Good morning. While Westminster-watchers were obsessed with Labour’s leadership shenanigans, a new chapter in the relationship between Cardiff and the UK government opened. Because nothing says “fresh start” like immediately testing the prime minister’s patience.
After claiming power in this month’s elections, Plaid Cymru has wasted no time in testing Keir Starmer’s “openness” to reform. In London, the party tabled an amendment to the king’s speech, calling for a number of justice, infrastructure and welfare powers to be devolved to the Senedd. Subtle as a sledgehammer, but hey, they’re not here to make friends.
Meanwhile, in other news that will definitely not distract from the main story: a rescue deal for Thames Water is under threat because of a potential change in prime minister, government insiders have said. Because nothing says “stable investment” like political uncertainty. Also, Andy Burnham drew the battle lines for the future of the Labour party on Monday as the Greater Manchester mayor promised he would “change Labour” and win back the voters the party had lost. Good luck with that, Andy.
Over in the US, five people, including two suspects, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, in what authorities said was being investigated as a hate crime. Because apparently, some people still haven’t gotten the memo about basic human decency.
In the Middle East, Iran has made a new proposal for a deal to definitively end the war, officials in the region said, with Donald Trump claiming he had postponed new military strikes so talks could continue. Because nothing says “peace negotiations” like a former president patting himself on the back for not bombing people.
And finally, in technology, a jury ruled in favour of Sam Altman in the culmination of a long and bitter legal battle that pitted the richest person in the world against a leader of the AI boom. Because when billionaires fight, we all win… by watching the legal fees pile up.