The US House of Representatives is working in the middle of the night as Donald Trump and his allies try to pressurise holdouts in the president’s own Republican Party into backing his mega-bill on tax and spending. The sprawling legislation, which could define Trump’s second term in office, is nearing its final vote. But it … Read moreTrump’s budget bill stalls in late-night session in US House
Hundreds of people have been evacuated as a major wildfire continues to burn out of control on the Greek island of Crete. The fire, which has been fanned by gale-force winds, broke out on Wednesday afternoon in rugged forested terrain near the municipality of Ierapetra. The flames have spread rapidly, threatening homes, tourist accommodation, and … Read moreMass evacuations as wildfire rages in Greek island of Crete
The United States says it is halting some weapons deliveries to Kyiv that were promised under the Biden administration, as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine. The Biden-era pledges, which included various munitions to bolster Ukraine’s defences, are now under review as the Pentagon reassesses current inventory levels. The move could signal a shift in … Read moreUS halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine
In the coming days, the United Kingdom government is moving full steam ahead to proscribe Palestine Action – a movement of young people with a conscience – as a terrorist group. Some of its members are already behind bars; others face trials or await sentencing. Yet, despite the “terrorist” label and the threat of imprisonment, … Read moreLike Palestine Action, the UK called me a ‘terrorist’ once too
Getty Images The top court in the US has ruled judges in lower courts have limited ability to block presidential orders, giving President Donald Trump what he called a “giant win”. The case surrounded whether Trump’s attempt to use an executive order to end birthright citizenship for non-citizens and undocumented migrants was allowed. In a … Read moreSupreme Court curbs judges’ power to block Trump’s orders in birthright citizenship case
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have condemned the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza, but were unable to unite on means of pressuring Israel to end the war. Thursday’s summit noted a report issued last week by the bloc’s diplomatic service, which found that Israel was likely flouting human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association … Read moreEU calls for Gaza ceasefire, stops short of taking action against Israel
The United Kingdom government has backed down on controversial plans to slash disability and sickness benefits after a major rebellion by MPs, in a blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s authority. The climbdown on Friday is the third U-turn that Starmer has been forced into in less than a month, leading to questions about his … Read moreUK government backs down on disability benefit cuts after rebellion
The World Health Organization (WHO) says efforts to uncover the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic are still ongoing and incomplete, as critical information has “not been provided”. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “all hypotheses must remain on the table” to determine the cause of the virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, after an expert group … Read moreCOVID-19 origin still ‘inconclusive’ after years-long WHO study
EPA Pedro Sánchez, who promised to clean up Spanish politics, is now caught up in multiple corruption scandals Seven years after taking office by ousting corruption-ridden conservatives from government, Pedro Sánchez is fighting for his political life amid investigations into alleged graft in his Socialist party (PSOE). On June 12, an ashen-faced prime minister apologised to … Read moreEmbattled Sánchez resists clamour for resignation
Getty Images Three people are accused of exploiting dozens of seasonal workers Conditions for grape-pickers in France’s champagne business lie at the heart of a human trafficking trial that has opened in the eastern city of Reims. Three people – a woman from Kyrgyzstan, a man from Georgia and a Frenchman – are accused of … Read moreFrench trial exposes human trafficking among champagne workers