California governor boosts redistricting effort in growing feud with Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that the country’s most populous state will promote a partisan redistricting scheme aimed at countering controversial Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas ahead of the United States’ 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Newsom took a combative stance against US President Donald Trump and said that Democrats must respond to what he said were conservative efforts to politicise the electoral process.

“Today is liberation day in the state of California,” Newsom said, appropriating a term used by Trump to refer to the imposition of tariffs on foreign countries.

Newsom and Trump have frequently sparred as the US president seeks to exert pressure on Democrat-led states that have pushed back against his political agenda on issues such as immigration enforcement.

During his remarks, Newsom said that masked immigration enforcement agents had gathered around the venue, which he depicted as a form of intimidation. Trump prompted outrage in California earlier in the year when he deployed the military and National Guard to Los Angeles during a round of aggressive immigration raids, and suggested at the time that Newsom should be arrested.

“Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back,” said Newsom, who is seen as a possible Democratic contender for the presidency in 2028.

Newsom said that the redistricting scheme, which would favour the Democrats and could net them five additional seats in the 2026 midterm elections, will go before voters in a special election on November 4.

The California governor said the scheme was a direct response to a similar redistricting effort in the Republican-led state of Texas, which would help secure five additional likely seats for the Republican Party.

He stressed that, unlike in Texas, it would be up to California voters to approve or shoot down the new maps, and that they would only go forward if Texas and other states move forward with their own partisan redistricting efforts.

He added that the planned maps, which are expected to be released on Friday, would be in effect until 2030.

Earlier this month, Democrat lawmakers in Texas fled the state to block a House vote on redistricting efforts that would create an additional five Republican-leaning districts.

On Thursday, the lawmakers moved closer to ending their nearly two-week walkout that has blocked the GOP’s redrawing of US House maps and put them under escalating threats by Republicans back home.

The Democrats announced they will return so long as Texas Republicans end a special session and California releases its own redrawn map proposal, both of which were expected to happen on Friday.

Democrats did not say what day they might return.

Newsom’s move underscores calls within the Democratic Party to take a stronger stance against Trump and the Republicans, including moves that violate previously held norms and rules that Democrats say the US right has long since abandoned.

“We cannot unilaterally disarm,” he said, calling on other Democrat-led states to join California.

Warrington beat Catalans to stay in play-off hunt

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Betfred Super League, Halliwell Jones Stadium

Warrington (12) 30

Tries: Gardner, Jake Thewlis 2, Stone, Josh Thewlis Goals: Sneyd 5

Catalans (22) 22

Warrington Wolves came from 22-6 down to beat Catalans Dragons and maintain their hopes of a place in the Super League play-offs.

Tommy Makinson’s hat-trick inside half an hour had given the visitors a big lead, with Matthieu Laguerre also going over for the visitors.

Zack Gardner scored Wire’s first try, before Jake Thewlis added a second to bring them back to 22-12 behind at half-time.

It was a fourth consecutive victory for Warrington over Catalans but they were outplayed in the first half.

Makinson scored the opening try after only four minutes with a dive into the left corner, but Wire kept a loose ball alive and worked it right to give Gardner a walk in.

The French side then took control as centre Laguerre ran over two would-be tacklers to score their second try, before full-back Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet chipped over the defence, his kick was gathered again and the play moved left for Makinson’s second score.

His hat-trick soon followed as Laguerre again burst through the defence and stand-off Luke Keary kicked to the left corner on the last tackle. It was claimed by Makinson, who did superbly well to ground the ball before being taken into touch.

Wire replied before the break as George Williams kicked over the defence, Connor Wrench gathered and sent Jake Thewlis galloping up the left touchline to score.

On the resumption, Williams’ grubber was deflected into the path of Stone to gather and go over to launch a sustained period of pressure from the hosts.

They eventually went ahead as Jake Thewlis scored the try of the night. Offered a moment’s space in the left corner, he dived for the line and grounded the ball with both feet above waist height.

Marc Sneyd then landed a superb goal, his fourth out of five in all, to put Warrington in front for the first time.

Warrington head coach Sam Burgess told BBC Radio Merseyside:

“I was relatively calm at half-time considering the performance because I knew if we got our game together we could still win.

