Pound plunges after new British government releases budget

The newly formed British government rolled out its fiscal plans Friday morning — and the reaction from global financial markets is beyond stunning.Why it matters: Essentially, the markets are treating the U.K. the way they do emerging markets, which are viewed as not having the same reliable, disciplined institutions setting economic policy as the richest nations.Beyond the unique crises facing Britain right now, we're in an upside-down world compared to that which prevailed during the 2009-2019 period. Policymakers worldwide will want to be on notice that deficits may matter again, even in rich countries.Driving the news: The government helmed by Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a budget including extensive tax cuts, along with assistance for Britons facing ...
— (Axios) (September 23)   (Pocket)

Putin's plea, Truss' promises: World leaders wish Jews a happy Rosh Hashanah

Leaders around the globe sent warm wishes to Jews celebrating the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashanah, which began on Sunday.Greetings came from a wide range of world leaders, spanning from US President Joe Biden and new British Prime Minister Liz Truss to Russia's Vladimir Putin.In a tweet sent on Biden's official government account, the US president said he and First Lady Jill Biden "offer warm wishes to those observing" Rosh Hashanah.
— (Jerusalem Post) (September 25)   (Pocket)

UK's new leader slams Putin, hails queen in debut UN speech

British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Wednesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of making “saber-rattling threats” to cover his failed invasion of Ukraine, as she prepared to tell the United Nations that its founding principles were fracturing because of aggression by authoritarian states.
— (The Independent) (September 21)   (Pocket)

UK's Liz Truss to work with Japan's Kishida to tackle China threat

British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly i
— (WION) (September 20)   (Pocket)

God Save Great Britain - The American Conservative

Of course, Boris Johnson is less fearsome than the Council of State, and Queen Elizabeth II by all accounts met a peaceful death after a long life, not the stuff of a proto-Los Zetas snuff film. On American Labor Day—the austere zenith of the British Empire (relocated) commemorating “labour”—we west of the Atlantic could read of Prime Minister Johnson and the Queen. By market close in London on Thursday, the world had welcomed Prime Minister Liz Truss, and royal subjects, for the first time since before the death of Joseph Stalin, sang "God Save the King."
— (The American Conservative) (September 12)   (Pocket)

Host of the 'Royally Obsessed' podcast reacts to the death of Queen Elizabeth II - NPR

World leaders continue to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. She died today at her Balmoral estate in Scotland. She was 96 years old and held the throne for 70 of those years, making her the longest serving monarch of the United Kingdom. Her death comes as the country's government is already in a time of transition. Here is the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaking this evening.
— (NPR) (September 8)   (Pocket)

U.K. Prime Minister to Announce Energy Bailout Funded by Borrowing

During her first appearance as prime minister in the House of Commons, Liz Truss promised her government would help British households and businesses struggling with high inflation and skyrocketing energy costs by capping their bills as well as cutting taxes.
— (The Wall Street Journal) (September 7)   (Pocket)

Texas court expands protections for families with trans kids

A Texas judge expanded an injunction on Friday to block state officials from investigating families with trans children that belong to PFLAG National, an LGBTQ advocacy group, the ACLU announced. The big picture: The decision expands on a district court's previous injunction to protect some families that are part of PFLAG, which has sued to block state investigations against them for supporting gender-affirming care.PFLAG claims more than 600 members in Texas, per the Texas Tribune. Catch up fast: In May, the Texas Supreme Court said that state agencies could but were not required to continue conducting child abuse investigations against the parents of trans children, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.
— (Axios) (September 16)   (Pocket)

The Megastate G.O.P. Rivalry Between Abbott and DeSantis

Publicly, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has not criticized the migrant flights from his state by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Privately, the Florida governor’s stunt stung the Texas governor’s team.
— (New York Times) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Kushner critiques DeSantis migrant flights: 'These are human beings'

Earlier this month, DeSantis sent two planes full of migrants to the upper crust left-wing stronghold, prompting outrage from Democratic politicians. They were promptly ferried to a nearby military base. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey have also transported migrants to Democratic cities, a ploy which has seen even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell line up in support.
— (Just the News) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Texas judge blocks abuse investigations into families of transgender kids - USA TODAY

