THE PULSE OF THE PLANET
U.S. President Donald Trump is defending the prospect of receiving a plane as a gift from Qatar that would temporarily replace Air Force One amid claims of bribery and corruption from senior U.S. government officials. At a press conference on Monday, the president said he would be a “stupid person” to turn down a free jet…
An Israeli-American soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released Monday by Hamas in a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel. The Israeli military confirmed that 21-year-old Edan Alexander was turned over to the Red Cross and then…
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has been re-elected as mayor of the city of Davao, the family’s stronghold, despite being imprisoned thousands of miles away in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity. With more than 60% of returns in, Duterte, 80, had an insurmountable lead of 405,000 votes – far ahead of his nearest…
President Trump said he will accept a luxury jet from the royal family of Qatar that will be retrofitted to replace Air Force One during his second term, despite ethical concerns raised by Democrats. Source link
Labour MP says Starmer’s ‘island of strangers’ comment ‘mimics scaremongering of far right’ The leftwing Labour MP Nadia Whittome has criticised Keir Starmer for saying this morning Britain risked becoming “an island of strangers” without fair immigration controls. (See 9.53am.) She posted these on Bluesky. The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful…
House Republicans unveiled the cost-saving centerpiece of President Trump’s ” big, beautiful bill ” late Sunday, at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks. Source link
The UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” without tougher immigration policies, Keir Starmer has said, as official estimates show there could be 100,000 fewer migrants every year under new policies outlined on Monday. The prime minister said his government would “take back control of our borders” and close the book on a “squalid chapter”…
Josh Hawley, the influential US senator from Missouri, has warned that his Republican party is suffering from an “identity crisis” over whether it stands for working Americans or rich corporate executives, signaling a worsening split among Donald Trump’s congressional troops over the president’s plans for deep Medicaid cuts. In an opinion piece in the New…
The Labour government’s continued delay in delivering its promised UK-wide ban on so-called conversion practices is disappointing, dangerous and sends the message that the safety of LGBTQ+ people is optional, according to campaigners. In a strongly worded statement, Saba Ali of the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, said their message to the government was clear: “Stop…
Edan Alexander due to be released by Hamas Edan Alexander, the Israeli–American soldier who was kidnapped on 7 October 2023, is expected to be released today. Alexander was born in Israel but raised in the US by Israeli parents. He moved to Israel in 2022 after graduating from high school and enlisted in the Israeli…
