Maine Democrats rally around Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner in crucial Senate race – US politics live 20. July 2026 (11:53) Former state legislator in strong position to become Democratic candidate after several appointments drop out over the weekend In other news, the Trump administration has filed a first-ever petition to a secretive and dormant court created 30 years ago to consider government requests to deport so-called “alien terrorists” from the US.The Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) was established in 1996 but had never received a petition until Wednesday, when the US justice department filed an application seeking the removal of an individual whose name is withheld from the single-page document posted on the court’s website. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump could ‘do something positive’ rather than fixate on 2020 loss, Fetterman says 20. July 2026 (11:00) Senator says Trump revisiting failed run against Biden ‘distracts from important things’ such as Iran warRather than continue fixating on the 2020 election defeat that ended his first presidency, Donald Trump could instead “do something positive”, including resolving the US war in Iran, Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman said in an interview on Sunday.“I don’t know why the president is dragging up all this stuff,” Fetterman remarked on CNN’s State of the Union, three days after Trump dedicated a televised, primetime address to claims about Chinese meddling in the 2020 White House race that he lost to Joe Biden. “You’re the president. Do something positive – and you are talking about 2020; that’s been settled over six years ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel criticises Labor’s draft Palestine policy in rare foreign intervention ahead of party conference 20. July 2026 (10:59) Statement by Israeli embassy in Canberra challenges proposed positions on settler violence and annexation of Palestinian territoryGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIsrael has made an intervention into the Labor party’s internal processes, publicly criticising a draft policy platform that it claims risks blaming Israel for the Gaza conflict while giving “insufficient attention” to the role of Hamas.The Israeli embassy in Canberra issued a four-page statement on Monday challenging the proposed positions on Palestine, Hamas and settler violence in the West Bank, due to be debated at this week’s Labor national conference. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jeff Bezos and UK government invest in £2bn British startup CuspAI 20. July 2026 (10:37) Company aims to develop AI software that cuts research times and use of rare metals in chipmakers’ supply chainsBusiness live – latest updatesAmazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, and the UK government have invested in a £2bn British artificial intelligence startup that is aiming to become the “search engine for rare materials” that accelerates the next wave of technological breakthroughs.The Cambridge-based CuspAI has raised $450m (£330m) in funding from investors including Bezos and the government’s sovereign AI fund, valuing the two-year-old business at $2.6bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
BBC broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68 20. July 2026 (10:37) Corporation pays tribute to ‘outstanding’ journalist who presented shows including Today and One O’Clock NewsThe journalist Edward Stourton has died aged 68, it has been announced.The BBC Radio 4 presenter was best known for fronting current affairs programmes including Today, World at One and its religious and ethical current affairs series Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We need to talk about how difficult it is’: why one couple are pinning surrogacy hopes on Mexico 20. July 2026 (10:00) Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo, who have been trying to become parents since 2020, are now seeking help abroadRise in overseas surrogates ‘increases risk of stateless babies’Why Mexico is at the heart of ethical debate over global surrogacyJules Von Hep has wanted a baby ever since he can remember. For many people that dream is straightforward to realise – but, as a gay man, he has always known it would take years of saving and searching.The only way he can have a biological child is to use a surrogate, which costs tens of thousands of pounds, and it often takes years of searching to find the right match. For Von Hep, it has been an “incredibly painful, incredibly expensive” process. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Taxpayers could pay millions to abuse survivors if Christian Brothers goes bankrupt, court documents reveal 20. July 2026 (09:19) Catholic order with a record of child abuse could be subject to hundreds of redress claims worth up to $65mFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian taxpayers could be forced to cover up to $65m in payouts to hundreds of abuse victims when a failing arm of the Catholic church disappears, new court documents reveal.Last month, the Christian Brothers, a Catholic order with a shocking record of child abuse, informed a court it was going broke and would not be able to afford to pay out survivors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British YouTuber Yung Filly fronts Australian court over rape allegations 20. July 2026 (08:46) Rapper pleads not guilty to six counts of sexually penetrating a 20-year-old woman without consent after a gig in PerthA British YouTuber and musician bit and slapped a young female fan while he was raping her after a gig in Western Australia, a court has been told.Yung Filly, 30, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of sexually penetrating a 20-year-old woman without consent in a Perth hotel room in September 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Abortion clinic-style protest bans could reduce ‘distress and anxiety’ at synagogues and Jewish schools, Dreyfus says 20. July 2026 (08:28) Former attorney general details antisemitic abuse at royal commission, saying he was labelled a ‘genocidal Zionist’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former attorney general Mark Dreyfus has called on governments to consider banning protests outside synagogues and Jewish schools, invoking a high court decision allowing restrictions outside abortion clinics.The federal Labor backbencher told the antisemitism royal commission the laws should be considered in light of a 2019 high court decision upholding safe access zone laws in Victoria and Tasmania, which prohibit protests within 150 metres of abortion clinics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rising numbers of younger midwives quitting NHS in England, data shows 20. July 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: Maternity staffing shortages worsen as more and more under-35s quit because of burnoutMore and more midwives are leaving the NHS before they reach 35 because of burnout, worsening the staffing problems that are affecting maternity units.The growing trend of early career quitting has sparked fears it poses a threat to the quality and safety of care that mothers and babies receive from already-understaffed childbirth services. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