Judge Amy Clark Meachum's order is the latest in a lawsuit by LGBTQ advocates against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's child welfare agency to halt current and future child-abuse probes for children who have received gender- affirming medical care.
— (USA Today) (September 18)   (Pocket)

Court Rules Against Social Media Companies In Free Speech Censorship Fight

The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans (pdf), handed down on Sept. 16, upholds the constitutionality of a Texas law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott last year and delivers a victory to Republicans in their fight against big tech censorship of conservative viewpoints.
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (September 17)   (Pocket)

Editorial: Border crisis not just a Texas problem - Boston Herald

“The Biden-Harris administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has sent over 10,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago since the spring.
— (Boston Herald) (September 16)   (Pocket)

2 busloads of migrants dropped off near VP Harris' residence

It wasn't immediately clear which Republican leader had sent them. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants out of Texas to cities with Democratic mayors as part of a political strategy this year because he claims there are too many arrivals over the border to his state. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also has adopted this policy, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also got in on the act recently. It was first dreamed up by former President Donald Trump.
— (The Independent) (September 15)   (Pocket)

Florida governor declares emergency as Tropical Storm Ian approaches

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a state of emergency for Florida as Tropical Storm Ian gathers strength over the Caribbean and is expected to bring heavy rains and intense hurricane winds to the state next week.
— (PBS) (September 24)   (Pocket)

The Megastate G.O.P. Rivalry Between Abbott and DeSantis

Publicly, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has not criticized the migrant flights from his state by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Privately, the Florida governor’s stunt stung the Texas governor’s team.
— (New York Times) (September 25)   (Pocket)

DeSantis grabs hold of immigration debate but leaves Florida GOP open to attacks

Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar addresses the media during a round table discussion coordinated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, with South Florida Officials and Cuban representatives at American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
— (Miami Herald) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Search interest in abortion falls as the border rises

Note: Data not available from Aug. 8 to Sept. 4, 2022; Data: Google Trends; Chart: Jacque Schrag and Will Chase/AxiosAmericans' Google searches and story interactions around crime and immigration are eclipsing abortion and the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, according to the Axios midterms dashboard powered by Google Trends, as well as new data from NewsWhip.Why it matters: With elections seven weeks away, some topics more likely to favor Democrats have been losing ground to those that may favor Republicans.The big picture: Democrats have been laser focused on abortion as a winning issue, but the new data shows a waning interest nationally after the initial surge that followed the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.
— (Axios) (September 22)   (Pocket)

The Republican party's cruel migrant stunts have very deep roots

An image of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is overlaid with the words 'don't attack our democracy' at a rally to denounce the governor's immigration policies on Sept. 20, 2022, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, is facing a criminal investigation for sending two planes full of Latin American asylum-seekers to Martha’s Vineyard, a wealthy Massachusetts island where former president Barack Obama owns a home. Not to be outdone, his Republican counterpart in Texas, Greg Abbott, also dispatched two busloads of mostly Venezuelan migrants, including a one-month old baby, to the Washington, D.C.
— (The Conversation) (September 21)   (Pocket)

False promises, a legal investigation and a mystery woman: Unanswered questions about Ron DeSantis's migrant flights

So much remains unclear about the governor’s plan, including how Florida funds are paying for it, who is working with the state to put migrants on planes, and what will happen next to migrants and their families seeking asylum in the US, Alex Woodward reports
— (The Independent) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Martha's Vineyard migrants file class-action lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Some of the illegal immigrants Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew to Martha's Vineyard filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday against the Republican governor, saying he bamboozled them into making the trip.
— (Washington Times) (September 20)   (Pocket)

@OccupyDemocrats: BREAKING NEWS: Miami Democratic lawmaker announces that he is filing a massive lawsuit against Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for illegally using taxpayer money to fly asylum seekers to blue states, accuses DeSantis of “breaking the law.” RT IF YOU SUPPORT THIS LAWSUIT!

