‘Classic tinpot dictator’: Trump exports his assault on democracy to Brazil
US president seems to be weaponizing tariffs to punish Brazil for its coup trial against his ally Bolsonaro
Over the past six months, Donald Trump has been accused of rapidly dragging the largest democracy in the Americas towards authoritarianism. Now, the US president seems bent on undermining the region’s second largest democracy too.
Since early July, Trump has launched an extraordinary attack on Brazil’s institutions, slapping 50% tariffs on imports from the South American country and sanctions on a supreme court judge – partly in retribution for what he called the political persecution of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a failed coup.
Continue reading...Starmer ‘listening to hostages’ but intends to stick to Palestine statehood plan
Freed British-Israeli accuses PM of ‘moral failure’ over move to recognise Palestine at UN unless Israel changes course
Keir Starmer has said he is listening to hostages taken by Hamas but still intends to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and two-state solution.
The prime minister said he had spoken to the freed British-Israeli Emily Damari, held hostage by Hamas for 471 days, after she accused him of “moral failure” over the move to recognise Palestine as a state in September at the UN.
Continue reading...Nine out of 10 nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland reject pay award
Royal College of Nursing urges ministers to improve 3.6% offer to avoid industrial action ballot later this year
Nine out of 10 nurses have rejected a 3.6% pay award for this year and warned they could strike later this year unless their salaries are improved.
In an indicative vote among members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 91% said the 3.6% rise was not enough.
Continue reading...Kyiv protesters celebrate as parliament votes to restore anti-corruption bodies’ power
Reversal of curbs adopted the previous week comes as Russia attacks capital with drones and missiles
Ukraine’s parliament has passed a law restoring independence to two anti-corruption bodies, essentially annulling another law adopted last week that prompted the biggest street protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.
Several hundred protesters outside the parliament building in Kyiv erupted into chants of “the people are the power” as the bill passed on Thursday lunchtime.
Continue reading...Allan Ahlberg, beloved children’s author, dies aged 87
Working first with his wife Janet, and later with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, he wrote more than 150 books
Author Allan Ahlberg, who delighted generations of children with colourful characters and nimble rhymes, has died aged 87.
Working with his wife Janet, an award-winning illustrator, Ahlberg produced a host of bestselling nursery classics including Burglar Bill, Peepo!, and Each Peach Pear Plum. After Janet’s death in 1994, he worked with illustrators such as Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, with his career coming full circle in a series of collaborations with his daughter Jessica including Half a Pig and a pop-up set of anarchic variations on the tale of Goldilocks.
Continue reading...EU-US tariff deal not finished yet, say Europeans unhappy with Trump’s terms
Discrepancies between the two sides' version of the deal have emerged, and key details of the agreement are yet to be negotiated.
Channel crossings in 2025 pass 25,000 – faster than any year since records began
As ministers aim to ‘smash’ people-smuggling gangs, milestone passes almost a month earlier than previous record of 2022
The number of people arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats has passed 25,000 faster this year than since records began.
As ministers aim to “smash the gangs” involved in people-smuggling, 898 people made the journey in 13 boats on Wednesday, bringing the total for 2025 so far to 25,436.
Continue reading...‘Our genocide’: Israeli rights groups abandon their restraint on Gaza – +972 Magazine
- ‘Our genocide’: Israeli rights groups abandon their restraint on Gaza +972 Magazine
- Two Israeli rights groups say their country is committing genocide in Gaza AP News
- Several countries launch 'New York Declaration' in support of two-state solution France 24
- The Victim Identity Israel Built Over Generations Now Fuels Its Denial of Genocide in Gaza Haaretz
- B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel: Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip B'Tselem
Starmer and Reeves should consider wealth tax, says former shadow chancellor
Anneliese Dodds urges government not to duck ‘big decisions’ in autumn budget
The Treasury should consider a wealth tax to close the growing gap in the public finances, according to a Labour former shadow chancellor.
Anneliese Dodds, who held the role under Keir Starmer in opposition, said ministers must have a “full and frank discussion” with the public about the “really big decisions” they had to take at this autumn’s budget.
