US Politics & Policy news from the last 24 hours, AI-curated by PiQ Markets

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faced scrutiny across multiple fronts, with a document revealing the Trump administration's practice of forced medical treatment for hunger strikers, including feeding and involuntary blood draws, a method human rights groups label as torture. Concurrently, a court-appointed monitor found California's largest ICE facility neglected detainees' medical needs, violating a judge's order and posing serious risks. Further allegations surfaced in court filings showing ICE agents used racial slurs during Los Angeles operations, as part of a lawsuit contesting unlawful stop and arrest practices.

The U.S. Senate has advanced legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia, targeting its energy sector and imposing tariffs on nations reducing reliance on Russian oil and gas. This bill, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, passed with significant bipartisan backing. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump eulogized Senator Graham at a funeral service, remembering him as a "true American original" and "giant of the United States Senate." In a separate development, the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the nation's top spy, a Trump nominee who faced Democratic opposition amid debates on election integrity and the war in Iran.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing for a significant overhaul of England's social care system, warning of potential NHS collapse if the crisis is not addressed. He has initiated cross-party talks, inviting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to discuss reforms. Meanwhile, Barclays has cautioned Burnham against raising bank taxes, expressing concerns that existing high rates could deter investment in the City of London.

Democratic support for Israel is eroding due to the Gaza conflict and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ties to U.S. Republicans, creating partisan divides in Congress and impacting Democratic primaries. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump met with Netanyahu at the White House to discuss Iran's nuclear program amid regional conflict. Separately, Iran has backed UN human rights chief Volker Turk for a second term, despite opposition from the US and Israel, with Turk having previously criticized Israel's actions in Gaza.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will not seek a second term, even if the constitution is amended, his chief of staff stated. This comes after the National Assembly Speaker suggested constitutional revision is a popular will issue. Meanwhile, Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyeon voiced strong opposition to a bill aiming to remove the prosecution's investigative powers, warning of potential truth concealment and criminal justice system collapse. Separately, U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan House resolution honoring Korean War veterans and those who have served on the Korean Peninsula since the 1953 armistice.

Ben Carroll has been appointed Premier of Victoria following a leadership contest. Carroll has moved quickly to establish a royal commission into the construction sector, prompted by corruption allegations in Big Build projects. An expert believes this move could benefit the Labor party's election prospects.

A UK judge has raised concerns that the Home Office may have used AI-hallucinated data to refuse an asylum claim, citing a potentially non-existent country policy document. Separately, a UK charity warns that the government's planned AI facial age-estimation technology for migrants could misclassify children, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, as adults. This could lead to their detention and removal.

A 16-year-old Georgia teen has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for a 2024 school shooting that killed four people, including two students and two teachers. In the weeks after the Apalachee High School shooting, the jailed gunman, Colt Gray, discussed his online notoriety with his mother. His mother had promised to create a shrine for him, which led to her being barred from speaking with him.

The Trump administration has banned new imports of Chinese robots and power inverters, citing national security risks and the need to protect U.S. AI buildout and critical infrastructure. The Federal Communications Commission announced the measures, which target advanced robotic devices and connected power inverters. Separately, U.S. Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg discussed the AI competition with China, efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earths, and a commitment to the Philippines on the Pax Silica Initiative.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss peace talks with Russia and a potential deal for Ukraine to produce Patriot missile interceptors. The meeting occurred as Zelensky also attended a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham. Separately, conservative influencer Laura Loomer claimed to have spoken with Trump after visiting Kyiv, stating her views on Ukraine have shifted after meeting Zelensky and that her previous criticisms may have mirrored Russian propaganda.

Thousands of Haitian immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have lost their work authorization following the Trump administration's termination of the program. This has created uncertainty for both the immigrants and their U.S. employers, with many facing potential deportation to Haiti, a nation grappling with severe gang violence and a humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles in mid-June 2025 led to over $3 million in lost revenue and a significant drop in customer visits, impacting businesses that are still dealing with the economic fallout and deferred expansion plans.

Queensland and the Northern Territory have rejected federal government proposals to mandate renewable energy use for AI data centres. Both states argue the plans are underdeveloped and grant excessive power to Canberra. Meanwhile, the Australian government faces criticism for potentially seeking up to $150,000 in legal costs from former senator Rex Patrick in his bid to access Aukus agreement documents, a move transparency advocates deem a breach of model litigant rules.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop for American Airlines flights due to an IT outage, which was lifted after approximately one hour. In a separate development, the FAA is proposing to streamline commercial space licensing rules. This initiative seeks to expedite approvals by potentially waiving environmental and other requirements from 13 federal laws, aiming to foster American commercial space innovation.

The sports betting industry has spent over $72 million on U.S. midterm elections, positioning it as the third-largest corporate donor. Funds are channeled through a super PAC to back candidates favorable to the industry. Meanwhile, prediction markets are increasingly offering wagers on sensitive healthcare information, such as drug trial outcomes and regulatory approvals. This expansion raises significant ethical concerns regarding potential market manipulation, insider trading, and the financialization of medical research.

Zillow has seen federal claims of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and racketeering violations dismissed in a case concerning its Flex referrals program. The judge ruled the plaintiffs' complaint lacked sufficient factual allegations and standing. Meanwhile, plaintiffs in the Sitzer/Burnett and Gibson cases are pursuing a data-sharing agreement with Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), which could signal a compliance warning for the real estate industry regarding new commission rules.

Games Workshop has received a £7.8 million refund from the US administration following a Supreme Court ruling that found Donald Trump's tariffs illegal. The company anticipates paying around £13 million in new import duties. Meanwhile, India has been spared from the latest US tariffs targeting goods made with forced labour, though it faces ongoing discussions about its trade practices.

U.S. immigration authorities have arrested over 12,000 individuals based on information provided by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) during Donald Trump's second term. This policy shift represents a departure from previous protocols intended to safeguard unaccompanied migrant children and their sponsors. The arrests indicate a new approach to enforcing immigration laws, potentially impacting the protection of vulnerable minors.

Donald Trump's legal team is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the $83.3 million defamation verdict awarded to E. Jean Carroll. The appeal centers on the argument that Trump, as president, should be immune from civil lawsuits. Carroll was awarded the substantial sum after a jury found Trump liable for defaming her. The case involved statements Trump made about Carroll's accusations of sexual assault. The legal battle has been ongoing, with Carroll successfully suing Trump for defamation. The jury's decision in December 2023 awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages, including $65 million in punitive damages. Trump's team is now seeking to have this verdict set aside by the nation's highest court, asserting presidential immunity.

James Desborough has been convicted of three murders, including those of two vulnerable friends, Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman, whose dismembered bodies were discovered in woodland. Desborough also murdered his cellmate, Steven Kempster, while awaiting trial for the initial murders. He is currently serving a life sentence for the prison killing of Kempster.

A new report reveals a significant surge in antisemitic incidents in the UK, marking the largest increase outside of Israel. The report also identified 2025 as the deadliest year for Jews globally outside Israel in more than 30 years. This period saw a 136% rise in reported antisemitic incidents compared to 2022, underscoring a growing trend of hostility.