Politics

• The GuardianNicola Sturgeon ‘has not spoken to’ estranged husband, Peter Murrell, since he was jailed

  Scotland’s former first minister says she will not visit Murrell in prison, where he is serving five-year sentence for embezzling SNP fundsNicola Surgeon has said she will not visit her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, in prison, has stopped speaking to him and views herself as a “mug” for worrying about his wellbeing and mental health earlier this year.During a podcast recording at the Edinburgh festival fringe, Scotland’s former first minister said Murrell had lied to her until the day he pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party. Continue reading...

  08/08/2026
• NPRMinnesota GOP divided over Mike Lindell's potential gubernatorial nomination

  Mike Lindell of "MyPillow" fame, might win the GOP primary for Minnesota governor running on a Trump platform. Other Republicans are concerned that his closeness could hurt his chances in November.

  08/08/2026
• NPRLegal scholar Lawrence Lessig on how a Maine law could topple Super PACs

  NPR's Scott Simon speaks with legal scholar and activist Lawrence Lessig about the influence of outside money in elections and a court challenge to a Maine state law capping donations to Super PACs.

  08/08/2026
• NPRWeek in Politics: Blanche confirmed as attorney general; Iran-Oman Strait deal stalls

  We look at what it took to get Todd Blanche confirmed as U.S. attorney general, as well as the proposed deal between Iran and Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz.

  08/08/2026
• The GuardianArron Banks ‘hired private detective’ to look into journalist who investigated Reform UK

  Asked whether he targeted reporter who investigated party finances, Brexit campaigner says: ‘When you live by the sword, you die by the sword’The prominent Reform UK member and Brexit campaigner Arron Banks is said to have set private investigators on a Sunday Times journalist after he broke a series of stories about Nigel Farage.Banks is alleged to have paid for the services of investigators to examine Gabriel Pogrund, editor of the paper’s Insight investigations team. Continue reading...

  08/08/2026
• NPRPrivate prisons announce $1.4 billion in revenue as immigration detentions climb

  That revenue does not include net proceeds of $1.6 billion made by CoreCivic after the recent sale of four of their facilities to the Department of Homeland Security.

  08/08/2026
• NPRData centers are a political issue crossing party lines, driving voters to candidates

  Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor Francesca Hong called for a moratorium on data centers. So did Ohio Republican governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, as data centers begin to dominate campaigns.

  08/08/2026
• NPRSenate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general

  The Senate confirmed Blanche by a 50-49 vote early Saturday morning, elevating President Trump's former personal lawyer to head the Justice Department.

  08/08/2026
• The GuardianSadiq Khan calls on Andy Burnham to commit to climate action as pressure grows over North Sea oil

  London mayor points to ‘terrifying scenes’ this summer amid speculation Burnham may back Jackdaw and Rosebank projectsSadiq Khan: This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadlySadiq Khan has called on the government to commit to revamped climate action and to reduce the UK’s reliance on oil and gas, as the UK endures a summer of drought, wildfires and heatwaves.Writing in the Guardian, the mayor of London said that Andy Burnham’s administration must reaffirm its commitment to net zero and make clear it will continue to reduce the UK’s reliance on oil and gas “to get Britain back on track.” Continue reading...

  08/08/2026
• The GuardianUS accused of meddling in British politics with $500,000 grant for ‘public education’ courses

  Documents published on US embassy’s website prompt claims of attempt to export Maga propaganda to UKThe US embassy in London is offering grants of up to half a million dollars for new “public education” programmes in what has been criticised as interference in British domestic politics.Using language that the pro-Trump Maga movement has sought to appropriate, a funding notice identifies a goal of fostering a “national conversation” about “shared civilizational values” underpinning US-UK ties. Priority will go to applicants aiming to celebrate “freedom of speech” and “limited government”. Continue reading...

  08/08/2026
• The GuardianThe night Belfast burned: how the Northern Ireland race riots unfolded

  A horrific knife attack on a street in June sparked another summer’s night of racial violence, stoked by loyalist groups. How did the unrest erupt – and why do many fear it will happen again?Shortly after 10.30pm on Monday 8 June, as a summer twilight lingered over Belfast, a horrific scene unfolded on Kinnaird Avenue: a man straddled and repeatedly stabbed a figure lying on the ground in a bloody assault that ended only after onlookers intervened.Others captured the drama on cameraphones and uploaded the footage to social media. Once seen, the grainy images were hard to forget, and by dawn on Tuesday 9 June they were ricocheting around X, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram and other platforms. Continue reading...

  08/08/2026
• The GuardianUnion calls for robust review of OBR over fears it holds back economic growth

  TUC will urge John Healey to order ‘root and branch’ assessment of watchdog amid claims its forecasts downplay investment benefitsThe TUC is urging the new chancellor, John Healey, to order a “root and branch” review of the Office for Budget Responsibility, claiming the forecaster’s approach holds back investment.With Andy Burnham promising “good growth in every postcode”, the union umbrella body is calling on Healey to use his first budget on 28 October to re-examine the assessments of the watchdog. Continue reading...

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Headlines aggregated from major international newsrooms (BBC, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, NPR, France 24, Fox News) and linked back to the publishers.