23 h. ago US supreme court rules key provision of Obamacare constitutional

Case challenged how members of an obscure but vital healthcare committee are appointedUS politics live – latest updatesThe US supreme court has ruled that a key provision of “Obamacare”, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, is constitutional. The case challenged how members of an obscure but vital healthcare committee are appointed.The committee, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), is a panel of 16 volunteer health experts who determine which evidence-based preventive health services private insurance companies must cover without cost for patients. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago US attacks on Iran redraw calculus of use of force for allies and rivals around globe

Perceived readiness of US to employ force instead of negotiations could have knock-on effects around the worldUS politics live – latest updatesFor US allies and rivals around the world, Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran have redrawn the calculus of the White House’s readiness to use force in the kind of direct interventions that the president said he would make a thing of the past under his isolationist “America First” foreign policy.From Russia and China to Europe and across the global south, the president’s decision to launch the largest strategic bombing strike in US history indicates a White House that is ready to employ force abroad – but reluctantly and under the extremely temperamental and unpredictable leadership of the president. Continue reading...

Events

23 h. ago US supreme court limits federal judges’ power to block Trump orders

Ruling to limit nationwide injunctions could see president’s order to ban birthright citizenship partially implementedUS politics live – latest updatesThe US supreme court has supported Donald Trump’s attempt to limit federal judges’ power to block his orders on a nationwide basis, in a controversial ruling on an emergency appeal related to the birthright citizenship case that has wide implications for the executive branch’s power and which Trump claimed as a “giant win”.The decision represents a fundamental shift in how US federal courts can constrain presidential power. Previously, any of the country’s more than 1,000 judges in its 94 district courts – the lowest level of federal court, which handles trials and initial rulings – could issue nationwide injunctions that immediately halt government policies across all 50 states. Continue reading...

Events

25 h. ago Starmer says welfare concessions are ‘common sense’ but dodges funding question – UK politics live

No 10 has offered significant concessions to the rebels amid fears over Tuesday’s voteNo 10 climbs down over welfare billStephen Kinnock, the care minister, was the government voice on the airwaves this morning. Here are the main points he made about the welfare bill U-turn.Kinnock rejected claims that the U-turn was a sign of weakness. When it was put to him on the Today programme that this move, coming after the U-turns on winter fuel payments and a national inquiry into grooming gangs, showed that if Keir Starmer was pushed, he would give in, Kinnock replied:I think if you talk to people out there in the country, they respond very positively to politicians listening, engaging, recognising that you don’t get everything right from day one every time, and making the adjustments and the changes that are needed.And this prime minister will always put the country first. He puts country before party, and he does the right thing for the country.He defended having a “staggered” approach t...

Politics

29 h. ago Several key provisions in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ must be reworked, says Senate parliamentarian – US politics live

Elizabeth MacDonough rejects several major provisions, leaving GOP leaders scrambling to try to save legislation before 4 July deadlineby Joseph Gedeon and Robert Tait in WashingtonRepublican and Democratic senators have offered starkly contrasting interpretations of Donald Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities after a delayed behind-closed-doors intelligence briefing that the White House had earlier postponed amid accusations of leaks. Continue reading...

Politics

45 h. ago Republicans in turmoil after Senate parliamentarian rejects Medicaid cuts in Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ – live

Some Republicans call for Elizabeth MacDonough, who enforces Senate rules, to be fired after she rejects slew of major provisions Supreme court paves way for states to defund Planned ParenthoodBy taking military action, Trump “created the conditions to end the war, decimating, obliterating Iran’s nuclear capabilities”, Hegseth says, contrary to early US intelligence findings reported yesterday that suggested US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites did not destroy two of the sites and only set program back by months.Hegseth starts off by praising Trump’s “game-changing” and “historic” achievement in getting most of the Nato allies to raise the defense spending to 5%. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago UK politics: ‘Bungling Badenoch’ under fire after suggesting Starmer wrong to miss PMQs for Nato summit – as it happened

Liberal Democrats say Conservative leader focused on ‘cheap point scoring’ and her MPs are in ‘open revolt’In his final answer Starmer explained how he thought government and business should work together.A true partnership is not two people or two bodies trying to do the same thing. It’s two people or bodies realising they bring different things to the table.Government shouldn’t try to run businesses. It’s done that in the past and it doesn’t work particularly well. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago ‘Bungling Badenoch’ under fire after suggesting Starmer wrong to miss PMQs for Nato summit – UK politics live

