World News

Russia Launches Ballistic Missile Strikes on Kharkiv and Kyiv

Ukraine Conflict

Russia Launches Ballistic Missile Strikes on Kharkiv and Kyiv

Russia has carried out a wave of ballistic missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, killing four people and injuring at least 36, officials said.

In Kharkiv in the north-east, three people were killed and 20 others were injured. In Kyiv, one person died and 16 were hurt.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike on the capital was among the most extensive ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Air defences intercept missiles and drones
The Ukrainian military said air defences in Kyiv shot down 18 of 41 missiles overnight. It also said 108 drones were intercepted.
Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov said the strikes hit a postal terminal in the city’s suburbs, killing three men aged between 24 and 62. He said three injured people were in a serious condition.
Zelensky also said that in the past week Russia used about 1,450 strike drones, more than 1,640 guided bombs and 99 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
Damage across Kyiv region
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said residential and non-residential buildings were damaged, including a supermarket and a dormitory. Firefighters were working at fires at two warehouses, and Ukraine’s emergencies ministry said a logistics hub in the Bucha district, near Kyiv, was hit, with two people injured.
The Ukrainian air force said the Kyiv strikes involved a range of Russian systems, including Iskander and hypersonic Zircon missiles, as well as 125 drones.
Ukraine retaliates with attacks on Russian targets
While the ballistic strikes were reported, Ukraine said it continued operations against Russian sites. Zelensky said SBU security service units struck three oil depots in the Stavropol region and that Armed Forces units hit another fuel-sector facility in the same area.
He also said precise strikes damaged three Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which ships Kazakhstan’s Caspian oil to Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, said its terminal had been hit. It said two tankers were damaged and that oil loading was suspended. The consortium said there were no injuries or oil spills.
Stavropol’s governor said a drone attack caused a fire in an industrial park.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s actions came after Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and cities and communities.
He later linked the broader campaign to Russia’s energy links, saying Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks on Russia’s critical energy infrastructure, contributing to fuel shortages. Kyiv said earlier this month that nearly 43% of Russia’s oil refining capacity had been “disabled” as a result; the BBC has not independently verified that figure.
Wildberries warehouse blasts follow earlier drone attacks
The latest wave of strikes on Kyiv followed Ukrainian drone attacks on two warehouses belonging to Wildberries, which Zelensky said killed eight people and caused major fires.
In Tambov, about 295 miles (475km) south-east of Moscow, the emergencies ministry reported seven deaths and 25 injuries at a facility. In Elektrostal near the capital, it reported one death and 37 injuries at another warehouse.
Wildberries is often described as the Russian equivalent of Amazon. Forbes Russia valued the RWB group, which combines Wildberries with advertising company Russ, at about $12.6bn (£9.3bn) in 2026.
Kyiv seeks more ballistic missile defences
Kyiv has asked European allies for more ballistic missile interceptors. Zelensky said on Sunday that protection against ballistic missiles is its top priority and that interceptors are needed every day.



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19 July 2026

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July 19Jul 19

EU Entry System Triples Wait Times for Some UK Travellers

Travel

EU Entry System Triples Wait Times for Some UK Travellers

The EU’s new Entry Exit System (EES) has nearly tripled the time it takes some UK nationals to pass passport control, even after technical improvements, the boss of Rome’s main airport has said.

The comments come as Ryanair warned passengers travelling to Europe this summer to expect longer delays at border checks. The airline said the EES rollout had failed and was creating unnecessary queues.
In Portugal, border police at Faro airport told the BBC that the technology behind the system had suffered from software problems, though officials said any disruption there should ease quickly.
The European Commission said disruptions in most EU airports had been limited and that it will continue to support member states with implementation.
How the Entry Exit System works
The digital EES requires non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area, which includes 29 European countries, to record fingerprints and a photograph on arrival. The recorded data is then checked when travellers leave.
In many airports, the process is carried out using standalone automated “kiosks”. Border officers may also conduct checks, including for children under 12 who cannot use the self-service route.
The system and related machines have been phased in since October.
At several European airports, passenger numbers processed through passport control have led to queues lasting hours. Some travellers reported missing flights as they waited to clear border checks.
Rome Fiumicino: delays still higher than before
At Rome Fiumicino, airport officials have concluded it is difficult to process large volumes of passengers solely through the kiosks, which cost €12m. In response, UK nationals can now enrol their biometrics at passport e-gates rather than having to use the standalone machines.
The airport’s chief aviation officer, Ivan Bassato, said integrating the process with e-gates improved matters “significantly”. However, he said the added complexity still increased the average time for UK travellers to reach the border from seven minutes to 20 minutes.
Bassato said the process had not yet returned to its pre-EES quality and that waits of one or two hours were unacceptable for an airport “well set with technology”.
He also argued that authorities should remove duplication within the process, and said he would like to see more countries adopt the EU’s pre-registration app. Only Sweden and Portugal are currently using the tool.
Countries can suspend EES under exceptional circumstances. Airports and airlines have been urging the Commission to allow earlier, proactive suspension during peak periods, but a meeting earlier this month did not lead to changes.
Travellers in Rome reported delays consistent with the airport’s concerns. People questioned near the Piazza di Spagna described taking around 45 to 50 minutes at passport control, and others said queues were close to an hour, with boarding and departures affected.
Faro: queues vary; “bugs” linked across states
Faro airport superintendent Pedro Oliveira said the number of passengers, including many arriving from the UK, can make queuing unavoidable. However, he said the time for some travellers had risen from about 10 minutes to more than 30 minutes at times.
He said queues exceeding an hour were uncommon, but could occur if more flights than expected arrive at the same time. Oliveira said automated machines were generally the quickest route.
He added that EES has been affected by bugs and that the system’s dependence on interconnected servers can spread faults across member states. He said crashes can occur simultaneously and require a reboot across affected systems, though he noted this problem was happening less often than earlier on.
More staff have been recruited to help manage the checks. In Portugal, children under 16 are directed to border police staff to have their biometric information recorded, rather than using the self-service machines.

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19 July 2026

• EU

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July 19Jul 19

Israeli Ministers Plan New Gaza, West Bank Settlements

Israel

Israeli Ministers Plan New Gaza, West Bank Settlements

Israeli ministers have announced plans to expand settlement activity in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition faces elections on 27 October. The moves include new “Nahal” outposts in northern Gaza and funding for additional Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Election campaign and push to expand control
Defence Minister Israel Katz and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich outlined steps to increase settlement presence before the end of the current government’s mandate, according to Israeli reporting. The announcements come as the coalition seeks to entrench control of land in occupied Palestine while Palestinians face displacement pressures.
Katz calls for three Nahal outposts in Gaza
Katz said he intended to establish three “Nahal” outposts in northern Gaza. Nahal communities have historically been used as an initial stage for later Israeli civilian settlements, according to land-grab monitoring groups.
The defence minister presented the Gaza plans during a visit to Israeli-controlled parts of the territory, telling Channel 14 that the outposts were to be set up in places that had previously been Israeli settlements.
Smotrich announces funding for West Bank construction
Smotrich said the cabinet allocated 1.3bn shekels (about £318m) to finance dozens of new Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli media reported the decision was kept secret when it was approved last month due to expectations of US opposition.
Military chief praises extremist “security partners”
Maj Gen Avi Bluth, who commands Israeli forces in the West Bank, told residents of extremist outposts that he “appreciates their work” and described them as partners in security with the military. Bluth spoke at a meeting of the Farms Association, a group representing settlements that are considered illegal even under Israeli law.
Critics said such outposts play a role in campaigns that they link to violence and the displacement of Palestinians across the West Bank.
UN rights office and activists warn of violence and impunity
The UN human rights office for Palestine said in a report published this week that settlers were used to lead annexation efforts and that systematic impunity has helped violence continue.
Hagit Ofran of Peace Now said bulldozers were working on at least seven settlements that she said could be populated before polling day. She described the government’s approach as a “reckless pre-election sprint” aimed at creating “facts on the ground”.
Dozens of figures from Israel’s political and military elite, including former prime ministers and former heads of security services, have threatened legal action over support for “Jewish terrorism” in the West Bank, according to the report.
Control of Gaza and casualty figures under scrutiny
Katz also highlighted the scale of Israeli control in Gaza, where Maj Gen Tamir Yadai, Israel’s deputy chief of staff, said Israel now controls 65% of the strip. Yadai’s assessment was described as exceeding the 53% figure agreed under a ceasefire brokered last year by US President Donald Trump.
The officials’ account places about 2 million Palestinians in the remaining third of Gaza’s territory. Yadai said Israel had “killed over 70,000 terrorists”, framing the situation as “victory”.
On casualties, Israel’s military has said a database of Gaza’s war dead compiled by Palestinian health authorities is broadly accurate. It contains more than 73,000 named people, including more than 21,000 children, more than 10,000 women under 60 and more than 5,000 elderly people. When asked whether women, children and elderly people were counted as “terrorists”, the Israeli military declined to comment directly. A military spokesperson said the IDF was still assessing and categorising casualties, adding the work had not been completed or briefed to civilian officials. The spokesperson also declined to comment on Bluth’s backing for settler militants, saying settlement decisions were political.
Nahal outposts framed as a “first phase”
Dror Etkes, founder of Kerem Navot, said Nahal outposts were not intended for long-term military use and that they function as a first phase preparing sites for future settlement. He said the model was first applied in the 1950s in border regions, including around the Gaza Strip, before being used in the occupied West Bank after 1967, initially along the Jordan valley and then in other areas.