Migrants sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Martha's Vineyard flights

Venezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard have sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a "fraudulent and discriminatory scheme" to relocate them.
— (PBS) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Mysteries, legal peril follow DeSantis's migrant flight - The Washington Post

Mysteries, legal peril follow DeSantis's migrant flightThe Washington PostWhere Republican governors DeSantis, Abbott and Ducey are transporting migrants across the United StatesAxiosImmigration Gives Greg Abbott Lead Over Beto O'Rourke in Texas: PollNewsweekGREG GUTFELD: Hispanics support migrant flights to sanctuary citiesFox NewsLook beyond the Abbott, DeSantis stunts: The border crisis is real, and it’s good for no oneFort Worth Star-Telegram
— (Washington Post) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Kushner critiques DeSantis migrant flights: 'These are human beings'

Earlier this month, DeSantis sent two planes full of migrants to the upper crust left-wing stronghold, prompting outrage from Democratic politicians. They were promptly ferried to a nearby military base. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey have also transported migrants to Democratic cities, a ploy which has seen even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell line up in support.
— (Just the News) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Migrants sue Florida governor over Martha's Vineyard flights

Venezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard have sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them
— (The Independent) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Texas sheriff investigating migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard organized by Florida governor

A Texas sheriff announced Monday evening he's opened a criminal investigation into flights Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) arranged last week that took some 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Driving the news: DeSantis insists the flights were voluntary. But the Bexar County sheriff's office said in an emailed statement that it "has opened an investigation into the migrants that were lured from the Migrant Resource Center" in the county, where San Antonio is located. Photo: Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar/TwitterThey were then flown to Florida, "where they were ultimately left to fend for themselves in Martha's Vineyard," according to the statement.The sheriff's office said it was "working with private attorneys who are representing the victims ...
— (Axios) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Texas sheriff investigating Gov. Ron DeSantis' migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard

A Texas sheriff on Monday opened an investigation into two flights of migrants sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but did not say what laws may have been broken in putting 48 Venezuelans on private planes last week from San Antonio.
— (Washington Times) (September 19)   (Pocket)

Florida, Texas escalate flights, buses to move migrants

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — Republican governors are escalating their practice of sending migrants without advance warning to Democratic strongholds, including a wealthy summer enclave in Massachusetts and the home of Vice President Kamala Harris, to taunt leaders of immigrant-friendly “sanctuary” cities and highlight their opposition to Biden administration border policies.
— (Boston Herald) (September 15)   (Pocket)

Russia vows "full protection" to territories annexed from Ukraine

Russia will offer "full protection" to the Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine that vote in referendums to join Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference Saturday.Why it matters: Decried by Ukrainian and Western officials as a "sham," the referendums are taking place from Friday through Tuesday in the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and could lead to the annexation of nearly 15% of Ukraine.What they're saying: At a news conference following his address to the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said that if the territories where the referendums are taking place are annexed by Russia they will be granted Russia's "full protection,"
— (Axios) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Putin Makes His Move To Conquer More Territory from Ukraine

Referendums Begin In Russian-Occupied Regions Of Ukraine – Referendums in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk began on Friday as Russia pushes ahead with plans to legitimize the invasion of Ukraine. Russian state news outlet Tass described how the votes will take place between September 23 and 27, and wrongly described Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as “Liberated […] The post Putin Makes His Move To Conquer More Territory from Ukraine
— (1945) (September 24)   (Pocket)

Ukraine war: Hundreds arrested as Russian draft protests continue - BBC

Ukraine war: Hundreds arrested as Russian draft protests continueBBCRussian anti-war protests highlight trouble for Putin's war in Ukraine
— (BBC) (September 24)   (Pocket)

Russians strike Ukraine as Kremlin-staged votes continue

“Ukrainian forces are advancing further downstream along both rivers,” the British said. “As Russian commanders become increasingly concerned about their operational setbacks, they are probably attempting to strike the sluice gates of dams, in order to flood Ukrainian military crossing points.”
— (Washington Times) (September 24)   (Pocket)

