CIA director John Ratcliffe reportedly on Moscow visit

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Unannounced trip reported by US media is said to be Ratcliffe’s first known visit to Russia as CIA chief

The CIA director, John Ratcliffe, has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, US media reported, after flight data showed an American military aircraft flew to the Russian capital, where a US diplomatic motorcade was later spotted.

CBS News quoted sources familiar with the situation as confirming Ratcliffe’s trip, saying it was his first known visit to Russia as CIA chief. Axios separately confirmed the visit, quoting a US official.

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London bus drivers resume strike over heatwave working amid fears over air con deal

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Drivers concerned that bus operator’s offer to retrofit cabs on 730 buses will not be complete by next summer

London bus drivers have resumed strike action over having to work in high temperatures, amid fears that proposed improvements to air conditioning will not be complete by next summer.

About 1,500 members of the Unite union working across north London and Essex are taking part in the four-day strike from Tuesday to Friday, after industrial action earlier this month. Further stoppages are planned for the coming weeks.

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London bus drivers resume strike over heatwave working amid fears over air con deal

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Drivers concerned that bus operator’s offer to retrofit cabs on 730 buses will not be complete by next summer

London bus drivers have resumed strike action over having to work in high temperatures, amid fears that proposed improvements to air conditioning will not be complete by next summer.

About 1,500 members of the Unite union working across north London and Essex are taking part in the four-day strike from Tuesday to Friday, after industrial action earlier this month. Further stoppages are planned for the coming weeks.

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‘We’ve Never Seen Anything Like It’: Early Harvest Rattles France’s Wine Industry – The New York Times

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  1. ‘We’ve Never Seen Anything Like It’: Early Harvest Rattles France’s Wine Industry  The New York Times
  2. Will the heatwaves make this year’s French wines better?  The Spectator
  3. Champagne growers race to preserve quality  timesdaily.com
  4. 2026 Harvest in the Rhône Valley Vineyards: A Resilient Vineyard Facing an Intense Growing Season  BevNET.com
  5. Champagne Just Started One of Its Earliest Harvests Ever — and Winemakers Are in Uncharted Territory  Food & Wine
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VW workers boo boss as he urges them to ‘pull together’ amid job cuts

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Oliver Blume faces workforce at German HQ as carmaker struggles against Chinese competition and US tariffs

The chief executive of Volkswagen has faced boos and whistles of protest at the company’s headquarters after telling thousands of workers that a comprehensive reorganisation, which could include job losses and factory closures, is vital for its future.

As Oliver Blume urged more than 10,000 workers on Tuesday to “pull together”, saying drastic restructuring measures at the struggling manufacturer were essential, they held up banners and shouted slogans, including: “Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments”.

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Washington calls for restraint after Israel strikes Turkish base in Syria – The Jerusalem Post

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  1. Washington calls for restraint after Israel strikes Turkish base in Syria  The Jerusalem Post
  2. A US envoy says Israel did not give a warning to the US ahead of a recent Syria air strike  AP News
  3. Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks to ease tensions, Syria news agency says  Reuters
  4. Mossad chief meets Syrian FM in effort to defuse tensions after airstrike  The Times of Israel
  5. Syria’s foreign minister says door open for diplomacy with Israel  Al Jazeera
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Former senior Russian official warns “unknown sources” could attack U.K. factories making drones for Ukraine – CBS News

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  1. Former senior Russian official warns "unknown sources" could attack U.K. factories making drones for Ukraine  CBS News
  2. Britain’s giving Ukraine access to secret missile technology. Will it make a difference?  CNN
  3. UK officials prepare for potential Trump talks as Burnham plans New York trip  The Guardian
  4. U.K. will help Ukraine make long-range missiles by sharing classified tech information  NPR
  5. Burnham Isn’t Ready For How Much Russia Hates the UK  Bloomberg
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