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19 July 2026

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July 18Jul 18

Iran Strike on Jordan Kills Two US Service Members

Middle East

Iran Strike on Jordan Kills Two US Service Members

Two U.S. service members were killed and one remained missing after Iran struck two military bases in Jordan on Friday, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said.

Centcom also said four American service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan following the attack and have since been discharged. Other troops who reported minor injuries were assessed and returned to duty.
Centcom statement on casualties
In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Centcom said it was withholding further information out of respect for the families of those affected. It said it will not release additional details, including the identities of the two service members who died, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.
The statement did not provide further detail on the circumstances of the deaths or the status of the missing service member beyond saying the person remained unaccounted for.
Injured troops treated and back on duty
Centcom said the four service members transferred to hospitals were later discharged. It added that other personnel with minor injuries were examined and had returned to their duties.
No further medical information was provided in the update.
US-Iran tit-for-tat continues
The attack came amid a broader escalation between the United States and Iran in recent weeks, with both sides conducting strikes in what has been described as tit-for-tat action.
The exchanges have been linked to alleged breaches of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last month that introduced a temporary ceasefire while negotiations were under way.
President Trump has said his administration has no plan to renew the talks at this time.
US officials respond; Iran warns of wider conflict
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was praying for the families of the service members killed, for the recovery of those injured and for the safe return of the missing service member.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also posted a message acknowledging the news, saying the sacrifice would strengthen the resolve of American forces.
Iran has warned that it could move towards wider conflict if U.S. strikes do not stop. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, blamed the United States for repeated breaches of the ceasefire agreement and accused Washington of undermining the understanding agreed between the two countries’ leaderships. In a subsequent message, he warned the United States that Iran and allied forces would respond to any further escalation, saying it would bring “unforgettable lessons”.
Khamenei took over after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February on Tehran killed his father. He has not made public remarks since assuming the role.


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19 July 2026

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July 18Jul 18

Mamdani Weighs Netanyahu Arrest if He Visits NYC

USA

Mamdani Weighs Netanyahu Arrest if He Visits NYC

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is considering whether the city could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he travels to New York this fall for the United Nations General Assembly.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday’s episode of The New York Times podcast “The Interview”, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu should be dealt with through international courts, adding that the matter involves an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC warrant and a possible arrest
Mamdani said Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” and described him as a war criminal, referring to charges brought by the ICC. He said the view reflects what he described as years of actions he said have caused harm in Palestine.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant in 2024 for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the war in Palestine. The warrant covers allegations including “starvation as a method of warfare” and “other inhumane acts”.
Asked about the prospect of arrest in New York, Mamdani said his administration is reviewing whether it could take such action under the city’s legal framework.
What Mamdani said in his campaign
Mamdani, a Democrat, said during his mayoral campaign last year that he would order the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu. At the time, he also characterised the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as a genocide.
In Saturday’s interview, he reiterated that his position was tied to the existence of the ICC warrant and the weight he said it carries as a formal charge.
Netanyahu dismisses the threat
Netanyahu recently responded to the mayor’s remarks during a radio interview, accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas. Mamdani denied the accusation.
The prime minister said Mamdani was aligned with groups he described as terror actors, and he argued that those who oppose Israel also ultimately oppose the United States.
UN trip expected in September
World leaders from member states are expected to travel to New York in September for the UN body’s annual session, when Netanyahu has taken part in past years.
Mamdani told The Times he would “follow the laws” of the city. When pressed on what that meant, he said the matter was under discussion with the city’s legal department.
“We’re not talking about a personal assessment of Benjamin Netanyahu,” Mamdani said. He said the focus was on the ICC warrant and on the responsibilities of the mayor under New York City law.

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19 July 2026

• 38 comments
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July 18Jul 18

Ukraine Drone Strikes Kill Eight at Russian Warehouses

Russia

Ukraine Drone Strikes Kill Eight at Russian Warehouses

Ukrainian drones struck two warehouses used by Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, killing eight people and injuring 62 others, Russian officials said. The attacks hit a Wildberries logistics site in Tambov, about 295 miles (475km) south-east of Moscow, where seven people died and 25 others were hurt, according to the regional governor.

One person was also killed and 37 injured at another Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal, in the Moscow region, officials said.
Tambov strike leaves multiple fatalities and injuries
In Tambov, governor Evgeniy Pervyshov said seven people working the night shift were killed on the spot. He added that 25 people were injured, including seven in serious condition, and that most injuries were caused by shrapnel.
Pervyshov said 28 drones were shot down while approaching the facility and called it the largest attack on the region in terms of the number of drones used and the number of casualties.
Unverified images circulating from the scene showed flames and large plumes of black smoke rising from a logistics building, with dozens of workers seen fleeing into a car park area.
Moscow region warehouse attack injures 37 people
In the Moscow region, governor Andrei Vorobyov said eight people injured in the Elektrostal strike were in serious condition.
Vorobyov said 48 drones were intercepted in the region overnight. He also said an oil depot was struck by a falling drone and described the incident as one with “the most serious consequences”, adding that firefighters and emergency services were continuing their work at the site.
Zelensky separately said Ukraine had also struck an oil facility.
Zelensky links strikes to logistics for drone components
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone attacks targeted “major logistics facilities” used to supply “sanctioned components for drone production and navigation equipment”.
In his comments, Zelensky also said Ukraine struck targets in the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and Crimea, which Russia annexed.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s actions were in response to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure and on cities and communities.
He also said that overnight into Wednesday, 14 people were killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine.
Wildberries says eight died as drone strikes escalate
Wildberries, often described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon, is part of the merged RWB group, which combines Wildberries with advertising company Russ. Forbes Russia valued the group at about $12.6bn (£9.3bn) in 2026.
Wildberries chief executive Tatyana Kim said it was a “terrible night” for Russia and for the company. In Tambov, Pervyshov said the seven fatalities occurred among night-shift workers.
Energy campaign and Putin’s admission on shortages
Ukraine has recently increased long-range drone strikes on Russia’s critical energy infrastructure, which Kyiv says has contributed to fuel shortages. Earlier this month, Kyiv said nearly 43% of Russia’s oil refining capacity had been “disabled” by attacks. The BBC said it had not independently verified that figure.
Ukraine argues that Russian oil and gas facilities are legitimate targets because Russia relies heavily on fossil fuel exports to fund its full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare admission that fuel shortages were caused by Ukrainian attacks. He also signed into law a bill intended to boost supplies to Russia’s domestic fuel market in early July.

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18 July 2026

• Ukraine Conflict

• 3 comments
• 444 views

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July 18Jul 18

Venice Protests Meet U.S. Envoy Fertitta’s Superyacht

Report

Venice Protests Meet U.S. Envoy Fertitta’s Superyacht

Several hundred protesters marched on Friday in Venice to oppose the arrival of Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire American ambassador to Italy, as his luxury yacht berthed in the city. As the demonstrators neared the vessel, they briefly clashed with riot police and were pushed back.

Activists described Fertitta’s visit as an unwelcome display of American wealth and influence, arguing that the Trump administration has been reshaping the post-Second World War international order in ways many Italians disapprove of.
Protesters clash with riot police
The marchers shouted “Shame!” as they approached a double line of riot police guarding access to the superyacht. Protesters had raised their arms to indicate they would remain peaceful, but police used their shields to force them back when the demonstrators did not stop.
Inflatable beach toys and water items were thrown during the clash. After the confrontation, protesters directed “Shame!” at Fertitta, the mayor and the police.
The demonstrators carried inflatable water toys and beach balls behind a banner reading “Venezia non si USA”, a wordplay on “Venezia non è USA” meaning “Venice is not for the US”, with the letters USA capitalised.


