French critic sues after Spanish theatre-maker’s insults on stage

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Angélica Liddell, who describes herself as an ‘irresponsible artist’, read out a bad review by Stéphane Capron and called him a ‘bastard’

A Spanish theatre-maker is being sued for defamation by a French theatre critic after she read out one of his reviews on stage, flashed her bare bottom at the audience and called him a “bastard”.

In a stunt that has sparked a debate about the limits of artistic freedom in politically divisive times, Angélica Liddell, a director and performer, read out a list of negative reviews of her past work from French critics, many of whom were in attendance at her opening show of the Avignon performing arts festival on Saturday.

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After nine years in office, is it time for Justin Trudeau to go?

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After a shocking electoral upset the public is growing increasingly weary of his tenure – and of his Liberal party

A Canadian prime minister who has outstayed his welcome, persistent inflation, a government bumped and bruised by scandal and a fired-up opposition leader itching for a public showdown.

It was against this backdrop, four decades ago, that Pierre Trudeau took his apocryphal “walk in the snow” and decided not to contest the next federal election.

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Coffee, eggs and white rice linked to higher levels of PFAS in human body

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Study that researchers say highlights chemicals’ ubiquity also shows PFAS association with seafood and red meat

New research aimed at identifying foods that contain higher levels of PFAS found people who eat more white rice, coffee, eggs and seafood typically showed more of the toxic chemicals in their plasma and breast milk.

The study checked samples from 3,000 pregnant mothers, and is among the first research to suggest coffee and white rice may be contaminated at higher rates than other foods. It also identified an association between red meat consumption and levels of PFOS, one of the most common and dangerous PFAS compounds.

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Could Venezuela’s softly-spoken opposition newcomer end 25 years of Chavismo? – The Guardian

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  1. Could Venezuela’s softly-spoken opposition newcomer end 25 years of Chavismo?  The Guardian
  2. What to know about Venezuela's election as Maduro faces the toughest race of his decade in power  ABC News
  3. How Venezuela's Leader Could Stay in Power, No Matter What Voters Want  The New York Times
  4. Venezuela kicks off final weeks of campaign with Maduro on defensive  Reuters Canada
  5. Venezuela Presidential Election: Can Opposition Candidate González Oust Maduro?  Foreign Policy
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Philippine military chief warns his forces will fight back if assaulted again in disputed sea – The Associated Press

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  1. Philippine military chief warns his forces will fight back if assaulted again in disputed sea  The Associated Press
  2. Philippines demands US$1 million in damages from China over sea clash  South China Morning Post
  3. Philippines demands China pay $1m over South China Sea clash in June  Nikkei Asia
  4. Philippines seeks $1m in damages from China over South China Sea clash  The Independent
  5. China & Philippines Pledge to "De-Escalate Tensions" in S. China Sea  The Maritime Executive
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Biden says ‘I’m not leaving’ as cracks appear in support | First Thing

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White House denies reports president is assessing candidacy. Plus, UK expected to elect Labour in landslide

Good morning.

President Joe Biden has struck a defiant tone and insisted to his campaign team that “I’m in this race to the end”, according to reports, despite the increasing pressure to step down as the Democratic nominee amid concerns over his competence.

Governors in show of qualified support. Democratic governors have rallied around Biden after a closed-door meeting yesterday but admitted they shared voters’ concerns about his performance, as a fresh poll shows Trump has a six-point advantage, 49-43%, over Biden among likely voters.

Stepping out. For three and a half years, Biden was wrapped in a metaphorical ball of cotton wool by an anxious White House staff eager to protect him from the worst of himself.

Waving the white flag? Senior Tories including one of Sunak’s closest cabinet allies were effectively conceding defeat yesterday. Starmer accused the Conservatives of trying to suppress voter turnout by presenting the election result as a done deal.

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Kenya’s mass protests expose African fury with IMF – Financial Times

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  1. Kenya's mass protests expose African fury with IMF  Financial Times
  2. Protests Continue In Kenya Despite Ruto's Change Of Heart On Tax Bill  Forbes
  3. What is Behind Kenya’s Protest Movement?  Crisis Group
  4. Nairobi protests and a newborn panda: photos of the day – Tuesday  The Guardian
  5. The IMF is failing countries like Kenya: why, and what can be done about it  The Conversation
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Could Venezuela’s softly-spoken opposition newcomer end 25 years of Chavismo?

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Hopes rise that Edmundo González Urrutia can beat Nicolas Maduro on 28 July and lead the country out of a wretched decade

The road from Caracas to Guatire is lined with propaganda billboards glorifying President Nicolás Maduro and likening his political rivals to gangsters from the country’s most infamous criminal group. “They won’t defeat us,” the slogan declares.

But with less than a month until the economically fractured South American country holds its long-awaited presidential election on 28 July, some people are not persuaded.

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Nigel Farage’s return to politics causes wrinkle in British election: Why has he proven so successful? – Fox News

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  1. Nigel Farage's return to politics causes wrinkle in British election: Why has he proven so successful?  Fox News
  2. Britain votes: Coastal town looks set to elect Trump ally Farage  NBC News
  3. Nigel Farage sets sights on being thorn in Labour's side after UK election  Reuters UK
  4. The Farage faithful know he’s a fraud but they don’t care  The Guardian
  5. Nigel Farage battles the hard right's fatal flaw  POLITICO Europe
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Thousands of patients facing healthcare price hikes after negotiations break down between St Vincent’s and NIB

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Australian Medical Association is urging both parties to reach an agreement for the sake of patients

Thousands of patients could face higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs after negotiations broke down between St Vincent’s private hospital network and the private health fund, NIB, for a new funding agreement.

On Thursday, St Vincent’s Health Australia gave notice to NIB that it will walk away from its contract within the next 65 business days unless a fairer funding agreement is reached.

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