-
Weijia Jiang confirms White House correspondents’ dinner will proceed
White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang has confirmed that the organisation’s rescheduled annual dinner will proceed following a gunman attack linked to the event. She said the association would not be intimidated, framing the decision as a defence of press freedom and the work of journalists covering the White House. The dinner was postponed…
-
Abdul El-Sayed scores Sen Tina Smith’s endorsement in Democratic primary that exposes party divide
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith has endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic primary for a US Senate seat, calling him “a fighter”. The endorsement highlights a contest presented as part of a broader divide between the party’s left wing and its more centrist establishment. El-Sayed thanked Smith, saying she had fought for working people in the…
-
Trump says Russia, China not ‘participating’ in Iran war ‘in my opinion’
President Trump said he did not believe China or Russia were taking part in the Iran conflict, while warning that their involvement would be “very bad” for them. His comments matter because direct military support from either power could widen the war beyond its current participants and intensify tensions between major powers. Trump said Chinese…
-
‘Her Private Hell’ Director Nicolas Winding Refn on Ignoring Critics, Why the Government Must Regulate AI and Planning His Third Film With Ryan Gosling
Nicolas Winding Refn discusses his 11th feature, “Her Private Hell”, a stylised sci-fi drama now released in cinemas by Neon. He presents the film as a deliberate move away from convention and algorithms, despite mixed Cannes reviews, and says he is unconcerned by critical reaction as he pursues a more artificial, operatic style. The film…
-
Michigan Democrat refuses to say if she’d back El-Sayed if he wins primary
Representative Hillary Scholten declined to say whether she would support Abdul El-Sayed if he wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. She instead criticised his association with political streamer Hasan Piker and accused El-Sayed of making sexist attacks on female rivals, highlighting divisions within the state party ahead of an important election. El-Sayed, a progressive former Wayne…
-
Manchin launches effort to elect independent candidates to Congress
Former West Virginia senator Joe Manchin has launched the Independent Leadership Council, an organisation intended to recruit, fund and elect independent candidates to Congress. The effort reflects his long-standing argument that the two major parties have become too polarised, and could test whether candidates outside the Democratic and Republican parties can compete in closely fought…
-
Massie: Hegseth is breaking law with Iran war
Republican Representative Thomas Massie accused Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth of breaking the law by continuing US military operations against Iran without congressional authorisation. He argued that the administration is wrongly treating a brief ceasefire as dividing the conflict into two separate wars, a distinction that could affect statutory limits on unauthorised hostilities. Massie’s comments followed…
-
World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions
Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (Fide), has suspended his duties after being included in the EU’s latest sanctions package over Russia’s war in Ukraine. The former Russian deputy prime minister faces an EU travel ban and asset freeze, creating uncertainty over Fide’s leadership and potentially weakening Russia’s long-standing influence in international chess.…
-
Film Commissions Step Up Role to Accelerate Growth In Central America and the Caribbean
The Ibero-American Film Commission Network (IBEROFIC) has increased its focus on Central America and the Caribbean by attending the Costa Rica Media Market for the first time. The move aims to strengthen film commissions, encourage international production and build a more connected regional audiovisual industry. The market was held in San José on 14-15 July…
-
IOC says Infantino complaint outside its scope
The International Olympic Committee has said it will not investigate Fifa president Gianni Infantino over claims that he breached political-neutrality rules, judging the complaint to be outside its ethics commission’s remit. The case has drawn attention because US President Donald Trump said he contacted Infantino during the World Cup about Folarin Balogun’s red card, after…