US says ‘specific steps’ agreed to end Syria violence after Israeli strikes hit Damascus
Israel says it is "working to save our Druze brothers", but Syria accuses it of "treacherous aggression".
Von der Leyen calls for new EU taxes on big firms in €2tn budget proposal
Plan, which also includes levies on tobacco and electronic waste, ignites major political scrap to define bloc’s future
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for new EU taxes on large companies, tobacco and electronic waste as part of a proposed €2tn (£1.7tn) budget.
Announcing the planned EU budget for 2028 to 2034, she effectively fired the starting gun on a major and complex political fight to define the EU’s future.
Continue reading...Prosecutor in Diddy and Epstein cases fired by US justice department
It is not clear why Maurene Comey was removed from her job at the elite justice department office in Manhattan.
Stampede at Gaza aid distribution site kills at least 21, Health Ministry says – The Washington Post
- Stampede at Gaza aid distribution site kills at least 21, Health Ministry says The Washington Post
- At Least 20 Killed in Stampede Outside a Gaza Aid Site The New York Times
- A first-hand look at Gaza’s controversial food-distribution sites The Economist
- At least 20 Palestinians killed in crush at food distribution site in southern Gaza The Guardian
- At least 21 people killed in stampede, suffocation at GHF site in Gaza Al Jazeera
Eswatini Says It Will Repatriate Migrants Deported by the Trump Administration – The New York Times
- Eswatini Says It Will Repatriate Migrants Deported by the Trump Administration The New York Times
- US deports immigrants from Jamaica, Cuba and other countries to the African kingdom of Eswatini AP News
- Trump launches next round of third country deportations with new flight to Eswatini Politico
- US President Donald Trump's administration deports five migrants to Eswatini BBC
- U.S. sends 5 men to Eswatini in third-country deportation, DHS says The Washington Post
Two dead and many injured in Russian strike on Ukrainian shopping centre
President Zelensky called the strike in Dobropillia "horrific", accusing Russia of "trying to take as many lives as possible".
Who are the Druze and why is Israel attacking Syria?
A fresh wave of deadly sectarian violence has rocked Syria, highlighting the country's fragile security landscape.
Who are the Druze and why is Israel attacking Syria?
A fresh wave of deadly sectarian violence has rocked Syria, highlighting the country's fragile security landscape.
‘Japanese First’ party shakes up election with alarm over foreigners – Reuters
- 'Japanese First' party shakes up election with alarm over foreigners Reuters
- A weak yen is the root of Japan’s lurch to the right Financial Times
- Japan’s Right-Wing Fringe Is No MAGA or Reform Bloomberg
- Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreigners 朝日新聞
- CDP leader criticizes ‘Japanese First’ policy and calls for inclusive society The Japan Times
Fire destroys main stage at Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival on eve of opening
Blaze came a day before thousands of electronic dance music fans were set to descend on the Belgian event
The main stage of the Tomorrowland music festival near Antwerp was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday, a day before thousands of electronic dance music lovers were due to arrive at the Belgian event.
There were no injuries, organisers said, insisting they would still go ahead with the festival over the next two weekends.
Continue reading...Berlin Says ‘Nein’ to EU Budget Proposal That Would Send €100B to Kyiv – Kyiv Post
- Berlin Says ‘Nein’ to EU Budget Proposal That Would Send €100B to Kyiv Kyiv Post
- Von der Leyen’s €2tn EU budget proposal hit by chaotic infighting Financial Times
- VDL to Europe’s cities: You’re on your own politico.eu
- Reactions to the European Commission's new EU budget proposal Reuters
- An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034 European Commission
Mexico City plans to tackle gentrification after protests against mass tourism – AP News
- Mexico City plans to tackle gentrification after protests against mass tourism AP News
- Mexico City Vows To Tackle Gentrification After Protests Barron's
- Backlash against Mexico City gentrification echoes global anger at overtourism and rising rents The Guardian
- Critics slam Mexico’s gentrification protests as xenophobic. Activists say they’re fighting for their human rights CNN
- Another side of the story: A Mexican perspective on gentrification Mexico News Daily
Israel Steps Up Strikes on Syria, Hitting Military Headquarters – Bloomberg
- Israel Steps Up Strikes on Syria, Hitting Military Headquarters Bloomberg
- After powerful Israeli strikes on Damascus, Syria withdraws troops from Suwayda city CNN
- After IDF strikes, Syria’s Sharaa accuses Israel of seeking ‘chaos and destruction’ The Times of Israel
- Syrian government and Druze minority leaders announce a new ceasefire as Israel continues strikes AP News
- Crisis Spirals in Syria With Israeli Strikes on Damascus The Wall Street Journal
Ramaphosa struggles to mend fences with Trump
President Ramaphosa's special envoy has reportedly been rejected by the US, in the latest sign of frosty relations.
‘It’s just better!’ Trump says Coca-Cola to change key US ingredient
Coca-Cola said they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm", without confirming they plan to make the tweak.
In the latest massacre, 15 Palestinians seeking food at GHF site die from suffocation after Israeli forces fire gas at aid seekers – Mondoweiss
- In the latest massacre, 15 Palestinians seeking food at GHF site die from suffocation after Israeli forces fire gas at aid seekers Mondoweiss
- A first-hand look at Gaza’s controversial food-distribution sites The Economist
- Six people said killed, others wounded in shootings near Gaza aid sites The Times of Israel
- Suffocation, stampede, death: Tragedy at Gaza’s aid centre Al Jazeera
- Syria’s Druze reach new ceasefire deal with government in Sweida, religious leader says – as it happened The Guardian
Mystery surrounds Russian mum and children found in Indian cave
There is little clarity on how they came to be in a forest infested with snakes and wild animals.
Mystery surrounds Russian mum and children found in Indian cave
There is little clarity on how they came to be in a forest infested with snakes and wild animals.
Nicotine pouches sold to children mimic sweets, says UK trading standards body
Children can buy pouches legally as they are not regulated as a specific tobacco or nicotine product
Nicotine pouches are being legally sold to children and are being made appealing to them with special flavours and packaging mimicking sweets, a trading standards body has said.
In June, it became illegal for single-use vapes to be sold in England to tackle their widespread use by children. However, there is currently no legislation that restricts the age at which you can buy nicotine pouches.
Continue reading...Ministers urged to overhaul and raise carer’s allowance
Resolution Foundation says unpaid carers on low incomes pay ‘very heavy price’ for looking after loved ones
The carer’s allowance benefit should be overhauled and the basic rate of payment increased to lift more unpaid carers and disabled people out of financial hardship, according to a living standards thinktank.
The Resolution Foundation said unpaid carers on low incomes were paying a “very heavy price” – a typical penalty of 10% or as much as £7,000 a year compared with non-carers – for looking after loved ones full-time.
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