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Senate Republicans vote to block motion to ban Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund – live
Republicans vote against amendment to kill fund after acting attorney general Todd Blanche told lawmakers earlier this week that DOJ was ‘not moving forward with the fund’Sign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump’s former national security adviser-turned-foe John Bolton is expected to plead guilty over mishandling classified documents, multiple outlets are reporting.According to CNN, which first reported the news citing three sources, Bolton intends to plead guilty to one count of illegal retention of sensitive national security documents, and has also agreed to pay a more than $2m fine. The New York Times hears the same, adding that he could face anywhere from no prison time to up to five years behind bars when he is sentenced. Continue reading...
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner rejects new allegations of abusive behavior
Platner says claims in New York Times article of physical misconduct and offensive remarks ‘politically motivated’Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate, has rejected an explosive new report about his treatment of women, insisting that allegations of abusive behavior are “politically motivated”.Platner, a progressive running for election in Maine, was responding to a New York Times article published on Thursday that included an interview with a Republican operative who accused him of womanizing, physical misconduct and making troubling comments about rape. Continue reading...
Video: Lufthansa Boeing 787's Nose Gear Collapses At Airport, Several Injured
The aircraft's front section suddenly dropped onto the tarmac while it was stationary at the gate. Video footage circulating online showed the jet's nose dipping sharply, with a panel appearing to come loose as the aircraft settled onto the ground.
Trump claims Bill Pulte will investigate ‘rigged elections’ in temporary intelligence role
Pulte, who is the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is a staunch loyalist of the presidentDonald Trump has suggested his controversial ally Bill Pulte will investigate “rigged elections” while serving as the country’s top intelligence official, as the US president continues to make unfounded allegations about voting.But Pulte, whom Trump appointed as acting director of national intelligence earlier this week, will only serve in the role temporarily, the president claimed on Thursday. Continue reading...
Zelenskyy calls for face-to-face Ukraine war negotiations in letter to Putin
Ukrainian president proposes meeting in neutral third country as Trump says both sides have to ‘make compromises’The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.The letter, the first Zelenskyy has publicly written directly to Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, was a sweeping criticism of the Russian leader’s 26 years in power. Continue reading...
How This UK Spy Used Mother-In-Law's Blackberry Jam To Win Over Hamid Karzai
One story from that period that became particularly well-known was to build a closer relationship with then Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Younger arranged for homemade blackberry jam prepared by his mother-in-law to be sent to him after learning Karzai enjoyed it in his tea.
'Don't be absurd!' Scott Bessent loses it as Dem pins him on Trump's Iran claims
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent snapped "Don't be absurd!" at a Democratic lawmaker Thursday after getting cornered on the administration's rosy claims about the Iran conflict — a tense exchange that exposed the widening gap between White House spin and reality on the ground.During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Treasury Department's budget priorities, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) pressed Bessent on an offhand remark the secretary had made suggesting the conflict with Iran was over."Do you truly believe that we are no longer in conflict with Iran and that they are no longer a threat to Israel or allies in the Gulf, that their nuclear program has been destroyed, that they no longer have a ballistic missile program and drone program threatening its neighbors in the region?" Schneider demanded.Bessent walked it back fast. "The conflict is on pause," he said."So everything's good with Iran now?" Schneider pushed."No. Don't be absurd."The back-and-forth cut to the heart of the administration's credibility problem on Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that President Donald Trump has told aides privately he would only consider ending the ceasefire if Tehran kills American troops — a far cry from the decisive victory the White House has been claiming. The U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28 in strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but a ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.Bessent cited Trump's statement, telling Schneider that unless an American life is lost, the president does not believe he will have to restart "kinetic action."The exchange grew heated again when Schneider pivoted to the cost of living, rattling off rising prices for beef, coffee, housing, and health insurance. Bessent interrupted repeatedly, at one point shouting "Sir! Sir!" as Schneider reclaimed his time."I think you're just out of touch with what American families are facing," Schneider told him.Bessent fired back with a broadside at Schneider's home state: "No wonder so many people are leaving Illinois. Why don't you come see me in South Carolina?"The two did find rare agreement on one point — that no president, Republican or Democrat, should be shielded from IRS audits — before Schneider circled back to the administration's controversial IRS settlement, which Democrats have called an illegal act of self-dealing.
Trump May Resume War With Iran If US Troops Are Killed: Report
Despite the violence, Trump appears reluctant to return to a full-scale conflict. Officials said the president may be willing to tolerate limited flare-ups rather than risk a wider war in the Middle East.
CNN host snaps as Republican accuses her of anti-Trump 'plan': 'You want me to answer?'
A Republican lawmaker clashed with an anchor during a live CNN broadcast on Thursday over the Iran war after four GOP House leaders broke from President Donald Trump and voted to rebuke the president over the military operation.Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) and CNN's Brianna Keilar got into a heated exchange over what the Trump administration has planned to do next in the ongoing war, as gas prices skyrocket for Americans and the Senate now considers Trump's war powers in Iran. Haridopolos stated that he firmly stands behind Trump and his administration."The person I trust in this is President Trump," Haridopolos said. "And I trust Marco Rubio, he's been a 25-year friend of mine. He knows all the intricate details of what we're doing right now. The recommendation from the White House is to know all the details. They want to continue to keep the pressure on Iran as long as possible, because I know, look, we're all hurting with gas prices. We all recognize this, but what we have to do is finally eliminate this threat in Iran."Keilar asked the Republican if he thought the administration was entering "quagmire territory.""This is a real winnable situation — for the first time since 1979, to finally take out these crazy people in Iran," Haridopolos said. "And what we're trying to do is win the conflict. And I'm challenged, like you are, that no one likes the higher prices. But this is something we, the president, is willing to do." Keilar pushed back and asked Haridopolos if the war was a "winnable situation."He argued that Trump knew it would be a risk and unpopular, but that the president "believed the risk" was worth it.The conversation heated up when Haridopolos said, "if we go with your plan" — and Keilar interjected."Your plan? It's not my plan," she said."You're pushing for it. So that's being said," Haridopolos responded. "I'm telling you what Americans are saying," Keilar said, pushing back. "This is unpopular. You have now Republicans who have experience in wars that have lasted a very long time," she added.Haridopolos appeared frustrated with the anchor and said, "You want me to answer?"The two bristled and spoke over each other."You can, but you just told me what I was saying. And I'm telling you, please don't put words in my mouth. But please continue on with what you wanted to say," Keilar said.
U.S. journalist pleads guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China
An American journalist who has lived in China since 2010 and worked for several state media organizations there pleaded guilty in a U.S. court Thursday to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, the Justice Department said.
Hampstead Heath ponds to remain trans-inclusive after public back existing rules
Policy agreement means trans people will continue to have access to Kenwood Ladies’ and Highgate Men’s ponds in north-west LondonThe bathing ponds at Hampstead Heath in north-west London will remain trans-inclusive after a public consultation overwhelmingly favoured its existing rules.There are gender-segregated ponds for men and women, with trans people able to swim in whichever they feel most appropriate, or use the heath’s mixed-gender pond instead. Continue reading...
Family of girl left brain-damaged at birth accept £28m NHS payout
Mother demands overhaul of maternity care after settling case over birth at Queen’s hospital in Romford in 2019The family of a girl left brain-damaged at birth have agreed to accept £28m in damages after the NHS trust involved admitted that its mistakes led to the tragedy.Barking, Havering and Redbridge university hospitals NHS trust failed to monitor the baby’s heart rate while her mother was in labour or ask an obstetrician to review the case, either of which might have led to the girl being born in a healthy condition. Continue reading...