“A couple moments in the first half we were poor defensively but Catalans came to play and they challenged us with the ball and we just switched off a little bit.

Warrington: Rachford, Josh Thewlis, Gardner, Wrench, Jake Thewlis, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Walker, Matterson, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie

Interchanges: Powell, Philbin, Thomas, Holroyd

Catalans: Aispuro-Bichet, Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric, Keary, Fages, Maria, Da Costa, Satae, Garcia, Sironen, Partington

Interchanges: Pangai Jr, Navarette, Dezaria, Balmforth

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  • Warrington Wolves
  • Catalans Dragons
  • Rugby League

Wolves stay in play-off hunt with win over Catalans

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  • 4 Comments

Betfred Super League, Halliwell Jones Stadium

Warrington (12) 30

Tries: Gardner, Jake Thewlis 2, Stone, Josh Thewlis Goals: Sneyd 5

Catalans (22) 22

Warrington Wolves came from 22-6 down to beat Catalans Dragons and maintain their hopes of a place in the Super League play-offs.

Tommy Makinson’s hat-trick inside half an hour had given the visitors a big lead, with Matthieu Laguerre also going over for the visitors.

Zack Gardner scored Wire’s first try before Jake Thewlis added a second to bring them back to 22-12 behind at half-time.

Warrington totally dominated the second half as tries from Sam Stone and a second from Jake Thewlis put them in front before Josh Thewlis sprinted in to seal victory as Wolves moved to within three points of sixth-placed Hull FC.

Warrington: Rachford, Josh Thewlis, Gardner, Wrench, Jake Thewlis, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Walker, Matterson, Stone, Fitzgibbon, Currie

Interchanges: Powell, Philbin, Thomas, Holroyd

Catalans: Aispuro-Buchet, Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric, Keary, Fages, Maria, Da Costa, Satae, Garcia, Sironen, Partington

Interchanges: Pangai Jr, Navarette, Dezaria, Balmforth

Related topics

  • Warrington Wolves
  • Catalans Dragons
  • Rugby League

Princess Anne’s ununsual birthday plans revealed as never-before-seen photo released

A brand new picture of Princess Anne has been released to mark her 75th birthday tomorrow showing her smiling as she poses outside her Gatcombe Park home

Princess Anne gives an amused smile in a brand new photograph released to mark her 75th birthday.

The Princess Royal, who celebrates the three-quarters-of-a-century milestone tomorrow, is pictured near a window outside her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire. The photo comes as the King’s younger sister, often hailed as the Royal Family’s most hard-working member, has swerved any major public celebration for her day.

She is marking her birthday privately and is believed to be spending it alone with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence sailing around the Western Isles of Scotland. Her birthday comes after Buckingham Palace was forced to remove an Anne birthday post after major family gaffe.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton halts summer break to release new video with emotional statement

A new photo released to mark Princess Anne’s 75th birthday (Image: PA)

The official portrait released for her birthday was taken by celebrated photographer John Swannell last month. It shows Anne in a clean-lined colour-blocked royal blue dress with a contrasting bright white high collar, matching cuffs and white buttoned central trim.

The princess, who is known for recycling her outfits decades later, wore the same dress at the King’s Awards at St James’s Palace in June.

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The image captures a relaxed-looking Anne, with her hair self-styled in her signature bouffant, resting her hand on a stone windowsill at Gatcombe.

Swannell was also tasked with taking the official photographs for Anne’s 70th, and previously photographed Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons, the late Queen for her official diamond jubilee portrait in 2012, Sir Tony Blair, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Elton John.

Another image of Anne by photographer Chris Jackson was released last week showing the princess in a tiara and gown with Sir Tim on the night of the Windsor Castle state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron.

Anne with her husband Sir Tim Laurence
Anne with her husband Sir Tim Laurence (Image: Getty Images for Buckingham Pala)

Anne supports more than 300 charities and organisations, and earlier this year brought many of them together at a special Buckingham Palace forum, insisting this was the only way she wished to mark her forthcoming 75th birthday.

A palace source said: “This personifies what Her Royal Highness cares about. She didn’t want to do anything for her birthday but bring her charities together to hear more about their work and how she can help them.”

It was at the princess’s Gloucestershire estate just over a year ago that she was taken to hospital after she was believed to have been struck by a horse.