Picture courtesy of AP
Security for the Coastal Diplomacy stop
Fertitta arrived earlier in the day, mooring in St. Mark’s Basin as part of a coastal diplomacy tour marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Police boats were positioned around the yacht, and a heavy security presence accompanied the protest.
The yacht, which dwarfed buildings along the lagoon, featured a large security cordon. Protesters also held signs including “Make America Read Again” and “Oligarch in saor”, referring to “saor”, a Venetian dish made with sardines.
The tour, labelled “Coastal Diplomacy 250”, covers 13 Italian coastal regions by superyacht. Fertitta said online that it is meant to celebrate shared history, economic partnership and cultural ties underpinning US-Italy relations.
Fertitta declined a request for an interview about the tour and the planned demonstration. In a brief statement, he said he supports the right to protest peacefully, adding that the programme had allowed him to meet Italians from different walks of life while celebrating 250 years of US independence and long-standing friendship with Italy.
Opposition from groups linked to earlier protests
In Venice, some of the same activist groups that took part in demonstrations against the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez last year also mobilised against Fertitta’s arrival. Fertitta’s yacht, the 117-metre Boardwalk, is described as having two helipads, two swimming pools and a spa and gym.
On 4 July, organisers unfurled a banner as long as Fertitta’s yacht to illustrate what they called “the dimensions of his arrogance”. Activists later expressed alarm at the scale of the vessel in the lagoon, with one protester describing it as “gross”.
Emanuele Lepore said the sight of the yacht triggered anger, pointing to a long-running campaign to ban cruise ships from the Giudecca Canal and parts of the historic centre. He argued that the message was clear that “new oligarchs” were being allowed to travel and, in his view, normalise “war and fascism” with local backing.
Fertitta’s role and next stop
Fertitta was sworn in as ambassador to Italy in 2025. His fortune is linked to the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels and casinos. He also owns the Houston Rockets. His official biography lists his net worth at $11.3 billion and says Forbes ranks him among the 100 wealthiest Americans.
Details of which people he will meet in Venice have not been released. He is expected to attend the Redentore festival on Saturday, which commemorates the end of the plague in 1576 and includes fireworks over St. Mark’s Basin.
Before arriving in Venice, Fertitta stopped in Cefalù in Sicily, where his family roots trace back to 1566, and met the governor in Palermo. His route also included the Calabrian port of Le Castella, as well as cruising along the coasts of Puglia and the Adriatic en route to Venice.
Political analyst Giovanni Orsina said the image of an ambassador travelling along the Italian coast in a diplomacy trip was unusual, noting that such travel is typically not done with an ambassador’s own yacht and resources.
Fertitta’s tenure comes as relations between Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Trump have cooled, after the US President made a series of social media attacks on her. Meloni, previously seen as a close ally of Trump in Europe on issues including immigration, did not attend the 250th celebrations at the US embassy.


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18 July 2026

• 2 comments
• 436 views

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July 18Jul 18

Burnham Delays Cabinet Choice Ahead of PM Handover

UK-Politics

Burnham Delays Cabinet Choice Ahead of PM Handover

Andy Burnham said he has not yet settled who will serve in his cabinet as he prepares to become prime minister on Monday, after taking over from Sir Keir Starmer following a reception with King Charles III.

Speaking to reporters when asked why he had not announced his senior team, Burnham said it would be premature to begin reshaping roles before he formally takes office. He added that he is “finalising” his decisions and will reach conclusions “very shortly”, before making announcements on Monday.
Speculation has continued about Burnham’s first appointments, with Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood widely viewed as potential contenders to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor.
Cabinet decisions and speculation
Burnham returned to Parliament a month ago after winning a by-election, and his selection as Labour leader earlier this week was backed by 379 Labour MPs and all 11 trade unions affiliated to the party.
Asked directly about who would be in the cabinet, he said he would announce the arrangements after he assumes office. In his first speech as Labour leader at the TUC headquarters in central London, he said the make-up of his cabinet would reflect “all parts of our party” and “all communities”.
Early messages to Labour and devolution
Burnham used the speech to set out themes for his premiership, including a pledge to restore “hope” to working-class communities he said had been overlooked by the political class. He reiterated his plan to devolve power away from Westminster to the regions, presenting devolution as a central element of his approach.
He also said the government he leads would bring the biggest change in decades and move away from “neoliberal” policies pursued over the past 40 years, including during his own time in government. Burnham said he would reindustrialise the country.
In a message to Labour MPs, he urged party unity, warning that infighting would prevent Labour from defeating Britain’s “new right”. He said he wants a culture of “one Labour team” and described his style of government as “problem-solving rather than point-scoring”. He told the audience he has a plan and that he knows what he wants to do in office.
Social care reform set as priority
While his TUC speech focused more on direction than detailed policy, he told reporters that reforming social care would be a top priority. He said he would commit substantial political effort to a sector he described as long neglected.
Social care is devolved, meaning any reforms Burnham advances would apply to England. In discussing the scale of the challenge, he pointed to the fact that, unlike the NHS, social care is not free at the point of use. He said high costs can lead people to sell their homes to pay for care.
Burnham has previously called for major change. As health secretary under Gordon Brown, he published a white paper in the weeks before the 2010 general election proposing a National Care Service that would be free at the point of use.
Opposition and union reactions
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said Burnham “comes in with absolutely no mandate of any kind at all” and called for an immediate general election for voters to decide the country’s direction.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey welcomed Burnham’s call for more collaborative politics, adding that his party’s “door is open”. He said the Lib Dems would particularly want changes to the water industry, support for the NHS, and reform of social care, including more help for family carers.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said Burnham should recall Parliament, which is currently in recess until September, so MPs can put questions to him about his plan. Linda Hobson, from Unison, said Burnham must “get this right” and deliver the hope he has promised.
Burnham’s rise to the premiership follows a rapid shift in Labour’s leadership trajectory after Starmer resigned last month, saying he was not best placed to lead the party into the next general election. Labour has trailed Reform UK in opinion polls for about 18 months, with heavy losses in May’s local elections before Burnham secured a by-election victory in Makerfield last month.
On Friday, Burnham paid tribute to Starmer, citing improvements to workers’ and renters’ rights, lower NHS waiting lists and bringing rail back under public control.

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18 July 2026

• 8 comments
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July 17Jul 17

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets US Midwest And East

Canada

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets US Midwest And East

Tens of millions of people across the US are again facing smoky skies and poor air quality as wildfire smoke from Canada drifts over the midwest, mid-Atlantic and north-east. About 109 million people were expected to experience another day of unhealthy conditions on Friday, with air pollution linked to fires in Ontario spreading south and east, according to air-quality updates from US government sources.
Hazardous air over the Great Lakes and north-east
Cities including Chicago and Detroit were blanketed by smoke, and residents were told to limit time outdoors after the US Air Quality Index (AQI) reached “hazardous” levels of 361 on Friday, the AirNow website said.
Smoke moved into the Baltimore and Washington DC area overnight. By 6am eastern time, AQI readings were listed at 281 in Baltimore and 247 in Washington DC, which correspond to “very unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” categories respectively.
In New York City, where smoke has been present since Tuesday, air quality was recorded at 184 early on Friday, classified as “unhealthy”. It later improved to 124, which falls under “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”.
Philadelphia and Cleveland recorded readings of about 260, described by officials as “very unhealthy”. Other parts of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin also reported AQI values in the “hazardous” range.
Guidance for residents and expected changes
Michigan officials advised residents to reduce indoor exposure by keeping windows closed, limiting door openings and using heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems rated Merv-13 or higher.
They also recommended that anyone who must be outside for short periods wear an N95 or P100 respirator marked with NIOSH, according to a state alert.
Some parts of the north-east and New England are expected to see improvement later on Friday as stronger winds from Quebec, outside the main wildfire area in north-western Ontario, push smoke away.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said wildfire activity in Canada has intensified in recent weeks. He added that forecasts show smoke continuing to move east across the North Atlantic and could reach Europe, underlining the scale of cross-border pollution.
Organisers of the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are monitoring smoke patterns, with officials and sources telling ABC News that smoke currently over the mid-Atlantic could move back towards the north-east.
However, a storm system approaching from the west bringing severe thunderstorms could worsen conditions by drawing smoke from higher levels down to the ground via rain. Air quality is expected to improve after the system passes late on Saturday, with authorities aiming for conditions suitable for a 3pm Sunday kick-off, while also monitoring whether smoke plumes could affect the match.
Parrington said another smoky air mass could follow after the rain, and that increased fire intensity through Saturday could add more smoke to the atmosphere.
Wildfires Spread Across Western US
Canada’s largest wildfire near Wabakimi provincial park in Ontario has spread across 787,802 acres (318,812 hectares), the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center said. It is one of 194 out-of-control and large fires burning as of Thursday.
Parrington said smoke plumes from wildfires in Canada’s north-west territories have reached the Arctic Ocean as well as other parts of the country. Nearly 6m acres are estimated to have burned, less than a quarter of the area consumed during Canada’s wildfire smoke episode in the US in 2023. In northern Minnesota, fires have burned more than 63,000 acres.
In the west of the US, wildfires have also been reported in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Forecaster Colin McCarthy said tens of thousands of lightning strikes across the Pacific Northwest have ignited dozens of new fires across Oregon and Washington.
A 2025 study by Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business estimated that wildfire smoke and prescribed burns caused $200bn in health damages in 2017 and were associated with 20,000 premature deaths. Co-author Nicholas Muller said research has linked fire smoke to higher morbidity and mortality risks, similar to other air pollutants.
At the other end of the country, heavy rainfall in south and central Texas, including Texas Hill Country, exceeded 20in (50cm) in some places since Monday. The Guadalupe River near Comfort in Kerr county crested at 37ft above flood stage, AccuWeather said.
AccuWeather’s Global Weather Center put a preliminary estimate of damage and economic losses at between $11bn and $13bn. It said the extreme rainfall aligns with findings from its climate research unit that rainfall totals above 4in in 24 hours have increased by 70% since 1995. Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist, said describing extreme rainfall as “1-in-1,000-year” depends on probabilities that change as the climate warms, meaning such events can occur more often than past statistics suggest.


