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From the strait of Hormuz to the North Sea, a global maritime war rages around us – and more than the price of oil is at stake | Simon Tisdall
Simon Tisdall argues that a “war of the sea” is spreading globally, driven by the US and Iran’s standoff over the strait of Hormuz, and that it threatens the centuries-old principle of free maritime passage that underpins world trade. He notes that although Washington has historically championed the “free sea” doctrine, Donald Trump’s administration has…
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100 day sprint to the midterms kicks off as Republicans and Democrats clash for control across the country
The 2026 US midterm elections are now 100 days away, with Republicans and Democrats gearing up for intense battles over control of Congress and numerous statehouses nationwide. The elections carry major stakes for both parties, as control of the House and Senate will shape the final two years of the current presidential term, while state-level…
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Burnham rules out early election and refuses to commit to date on boosting defence spending to 3% of GDP – even though his Chancellor quit over Starmer’s dithering
Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early election and declined to commit to a timeframe for raising UK defence spending to 3% of GDP, despite his Chancellor’s resignation over what was described as Sir Keir Starmer’s indecision on the issue. The story highlights ongoing tension within the government over defence funding commitments and the…
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Paddle UK chief hails GB start to LA28 qualification
Great Britain’s canoe slalom team made a strong start to Olympic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, finishing third in the medal table at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City, held at the venue that will host the LA28 event. Paddle UK performance director Tom Duggan praised the team’s efforts, calling…
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Democrats favored to win House, underdogs in Senate 100 days out
The article text was unavailable because access was denied, so a full summary cannot be verified. Based on the headline alone, it reports that Democrats are viewed as favourites to win the US House of Representatives while remaining less likely to win the Senate, with 100 days until the midterm elections. The apparent significance is…
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‘It’s no joke!’ Clacton voters can put reversing Brexit back on the table, says ex-MEP running against Farage
John Stevens, a former Conservative MEP standing for the Rejoin the EU Party in the Clacton by-election, has argued that the contest offers a genuine opportunity to push the case for rejoining the EU, rather than being merely a media sideshow pitting Nigel Farage against comedian candidate Count Binface. He told The Independent that local…
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Left-wing Democrats are on a winning run – but can they lure back crucial swing voters?
Left-wing Democrats have enjoyed a run of primary victories this summer, but face a critical test in Michigan, where progressive Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed is locked in a tight contest with moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens ahead of the 4 August primary. The race highlights a deepening divide in the Democratic Party between its centrist establishment…
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Federal appeals court rejects Trump bid to enforce mail ballot order ahead of midterm elections
A federal appeals court has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing key parts of an executive order tightening mail-in voting rules across 23 Democratic-led states, dealing a setback to the White House’s efforts to change election procedures ahead of the midterm elections. The ruling maintains the status quo on mail ballot handling in those states…
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Hawaii Lt. Gov. indicted in alleged bribery scheme
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke has been indicted by an Oʻahu grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and falsifying campaign committee reports. The case is significant because it concerns a sitting statewide elected official and has prompted Governor Josh Green to say Luke should consider resigning while the criminal proceedings continue.…
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Appeals court upholds injunction on President Trump’s mail-in voting order