She was treated in intensive care for concussion and minor head injuries, spending five nights at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The princess, who was back on royal duties less than three weeks later, has said she has no memory of the incident but now views every day as a “bonus”.

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The King ’s sister, referred to in royal circles as his “most trusted lieutenant” is often labelled the hardest-working royal after consistently clocking up more public engagements year after year than any other member of The Firm.

But rather than slowing down, well into retirement age she is doing more than ever. Those who know her best celebrated the senior royal for her “wicked wit”, practical approach to problems, and a flair for “not always agreeing” with what they say.

Taylor Swift fans cringe as Jack Antonoff’s wife Margaret Qualley asked awkward question

The Life of a Showgirl was announced by Taylor Swift earlier this week but she’s revealed that frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff isn’t one of the producers for this album

An “awkward” moment in which Margaret Qualley was asked about Taylor Swift’s new album has attracted attention this week. It comes following the news that her husband Jack Antonoff isn’t among the producers on the record.

Earlier this week, Taylor, 35, announced her next album, the Life of a Showgirl, ahead of its release in October. She’s revealed that she reunited with producers Max Martin, 54, and Karl Schuster, 40, known as Shellback, for the album.

It’s understood to be Taylor’s first studio album in more than a decade to not feature Jack, 41, as a producer. He’s co-produced her last seven albums, and her four re-recorded albums, and has also worked with her as a songwriter.

Margaret, 30, who has been married to Jack since 2023, was asked about the upcoming album whilst promoting her new film Honey Don’t (2025) yesterday. The interview with the actor has since prompted attention. It comes after Taylor sparked engagement rumours when fans saw Travis Kelce’s lock screen.

READ MORE: ‘We’ve holidayed with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – she showed her true colours with us’READ MORE: Paul Weller reveals unusual reason he refuses to watch Oasis concerts

Margaret Qualley, pictured, was asked about Taylor Swift’s new album in an interview this week following the news that her husband Jack Antonoff hasn’t produced it(Image: TODAY)

Margaret’s husband was brought up whilst she was on the Today show. After he was briefly mentioned earlier in the interview, host Craig Melvin, 46, later asked: “You mentioned your husband Jack of course has produced for … with Taylor for years. Perhaps you heard that she’s got a new album that’s coming out. Can you tell us anything about it?”

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Addressing the question, Margaret answered: “I don’t know anything. But … we’ll all be excited to listen to the music.” She was then seen laughing as the presenter responded: “Okay.” Amid her giggling, Margaret added: “Okay.”

The interaction has been described as “awkward” by some viewers, including on social media. One person wrote on X: “This is so awkward lmao.” Sharing their thoughts, someone reacted to the scene: “Jesus this is so embarrassing.”

Many fans came to Margaret’s defence, with several saying that it had been a “weird question” to ask her. One person wrote in their response: “Why put her on the spot on something that is not her business? This is a weird question.”

Another said: “Unnecessary question created an awkward moment, she doesn’t care, omg they don’t get it.” Someone else wrote on the platform after the interview: “Even if she knew anything.. why would she say something about it?”

Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift sat at a table together at the Grammys in 2023.
Jack (left) and Taylor (right) have been long-time collaborators, with him having co-produced a number of her previous albums(Image: Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Jack and Taylor have been long time collaborators. He’s credited with being a co-producer on her albums 1989, Reputation, Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Midnights and last year’s the Tortured Poets Department. He also co-wrote songs like Look What You Made Me Do, Anti-Hero and Cruel Summer.

Max and Shellback, who have worked with Taylor on her latest album, are credited with previously co-producing Red, 1989, Reputation. They co-wrote Shake It Off, …Ready For It? and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, among other songs.

Taylor revealed that she had reunited with Max and Shellback for the Life of a Showgirl whilst speaking about the album on the New Heights podcast. She said they hadn’t worked together for around eight years prior to the project.

On an episode of the podcast released earlier this week, Taylor shared: “It’s a record I made with my mentor, Max Martin, and Shellback. The three of us have made some of my favourite songs that I’ve ever done before.”

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She added: “We’ve never actually made an album before where it’s just the three of us. There’s no other collaborators. It’s just the three of us making a focused album where … I mean it felt like catching lightning in a bottle, honestly.”

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