Bbc.co.uk
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Democratic senator grills Todd Blanche on Trump’s directives in attorney general confirmation hearing – live
Trump’s nominee for attorney general – also his former personal defense lawyer – faces questions from senators as he attempts to take the top justice department roleSign up for the Breaking News US emailIn his opening statement before senators today, Todd Blanche, said that he is “pleased to testify again today to tell everybody here that we are doing just that-we are keeping America safe”.The nominee for attorney general, who has been leading the justice department in an acting capacity since Pam Bondi was fired in April. Continue reading...
The Guardian
21 minutes ago
Tripling US union membership would shift $1.2tn to workers annually – report
More density would also narrow racial pay gaps, while a decline in density correlated to surges in wealth inequalityTripling union membership in the US would lead to a 14.5% raise for the median US worker, shifting $1.2tn to workers annually and significantly narrowing racial wage gaps, according to a new report released Wednesday.The report from the Economic Policy Institute notes that union membership rates across the workforce, also known as union density, was once three times as high as it is today. Union density in the 1950s was more than 30% before it started to decline in the 1960s. By the 1980s, union density dropped to 22.2% only to decline even further in recent decades, to 10% in 2025. Continue reading...
The Guardian
21 minutes ago
Ilhan Omar introduces resolution urging US to join international criminal court
Exclusive: bill from Democratic lawmaker comes two days after Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle war crimes tribunalDemocratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar introduced a resolution Wednesday urging the United States to join the international criminal court (ICC), marking the first congressional pushback against the Trump administration’s pledge to “systematically disable” the war crimes tribunal through sanctions and diplomatic pressure.Omar’s bill came two days after Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, vowed to dismantle the court. Continue reading...
The Guardian
23 minutes ago
My Twitter, not X
As Twitter, then X, marks 20 years since its launch, a journalist journeys through revolutions and wars.
Al Jazeera
25 minutes ago
As Russia’s assault continues, Ukraine’s politics shift and an old alliance begins to fray
Beneath the drone strikes and talk of ceasefires lies a battle over history that is testing Kyiv’s chances for an end to the conflict• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereI’ve just come back from a trip to Kyiv, where after more than four years of war, it can feel like the political and diplomatic news agenda has become cyclical: a suggestion that some kind of peace deal could be around the corner, followed by the swift intervention of reality that the Kremlin has no interest in abandoning its maximalist goals, and we all go back to the drawing board.We are now in a period where Russia has again stepped up its air attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Frequent mass drone and missile attacks keep Kyiv residents awake, and some even get through to the city centre, whereas in the past Ukrainian air defences were usually able to repel them. Nights can be noisy and scary: one attack while I was there killed 27 people. Thousands head into the metro to get some sleep. Continue reading...
The Guardian
27 minutes ago
Moscow warns that foreign troops in Ukraine would be seen as legitimate targets – Europe live
Members of the pro-Ukraine “coalition of the willing” this week reasserted their desire for such a force after a cessation of hostilitiesMeanwhile, the Kremlin has rejected Lithuanian president’s warnings about a potential Russian attack on critical infrastructure (10:06), dismissing them as “horror stories” intended to “prepare public for further militarisation.”Reuters reported that the Kremlin said these comments were merely a “pretext for further deployment of Nato military infrastructure to Baltic states.” Continue reading...
The Guardian
33 minutes ago
Legal challenge says Trump ICC sanctions tread on US citizens’ rights
Groups charge that sanctions against ICC, Palestinian rights organisations stifle freedom of speech and expression.
Al Jazeera
33 minutes ago
South Texas braces for more flooding after US storms strand motorists
Up to 16in of rain fell in some areas as forecasters warn another foot could fall, prompting rescues and road closuresSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailHeavy rains in south Texas have washed out highways and stranded motorists, with forecasters warning that more severe weather could bring dangerous flooding to already drenched counties near the border with Mexico.On Tuesday, storms dumped up to 16in of rain in some rural areas of the state, leading to the dispatch of emergency crews to make at least two dozen rescues across the region. Officials shut down parts of a highway near Ulvade, 80 miles west of San Antonio. Continue reading...
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
Bristol declared ‘city of harm reduction’ as Greens seek less punitive drug policy
Councillors pass motion that paves way to setting up drugs-consumption facility where users can be helped and treatedUK politics live – latest updatesBristol has been formally declared a “city of harm reduction”, with local politicians pledging to focus on helping and treating users of illegal drugs rather than punishing them.Green councillors, who lead the city council, said the declaration was a clear signal that public health rather than criminal justice solutions were needed to tackle the UK’s growing drugs crisis. Continue reading...
