Trump administration drive to seize election powers sparking ‘chaos’ despite pushback
US courts, state officials and Democrats warn that moves are endangering voting rights and the rule of law
The Trump administration continues to expand its authoritarian and radical drive to revamp voting rules and seize state election powers, though it faces growing resistance from US courts, state officials and Democrats, who warn the moves are sparking “chaos” and endangering voting rights and the rule of law.
Donald Trump’s unprecedented drive to change election rules, which states legally set, is fueled by his obsession with his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden, which he falsely attributes to voting fraud, coupled with his fear that Democrats will “find a reason to impeach me” if they take control of the House in November’s midterms elections, say former election officials and legal experts.
Continue reading...‘Forever chemicals’ linked to gut inflammation in children after early exposure
Researchers tracked mother-child pairs for up to 11 years, finding Pfas mixtures may affect developing guts
Prenatal and early life exposure to Pfas mixtures is probably linked to higher levels of intestinal inflammation in children, new first-of-its-kind research shows. Intestinal inflammation can cause irritable bowel diseases, like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and colorectal cancer.
While Pfas has been linked to irritable bowel disease and intestinal inflammation in adults, the new peer-reviewed Mt Sinai study is the first to look at how the chemicals impact children during a critical developmental phase.
Continue reading...Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is manipulating system, victims’ families say
Rudakubana moved to psychiatric hospital after it was concluded he could not be safely managed in prison
The Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been accused of attempting to “manipulate the system” by the families of his victims, after it emerged he had been transferred from prison to a psychiatric hospital.
Rudakubana, 19, was jailed for life in January last year, with a minimum sentence of 52 years, for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar.
Continue reading...Is the US-Saudi nuclear deal on, or in limbo?
Trump's last-minute demand for Saudi normalisation with Israel has complicated the already sensitive deal.
Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies while climbing Mount Fuji; 99-year-old woman rescued – CBS News
- Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies while climbing Mount Fuji; 99-year-old woman rescued CBS News
- Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies after collapsing while ascending Mount Fuji The Japan Times
- Helicopters and hashtags: Japan’s mounting problem with unprepared hikers South China Morning Post
- 99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji SoraNews24
- Mount Fuji claims second life just two weeks into 2026 climbing season Lifestyle Asia
First Thing: Trump imposes fresh tariffs on UK, EU and dozens of other trading partners
Measures replace 10% global duty and come after supreme court declared many of the earlier tariffs illegal. Plus, how secondhand fashion got so expensive
Good morning.
Donald Trump has imposed a fresh round of tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace a 10% global duty that was due to expire, provoking a wave of criticism and protests from US allies and trading partners.
What is Trump’s justification for the tariffs? The newest tariffs, announced late last night by the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, would fall under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed against countries that engage in forced labor. Trump had said his administration would investigate unfair trading practices to impose permanent tariffs as soon as the February supreme court decision was announced.
How have the affected countries reacted to the news? The ‘forced labour’ rationale for Trump tariffs has been met with bewilderment, with some saying their labor laws are stronger than those in the US.
How are the authorities responding? Last week, Bill Essayli, an assistant US attorney, asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the cluster to determine if there is an environmental cause.
Continue reading...South African court pauses impeachment process against president
The 'Farmgate' scandal nearly cost President Cyril Ramaphosa the leadership of his African National Congress in 2022.
Mass job cuts loom at VW as profits fall steeply on China sales slump
Carmaker expects to sell 3% fewer vehicles this year as it pushes through a programme that could eliminate 100,000 roles
Volkswagen has reported a steep fall in profits and cut its revenue forecast amid a sales slump in China, as the German carmaker pushes through a brutal cost-cutting programme that includes axeing up to 100,000 jobs.
VW said it expects sales to fall by up to 3% this year, a reversal of a previous forecast for a 3% increase on last year’s €321.9bn (£275.3bn), because of a sales slump in the highly competitive Chinese market.
Continue reading...India’s ‘cockroach’ protesters hold talks with government as stalemate continues
The meeting came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk announced he was ending his 26-day hunger strike.
Watch: Another day, more Trump tariffs – but are they working?
The BBC's Samira Hussain explains how President Trump's tariffs affect US economy, who pays the price, and whether they're working.
Andy Burnham’s Number 10 North changes the postcode, but not the politics
As Andy Burnham moves part of Downing Street to Manchester, Scotland and Wales are asking what it means for devolution.
Trump to speak at White House press dinner rescheduled after shooting
Journalists urge attenders to confront president over media attacks, while Melanie Trump and JD Vance to be absent
Donald Trump will address a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association (WCHA) dinner on Friday three months after the original event was abruptly halted after an armed assailant tried to storm it, with the alleged aim of assassinating him.
The rearranged dinner has been condemned as “hypocritical” by retired journalists and press freedom groups, who are urging the association to use it to confront Trump over his administration’s intensified attacks on the media.
Continue reading...Record heat sends online retail sales to five-year high in Great Britain
Soaring temperatures fuel demand for air conditioners and outdoor goods, helping retailers beat expectations in June
Online sales reached their highest share of retail spending in five years last month as record heat fuelled demand for air conditioners, outdoor products and clothing.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain rose 1% month on month in June, beating analysts’ expectations of a 0.3% decline, helped by hot weather and World Cup spending.
Continue reading...Things were looking up for Trump and Republicans on the high cost of living. Then he suddenly upended it all. – The Boston Globe
- Things were looking up for Trump and Republicans on the high cost of living. Then he suddenly upended it all. The Boston Globe
- Senate GOP expresses concern over Iran endgame after Hegseth hearing The Hill
- Trump’s split screen: War and campaigning Politico
- Trump faces a catch-22 on Iran because of midterms, says his former commerce secretary: Face inflation furor or withdraw and look weak Fortune
- Trump’s war on Iran is unpopular and expensive. He’s perfectly OK with that The Guardian
Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed during West Bank settler attack – The Guardian
- Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed during West Bank settler attack The Guardian
- LIVE: Israeli settlers attack West Bank’s Nablus, shooting leaves six dead Al Jazeera
- Northern West Bank in lockdown as clashes rock villages and Israel deploys troops in Nablus PBS
- 5 Killed in West Bank Shooting, Officials Say, Among the Deadliest in Months The New York Times
- Tensions Rise After Deadly Clash Near Palestinian Village in West Bank WSJ
Tech titan ordered to pay ex-wife $644m in divorce settlement
The divorce, involving the chairman of one of South Korea's biggest companies, has gripped the nation.
University courses covering Israel-Palestine should be audited, Julian Leeser tells royal commission
Inquiry’s focus this week is on security for the Jewish community, with the MP telling the commissioner his son is afraid to attend synagogues and events
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The shadow education minister, Julian Leeser, has called for universities to undertake an audit of any classes that teach about the Jewish community, Israel or Palestine.
Appearing before the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion on Friday, Leeser said he had been “very concerned” about antisemitism on university campuses and was not satisfied with how vice-chancellors had addressed the issue after the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack.
Continue reading...France sends boats to evacuate tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires rage – CNN
- France sends boats to evacuate tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires rage CNN
- Tens of thousands evacuated from France's Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires spread BBC
- Europe wildfires: Many flee by boat as fires spread, merge DW.com
- Wildfire in France forces 40,000 people to evacuate as crews battle record blazes across Western Europe CBS News
- Tens of thousands flee wildfires in France and Spain Los Angeles Times
US hits dozens of trading partners with new wave of tariffs
Imposed citing forced labour concerns, the levies replace a temporary global duty brought in after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs in February.