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Politics
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Washington records world’s worst air quality for a city after over 850,000 Fourth of July fireworks
Hourly concentrations of particulate matter rose to 6.7 times their pre-fireworks levels, according to an analysis Washington DC residents breathed in “unhealthy” air for hours after a 40-minute Independence Day fireworks show over the National Mall on Saturday night, with the country’s capital briefly recording the worst air quality of any major city in the world. The highly emitting display, which the president called “spectacular”, came as the Trump administration rolls back an unprecedented number of pollution controls. Continue reading...
Record wildfires in Europe show failure to adapt carries a mounting cost
Scientists call for better land management alongside reduction in greenhouse gases causing the crisis When storm after storm battered the Mediterranean at the start of the year, drowning fields and sending water spurting from plug sockets , few people were fretting about fires. But just four months later, the murky brown floods that swamped towns and fouled homes across western Europe have given way to angry red blazes and choking black smoke . Rampant wildfires burned 28,000 hectares (69,160 acres) in France and 50,000 hectares in Spain as of 1 July, more than double the average for that time of year, and more land has been charred by bigger fires in the week since. Continue reading...
Europe doesn’t need to worry about Andy Burnham. He has the makings of a great ally | Jessica Berlin
Defence strategists fret about the next PM’s inexperience. But he knows about local resilience. That’s the kind of skill Nato urgently needs I recently asked a senior Labour figure what Andy Burnham’s defence agenda might look like. “He doesn’t really have one,” came the reply – offered not so much as a criticism of the UK’s prime minister in waiting, as a statement of fact. Given that Keir Starmer’s resignation came after a mutiny within his own government over inadequate defence spending, some may view Burnham’s lack of direct defence experience as a worrying liability. But beyond the UK, Starmer was at least viewed as a statesman for his commitment to the defence of Ukraine. Leaders in western Europe’s other capitals may now fear that Starmer’s untested successor will be more focused on “ No 10 North ” than on Nato and European security. Jessica Berlin is a political analyst and a non-resident senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis Continue reading...
Murder investigation launched after mother and children found dead near Bedford
Police appeal for information from the public and confirm primary suspect is thought to have fled the country A murder investigation has been launched after a mother and her two children were found dead at a property near Bedford. Bedfordshire police said it believes the suspect, who was known to the victims, has fled the country. Continue reading...
Lake Powell, a vital reservoir, plunges toward unprecidented low levels as water crisis deepens in US west
Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries Lake Powell, US’s second-largest reservoir, threatens to plunge to unprecedentedly low levels this year after a historically bleak snowpack failed to raise its water level, scientists and water experts have said, adding renewed urgency to stalled talks over how to conserve a water source depended on by tens of millions of people in the US south-west. The 185-mile Colorado River reservoir currently stands at about 23% of its capacity, or roughly 5.6m acre-feet. Lake Powell fell below that level for a few months three years ago. But those 2023 levels were recorded in the winter, when the reservoir straddling the Utah-Arizona border hits its lowest ebb. Spring runoff carried the level back up to 9.6m acre-feet by June, according to data from the US Bureau of Reclamation. Continue reading...
The US had the biggest opportunity in the history of American soccer. They wasted it | Alexander Abnos
The USMNT’s run at a home World Cup had attracted people who usually ignore soccer. Instead of triumph, they saw a humbling at the hands of Belgium In the closing moments of the United States’ 3-2 win over Portugal at the 2002 World Cup, ESPN commentator Jack Edwards took a moment to remind viewers who had stayed up all night of the profound result they were witnessing. From his perch in Suwon, South Korea – where he was watching the first match of a campaign that would end in a quarter-final that remains the high-water mark for the modern US men’s national team – Edwards delivered a soliloquy that cut straight to the heart of the profound role World Cups play not just for the US men’s national team, but for soccer as a force in American life. “The players on that 1950 team that beat England … this [result] is about the foundation that they laid,” Edwards said in his booming bravado as the hour crept toward 7am ET. “This is about the thousands of American families who have helped this sport grow, and the people in those pockets all over the country who have stuck with soccer. And it’s also for those seven- or eight- or nine-year-old kids, who are going to hear about this result when they wake up in the morning and rush outside, and knock a ball against a wall, and dream of something even greater than this.” Continue reading...
Curry, bagels … and AI? Londoners fight plan for huge datacentre in Brick Lane
Residents and council say creating affordable housing is more urgent than ‘high-frequency trading’ in nearby City Campaigners in east London are opposing plans for a datacentre in Brick Lane that they say will worsen the area’s housing crisis and drive long-term residents away. The road, famed for its curry houses and 24-hour bagel shops, is the latest flashpoint in the rapid rollout of datacentres across the UK that aims to meet demand created by artificial intelligence. Continue reading...
