Politics

Critics claim latest element of PM Takaichi's conservative drive threatens free speech, invites political abuse.

In a speech on Friday, he will begin to set out his vision for government, before becoming prime minister next week.

Dismissal of Ukraine's defence chief sparks political crisis  Reuters

McConnell says he is unable to return to US Senate yet  Reuters

The Reform UK leader says he wants an "establishment versus the people by-election" but Labour calls it a "circus".

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez once again defends her government's handling of the deadly earthquakes on June 24.

The Republican Party hopes to retain control of both chambers of Congress in November's US midterm elections.

Iraq arrests politicians and government officials in anti-corruption crackdown  Reuters

The request is likely to face an uphill battle in Congress, which voted a day earlier to rein in Trump's war powers.

Four Republicans cross party lines to vote in favour of the measure.

US Senate votes to halt Iran war in latest rebuke of Trump  Reuters

It comes as US President Donald Trump says on social media that the PM will resign, in a further blow to the Labour leader.