US President Donald Trump vowed significant aid to Lebanon during a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, who sought Washington's backing to disarm Hezbollah and pursue peace with Israel. Trump also announced the resumption of direct US airline flights to Lebanon, suspended over 40 years ago.
Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate, withdrew after a rape accusation, following numerous prior controversies. His saga has sparked a debate among Democrats about the different standards applied to white male candidates versus women and candidates of color regarding past mistakes and allegations.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov stated that Ukraine will not be admitted to NATO in the near future, citing its devastated state, corruption, and crime. He also controversially suggested that the "Kiev regime" is effectively a NATO member due to the extensive funding, weapons, intelligence, and political support it receives.
The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, announced significant economic support for Armenia, including trade tariff removals and financial packages, to counter Russian pressure. The EU also pledged investment in regional connectivity and support for energy diversification.
Andy Burnham, presumptive UK PM, prioritizes lowering energy bills, a key voter concern. Experts predict high bills this winter despite Middle East peace, with analysts forecasting £1,849 for households. Burnham aims to ease costs without risking public finances.
Cornell University is pioneering a deep geothermal system, Earth Source Heat, to provide fossil fuel-free heating for its campus. This project, utilizing enhanced geothermal system (EGS) techniques adapted from oil and gas, aims to serve as a blueprint for scaling geothermal energy in the Northeast US, a region not traditionally suited for such power generation.
Cornell University is pioneering a deep geothermal system, Earth Source Heat, in upstate New York, aiming to provide fossil fuel-free heating for its campus by 2035. This project utilizes enhanced geothermal system (EGS) technology, adapting oil and gas techniques like fracking but with lower pressures and safer substances, potentially serving as a blueprint for wider adoption in the Northeast US.
A review into anti-Semitism in the UK's National Health Service (NHS) recommends barring staff from wearing political badges, including pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel symbols, during work hours. The government's adviser on anti-Semitism, John Mann, stated that such displays could alienate patients and breach the NHS's universal principles. Health Minister James Murray accepted the recommendations, emphasizing the need to combat racism and discrimination within the service.
A study led by psephologist John Curtice suggests Reform UK's reliance on socially conservative views may limit its poll ratings, potentially plateauing support in the mid- to high-20s. New recruits are driven by ideology rather than just discontent.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits China to strengthen geopolitical ties, secure energy deals like the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, and boost trade, seeking a crucial eastern ally amidst Western sanctions and the Ukraine conflict.
Green leader said he hosted fundraisers for the Red Cross but accepts he should not have described himself as a spokesperson for itGood morning. Zack Polanski was largely unknown until he became the Green party leader in September last year and since then, as his party has soared in the polls, there has been intense scrutiny of his pre-politics career. The best-known embarrassing revelation about his past is the fact that he once told a woman he could enlarge her breasts if she listened to his hypnotherapy spiel. Nigel Farage, who also leads a dispruption party enjoying spectacular success, has scandals in his past too, and Polanski’s allies would argue that they are worse. Farage took a £5m donation from a political supporter which he did not declare, he still has not provided as good explanation as to how his partner was able to afford to buy a home in Farage’s Clacton constituency and arguably he told 30 million women that he could enlarge the size of their bank balances if they listened to his spiel on Brexit. Guardian readers can decide for themselves who is more dodgy.But, as we tell our children, life isn’t fair. And it certainly isn’t fair for leftwing politicians campaigning in an environment where the rightwing media have considerable influence. Polanski discovered that again last night when the Times printed a story with various claims about him, of which the main one related to an allegation about his embellishing his CV. Here is our version by Jessica Elgot.I hosted various fundraisers for the British Red Cross, and indeed I would go on stage and speak for them about the amazing work they do tackling humanitarian crises, on the climate crisis and indeed for refugees all around the world.I used the wrong word and I accept that.It feels some of these stories feel like scraping the barrel to go back 10, 15 years.I’ve had so many friends – I’m literally talking maybe 20 or 30 in the last few weeks – who have phoned me and said a Times journalist has been phoning and they’ve been desperately trying to find things about your past. They asked me lots of questions and seem disappointed that I didn’t have some juicy, dirty gossip. Continue reading...