Burnham urged to ditch ‘dangerous’ UK-US NHS drug deal
Exclusive: health groups call on expected next prime minister to rip up agreement, which analysis suggests could lead to 229,000 excess deaths by 2036 UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham is being urged to scrap the controversial UK-US trade deal on medicines as health organisations and doctors’ groups warn it is “dangerous” and prioritises pharmaceutical company profits over the lives of NHS patients. Ministers have defended the agreement, signed last December, as a way of helping British drug exports to the US avoid tariffs, and giving patients access to potentially life-extending drugs that would otherwise be denied. Continue reading...
Multiple US states see alarming increase in cases of parasitic illness that causes ‘explosive’ diarrhea
Almost 700 cases were reported to Michigan health department by Monday, up from 170 six days earlier Cases of cyclosporiasis – a parasitic illness that causes “explosive”, watery diarrhea – have grown exponentially in recent days, health officials said, with an abnormally large outbreak reported in Michigan . Almost 700 cases were reported to the state’s health department by Monday, ABC News said , up from 170 six days earlier, and almost 14 times Michigan’s average annual caseload of 50. Continue reading...
Italian businessman questioned over bombing at investigative reporter’s home
Valter Lavitola suspected of planning bomb attack on Sigfrido Ranucci, for which four people have been arrested Italian prosecutors have placed a businessman and former journalist under investigation for allegedly masterminding a bomb attack at the home of Sigfrido Ranucci, a prominent investigative reporter. Valter Lavitola is friends with Ranucci, the host of Report, an investigative programme aired by the state broadcaster, Rai, and is being investigated on suspicion of trying to cause mass murder. Continue reading...
Nato summit faces tricky diplomacy with Trump over his defense spending demands | First Thing
Leaders meeting in Ankara have been urged to show US president concrete steps towards increasing their budget contribution. Plus why Madonna’s new album is a triumph and Helen Hunt on her new stage role Good morning. Nato leaders will gather in Ankara today for their latest summit after a turbulent six months, hoping to mollify an unpredictable Donald Trump , as Washington continues to pressure its allies to increase defence spending. On Friday, Trump posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform showing Nato members’ defence budgets, comparing a vast US spend of $999m (£747m) with smaller figures from European states saying the situation was “ridiculous” and “one-sided”. The US is planning to cut the number of troops and materiel it assigns to Europe in the event of a war with Russia. What is causing tension between the US and the rest of Nato? Since threatening to take control of Greenland from ally Denmark, Trump has failed to consult European leaders before the US and Israel launched their economically disastrous attack on Iran, and complained countries including the UK did not allow US jets to bomb Iran from their territory. He has bizarrely accused Italy’s Giorgia Meloni of being obsessed with him, and relations with Canada’s Mark Carney are strained after Trump voiced an interest in a takeover of the US’s northern neighbor. What are the allegations against Platner? In an exclusive Politico report, Jenny Racicot, 41, who previously dated Platner, said he forced her to have sex despite repeated objections. The report cited accounts from a man Racicot later confided in, as well as recent therapist emails, and messages where she warned an acquaintance about Platner in 2023. How has Platner responded? Platner denied the claims in a statement to Politico. “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said. Continue reading...
Nigel Farage quits as MP amid scrutiny over finances
Reform UK leader reveals he faces second inquiry over financial gifts but says he will fight byelection in Clacton UK politics live – latest updates Nigel Farage has announced he is to resign as the MP for Clacton to fight a byelection, revealing he is under a second investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over undeclared gifts. The Reform UK leader said it was part of “sticking two fingers up at the establishment” and it would prove that the public wanted him to stay on as an MP. Continue reading...
Prince Harry loses lawsuit against Mail publisher over phone-hacking claims
Duke of Sussex and other prominent figures sued Associated Newspapers alleging it sourced stories using unlawful methods • Prince Harry court case - latest updates The Duke of Sussex and six other prominent figures have lost their attempt to sue the publisher of the Daily Mail over claims it sourced stories using an array of unlawful methods over two decades. In a ruling that is likely to signal an end to new litigation relating to the phone-hacking scandal, the high court dismissed all the claims, stating the claimants had not proved information had been obtained unlawfully. Continue reading...
England’s World Cup win over Mexico at 2am breaks viewing records across BBC
Audience of 9.1 million watch live and on iPlayer despite kick-off time, with 48m requests for digital content on Monday England’s triumph over Mexico in the World Cup attracted a peak live audience of 9.1 million on BBC One and BBC iPlayer despite kicking off at 2am BST – the biggest television audience ever for a live UK broadcast at that hour. The dramatic 3-2 win drove the biggest day ever recorded for BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app and for BBC Sport’s social video views, the broadcaster said. Continue reading...
Blind woman ‘livid’ after Wetherspoons pub asks for guide dog’s ID
Chain apologises after staff at Hartlepool pub demand proof customer’s companion is genuine guide dog A blind woman felt compelled to leave a Wetherspoons pub after staff demanded proof that her guide dog, Rosie, was a genuine guide dog. Joanne Hewitson, 31, said she was “livid” and “shaking” after her experience going for breakfast at a pub in Hartlepool. The pub chain has apologised for the incident, with a spokesperson saying an error was made. Continue reading...
