‘Outright theft’: legal experts decry $1.8bn Trump anti-weaponization fund 02. June 2026 (14:06) Critics from both sides and legal scholars say ‘slush fund’ is scheme that will help January 6 riotersA legal and political firestorm is growing over the $1.776bn “anti-weaponization” fund Donald Trump’s justice department has launched to pay alleged victims of “lawfare”, but that ex-DoJ officials and legal experts call “corrupt” and a “slush fund” for Maga allies that benefits the president.Congressional critics from both parties and legal scholars have attacked the fund as an opaque scheme that will improperly help January 6 insurrectionists, some of whom said they intend to apply for grants, while echoing Trump’s false claims that Joe Biden’s administration was “weaponized” against them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats oppose Trump officials’ effort to include crypto in 401(k) plans 02. June 2026 (14:00) Change backed by labor department would expose workers to greater financial risk, letter shared with Guardian saysCongressional Democrats are strongly opposing a US Department of Labor proposal that would allow 401(k) investments to include cryptocurrency, private credit and private equity assets, arguing the change will expose workers to riskier and more complex investments.In a letter shared exclusively with the Guardian, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren and House education and workforce committee ranking member Bobby Scott of Virginia, argued the rule would expose an estimated $14.2tn of 401(k) retirement savings to volatile assets and would probably not withstand a challenge in court. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU accused of creating ICE-style immigration enforcement system 02. June 2026 (13:56) Officials say law will improve migration management by allowing more deportations of undocumented people EU politicians have promised to increase deportations of undocumented migrants, under a new law that critics say mimics elements of the Trump administration’s brutal immigration crackdown.Finalising a key element of an overhauled EU asylum and migration system, politicians have agreed a regulation that will enable national authorities to raid people’s homes to enforce deportation orders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nightclub promoter, 21, stabbed to death after brawl in Dublin’s tourism district 02. June 2026 (13:00) Qayyum Balogun chased and attacked after gig ended in Grafton Street area following clash between rival groups, police sayA brawl in the heart of Dublin’s tourism district led to a nightclub promoter being chased and stabbed to death.It happened at about 3am on Monday after a gig ended in the Grafton Street area of the city centre that is popular with tourists. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Aipac affiliate has funded lavish trips to Israel for dozens of Congress members since 7 October, filings reveal 02. June 2026 (13:00) Revealed: AIEF, a charitable affiliate of pro-Israel lobby Aipac, has spent millions on travel for lawmakers from both parties, even as voters’ support for Israel plummetsDozens of members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers have enjoyed lavish gifted travel to Israel funded by an Aipac affiliate since 7 October 2023, amid Israel’s expanding wars on its neighbors and despite plummeting levels of support among Americans for the country’s policies, a Guardian analysis has found.Congressional ethics filings and other public records show the trips, led by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), revolved around one-sided briefings on Middle East politics and Israeli domestic and foreign policy. Lawmakers and their staffers from both parties met Israeli officials, military contractors and civil society figures, including Benjamin Netanyahu and advocates for the annexation of the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians from Jerusalem. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Murrell used false accounting and fake invoices to hide SNP embezzlement, court hears – UK politics live 02. June 2026 (11:46) Items bought by former chief executive included more than £23,000 from a luxury stationery brand and a £3,000 robotic lawnmowerBBC Scotland has more details of the Peter Murrell hearing this morning on its live blog. And, on its live blog, Sky News has pictures of some of the items purchased by Murrell with stolen SNP funds.Andy Burnham will not call an early election if he becomes prime minister after the Makerfield byelection, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester mayor has said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Middle East crisis live: Conflict continues in Lebanon despite Trump hailing Israeli-Hezbollah de-escalation 02. June 2026 (11:40) Israeli military says it intercepted missiles from Lebanon this morning while Netanyahu says his forces will continue operating in the south of the countryTrump says Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to ‘stop all shooting’The UK government has let the Palestinian people down and failed to make it economically impossible for Israel to continue to act with impunity in the West Bank and Gaza, the Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Emily Thornberry, has said.She accused her own government of lacking ambition and wringing its hands on the Palestinian crisis, and she also chastised Donald Trump for declaring a ceasefire in Gaza and then walking away, leaving Gazans to live in rubble.Yesterday we bid farewell to the outgoing head of the Mossad, Dedi Barnea.The price Iran has already paid is a very heavy one. The foundations of this regime of terror in Iran have been shaken. It will never be what it once was, and I tell you – it is destined to fall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour ‘not looking to raise taxes to fund benefits’ as Mandelson messages suggest 02. June 2026 (10:57) Nick Thomas-Symonds defends ‘embarrassing’ Whatsapp messages between Pat McFadden and MandelsonUK politics live – latest updatesLabour MPs are not looking to raise taxes to fund more benefits, the Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has said.In messages between the work and pensions secretary, Pat McFadden, and Peter Mandelson released on Monday, McFadden wrote: “Every meeting I have is: ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?’ They’re asking the wrong questions.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Body found in search for boy, 11, who went missing in South Yorkshire river 02. June 2026 (10:51) Mackenzie Swift entered the River Don in Mexborough on Saturday evening and failed to emergeA body has been found in the search for an 11-year-old boy who went missing after entering the River Don in South Yorkshire on Saturday.Mackenzie Swift entered the river in Mexborough at around 8pm and failed to emerge, prompting a police search. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
No 10 urged to review religious knife rules after Henry Nowak murder 02. June 2026 (10:35) Hampshire police commissioner writes to Keir Starmer over ‘national tragedy’ of Southampton stabbing last DecemberUK politics live – latest updatesThe police and crime commissioner for Hampshire is leading calls for a review of religious exemptions on the carrying of knives after Henry Nowak, 18, was murdered by a man carrying a “Sikh dagger” in Southampton.Donna Jones described the stabbing of the university student as a “national tragedy” and said she was writing to the prime minister, Keir Starmer, about the issue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