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
George Lucas likens AI sceptics to luddites clinging to horses and carts
Star Wars director calls AI technology ‘the future’ of film-making and says ‘there’s nothing you can do about it’The Star Wars director, George Lucas, has added his voice to the growing chorus of film-makers receptive to the rising use of AI tools in moviemaking.Speaking in an interview with A Rabbit’s Foot, Lucas, 82, said: “Artificial intelligence means it’s much easier for us to make movies.” Continue reading...
The Guardian
44 minutes ago
Dale Vince to get damages from Daily Mail publisher over misleading article
Court of appeal rules Labour donor suffered ‘obvious injustice’ over use of his photo with headline referring to different manThe green energy entrepreneur and Labour donor Dale Vince is in line to receive damages from the publisher of the Daily Mail after claiming it used his picture to mislead millions of readers.Vince, who has given more than £5m to Labour over several years, took legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over an article, published in June 2023, headlined “Labour repays £100,000 to sex pest donor”. Continue reading...
The Guardian
52 minutes ago
Iran threatens to halt all Middle East energy exports amid renewed US blockade
Tehran shuts strait of Hormuz and carries out retaliatory strikes as Trump threatens to hit civilian infrastructureMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran has threatened to halt all energy exports from the Middle East after the US reimposed a blockade of its ports and ships, as the two countries traded strikes for a fifth day and Donald Trump threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week.The US blockade came into force early on Wednesday, prompting Iran to shut the strait of Hormuz and carry out a wave of retaliatory airstrikes on countries hosting US bases in the region. Continue reading...
The Guardian
52 minutes ago
Iraq’s prime minister carries the title, but not the power
Al-Zaidi’s Washington visit exposed the pressure reshaping Baghdad’s politics, security and economy.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
What DOGE saved, and what it cost
The US government project that slashed foreign aid died on July 4. AJLabs looks at the cost in lives around the world.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
World Cup final Lamine Yamal: What to know about teenage Spain prodigy
One of the best players in the world, Spain's 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, is gearing up for his first World Cup final.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
Far-right Israeli lawmaker raids Palestinian school and threatens shutdown
Israel’s education committee head stormed a school in Jerusalem, vowing to shut it down over Palestinian symbols.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
Thames Water increases bonus payments to £4m despite uncertainty over future
Annual results show struggling firm’s net debt has risen to £19.7bn, up from £17.7bn a year earlierBusiness live – latest updatesThames Water increased its bonus payouts to £4.1m for senior managers, despite warning over “material uncertainty” over its future as it scrambles to recapitalise to avoid nationalisation.The water company also gave a pay rise to its chief executive, Chris Weston, and drew the ire of Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, for paying him a previously deferred bonus of £99,000 – despite a ban on bonuses because of pollution failures. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
Russian attacks kill eight as Ukraine hits Black Sea oil tankers
Civilian casualties are reported in four Ukrainian regions, while Kyiv hits 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
Bbc.co.uk
1 hour ago
Starmer shares tributes and offers ‘full support’ to his successor in his final PMQs before stepping down – UK politics live
Keir Starmer was told he would be remembered as a ‘giant of the Labour movement’ at final cabinet meetingTell us: what do you want from the next Labour leader and UK prime minister?Labour should ditch the triple-lock pensions promise to help tackle the UK’s straitened public finances, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has urged. Heather Stewart has the story.I’m afraid we are not going to be able to open comments today for staffing reasons. If you want to contact me directly, it is probably best to get me on on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
‘We did pull the levers’: emotional Starmer defends his record
In final PMQs, PM offers Burnham – and England team – full support and defends action on NHS waiting lists, child poverty and economyPolitics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has defended his record as prime minister in an often emotional final outing at prime minister’s questions, which largely avoided political jibes in favour of tributes and questions, many about the World Cup.Answering the very last question, his voice breaking at times, Starmer paid tribute to those he had worked with over his two years in office, which will end on Monday when he hands over to Andy Burnham. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
Protest in Pakistan’s Kashmir stalls after nine killed in clashes
At least 28 people have been killed since protests began in June, as the region braces for a major protest march.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
Spain’s Oscar-winning actor raises Palestine flag at World Cup match
Spain's Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem had a message for Palestinians as he raised Palestine flag during World Cup.
Al Jazeera
1 hour ago
‘They want to break our will’: Gaza flotilla activist tells of rape in Israeli detention
Anna Liedtke files criminal complaint in Israel over alleged attack by female guards and says abuse was intended to silence campaignersThe third time Anna Liedtke was subjected to an illegal strip-search in Israeli detention, female prison guards forced her on to her knees, covered her mouth to stop her screaming and raped her, according to interviews and a criminal complaint filed in Israel.She described hearing male guards laughing during the attack, which she believes they watched and may have filmed. It took place in an area separated from the prison hallway by a partially drawn curtain that her attackers had left open. Continue reading...
The Guardian
1 hour ago
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