Act soon to change ‘unsustainable’ direction of UK debt, OBR warns
Forecaster says curtailing rising costs such as health and pensions ‘are today’s challenge, not just tomorrow’s’ Business live – latest updates Policymakers must act to prevent public debt rising unsustainably in coming decades as the population ages and defence spending rises, the government’s independent economic forecaster has said. In a fresh illustration of the challenges facing the prime minister in waiting, Andy Burnham, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said that without government action “debt would move on to what would be an unsustainable, ever-upward path from around the 2040s”. Continue reading...
United Airlines must face lawsuit over 'window seats' that lack windows
Passengers say they paid extra for outside views but were seated beside blank cabin walls instead A federal judge on Monday rejected United Airlines ’ bid to dismiss a lawsuit by passengers who complained they paid extra money to sit in window seats – only to discover their seats had no actual windows. US district judge James Donato in San Francisco rejected United’s defense that “window” referred to the location of a seat relative to the cabin wall and aisle, and the carrier also contended it never contractually promised that seats in the window position would have views outside. Continue reading...
Medicaid billing allowed to resume for Planned Parenthood after being cut off
Defunding, mandated in Trump’s 2025 policy, has been blamed for closure of clinics as well as reduction in screenings for cancer and STDs Planned Parenthood and two smaller regional abortion providers are resuming billing Medicaid for services other than abortion after being cut off for most of a year. The defunding, which was mandated in Donald Trump ’s big tax and policy in July 2025, has been blamed in the closure of multiple clinics as well as a reduction in the number of Planned Parenthood patients being screened for breast cancer or tested for sexually transmitted infections. Continue reading...
Belgium unites to enjoy national team’s World Cup success over USA and Trump
Fans across Belgium watched 4-1 win in early hours Victory ‘a real slap in the face for Trump and Infantino’ Belgium fans reacted with jubilation after the national team trounced the USA in a World Cup game that was overshadowed by the controversy over Donald Trump’s lobbying to overturn the suspension of the striker Falorin Balogun. Belgium’s prime minister, Bart De Wever, has yet to comment on the national team’s triumph, but the official Instagram account of his cat offered a sardonic, albeit indirect sign of satisfaction. Maximus, De Wever’s beloved cat, was shown lying on a rug holding a soft toy in the image of the US president. “I slept really well last night. And you?” reads the speech bubble in Dutch. Continue reading...
New York man sues ICE for sending officers to his house after he emailed agency head
David Streever had emailed acting ICE director after an immigration officer fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good An upstate New York resident sued US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) for sending federal officers to his house with a warning over an email he sent to the agency’s one-time head. David Streever, who is a US citizen, was on a trip to Finland when two officers showed up to his Rochester home in June and presented his wife with a warning notice informing him that the email he sent months earlier was considered a threat, his attorneys said. Streever sent the email in January to Todd Lyons, then the acting director of ICE, after an immigration officer fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good in a confrontation caught on video during an anti-ICE demonstration. Continue reading...
Fresh doubt over Marine Le Pen presidential bid as court orders electronic tag
Court shortens electoral ban but custodial sentence could complicate far-right leader’s campaign hopes A French court of appeal has upheld Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzling European parliament funds but shortened her ban on running for elected office, potentially reopening a narrow path for the far-right leader to run in the 2027 presidential race. However, the court also handed Le Pen a three-year jail term, with two years suspended and one year in which she must wear an electronic ankle tag for monitoring. This could make a presidential campaign politically and logistically difficult. Continue reading...
Why is Trump attacking ‘communists’? Because he’s run out of cards to play | Robert Reich
With the economy, foreign policy and immigration all going poorly for the president, he’s scrambling before the midterms Trump has run out of cards to play in the midterm elections, which is why he’s now talking about the “communist menace”. He can’t talk about the economy because prices continue to rise faster than wages, which means most Americans are getting poorer. He can’t talk about foreign policy because his war in Iran has been a debacle, his tariffs an utter failure, and he obviously hasn’t settled the war in Ukraine on “day one”. He can’t talk about immigration because his raids and mass deportations have become so unpopular. Continue reading...
Ex-Nato chief behind defence review says Starmer’s military spending plan is too little, too late
George Robertson warns prime minister’s defence investment plan fails to meet scale of challenge facing the UK The former Nato chief who led the government’s defence review has criticised the prime minister’s plan to pay for it, calling the defence investment plan (Dip) insufficient and overly delayed. George Robertson, the former Nato general secretary, told MPs on Tuesday the Dip had damaged confidence in the defence industry and among Britain’s allies who are gathering in Ankara this week for the Nato summit. Continue reading...
EU rejects suspending biometric border controls despite 20 ‘difficult spots’
Officials admit new post-Brexit EES system is ‘not perfect’, as airports and airlines voice fears over delays The EU has rejected calls by airports and airlines to suspend the implementation of new fingerprinting and facial recognition border controls even though it admits there are “20 difficult spots” with queue chaos. With only a week to go before the peak summer holiday season starts, EU officials admit the new entry/exit system (EES) is “not perfect” but will tell travel industry representatives that a full suspension is “not needed” and “not possible”. Continue reading...