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18 July 2026

• USA

• 3 comments
• 429 views

webfact

July 17Jul 17

Israeli Strike Kills Seven at Gaza Funeral

Gaza

Israeli Strike Kills Seven at Gaza Funeral

An Israeli strike on a funeral in the Gaza Strip has killed at least seven people and injured another 22, according to Al-Awda hospital, a local medical facility.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Al-Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp said the strike hit the funeral of a Palestinian who had been killed in another Israeli attack earlier on Friday. The hospital confirmed the number of casualties, including at least seven deaths and 22 people injured.
Ceasefire in place since October
Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a ceasefire deal in October intended to halt their two-year-long war. The heaviest fighting has since subsided, but Gaza’s health ministry said at least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect.
The ministry says it keeps detailed records of casualties, which UN agencies and independent experts describe as generally reliable. An independent UN inquiry has also found that Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza.
Ongoing attacks and deaths on both sides
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel said its strikes were carried out in response to such attacks and other violations.
Israel’s campaign has continued under the ceasefire framework, with five Israeli soldiers killed since it began, according to the account cited in the reporting.
Background to the war
The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. In that attack, about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, according to the figures referenced in the report.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire took effect, Gaza’s health ministry said.

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18 July 2026

• 23 comments
• 460 views

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July 17Jul 17

Astronomers Find Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet

Science

Astronomers Find Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet

A team of astronomers has reported strong evidence that the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b, located a few dozen light-years from Earth, has an atmosphere rich in helium. The finding, published in Science, adds to evidence that some worlds beyond the Solar System may have conditions consistent with habitability.

Researchers said the planet meets three broad criteria associated with life as understood on Earth: it appears rocky, it orbits within its star’s habitable zone where liquid water could exist at the surface, and it now shows signs of an atmosphere.
Collin Cherubim, a planetary scientist who recently completed his doctorate at Harvard University, said there is no evidence of life on the planet. However, he said the observations indicate that key components relevant to habitability are present.
A rocky planet in the habitable zone
LHS 1140b was first identified in 2017. It orbits a star at a distance that places it in the habitable zone, described as neither too hot nor too cold for liquid water to exist on the planet’s surface.
The exoplanet is cooler than Earth, but larger in both size and mass. Although it is often labelled Earth-like, astronomers say there are important differences between the planet and our own world, including how it moves and rotates relative to its star.
Helium signals point to a real atmosphere
The new data indicate that LHS 1140b likely has a helium-rich atmosphere. The research team said the detection provides the first clear evidence for a potentially habitable planet with an atmosphere.
An atmosphere is considered important for habitability because it can help a planet retain water, regulate climate conditions and protect the surface from harmful radiation. Scientists have confirmed atmospheres around giant gas planets, but have previously had less certainty about whether rocky planets can hold on to gases over time.
Helium escape appears to change over time
Cherubim previously built a theoretical model of how a rocky planet’s atmosphere might behave. His calculations suggested that lighter elements, including helium, may escape more easily under certain conditions. He argued that LHS 1140b is a candidate for active helium loss to space.
LHS 1140b orbits a red dwarf, the most common type of star in the galaxy. Red dwarfs are smaller and cooler than many other stars, which can make rocky planets around them easier to detect. At the same time, such stars can be energetic, emitting flares that may strip atmospheres from nearby planets.
Cherubim said the star hosting LHS 1140b appears less active than typical red dwarfs. In 2024, he and colleagues observed the planet transiting in front of its star using a telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Their measurements showed helium at high altitudes, suggesting helium was escaping from an atmosphere that is otherwise difficult to detect.
In 2025, the team observed the system again during another eclipse, but this time reported no sign of helium escaping.
Shreyas Vissapragada, a planetary scientist at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, California, and an author of the new study, said the change in results was surprising but not entirely unexpected. He noted that differing amounts of helium have been seen in the atmospheres of gas giants and that the new work represents the first time the effect has been observed on a rocky exoplanet.
Vissapragada said the observations amount to tracking changes in a planet’s atmosphere over time.
Earth-like, with key differences
Astronomers describe LHS 1140b as Earth-like, but it diverges from Earth in several ways. The planet completes an orbit in less than 25 days, compared with Earth’s 365 days. It also always shows the same face to its star, meaning it does not experience a regular day-night cycle in the way Earth does.
The planet’s atmosphere is expected to be helium-rich, while Earth’s atmosphere is dominated by nitrogen.
In 2020, Sara Seager of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology led research suggesting that yeast and E. coli could survive in an atmosphere of pure helium. While that does not establish that life exists on LHS 1140b, it illustrates that such an environment has been considered plausible in laboratory-based scenarios.
Vissapragada said finding an atmosphere on LHS 1140b is a step towards characterising exoplanets that may be truly Earth-like.

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17 July 2026

• 11 comments
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July 17Jul 17

China Slams British Steel Nationalisation Over Treaty

UK

China Slams British Steel Nationalisation Over Treaty

China has condemned the British government’s move to take control of loss-making steelmaker British Steel, saying it “firmly opposes” the decision and is “strongly dissatisfied”.

The UK announced on Thursday that placing the company into public hands would protect jobs and safeguard what it called a “vital national capability”. It said bringing the Scunthorpe business under state control would help manage the company’s future after years of losses.
UK takes control as ownership remains abroad
The government took charge of British Steel’s operations at Scunthorpe last year, but the firm was still owned by China’s Jingye Group. That structure had limited ministers’ ability to steer how the plant develops.
On Wednesday, Parliament passed legislation allowing the government to bring the steel industry into public ownership when a public interest test is met. The new powers were then used to nationalise British Steel.
Beijing cites “legitimate rights” and treaty obligations
China’s commerce ministry said on Friday that the steps “seriously infringed upon Jingye’s legitimate rights and interests and severely undermined the confidence of Chinese companies investing in the UK”.
It also urged Britain to “faithfully fulfil” its obligations under the China–UK Bilateral Investment Treaty. The treaty, signed in 1986, is designed to promote and protect investment between the two countries.
The ministry said the UK had ignored Jingye’s contribution to the economy and society and had “forcibly took control of the company in the name of national security”.
The statement added that Beijing would monitor developments closely and support Chinese firms to protect their rights, but it did not set out what that support would involve.
Potential strain as leadership change approaches
The nationalisation is likely to add pressure to relations between London and Beijing at a time when Andy Burnham is due to become prime minister on Monday. The incoming leader will face the task of balancing the issue with the potential economic benefits of maintaining links with the world’s second-largest economy.
Jingye is seeking compensation, after previously saying the business was losing £700,000 a day. The BBC said it was unable to obtain a response from Jingye regarding Thursday’s announcement.
State control set to be temporary
Taking British Steel into public ownership gives the government the power to decide how the Scunthorpe plant is run, while keeping its blast furnaces operating. The government is not expected to continue operating the business long term because it faces significant daily costs.
The National Audit Office said in March that the steelworks was costing the government about £1.3m a day. A separate estimate cited in the wider reporting suggested the cost could be more than £1m daily.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC that the government would need to cover running costs “for the immediate future”, as it implements the new arrangements.

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17 July 2026

• China

• 6 comments
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July 17Jul 17

Trump Claims White House Documents Show Voting Risks

Trump

Trump Claims White House Documents Show Voting Risks

President Donald Trump said in a primetime address on Thursday that the White House has published documents on its website which he said are aimed at showing vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems.

