US lawmakers urge secretive British court to open up about Apple case 11. September 2026 (15:03) Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Warren Davidson tell investigatory powers tribunal that secrecy over encrypted data case is ‘needlessly’ straining US-UK relationsA bipartisan pair of American politicians is telling Britain’s most secretive court to stop hiding its handling of Apple’s legal fight against a government demand to break into its customers’ encrypted data, warning that Whitehall’s taste for secrecy is “needlessly” straining relations between the two allies.The letter, shared with the Guardian ahead of being sent to the investigatory powers tribunal (IPT) on Friday, is signed by the Democratic senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and the Republican congressman Warren Davidson of Ohio. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Government ups offer to Stormont ministers to £1.5bn 11. September 2026 (14:43) Northern Ireland ministers insist they are unable to strike a budget for the current financial year without additional Treasury support.(London News)
US consumer prices stayed high in August as Iran war pushed energy costs up 11. September 2026 (14:38) Annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, same as July, and core inflation, which omits energy and food prices, was up to 2.4%US consumer prices remained stubbornly high in August as the end of the ceasefire between the US and Iran pushed energy prices up, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday.The annualized inflation rate was 3.4%, the same as it was in July. The most recent peak was seen in May, when the inflation rate hit a three-year high at 4.2%. Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food prices, increased to 2.4% in August. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK chancellor urged to remove ‘hidden taxes’ from energy bills 11. September 2026 (14:37) Businesses, charities and other groups sign letter calling for levies to be paid by the governmentMore than 120 organisations including big businesses and charities have called for the removal of “hidden taxes” added to energy bills to help reduce costs for consumers and prevent businesses closing.In a letter to the chancellor the signatories – including Energy UK, business trade body the CBI, End Fuel Poverty and Age UK – called for levies amounting to 10% of energy bills that fund policies to be paid for by the government. John Healey is to present his first budget on 28 October. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RNLI reports ‘significant’ donations boost after being targeted by far right over small boats 11. September 2026 (14:35) Charity condemns ‘disgraceful’ intimidation and insists it will continue core purpose of saving lives at seaUK politics live – latest updatesThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has had a “significant” boost in donations since becoming a target of far-right agitators protesting over small boat crossings.The charity’s staff and volunteers have been subjected to “online and physical abuse” after involvement in a rescue on Sunday in which a dingy carrying asylum seekers was brought into Portsmouth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