Liberal Democrats say Conservative leader focused on ‘cheap point scoring’ and her MPs are in ‘open revolt’In his final answer Starmer explained how he thought government and business should work together.A true partnership is not two people or two bodies trying to do the same thing. It’s two people or bodies realising they bring different things to the table.Government shouldn’t try to run businesses. It’s done that in the past and it doesn’t work particularly well. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Supreme court paves way for South Carolina and other states to defund Planned Parenthood

Decision could embolden red states in US to block clinics that provide abortions from receiving Medicaid fundsUS politics live – latest updatesThe US supreme court has paved the way for South Carolina to kick Planned Parenthood out of its Medicaid program over its status as an abortion provider, a decision that could embolden red states across the country to effectively “defund” the reproductive healthcare organization.The case, Medina v Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, centers around a 2018 executive order from South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, that blocked clinics that provide abortions from receiving Medicaid reimbursements. “Payment of taxpayer funds to abortion clinics, for any purpose, results in the subsidy of abortion and the denial of the right to life,” McMaster said at the time, even though the reimbursements could not be used for abortions. Abortions are also now banned in South Carolina after six weeks of pregnancy.More details soon Continue reading...

Events

52 h. ago Starmer confirms willingness to make concessions on welfare bill, saying reforms must be fair – UK politics live

‘We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness,’ the PM saysIn his final answer Starmer explained how he thought government and business should work together.A true partnership is not two people or two bodies trying to do the same thing. It’s two people or bodies realising they bring different things to the table.Government shouldn’t try to run businesses. It’s done that in the past and it doesn’t work particularly well. Continue reading...

Economics

53 h. ago Keir Starmer confirms No 10 is offering concessions to Labour welfare rebels

PM says conversations over changes to bill will ‘continue in coming days’ with more than 120 MPs poised to rebelUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has confirmed Downing Street is offering concessions to rebel Labour MPs to get his welfare bill over the line.The prime minister told the Commons he wanted “values of fairness” to underpin the legislation so the government could “get this right” on fixing the broken benefits system. Continue reading...

Economics

53 h. ago Commons leader confirms vote on welfare bill will go ahead despite Labour rebellion – UK politics live

More than 120 Labour MPs are poised to rebel against the government on TuesdayIn his final answer Starmer explained how he thought government and business should work together.A true partnership is not two people or two bodies trying to do the same thing. It’s two people or bodies realising they bring different things to the table.Government shouldn’t try to run businesses. It’s done that in the past and it doesn’t work particularly well. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago Minister says Labour’s welfare bill rebels ‘trying to do their job well’ as No 10 considers concessions – UK politics live

More than 120 Labour MPs are poised to rebel against the government on TuesdayStarmer starts by praising the contribution to the country made by business.None of the investment made by the government would be possible “without your contribution”, he says. “And I say thank you.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ‘noises off’ and defends his leadership – as it happened

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will pull the entire welfare bill before the en...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ‘noises off’ and defends his leadership – UK politics live

PM ‘committed to reforming system’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer suggests welfare bill revolt just ‘noises off’ as he denies being bad at politics – UK politics live

PM ‘committed to reforming system’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer suggests welfare bill revolt just ‘noises off’ as he rejects claim row shows he is bad at politics – UK politics live

PM ‘committed to reforming system’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will...

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer gives dire verdict on threats UK faces as Brits urged to 'prepare for war'

Keir Starmer said it is a 'mistake' to think threats to the British mainland are far off, and warned Britain faces dangers 'on a daily basis'

Events

3 d. ago Angela Rayner says vote on welfare bill will go ahead on Tuesday despite growing rebellion – UK politics live

Deputy prime minister says ‘we will go ahead’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that...

Politics

3 d. ago Angela Rayner says vote on welfare bill will go ahead on Tuesday as she faces Mel Stride at PMQs – UK politics live

Deputy prime minister says ‘we will go ahead’ as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and PipKemi Badenoch has said it would be “pathetic” for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We’ve offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn’t serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?There is a view forming among ministers and PPS’ that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.There is widespread speculation in Government that...

Politics