Trump, speaking after the White House press secretary previewed an announcement about election integrity, also accused China of compromising voter data from the 2020 US presidential election. He has previously pushed claims of election wrongdoing despite findings by officials that no widespread voter fraud changed the outcome.
Documents on Vulnerabilities
Trump said the White House release consists of what he described as a set of previously classified assessments from the US intelligence community and other reports.
He said the material shows weaknesses in electronic voting, framing the publication as part of a wider effort to protect electoral processes. The White House later released details online, in line with his remarks.
Democrats and some Republicans have been watching closely for any implications of the speech for voters ahead of future elections, with Trump positioning the message as focused on election security and transparency.
China and Voter Data Claims
In his speech, Trump accused China of compromising voter data tied to the 2020 election. He did not provide additional publicly confirmed evidence in the text of the remarks provided, but the allegation aligned with his longer-running narrative that foreign actors sought to influence the election.
Earlier reporting included that officials in the first Trump administration had described efforts by Iran, China and Russia to influence the 2020 vote, while later determining that none of their interference would have altered the result.
Press Secretary Ties It to Election Integrity
Ahead of Trump’s address, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she expected the president to discuss “protecting the integrity of our elections” during her daily briefing, offering few details beyond that focus.
When asked about worries among some Republicans that Trump might be “litigating” the 2020 contest again and turning off swing voters, Leavitt said he would instead concentrate on secure elections as a foundation for American democracy.
Leavitt urged reporters and the public to listen to the speech, arguing that it would be backed by facts and evidence that the president would present. When pressed further about the political concerns raised by Republicans, she said people should wait until they heard the remarks.
Democrats Criticise the Timing
Democrats launched a pre-emptive response on Thursday. Senator John Ossoff called the speech “a prime-time presidential sour grapes address”, saying it would pursue Trump’s previous grievances about the 2020 election.
Trump’s remarks come after years in which he has maintained claims that his 2020 defeat involved fraud. US officials have said they found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
In the days leading up to the address, Trump told supporters on his social media platform that the announcement was “really big news” and stressed the importance of “free and fair elections”. He also said from the Oval Office that it would be a major disclosure.
The speech also arrives as Trump has made changes in national security personnel. He recently installed loyalist Bill Pulte, who has not previously held national security experience, to lead the Director of National Intelligence. Trump has also said he wanted Pulte to declassify information and remove senior career staff.

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17 July 2026

• 100 comments
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July 17Jul 17

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Named to House of Lords

UK-Politics

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Named to House of Lords

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been named as one of 26 new peers who will take seats in the House of Lords, in one of Sir Keir Starmer's final acts before leaving office as prime minister.

Sir Sadiq is among 16 Labour nominees, alongside broadcaster June Sarpong and former Trades Union Congress general secretary Christina McAnea. The appointments also include five Liberal Democrat peers, three Conservatives and two cross-bench members.
Although membership of the House of Lords could make Sir Sadiq eligible to serve as a government minister, the BBC understands he is not seeking a post in Andy Burnham's incoming administration.
Cross-party appointments announced
Downing Street released the list of nominations, saying the King had "been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages" on those selected.
The appointments come just days before Sir Keir is due to leave office on Monday, when Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister.
The BBC understands the nominations were prepared before Sir Keir announced his resignation as Labour leader last month. Rather than being a traditional resignation honours list, they are political peerages agreed across the parties.
Among the two cross-bench appointments are former Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald and retired senior judge Sir Brian Leveson.
Khan to remain focused on London
Sir Sadiq, who was first elected London mayor in 2016, is serving his third term in office. The BBC has been told he has not yet decided whether he will seek re-election for a fourth term in 2028.
A government source described him as "a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better", citing reductions in violent crime, cleaner air, the delivery of the Elizabeth Line and increased council house building as reasons the peerage was deserved.
A spokesperson for the mayor said Sir Sadiq was "honoured" by the appointment and remained committed to serving the capital.
"He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone," the spokesperson said.
Reform debate continues
Reform UK did not receive any peerages in the latest appointments. Party leader Nigel Farage criticised the list, calling it "the uniparty writ large" and arguing it left the upper chamber even less representative.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey welcomed his party's five new peers, including agricultural economist Julia Aglionby, former Barnsley councillor Hannah Kitching, economist Tim Leunig, campaigns director Dave McCobb and offshore wind entrepreneur Mark Petterson. He said they would help hold the government to account and support efforts to reform the House of Lords.
The Conservatives' new peers include former head of the Army General Sir Patrick Sanders, Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross and University of Warwick professor Swaran Singh. The party said all three would bring valuable expertise from defence, business and healthcare.
Calls for House of Lords reform
Members of the House of Lords are formally appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister once nominees have completed the vetting process.
Labour pledged in 2022 to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a new second chamber, but later softened that commitment. Instead, the party promised to consider wider reform while immediately removing the remaining hereditary peers, a change completed earlier this year.
Andy Burnham has continued to argue for a fundamental overhaul of the unelected chamber, saying it is difficult to justify having half of the UK's national legislature made up of unelected members.
The Electoral Reform Society also questioned the latest appointments, saying Labour supporters would be puzzled by the expansion of the Lords while the party continues to promise reform. The group's chief executive, Darren Hughes, urged the next prime minister to create a smaller, democratic upper chamber that is more representative and accountable.

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17 July 2026

• 122 comments
• 971 views

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July 17Jul 17

Trump Administration Sets Four-Year Student Visa Limit

USA

Trump Administration Sets Four-Year Student Visa Limit

The Trump administration has issued final notice of plans to introduce tighter visa rules for foreign students, including limiting how long they can remain in the United States without federal permission.

Under the changes, which are set to come into effect in September, foreign students on F-1 and J-1 visas will no longer be allowed to stay for the full duration of their studies under the existing “duration of status” approach. Instead, the rules will introduce a time limit on length of stay, restricting how long students can remain in the country before they must obtain permission from the US Department of Homeland Security.
Restrictions on transfers and extensions
The Department of Homeland Security said the policy would also narrow student options to switch programmes and transfer between universities and colleges.
Until now, higher education institutions had the authority to grant visa extensions for students. The new rules reduce that flexibility, placing tighter controls on how students maintain their status while studying.
DHS said the policy “combats rampant visa abuse, and strengthens national security through regular vetting”.
New grace period after graduation
The new framework also changes the period students have after completing their course.
Foreign students will be given 30 days to leave the US after graduation or to change to another visa category. This is a reduction from the previous 60-day grace period.
Department officials argued that the previous system allowed students to remain in the US indefinitely. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that, “for decades, foreign students have been admitted into the US indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the US.”
Duration-of-status set to end
Under the prior rules, F-1 and J-1 students were able to remain in the US as long as it took to complete their degrees. The new policy replaces that approach with a cap, preventing students from staying for more than four years unless they receive permission from the federal government.
Most undergraduate programmes in the US are typically four years, but graduate studies, including doctorates, often take longer to complete. The administration said this could affect fields where students frequently need additional time, particularly in science and technology disciplines.
Graduate courses often require more time and involve research activities that can extend study periods. DHS also noted that funding shortfalls and personal circumstances can lengthen the time needed to finish a programme.
Criticism from international education group
NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a non-profit that advises schools on foreign student enrolment, criticised the new rules.
Fanta Aw, its chief executive, said the policy “injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively. It is a solution in search of a problem.”
The new rules form part of a wider Trump administration effort to reduce the number of foreign students in the US and tighten immigration controls. The administration has sought to cap the number of students at some elite colleges and has also moved to revoke visas of students who have been critical of US foreign policy.

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17 July 2026

• 12 comments
• 849 views

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July 17Jul 17

Teen Charged Over Alleged Russian Sabotage in Poland

Report

Teen Charged Over Alleged Russian Sabotage in Poland

Polish prosecutors have charged an 18-year-old Ukrainian man with carrying out sabotage acts on behalf of Russian intelligence, allegedly aimed at stoking tensions between Poland and Ukraine.

The suspect, identified as Illia K under Polish privacy rules, faces 47 criminal charges covering the period from November 2024 to August 2025, when he was arrested.
Alleged acts targeting memorials
Prosecutors said the alleged operations included the desecration of memorials for Polish victims linked to the Volyhnia massacre, which they said was carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during the Second World War. The UPA is widely known for involvement in mass killings of Polish civilians in areas that were then part of Poland and are now in western Ukraine.
Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) said the objective was to “incite ethnic tensions” between the two countries.
Prosecutors also said that although the defendant allegedly acted for financial reasons rather than ideology, most of the alleged sabotage was carried out for the benefit of foreign intelligence.
Espionage investigations rise
In May, the ABW said it had launched 48 espionage investigations in 2024, more than double the number started the previous year. It said Russian intelligence services had focused on discrediting Poland internationally and exploiting “historical ethnic antagonisms”, particularly in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
The charges against Illia K included alleged vandalism at the Monument to the Jewish Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto in Warsaw, as well as damage to memorials to Polish victims of the Volyhnia massacre in Domostawa and Wrocław. Prosecutors said the defendant placed inscriptions and symbols that, they alleged, glorified the UPA.
Drone plan and alleged recruitment via crypto
Prosecutors further alleged that the man made preparations to fly a drone over President Karol Nawrocki’s vehicle during the Polish Armed Forces’ Day parade in Warsaw on August 15. They said he was arrested three days before the event.
ABW said the suspect allegedly recruited people to take part in the crimes, using cryptocurrencies registered in Russia and China to pay participants.
According to prosecutors, Illia K received tasks from an unidentified handler through a messaging service. He then allegedly sent back photos to show the tasks had been carried out.
If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.
Long-running dispute over UPA legacy
The Volyhnia massacre took place between 1943 and 1945, as the UPA fought to create an independent Ukraine for Ukrainians. Prosecutors said up to 100,000 members of the minority Polish population were killed during the conflict.
The issue continues to affect relations between the neighbours. At times, Kyiv has blocked Polish requests to exhume victims’ remains from mass graves, although exhumations have resumed.
The dispute came to the fore again in May, when President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree naming a Ukrainian military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA”. In response, Nawrocki removed Poland’s highest state honour, the Order of the White Eagle, from Zelensky. The action had previously been taken only once in more than 300 years.
A Polish academic specialising in eastern affairs, Wojciech Konończuk, director of Warsaw’s Office for Eastern Studies, said Poles and Ukrainians view the UPA differently. In a recent interview with the BBC, he said many Ukrainians regard the group as heroes for fighting the Soviet forces, while in Poland the UPA is seen as a criminal formation responsible for killings of Polish civilians.