Continue reading...Arab League condemns Hamas’s October 7 massacre – The Jerusalem Post
- Arab League condemns Hamas's October 7 massacre The Jerusalem Post
- Arab states call on Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in unprecedented move CNN
- Fox News Flash top headlines for July 30 Fox News
- Arab nations tell Hamas to ‘disarm’ and end rule of Gaza after Starmer ultimatum over Palestine state The Independent
- Arab League backs call for Hamas to disarm for a two-state solution USA Today
Joint Statement on Iranian State Threat Activity in Europe and North America – U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- Joint Statement on Iranian State Threat Activity in Europe and North America U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- UK, US and allies accuse Iran of cross-border assassination plots Al Jazeera
- Western nations warn of growing threat from Iranian intelligence Financial Times
- US and NATO allies warn of increasing Iranian threats in Europe, North America AP News
- 14 Western allies denounce surge in Iranian assassination and kidnapping plots The Times of Israel
Trump seeks to use Canada’s recognition of Palestinian state as leverage in trade talks – AP News
- Trump seeks to use Canada’s recognition of Palestinian state as leverage in trade talks AP News
- Trump escalates trade war with Canada following Palestine stance Reuters
- Canada endorses Palestinian State as U.S. envoy heads to Israel The Washington Post
- Canada and Malta to recognize Palestinian state, joining France and possibly Britain NPR
- Trump: Canada backing Palestinian statehood makes any trade deal "very hard" Axios
The mathematics of starvation: how Israel caused a famine in Gaza – The Guardian
- The mathematics of starvation: how Israel caused a famine in Gaza The Guardian
- Gaza hunger reaches 'tipping point' as children suffer malnutrition NBC News
- Gazans Are Dying of Starvation The New York Times
- With growing urgency, more US Jews urge Israel to ensure ample food deliveries to Gaza AP News
- 'If the baby could speak, she would scream': the risky measures to feed small babies in Gaza Reuters
Dozens killed seeking food in Gaza, hospital says, as Witkoff visits Israel – BBC
- Dozens killed seeking food in Gaza, hospital says, as Witkoff visits Israel BBC
- LIVE: Israel’s attacks on Gaza kill 41 as starvation deaths mount Al Jazeera
- News Wrap: Israeli strikes and gunfire kill at least 46 in Gaza PBS
- At least 37 killed, 270 injured while seeking aid in northern Gaza: Hospital ABC News
- More than 60,000 people killed in Gaza war, local health officials say The Washington Post
Canada braces as tariff deadline looms and talks with US ‘chaos machine’ drag
Ottawa is still trying to find a trade deal with Washington to avoid heavy tariffs as 1 August deadline approaches
After months of tariff threats from the US and escalating trade tensions that have sowed anger in Canada and fractured a once-close alliance, the country is now fast approaching a 1 August deadline to reach a deal with the Trump administration – which has shown no signs of backing down.
And observers are keeping a close eye on negotiations this week to determine whether too large a chasm has grown between the countries, resulting in what could be an explosive end to what was decades of free-flowing trade.
Continue reading...On issues from Aukus to recognising Palestine, Victorian Labor’s base is determined to be heard
At the party’s state conference this weekend, members and unions will have their say. The question then becomes whether governments – federal and state – will listen
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Scrap Aukus. Recognise Palestine. Save public housing. Overhaul childcare. On paper, the urgency resolutions up for debate at Victorian Labor’s state conference this weekend lay out a roadmap for progressive, nation-shaping reform.
But how much sway do grassroots members and unions really have on the increasingly cautious federal and state Labor governments?
Continue reading...Lithuania’s prime minister steps down after investigations and protests – AP News
Russia ‘lying again’ about capture of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine claims – The Kyiv Independent
- Russia 'lying again' about capture of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine claims The Kyiv Independent
- Russia claims it captured key Ukrainian town as ground offensive gathers pace CNN
- Russia claims capture of Chasiv Yar after 16-month battle Reuters
- Russia claims capture of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine; Kyiv drone attack kills 6 NBC News
- Russia troops seize key town in Donetsk region chinadailyasia.com
At least 91 killed seeking aid in Gaza as US envoy Steve Witkoff visits Israel – The Guardian
- At least 91 killed seeking aid in Gaza as US envoy Steve Witkoff visits Israel The Guardian
- Witkoff Plans Visit to Gaza to See Hunger Crisis The New York Times
- Steve Witkoff says President Trump won't 'tolerate anything other than everybody coming home' Fox News
- Live updates: US envoy visits Israel as Gaza starvation crisis deepens CNN
- Trump envoy to visit Gaza, White House says, after 'productive' meeting with Israel's PM BBC