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‘Burnham bounce’ risks deflating unless focus remains on struggling households | Richard Partington
UK consumer confidence rose at its fastest monthly pace in almost three years in June, a shift data firm GfK partly attributes to Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster politics, alongside sunshine and England’s World Cup run. The improvement matters because household spending makes up around 60% of the UK economy, so any lift in sentiment…
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Voices: ‘No loopholes’: Readers demand watertight wealth tax after millionaires’ letter to Andy Burnham
More than 100 British-based millionaires, led by former footballer Gary Lineker, have written to new prime minister Andy Burnham urging him to introduce a wealth tax on the super-rich, arguing “we can afford it.” The Independent polled its readers on the proposal and found strong support, with almost four in five backing a wealth tax…
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‘Sex MP’ has no regrets as she warns about need for lifelong sex education
Labour MP Samantha Niblett has embraced being called “the sex MP” after her calls for a “summer of sex” and for MPs to bring sex toys to Parliament sparked controversy, insisting the attention is helping her campaign for better sex education gain traction. Niblett, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sex and Reproductive Health,…
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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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Texas politicians call for guardrails on AI, data centers
Texas politicians have called for safeguards around artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centres, reflecting concerns about how the technology may affect consumers, public resources and local communities. The intervention matters because Texas has become a major location for both AI investment and the energy-intensive infrastructure needed to support it. The article’s accessible…
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Congress should honor Teddy Roosevelt and conserve our outdoors for the next 250 years
An opinion piece argues Congress should reauthorise the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), which funded infrastructure projects on America’s public lands but expired last year. The author frames this as a fitting tribute to Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy and a way to mark America’s 250th anniversary, presenting continued investment in national…
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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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‘We count every litre’: how Cuba’s energy crisis sparked a daily struggle for water
Cuba’s deepening energy crisis has left millions of people without reliable access to running water, as electricity shortages disable pumping stations and fuel shortages cripple the country’s ageing water distribution network. Power cuts no longer just leave homes dark; they leave taps dry, forcing residents in Havana and beyond to spend hours each day fetching,…
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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…