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17 July 2026

• 1 comment
• 550 views

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July 16Jul 16

Energy Drinks Banned for Under-16s in England From April

UK

Energy Drinks Banned for Under-16s in England From April

Children under 16 in England will be prevented from buying high-caffeine energy drinks from April under new government rules, ministers have said. From that date, drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre will be illegal to sell to children and younger teenagers in shops, restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online.
What the ban will cover
The restriction applies only to higher-caffeine drinks above the 150mg threshold. Lower-caffeine soft drinks, such as Diet Coke, would not be covered, and the rules would not extend to tea and coffee.
Several widely sold energy drink brands would fall above the limit, the government said, including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime.
Ministers said the legislation is intended to reduce consumption by children and younger teenagers, rather than placing additional controls on products for adults.
Why ministers say the change is needed
The government said the measures are aimed at tackling obesity and reducing potential health harms linked to energy drinks, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety and difficulties with concentration and school performance.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the ban showed the government’s commitment to improving children’s health. She said the proposal had originally been put forward last year.
The government also cited concerns raised by experts about caffeine effects on young people, noting that children can be more sensitive because they have smaller bodies and because their brains are still developing.
It said around 100,000 children in England consume energy drinks every day, and that the drinks can affect pupils’ ability to focus at school. It added that some popular products contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee or four cans of cola.
The government also highlighted potential risks associated with excessive caffeine intake, including headaches and sleep problems, as well as reports of more serious effects such as a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures. It said deaths linked to excessive caffeine have been reported, although they are rare.
Enforcement and consultation
The ban is subject to parliamentary approval and will be introduced through secondary legislation using powers from the Food Safety Act 1990.
Local authorities will enforce the rules, and businesses that break the law could face fines of up to £2,500.
The government said the decision followed a consultation that received 1,100 responses, with strong support for introducing an age limit.
At present, drinks (other than tea or coffee) with more than 150mg of caffeine must carry a label warning that they are not recommended for children or for pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Ministers also referenced advice for adults, saying that for most people up to 400mg of caffeine a day is considered safe, which they equated to about four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea.
Reactions and wider UK approach
Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, welcomed the policy and said restricting sales to children at a “vital time” was common sense.
The British Soft Drinks Association said the ban was unnecessary. A spokesperson said that since 2010 its members have agreed not to market or promote energy drinks to under-16s and that high-caffeine beverages carry a “not recommended for children” label.
The government said a previous Conservative administration had planned a similar restriction but abandoned it in 2022, and that it had argued consumption should be a personal choice.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering bans.

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17 July 2026

• 16 comments
• 706 views

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July 16Jul 16

White House Teleprompter Operator Faces $100K Betting Probe

USA

White House Teleprompter Operator Faces $100K Betting Probe

A White House teleprompter operator is under investigation after allegations that he used inside information to place bets on US President Donald Trump’s upcoming remarks, earning nearly $100,000, according to reports.
Gabriel Perez, who worked at the White House from 2016, is accused of making trades tied to the specific words Trump would use in major public addresses. The alleged betting included wagers connected to the State of the Union speech.
The trades were placed on Kalshi, a prediction markets platform that allows users to bet on real-world outcomes. Kalshi said it reported the activity to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the agency that regulates the platform.
Kalshi later froze Perez’s account before any gains could be withdrawn, according to the reports.
Bets on Words Trump Would Mention
The company said its analysts identified unusual activity on “mention markets” in March. These contracts are designed to predict whether a speaker will use common terms, including references to specific countries, economic phrases, or campaign slogans.
Kalshi said the wording used by political figures, such as presidents and Federal Reserve chairs, can move financial markets, including foreign exchange, oil futures and stocks.
Using account information, Kalshi concluded that the bettor was a federal employee who operated White House teleprompters.
After connecting the trading to the alleged federal role, the exchange froze more than $90,000 before the funds could be taken out, the reports said.
Kalshi Reports Trading to Regulators
Robert DeNault, Kalshi’s head of enforcement, said the firm flagged the trades and provided evidence to regulators.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Trump was aware of the teleprompter operator and that Perez had been put on unpaid leave. She added that Perez would no longer work at the White House.
The allegations were first reported by ABC News and have been confirmed by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
Sources cited in the reporting said Perez has been “fully cooperative” with the CFTC.
ABC said federal prosecutors in Manhattan declined to open a criminal case.
CFTC Will Not Confirm Probe
When contacted by the BBC to confirm whether it was investigating, the CFTC said it could not “confirm or deny” any probe.
Kalshi has said it turned the matter over to regulators after identifying the trading activity on its platform.


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17 July 2026

• 1 comment
• 523 views

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July 16Jul 16

Zelenskyy Defends Dismissal of Ukraine’s Defence Minister

Ukraine Conflict

Zelenskyy Defends Dismissal of Ukraine’s Defence Minister

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended his decision to dismiss Ukraine’s popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, and said relations had broken down between the ministry and senior military leadership.

Zelenskyy, speaking in Kyiv with British prime minister Keir Starmer, confirmed that his administration had faced a difficult exchange between Fedorov and the commander in chief, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi. He said he wanted unity but that it had not been reached, adding that the problem also lay with him.
“[I] would very much like to see unity. The sides have not found it. And the problem lies not only with the sides, but with me as well,” Zelenskyy said. “But things are as they are. And in such a situation, you have a choice: either one side or the other.”
Acting defence minister appointment
Zelenskyy said he had appointed Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine’s security service, as acting defence minister. He also asked parliament to approve him for the role.
The president said the dialogue between Fedorov, described as a reformist and moderniser, and Syrskyi had been challenging. He added that he had made his choice following the breakdown.
Civil society groups and foreign partners reacted strongly to the move, with some seeing it as backing Syrskyi over Fedorov.
Protests in Kyiv
More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside the presidential office on Thursday, calling for Fedorov to stay and chanting against Syrskyi.
Demonstrators carried placards supporting Fedorov, including messages reading “For what?” and “Is your head screwed on?” Chants of “Syrskyi out” echoed near central Kyiv, according to the report.
It was only the second time since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022 that large numbers of people have taken to the streets in anti-government protests. A similar backlash followed Zelenskyy’s earlier decision, later reversed, to close two anti-corruption agencies.
The domestic dispute unfolded as Starmer ended his farewell visit to Kyiv before leaving Downing Street on Monday. The two leaders laid wreaths at the Wall of Remembrance and then held one-on-one talks in the garden of the presidential palace.


Picture courtesy of The Guardian
Starmer visit and UK backing
At a joint press conference, Zelenskyy awarded Starmer the Order of Freedom, Ukraine’s highest foreign honour. Starmer, appearing emotional, presented Zelenskyy with a framed Ukrainian flag that had hung above Downing Street in February 2022 as Russian tanks advanced towards Kyiv.
Starmer said he would soon step away from the political stage but that British support for Ukraine would not change. “It is in our bones,” he said, adding that flags are displayed across the UK in churches and town halls.
He also said Ukrainian drone strikes on long-range targets inside Russia had shifted the war’s momentum. Putin was “losing”, Starmer said, pointing to a more optimistic mood in Ukraine over the past six or seven months and attributing it to “hard work, guts, resolve and courage”.
Asked about whether frequent turnover of British prime ministers affected Ukraine, Zelenskyy said relations with the UK would remain strong. He added that he hoped to meet Starmer’s successor “as soon as possible”.
Zelenskyy and Starmer embraced warmly after their meetings and walked back into the palace for an official lunch.
Fedorov criticises military brass
Fedorov held his own press conference, accusing Ukraine’s top brass of obstructing reforms and using methods he described as Soviet-style. He said decisions on which military brigades to support, including with drones, were made based on “loyalty” rather than data.
“It’s impossible to develop the system on this basis,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s general staff opposed his plans to create centres of excellence and to change the army’s organisational structure.
He said the general staff instead blocked initiatives and engaged in “bureaucratic wrangling”, and he claimed that he had proposed replacing Syrskyi, a move that appears to have contributed to his dismissal on Wednesday. Fedorov also said Zelenskyy had offered him a role as a government adviser, but that he turned it down.
In his remarks, Fedorov paid tribute to Syrskyi for thwarting Russia’s plans to seize Kyiv, but said the commander in chief refused to discuss disagreements openly. He said Syrskyi “weaved intrigues” that “divide the country”.
Reshuffle and battlefield progress
Fedorov’s comments suggested the political dispute over Zelenskyy’s reshuffle was likely to widen. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation of prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko after Zelenskyy said his government needed a reboot. Her replacement is expected to be Serhiy Koretskyi, head of energy company Naftogaz.
During Fedorov’s six months in office, Ukraine’s battlefield position improved, with Kyiv repeatedly striking Russian oil refineries, which it said embarrassed the Kremlin and contributed to nationwide fuel shortages. Ukraine also destroyed key land and sea routes, targeting tankers and ferries as part of efforts to isolate occupied Crimea.
Demonstrators who had gathered outside Kyiv’s Ivan Franko theatre speculated that the 35-year-old minister was removed because he was seen as a potential presidential rival. In 2024, Zelenskyy dismissed Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi and sent him to London as ambassador.
One protester, Andrii Dligach, said Fedorov represented a new type of politics focused on openness, transparency and modernisation. He said: “Syrskyi is an old-fashioned general. Some of the people around him are allegedly corrupt and have their own drone projects. The problem is that Zelenskyy opposes anybody who shows political ambition.”
Dligach added that he believed only a small number of people influenced the president’s thinking and that most were against Fedorov, preferring “an old-fashioned management style, similar to the one in Russia, with a tsar”.


