Lobby

Energy suppliers in the UK are increasing pressure on the government over energy bills, according to a BBC News report. The story, categorised under politics and energy, suggests the industry is lobbying ministers for action on costs facing households and businesses, though the specific demands being made are not detailed.

Germany's Bundestag is preparing legislation on tobacco tax, with a public hearing held before parliament votes on the bill. Under procedure, each parliamentary faction may nominate its own experts to testify. Attention is focused on the CDU/CSU Union faction, which has filled four expert slots, prompting debate over which interests the chosen guests represent in the tax discussion.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is pressing the US Federal Trade Commission to preserve retailers' ability to use data-driven pricing it describes as procompetitive. The group argues that personalized and algorithmically informed pricing benefits consumers through lower prices and efficiency. The intervention comes amid regulatory scrutiny of how retailers gather and use consumer data in setting prices.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has joined a group of governors calling on Congress to pass federal permitting reform. The governors are pushing to speed up approvals for infrastructure and energy projects, arguing the current process causes costly delays. The coordinated appeal adds state-level pressure on lawmakers as permitting reform remains a recurring topic in Washington energy and infrastructure debates.

Florida State, Miami, Clemson and North Carolina have jointly asked Congress to amend the realignment provisions of the Protect College Sports Act, according to an exclusive report. The four prominent athletic programs want changes to how the legislation governs conference realignment, signaling growing friction between major college sports programs and federal lawmakers over who controls the sport's shifting landscape.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's competition to determine which state will host a new military hub has drawn attention, with six states identified as the leading contenders. A map breakdown highlights which locations are seen as most likely to win, fueling speculation and lobbying among the states in the running.

A retrospective look recounts how Cowboys owner Jerry Jones lobbied fellow NFL owners to award an expansion franchise to Houston businessman Bob McNair, helping return professional football to the city. Jones' backing was seen as decisive in Houston beating other bidder cities, and McNair's franchise became the Texans, who began play in 2002.

Chile and El Salvador have expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara at the United Nations, according to Morocco World News. The plan, which would grant the disputed territory autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, has been gaining diplomatic backing from a growing number of countries, though the Polisario Front and Algeria continue to push for a referendum on independence.

Canadian space industry firms are lobbying the federal government for greater support, according to iPolitics' lobby wrap coverage. The item reports that space companies are seeking a federal lift, likely through funding, contracts or policy measures. Details on which companies are involved and what specific asks they are making remain limited in the available reporting.