Ukraine says residents of captured regions coerced into Russian annexation vote

(Left) A boy wearing a T-shirt with the letter 'Z', the tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, and holding a flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) - the eastern Ukrainian breakaway region. Photograph:( AFP )
— (WION) (September 23)   (Pocket)

U.N. experts conclude war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russians

A team of experts commissioned by the U.N.'s top human rights body to look into rights violations in Ukraine says its initial investigation has turned up evidence of war crimes in the country following Russia's invasion.
— (PBS) (September 23)   (Pocket)

Russian Nukes Can Be Used To Defend Annexed Ukraine Regions, Kremlin Warns

Russian Nukes Can Be Used To Defend Annexed Ukraine Regions, Kremlin Warns Once againDmitry Medvedev,the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has served the role of issuing more severe 'read between the lines' warnings and threats fresh off President Vladimir Putin's Wednesday speech announcing partial mobilization of national forces and which confirmed referendums of occupied portions of Ukraine to join the Russian Federation. Putin's most alarming line came when he said, "If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people," following with "It’s not a bluff."
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (September 23)   (Pocket)

@KyivIndependent: ⚡️ SBU identifies Russian commander who ordered troops to torture Kherson residents. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said on Sept. 24 that it identified Alexander Naumenko, a Russian commander who reportedly instructed Russian troops to kidnap and torture Kherson residents.

@joncoopertweets: NEW: The Russian pop icon Alla Pugacheva has DENOUNCED the war in Ukraine, the most significant Russian celebrity to do so.

Ukraine furthers gains in Kharkiv region following major breakthrough

Ukrainian forces have continued their advance into the Kharkiv region, pushing into the region's northern, southern and eastern flanks Ukraine's military chief Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi wrote in a Telegram post on Sunday.Driving the news: The news comes on the back of a major Ukrainian breakthrough this weekend, as Russian forces on Saturday withdrew from the areas surrounding Kharkiv in light of the Ukrainian advance.Russia also removed troops from the regions Balakleya and Izyum, and Ukrainian forces reached the major railway city of Kupiansk, potentially cutting supplies for Russian forces.The big picture: “Since the beginning of September, more than 3,000 square kilometers have been returned to the control of Ukraine,"
— (Axios) (September 11)   (Pocket)

Pushing East of Kupyansk, Ukrainian Forces Expand Offensive

Securing the remaining Russian-held urban areas on the town’s eastern side would clear the way for Ukrainian forces to push into Luhansk, one of the regions that Moscow seeks to annex through snap referendums under way.
— (The Wall Street Journal) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Ukrainian forces recapture village in Luhansk region as Russia loses control

Ukraine continued their resurgence in the ongoing conflict with Russia as the resistance forces were able to recapture a village near the city of Lysychansk. The region of Luhansk has been under Russian control since early days of the invasion, but this was a significant victory for the Ukrainian military.
— (WION) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Pressure on Russian forces mounts as Ukrainian troops advance in northeast Kharkiv

Western defence officials, analysts believe Russian forces are establishing a new defensive line after Ukrainian troops broke through the previous one.
— (South China Morning Post) (September 17)   (Pocket)

'They left very quietly': Russian forces abandon Ukrainian village

The small village of Hrakove in Ukraine has only 30 people who have remained in the town compared to the 1,000 residents before Russian troops invaded. On Sept. 9, Russian forces withdrew from Hrakove after a successful counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces.
— (Christian Science Monitor) (September 14)   (Pocket)

Russian forces retreat amid Ukrainian counteroffensive

Ukrainian troops on Sunday successfully pressed their swift counteroffensive in the northeastern part of the country, even as a nuclear power plant in the Russia-occupied south completely shut down in a bid to prevent a radiation disaster.
— (Boston Herald) (September 11)   (Pocket)

Russia pulls back from Kharkiv area as Ukrainian forces make major gains

The reports followed several days of apparent advances by Ukraine south of Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, in what could become the biggest battlefield success for Ukrainian forces since they thwarted a Russian attempt to seize the capital of Kyiv at the start of the nearly seven-month war.
— (PBS) (September 10)   (Pocket)