises critical questions about the stability of the Schengen Area and whether the zone of free movement is currently in crisis.
• The US Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General.
• Ranking member Senator Dick Durbin expressed skepticism over Blanche's assurances that the Trump administration would not reinstate a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund.
• This nomination is critical as it determines the leadership of the Department of Justice and the handling of controversial federal funds.
Trump’s former personal lawyer appears on track to become attorney general despite reservations over deal withdrawing ‘anti-weaponization fund’Critics denounce Blanche deal to halt Trump slush fundSign up for US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Todd Blanche appears on track to become the next US attorney general after two Republican senators drop their opposition to his nomination.Trump declined to call for Rep Max Miller’s resignation following allegations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. Trump said he has always known Miller as “a good person” and called the situation “a very sad thing.”In an 89-4 vote, the Senate voted to take up a measure that would temporarily keep the government funded and help avoid a shutdown in the fall. The measure, known as a continuing resolution, would maintain government funding at current levels through 11 December, with some adjustments for specific programs. The Senate is slated to debate the funding bill and move it closer to a final vote.A coalition of 25 US states sued the Trump administration over new tariffs pegged at 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes struck down by the supreme court in February. The states are asking the US Court of International Trade to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful and order refunds of duties that have already been paid. More here.Trump accused US attorney Jeanine Pirro of having “folded like an umbrella” amid reports that he was considering removing her from her post. Trump criticized Pirro on Monday after she dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. More here. Continue reading...
Government revises plans to tackle prison overcrowding amid pressure from MPs and victims but domestic abusers and killers could still be released earlyGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The mother of PC Andrew Harper said her family are “bitterly disappointed” that her son’s killers remain eligible for early release after the government revised plans to tackle the overcrowding crisis in prisons.Following pressure from victims, MPs and frontline prison officers, rapists, child sexual abusers and groomers will be excluded from the scheme for England and Wales, the government said on Monday.It feels like we’re letting Andrew down again. We’ve been through the justice system, we thought we’d done as best as we could. Now we’re standing up to fight again … so I just feel really let down, for Andrew’s sake as well as ours. Continue reading...
• President Trump has threatened "decapitation" strikes against Iran, stating the country is on its "very last chance" to reach a deal.
• In response to a Houthi-declared blockade, six Saudi-operated tankers have been diverted around Africa to ensure safe passage.
• Iran's Foreign Ministry is currently in negotiations with Oman to establish a temporary safe route for maritime vessels.
• Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) achieved a supermajority victory in the Negeri Sembilan polls by leveraging strong Malay-Muslim support.
• Analysts suggest this outcome may prompt the two former rivals to deepen their partnership and formalize a more serious working relationship.
• The potential alliance is highlighted by the fact that BN and PN combined for 94 seats in Peninsular Malaysia during the 15th general elections, outperforming Pakatan Harapan's 71 seats.
• Thousands of migrants recently attempted to enter Europe by swimming and using makeshift flotation devices to cross the short distance into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta.
• The crisis has produced harrowing images of people braving rough seas, highlighting the desperation of those attempting to migrate from Morocco into the European Union.
• This surge in illegal migration underscores the volatility of the global migration crisis and the geopolitical tensions surrounding border control in North Africa.
• Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed he was "open to conversation" regarding a potential electoral deal, sparking speculation about a political pact.
• Rupert Lowe, a prominent figure within the party, has publicly accused Farage of "outright lying," stating that no such talks have actually taken place.
• This internal contradiction threatens to undermine the party's stability and could scupper potential alliances before formal negotiations even begin.
• Experts highlighted the growing significance of public opinion surveys in Indonesia's democratic transition during a recent awards ceremony.
• The surveys are increasingly used to shape election strategies and evaluate the effectiveness of government policies.
• This trend underscores the critical role of public sentiment in influencing political decision-making and democratic accountability.
Todd Blanche issues formal order to withdraw ‘anti-weaponization fund’ after weeks of negotiations with Republican senators who were blocking his nominationBlanche formally rescinds Trump’s $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponization fund’Sign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Acting US attorney general Todd Blanche issued a formal order late on Sunday terminating Donald Trump’s $1.8bn “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies. Continue reading...
Labour say plan is a ‘desperate attempt to distract from sleaze’ while a retired commander says it ‘lacks substance’The leader of Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe, told the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, that if he was “prepared to work together around serious policies, serious reform and serious government, then so are we”.In a video posted on X on Sunday, Lowe said:I truly believe there could be sufficient common ground for our two movements to cooperate collectively, destroy the looming leftwing alliance that will finish off what hope remains for this country.In my view, failing to even try because of our own personal difficulties is simply not an option. Now is the time to put our differences aside and cooperate for the good of the country that we all love.Mass deportation of illegal migrants “including women and children”.Tougher rules on legal migration, a ban on halal and kosher slaughter, the burqa, cousin marriage and sharia courts.A referendum on the death penalty.Welfare cuts to fund “self-sufficiency”.The exclusion of former Tory ministers from any future cabinet. Continue reading...
• One Nation has announced eight candidates for the upcoming Victorian state election in November, including a former Liberal member and a film animator.
• Party leader Pauline Hanson has banned the ABC and The Guardian from attending the party's press conferences.