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17 July 2026

• 0 comments
• 543 views

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July 16Jul 16

US Hits Iran Targets as Tehran Attacks Gulf Bases

Iranian Conflict

US Hits Iran Targets as Tehran Attacks Gulf Bases

The United States military launched another wave of strikes on Iran, while Tehran said it retaliated with missile and drone attacks against US military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 35 people were killed and more than 300 injured since fighting resumed last week.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East, said it carried out an evening operation that began as part of a wave of strikes against Iran, concluding at 9pm ET on Wednesday (01:00 GMT on Thursday).
CENTCOM says 90-minute strike
CENTCOM said the 90-minute mission targeted what it described as Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. It said the aim was to reduce Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The command said the operation hit Bandar Abbas, a southern port city and naval hub overlooking the waterway. It also targeted coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb island, one of three islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian air defences were activated over Tehran, according to state media reporting attacks across much of the country.


Picture courtesy of Al Jazeera
Iran reports attacks across multiple provinces
Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and on Qeshm island in the south. Iranian media also reported strikes in Sirik, Chabahar and Konarak on the southeastern coast, along with attacks further inland in Rask, Khondab, Khorramabad and Semnan.
Iranian authorities said there were no casualties in Pakdasht or at the Parchin military complex near Tehran. In Semnan, the state broadcaster IRIB, citing a senior security official, said there were no deaths or injuries following the attack.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera said a civilian airport building in Semnan was attacked, with only minor damage reported. The network said a storage facility in the same city was also hit.
In Khuzestan province, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it intercepted and shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk.
Retaliation claimed across Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan
Iran said it carried out retaliatory missile and drone attacks against facilities used by US forces in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. The Iranian army said its missiles targeted US radar and air defence systems in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Kuwait’s military said its air defences were confronting attacks by “hostile drones”. It said any explosion sounds were the result of interceptors handling the attacks.
Kuwait said it intercepted four cruise missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran between Wednesday and early Thursday.
Iranian state media said missiles struck Patriot missile batteries and fuel tanks used by US forces at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The Iranian army added that drones targeted communications equipment, Super Hawk radar systems and Patriot air defence installations used by US forces at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. It also claimed missile and drone attacks on Jordan’s al-Azraq Air Base.
Jordan’s military said earlier on Wednesday it intercepted eight Iranian missiles. In a statement addressed to the Jordanian public, the IRGC said it had “targeted and destroyed” what it called a fighter jet storage ramp and a new command and control centre in West Asia at a “very large base” in Al-Azraq, using Khyber-Shakan ballistic missiles.
Iran’s army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that attacks “will spread to new areas” if the US continues its strikes, saying Iran’s response would be commensurate and exceed expectations.
Blockade enforcement and Trump comments
The latest escalation comes less than a month after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding extending an April ceasefire and setting out plans for negotiations to end the war that began on February 28, following Israeli and US strikes on Iran. Both sides have since accused the other of violating the agreement.
Separately, CENTCOM said US forces disabled an oil tanker attempting to sail towards an Iranian port. It said the Curacao-flagged M/T Belma was observed transiting towards Kharg Island despite warnings, and that a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack. CENTCOM said the vessel stopped transiting towards Iran, and that during the first 24 hours of enforcement it redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel.
Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera said President Donald Trump has indicated he could broaden US military operations beyond targeting Iranian military facilities, including storage and naval assets, and has raised the possibility of striking parts of Iranian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges.


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17 July 2026

• 35 comments
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webfact

July 16Jul 16

Vance Says Trump Team Botched Epstein Files Release

Epstein Files

Vance Says Trump Team Botched Epstein Files Release

Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration mishandled communications around the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, arguing that everything should have been made public immediately while insisting the administration was not trying to conceal information.

Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience in an episode released on Wednesday, Vance said officials had “absolutely screwed up the comms” relating to the files. He was asked whether attempts to keep the documents under wraps involved “undue influence” or were intended to hide something.
“I say this with all candor, like we absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files, like we just did,” Vance said. He added that he did not believe the reason for the communications failure was concealment.
“But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No,” he said.
Blowback over handling of the files
Vance’s comments came as the administration faced criticism from within the president’s own support base over how it dealt with the Epstein records.
In discussing what he said went wrong, the vice president pointed to public remarks made by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, who suggested a purported client list was on her desk. Vance also referenced a set of binders provided to right-wing social media influencers in February 2025, describing them as “largely documents that were already released”.
He said he did not know the purpose behind those actions, but argued their impact was to increase public mistrust in the overall effort.
“I don’t know what the purpose of it was, but I know the effect of it was to make people mistrust the entire effort,” Vance said. He added that he did not think Bondi was acting “anything malicious”.
Bondi “overstated” what the administration had
Vance said Bondi was trying to respond to the political moment but overstated what materials were available.
“I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn’t have, and I think she got roasted for it publicly by a lot of people, including me,” he said.
He returned to the broader handling of the case, describing himself as an early proponent of Epstein-related conspiracy theories and saying he had “gone down every single rabbit hole”.
Vance argued that the “original sin” of the Epstein investigation was in 2007 and 2008, when he said it was pursued “way too narrow”. He cited former US Attorney Alex Acosta, who negotiated a controversial plea deal with Epstein, as central to what he described as the failure of the investigation.
“If there was a broader conspiracy — and you know my view is that there probably was — the evidence that existed in 2007, that was the opportunity to get it out,” Vance said.
He also responded to questions about claims that Epstein may have had links to Israel’s Mossad or other intelligence services, saying: “Yeah, Mossad or CIA or some other deep state.”
“He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence. He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence,” he added.
Defending Trump’s decision to release records
Vance defended President Donald Trump’s role in releasing the Epstein files, rejecting claims that Trump acted only because of pressure. He argued that Trump could have prevented the congressional push to compel the Justice Department to release the records if he had wanted to.
“Trump could have killed” the effort, Vance said, referencing prior attempts by Trump and Republican leaders to quash the move before he reversed course at the last minute.
Despite defending the decision to release the files, Vance conceded the process took longer than it should have.
“If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein release, guilty. We did mishandle it, especially the communications of it,” he said.
He added that the administration should have moved faster.
“I think that we should have just dropped everything at the very beginning,” Vance said. “We should have just done it as quickly as possible.”



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16 July 2026

• 15 comments
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July 16Jul 16

Argentina Faces Disciplinary Action Over Falklands Banner

Sport

Argentina Faces Disciplinary Action Over Falklands Banner

Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action from Fifa after players celebrated their World Cup semi-final win over England with a banner supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands.

