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Trump’s Gaza plan and Board of Peace face ticking clock
President Trump is confronting multiple problems nearly nine months into his effort to transform the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered the latest blow when he rejected Trump’s 15-point roadmap for Hamas to hand over its weapons at the same time Israel’s military withdraws from the territory. “Israel does not accept the 15-point…
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GOP worries time running out on Trump’s agenda with Congress
The Senate’s departure for a five-week August recess leaves big political fights for September and the postelection lame-duck session, setting up a scramble to accomplish as much of President Trump’s agenda before Republicans possibly lose complete control of Congress. Trump has ramped up pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to move a…
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Just 20 of 6,600 Defra staff working on climate adaptation amid drought and wildfires
A freedom of information request has found that only 20 of Defra’s 6,613 staff are working on climate adaptation, despite warnings that England is poorly prepared for worsening heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires. Critics say the small team reflects a lack of government focus on protecting communities, food security and nature from the effects of…
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Andy Burnham’s dithering over early release of prisoners ‘prolonging the torture’ of victims and their families
The article reports criticism of Andy Burnham over an apparent delay in decisions about the early release of prisoners. Victims and their families are said to believe the uncertainty is extending their distress, describing it as a continuation of their ordeal. The headline does not specify which prisoners may be released, the timing of any…
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Great Britain faces electricity supply shortfall during solar eclipse
Great Britain’s grid operator has warned of an anticipated electricity supply shortfall on Wednesday evening as a near-total solar eclipse sharply reduces solar generation while hot weather raises demand for cooling. The National Energy System Operator said the notice was precautionary and that customers’ electricity supplies were not at risk, but it may need to…
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A Candidate Named ‘Count Binface’ Is the Most Normal Part of This Pivotal UK Election
Count Binface, a satirical candidate portrayed by comedian Jon Harvey, is standing in the Clacton-on-Sea by-election against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage amid an unusually crowded and theatrical contest. The election has drawn attention because Farage resigned following allegations over undeclared financial support, which he denies, and because the main Labour and Conservative parties declined…
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Governments can take your stocks without your permission. It happens all the time
US states have been quietly tightening unclaimed-property laws in ways that make it far easier to declare stocks and other securities “abandoned” and seize them, even when the owner is alive, reachable and still receiving dividends. Where most states once waited seven years before treating shares as abandoned, more than half now use just three…
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Morning news brief
Voters in a half a dozen states went to the polls Tuesday, report suggests President Trump switch aircraft due to threat as he was leaving NATO, Iraq’s leader wants to disarm Iran-backed militias.
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Primary takeaways: Dems’ left-center battle intensifies as Schumer takes another hit; split decision for Trump
Progressive Democrats won another closely watched Senate primary, adding pressure on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and highlighting the party’s continuing dispute between its left wing and establishment figures. However, the most prominent contest between progressive and centrist forces ended narrowly in favour of the establishment, producing a mixed result rather than a decisive ideological…
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Labour doubles down on Burnham’s vow to make middle class areas take more migrants as minister defends imposing 1,200 on village of 400 people
Labour’s borders minister, Anna Turley, has defended plans to house 1,200 male asylum seekers at a former military base near Piddington, an Oxfordshire village with a population of around 400, insisting the policy reflects a “fair and equitable system” for distributing migrants across the country. The row follows comments from Andy Burnham suggesting wealthier areas…