• The move follows new legislation introduced by Premier Ben Carroll to scrap group voting tickets, making the top-spot candidates the most likely to win upper house seats.
• Indian political discourse is shifting away from traditional venues like Parliament House and television studios toward a "New Digital Chamber" driven by social media.
• This transition is characterized by politicians using mobile phones and carefully curated backgrounds to communicate directly with the public, bypassing formal institutional rules.
• The trend matters because it allows political narratives to be shaped outside of official legislative oversight and the structured environment of party headquarters.
• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged voters in Negeri Sembilan to reject racial politics and instead prioritize development that benefits all Malaysians ahead of polling day.
• In contrast, the PAS party is calling on voters in the same region to support the PN-BN "unity of the ummah" agenda.
• This clash of narratives highlights the tension between a multi-racial development approach and faith-based political alliances during the election cycle.
President grapples with finding a resolution to Middle East conflict that has pushed up gasoline prices ahead of vital midterm electionsSign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump will convene a cabinet meeting later today at his Camp David retreat as he grapples with how to resolve his war against Iran.President Donald Trump has said he may pull Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney-general until senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office. The Republicans have demanded written assurances about the settlement of the president’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Cornyn recently lost the GOP primary in Texas and Tillis is not seeking reelection.The US Senate narrowly rejected a largely symbolic effort to check Donald Trump’s war in Iran, as a war powers resolution directing the president to end hostilities failed in a 49-50 vote.The House Democratic Women’s Caucus called on Thursday for an ethics committee investigation of Republican congressman Max Miller, a former Trump aide who has been accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife and former girlfriend.New polling commissioned by Fox News shows Texas Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of the state’s Trump-backed Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, in their contest for a seat in the US Senate. Continue reading...
• Indonesia is experiencing a revival of authoritarian and strongman politics, driven by the rise of personalistic political parties that prioritize individual leaders over institutionalized competition.
• This shift undermines the country's democratic framework by displacing structured electoral processes in favor of loyalty to powerful political figures.
• The trend is significant because it suggests that democratic backsliding is not merely the result of individual presidential agendas, but a systemic evolution of the party system.
Plan set to transform funding so English regions no longer rely on Whitehall handouts for projectsGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. From 2028 English regional mayors, for the first time, will be handed a share of income tax receipts instead of central grants and be less beholden to the Treasury by being able to borrow to invest in big projects.Mayors will also be able to keep a share of business rates totalling tens of millions of pounds by April 2027, and gain greater control over services such as housing and transport, under plans that form part of the government’s devolution agenda.There is already a way that the business rates retention is distributed to correspond with central funding formula to correct for that.Because you wouldn’t want to have it that places like London and Manchester and Bristol were able to retain more of theirs while other areas that weren’t growing at the same rate, were falling behind.Yes, that’s right, and it will have more powers devolved, 16-19 funding, employment support budgets and the ability to tailor their own vocational routes. This will be an important part of developing their own local regional growth strategy as well. Continue reading...
Lawmakers scrap planned committee vote and seek further assurances that president’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is deadSign up for the US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney-general stalled last night as lawmakers scrapped a planned committee vote.Barack Obama, the former president who installed basketball hoop on the White House tennis court, endorsed the US Senate campaign of Iowa Democrat Josh Turek, a state lawmaker who played wheelchair basketball in four Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals, in a new ad filmed as the two shot hoops.The US Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring its opposition to any presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking crimes.Marjorie Taylor Greene, the former Maga congresswoman, announced on Wednesday that she was married on Tuesday in Las Vegas to another recent exile from Trump’s good graces, Brian Glenn, the self-described “Maga mouthpiece” who quit his job as White House correspondent for the far-right network Real America’s Voice after his fiancee was cast out by the president for supporting the release of the Epstein files and criticizing his bombing of Iran in 2025.Lawyers for former FBI director James Comey have alleged that US Secret Service agents illegally surveilled him, Trump requested regular updates into the investigation, and law enforcement turned to ChatGPT and a known mafia killer as they scrambled to find justification for criminally charging Comey for posting a picture of seashells that spelled out “8647”. Continue reading...
Green party said it was ‘obvious from the start’ that Polanski had not committed an offence Good morning. Reform UK are holding a press conference this morning. It is going to feature Robert Jenrick, the party’s Treasury spokesperson, and he wants to talk about Andy Burnham’s speech yesterday about social care reform. But we already know what Jenrick thinks about that, and there are plenty of other stories that reporters might want to ask about.For a start, there is Anna Isaac’s latest Guardian scoop about George Cottrell. Continue reading...
• Day 8 of India's Parliament Monsoon Session featured key debates in the Lok Sabha, including discussions on a new anti-paper leak Bill and Rahul Gandhi's address.
• Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill to streamline civil registration processes.
• Congress MPs submitted adjournment notices to prioritize the Cauvery water dispute and the alleged non-compliance of Karnataka’s CWRC.
• A new media ecosystem is emerging on the political left as more Americans abandon legacy outlets like ABC, CBS, and CNN.
• Audiences are increasingly shifting toward independent podcasts, social media accounts, and anti-establishment digital news sites to stay informed.
• This trend reflects a broader distrust of traditional media and is actively reshaping how Democratic politics are consumed and discussed.