The defending champions produced a late comeback in Atlanta, scoring twice to beat Thomas Tuchel’s side 2-1 and secure a final against Spain on Sunday.
Argentina warned after semi-final celebrations
After the final whistle, Argentina players held up a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — a message translated as “The Falklands are Argentine”. They also sang chants that referenced the islands and Argentine greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi following their previous last-16 win over Egypt.
Falklands sovereignty dispute
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean and remain at the centre of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina.
The two countries fought a war over the islands, located about 300 miles off Argentina’s east coast, from April to June 1982. The 74-day conflict resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentine servicemen and 255 British servicemen, with three fatalities among islanders.
In 2014, Fifa fined the Argentine Football Association £20,000 after Argentina players displayed a banner carrying the same message during a friendly against Slovenia. Fifa said the gesture breached rules on political activity and team misconduct.
Villarruel highlights message online
Following Wednesday’s win, Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel posted on X alongside a video that appeared to show Argentine soldiers. She shared the line “The Falklands are Argentine” and said stadium access restrictions had been imposed, while adding that the islands remained part of Argentinians’ “blood and hearts”.
In the build-up to the match, Villarruel had said the semi-final was about putting “invaders” in their place. Manager Lionel Scaloni, however, had previously said he would not mix football with politics.
He said the match was a football game and that it should be approached with respect for a period of conflict in the countries’ history, while arguing that the sport should not be confused with war elsewhere in the world.
UK minister calls banner inappropriate
MP Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said the banner was “entirely inappropriate” and that he expected Fifa to investigate. He told BBC Breakfast that an inquiry was likely, given the breach of rules prohibiting political activity as part of football.
The semi-final itself was played under increased security measures due to historical tensions between the two nations. England’s run ended when Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late to seal Argentina’s 2-1 victory.


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16 July 2026

• 46 comments
• 576 views

webfact

July 16Jul 16

UK Passport Rule Leaves Teen Stranded for Six Weeks

UK-Politics

UK Passport Rule Leaves Teen Stranded for Six Weeks

A 15-year-old British girl was stranded in Rome for six weeks after being refused permission to return to her UK school, after the Home Office rule requiring dual British nationals to hold a British passport or a “certificate of entitlement” to enter the country came into force in February.

The girl, who has dual nationality, was in Italy in April to visit her grandmother when she was prevented from boarding a flight home. Her father, Rowan Somerville, said she missed six weeks of education while the issue was resolved.
Passport rule blocks return for dual nationals
Under the policy, dual nationals risk being denied boarding of a flight, train or ferry if they do not present a British passport, whether current or expired, or a certificate of entitlement. The certificate, priced at £589, is linked to the passport of the person’s second nationality.
Somerville said the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office were unable to help him secure a temporary document to allow his daughter to travel because she did not hold a British passport in the first place.
Her school wrote to government departments, saying it was increasingly concerned about her prolonged absence from education.
Emergency travel document issued in May
Somerville and his family then sought help through their local MP, Joe Powell. Powell said he made representations to the Home Office and the FCDO and that, in May, the FCDO issued the girl with an emergency travel document, allowing her to return to the UK.
Powell said the case was not unique, and urged the immigration minister, Mike Tapp, to ensure no other schoolchildren were left stranded by the rules. He said the policy changes were not communicated meaningfully to the public and that the outcome showed weaknesses in how government departments support people who fall through administrative gaps.
Powell said the girl had two valid passports and a British parent and had been in UK education since nursery. He added that the changes to the Home Office’s requirements left her stuck in Rome and missing six weeks of school.
Home Office says carriers must verify citizenship
Somerville described the process of getting his daughter the necessary British passport as prolonged and difficult. He said getting the passport took about three months, while the government website states it takes three weeks. He said the Passport Office’s front-line customer service staff were helpful, but added that he encountered what he described as bureaucratic obstacles once his complaint was escalated, including a call during which staff told him they could no longer speak to him because his daughter had turned 16.
The Home Office previously rejected claims that it had not informed the public about the rule change, saying information is available on gov.uk.
A Home Office spokesperson said Somerville’s daughter “was granted an emergency travel document in May, enabling them to return to the UK”, and added that the department remained in contact about a passport application. The spokesperson said that once information was received and checks were concluded, a passport was issued within eight days.
The spokesperson said that since February all dual British citizens have needed to present either a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK, arguing that without the documents “carriers cannot verify British citizenship”, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.

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16 July 2026

• EU

• 13 comments
• 1,050 views

webfact

July 16Jul 16

Trump Removes Slavery Display at George Washington's Home

USA

Trump Removes Slavery Display at George Washington's Home

The Trump administration has removed a slavery-focused exhibition from the home of former US President George Washington in Philadelphia, replacing it with another display, the Associated Press reported.

On Wednesday, officials swapped the exhibit at Washington’s former residence with a different version. Historians cited by the AP said the replacement is not historically accurate.
In a statement posted on X, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city remained “committed to the honest and accurate portrayal of history at the President’s House.”
“A portrayal that was the hard-fought and hard-won result of the effort of countless federal, state, and local officials as well as advocates, including Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, dedicated to telling the truth,” Parker added.
Panels removed before the new display
Parker said that during the previous night the federal government removed panels at the President’s House that, she said, presented a thorough history of Philadelphia.
She said the Trump administration had the authority to make the change following a federal court decision. The mayor did not provide further details of the ruling in her statement.
The exhibition being replaced had been designed to describe the lives of enslaved people who lived in the former executive mansion. It included information about nine people enslaved by Washington.
Washington lived in the house, along with John Adams, before the White House was built. The location later became associated with the presidential era as part of the federal historical site.
Exhibit opened 16 years ago
The slavery exhibit opened 16 years ago. It was presented as part of the public interpretation of Washington’s Philadelphia home, and it aimed to document the presence of enslaved people in the former mansion.
According to the AP, the administration’s newly installed version has been criticised by historians who argue that it does not reflect the historical record in the same way as the previous display.
The AP said the change followed the removal and reinstatement of the exhibition in earlier months, indicating that the exhibit’s future has been contested through both legal and administrative action.
Earlier removal and court deadline
This was not the first time the exhibit had been taken down. It was removed in January, but restored in February after a federal judge set a deadline ordering the National Park Service (NPS) to bring the display back.
The NPS is responsible for managing the site, and the February reinstatement occurred before the deadline established by the court.
In the AP report, The Hill said it had reached out to the Department of the Interior for comment. The Department of the Interior oversees the NPS.
What the dispute centres on
At the centre of the dispute is how the President’s House presents slavery and the enslavement linked to the historic residence. Parker, speaking for the city, said Philadelphia would continue to push for what she described as an “accurate portrayal” of the history connected to the site.
The administration’s actions, according to the mayor and the AP, were carried out under federal authority after litigation, even as historians raised concerns about the historical accuracy of the replacement materials.


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16 July 2026

• 14 comments
• 886 views

webfact

July 16Jul 16

US House Democrats Split on Bid to Cut Israel Aid

USA

US House Democrats Split on Bid to Cut Israel Aid

House Democrats nearly split evenly on Wednesday in a vote on an amendment to cut off U.S. aid to Israel, highlighting how the issue is reshaping divisions within the party. The amendment, led by Rep. Thomas Massie, was widely expected to fail as a political gesture. But it also acted as a litmus test for Democrats facing increasing pressure from an activist wing over Israel policy.

The amendment was defeated by 104 votes to 314, with 10 members voting present. In total, 103 Democrats supported the measure, while 98 voted against it. Massie, a Republican, was the only Republican to vote in favour of the amendment.
A defeated amendment, but a clear party split
The vote was on a fiscal year 2027 funding bill covering the State Department and national security. The measure would have prevented funds in the bill from being used for Israel and would have reduced the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme by $3.3 billion, an amount intended to match funds designated for Israel.
Democratic leaders were divided. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar both opposed the amendment, while House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark voted for it. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also voted in favour.
The 10 Democrats who voted “present” were Reps. Ami Bera of California, Shontel Brown of Ohio, Janelle Bynum of Oregon, Sarah Elfreth of Maryland, Jared Huffman of California, Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Kelly Morrison of Minnesota, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Linda Sánchez of California and Mike Thompson of California.
Jeffries and Clark disagree on whether the measure helps
Jeffries said he planned to vote against the bill on Tuesday, arguing in a “Dear Colleague” letter that the amendment was too broad because it would “prohibit or limit” funding tied to longstanding initiatives. He said it would affect areas including humanitarian assistance, refugee resettlement, peace-building and operations linked to the U.S. Embassy.
In his view, more direct steps were needed to force change regarding the Israeli government. He accused Republican leaders of using the amendment for partisan purposes.
Clark said in her Wednesday remarks that the amendment was also overly broad, and she characterised it as an attempt by Republicans to score political points. However, she said the current approach was not sustainable. Clark argued that the United States should not provide a “blank check” for military aid to any country that does not comply with U.S. law, interests and values, and that the Netanyahu government had not met those standards. She said she would vote for the amendment to change course, while not endorsing the entirety of the Republican proposal or the reasons behind its timing.
Pelosi backs the amendment’s message despite reservations
Pelosi said she remained committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and to support for a two-state solution. She also said the amendment created an “unfortunate choice” for the House.
Pelosi argued that, for the sake of Israelis and Palestinians, U.S. policy must change to achieve what she described as a just and lasting peace. She said the United States must promote security and stability, and that Americans were demanding an end to what she described as a perpetual cycle of war. She said the Netanyahu government could not continue on its current path. While she called the amendment ill-conceived, Pelosi said she voted yes to send what she viewed as the right signal.

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16 July 2026

• 3 comments
• 526 views

webfact

July 16Jul 16