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Crypto billionaires’ donations expose flaws in Britain’s political funding rules
The Guardian’s editorial argues that huge crypto-linked donations to Reform UK expose the danger of Britain’s weak political funding rules and calls for the House of Lords to tighten the representation of the people bill. It criticises the government’s failure to cap donations and warns that unchecked wealth is letting rich individuals buy outsized political…
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Labour pledges to double foreign aid spending to 0.7 per cent
Labour’s new International Development Minister, Kirsty McNeill, has recommitted to the party’s manifesto pledge to raise foreign aid spending from 0.3 per cent to 0.7 per cent of national income, more than doubling the current budget without setting a timetable for doing so. The pledge comes as Labour faces criticism over its refusal to commit…
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HARRIET CROSS: This was a ludicrous display of political denial from John Swinney… the summit smacked of desperation
Scottish Conservative MP Harriet Cross has criticised First Minister John Swinney for attending a “separation summit” in Cardiff with Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin, accusing him of ignoring the outcome of May’s Holyrood election. She argues Swinney explicitly campaigned on the basis that an SNP majority would provide a mandate for a fresh independence referendum,…
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Jenny Gilruth dismisses bully claims as ‘entirely baseless’
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has rejected claims that she bullied officials, calling reports of the allegations “entirely baseless”. The claims, first published by the Scottish Sun last month, alleged she had become more difficult to work with since being promoted by First Minister John Swinney, and that she had sent an email naming…
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Government moves to nationalise Speciality Steel UK to protect 1,300 jobs
The UK government has announced it will move towards nationalising Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), the Yorkshire-based steelmaker, in a bid to safeguard 1,300 jobs after the company failed to find a private buyer. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said officials would “work towards” public acquisition, having judged that a proposed takeover by Norwegian firm Blastr Green…
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Israeli minister threatens to strip Israeli film-makers of citizenship over Gaza documentary NAZA
Israel’s culture minister, Miki Zohar, has called for the Israeli citizenship of documentary directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to be revoked, accusing them of treason over their film NAZA, which examines Israel’s mass killing of civilians in Gaza. The Guardian-produced documentary, based on interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers, details AI-powered targeting…
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Rayner boasts about masterminding Labour’s worker’s rights explosion blamed for heaping costs onto struggling firms
Angela Rayner used her address to the Trade Union Congress in Brighton to celebrate the Employment Rights Act, which came into force in December, crediting union leaders for helping shape legislation that expanded sick pay, paternity leave and other worker protections. The Communities Secretary’s remarks come as unions push Labour to go further with additional…
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Australia’s outdated technology is vulnerable to AI hacking attacks, signals chief says
Australia’s top intelligence agency has warned that the country’s ageing technology infrastructure leaves it vulnerable to attacks exploiting artificial intelligence, as the government works on new AI regulations. Abigail Bradshaw, director general of the Australian Signals Directorate, told the Sydney Dialogue summit in Canberra that governments and businesses would need to spend “enormous” sums updating…
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OpenAI urges UK lawmakers to rein in technology amid growing safety fears
OpenAI has called on UK lawmakers to seize the current political momentum and introduce legislation to control powerful artificial intelligence systems, urging narrowly targeted rules aimed at the most advanced AI labs rather than smaller startups. The intervention comes amid mounting global unease, with a cross-party parliamentary committee warning that the world is unprepared for…