The Guardian

Former Obama White House counsel to face House questioning over Epstein ties

Kathryn Ruemmler welcomes closed-door interview and says she had no knowledge of ongoing criminal activityKathryn Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel under Barack Obama, is set to testify on Wednesday before the House committee on oversight and reform about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein as part of the panel’s investigation into the convicted sex offender.Ruemmler came under scrutiny earlier this year after her name appeared thousands of times in the records related to Epstein that were rel

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Trump says ICE should continue traffic stops after two men killed

Comment comes after homeland security sources say federal officers told to temporarily stop pulling drivers overDonald Trump said on Wednesday morning that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should continue making traffic stops, just one day after the homeland security department (DHS) said they’d be halting them in the wake of recent stops that left two men killed in the space of a week.Federal officers across the US had been told to temporarily stop pulling drivers over on Tuesday, home

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Utah bans Stephen King novella collection from public schools

Different Seasons, which incudes stories that inspired films such as Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption, judged to contain ‘objective sensitive material’Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, according to reportA collection of Stephen King novellas that inspired classic films including Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption has been banned from Utah public schools.Published in 1982, the collection, titled Different Seasons, contains four novellas: Rita Hayworth and Shawsha

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

US civil rights leaders plan march on Washington for voting protections

Rev Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III to lead August march after court rulings weakened voting rightsA coalition of civil rights leaders have announced plans to march on Washington in defense of voting rights following a string of federal and supreme court rulings that have weakened protections against racial discrimination in US elections.Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network is leading the 28 August action, joined by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters ​King, and several civil

general  Jul 15, 2026

NY Times World

France Is Set to Allow Assisted Dying

Lawmakers were expected to approve a bill that would allow doctors to help terminally ill patients to die. If the law passes, the country would join a small group of nations that permit the measure.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Extreme temperature warnings in place as ‘heat dome’ bakes US

Americans warned to be on alert for heat-related illness as parts of country experience record high temperaturesExtreme heat warnings are in place for large swaths of the United States this week, as an unusual weather pattern eclipses record temperature highs.In Billings, Montana, residents experienced a sweltering 111F (43.9C) on Sunday, the hottest day in its history. Salt Lake City in Utah also hit an all-time record high on Sunday at 109F (42.8C). Boston has seen more 90F (32.3C) days than a

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

‘They want to break our will’: Gaza flotilla activist tells of rape in Israeli detention

Anna Liedtke files criminal complaint in Israel over alleged attack by female guards and says abuse was intended to silence campaignersThe third time Anna Liedtke was subjected to an illegal strip-search in Israeli detention, female prison guards forced her on to her knees, covered her mouth to stop her screaming and raped her, according to interviews and a criminal complaint filed in Israel.She described hearing male guards laughing during the attack, which she believes they watched and may hav

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

‘We did pull the levers’: emotional Starmer defends his record

In his final PMQs the prime minister offers Andy Burnham – and the England team – his full supportPolitics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has defended his record as prime minister in an often emotional final outing at prime minister’s questions, which largely avoided political jibes in favour of tributes and questions, many about the World Cup.Answering the very last question, his voice breaking at times, Starmer paid tribute to those he had worked with over his two years in office, which wil

general  Jul 15, 2026

Washington Post World

Man killed by ICE came to Maine seeking better life for young daughter

Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was living in Biddeford, a small city in southern Maine, where he worked as a cleaner and food delivery driver. He had a partner and a 3-year-old daughter, neighbors said.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Joe Biden to publish memoir of presidency after November midterms

Promise Me, America to cover everything from economy to decision to drop bid for re-electionFormer president Joe Biden will publish a memoir this fall, publisher Little, Brown and Company told the Associated Press.Promise Me, America, which Biden says will touch upon everything from the economy to his decision to drop his bid for re-election, is scheduled to come out on 17 November. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Venezuela government to launch formal talks with opposition members

The opposition says the aim of the talks is to strengthen the democratic institutions and the electoral system.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Muslim man stabbed multiple times in Utah over his religion, police say

Arrested suspect tells police he ‘intends to kill Muslims’ after alleged attack on kiosk worker at West Valley City millA man was arrested in Utah for stabbing a Muslim ⁠man multiple times and ⁠stated that he targeted ​the victim because of the victim’s religion, police said in court records on Tuesday.Police said the suspect told them he “intends to kill Muslims” and that ⁠he constituted “a substantial danger to the public if released based on his violent actions ... ideologies and pre-planned

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

How Democrats’ datacenter push in swing states is risking their midterm hopes

Polls suggest many Democratic voters oppose the projects as party leaders champion AI investmentSarah Brabbs used to be a fan of Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer.“I have her book; I appreciated her stewardship and guidance during the pandemic,” Brabbs, who has voted Democrat for basically her entire life, says. “I will never not appreciate who she was during that time.” Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham urged to drop ‘flawed’ plans that may let developers bypass environment laws for £1

Exclusive: allowing firms to dodge biodiversity protections by paying into levy will harm nature and economy, say 100 experts in letterThe UK government has been accused of “rushing through” planning changes that could give developers permission to “trash” nature for as little as £1.A letter signed by more than 100 conservationists, scientists, celebrities and businesses, including the actor and writer Stephen Fry and the broadcaster Chris Packham, has urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Bur

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

One small pen for one giant fee: Buzz Aldrin’s mission-saving felt-tip up for auction

Sotheby’s expects second man on moon’s marker, crucial to Apollo 11 return, to reach astronomical sumThe felt-tip pen Buzz Aldrin used to fix a broken circuit breaker and escape from the moon in 1969 is up for auction in New York on Wednesday.The dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen – used by the second man on the moon to save Neil Armstrong and himself from being “stuck on the moon for ever” – has a sale price estimated by Sotheby’s at between $800,000 and $1.2m. The lucky bidder will get the

general  Jul 15, 2026

Washington Post World

Wildfire smoke is filling the skies. See where air quality conditions may be worst.

Around 100 million people in the U.S. may face unhealthy air quality. See where smoke is headed.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition to begin formal talks

Nobel laureate María Corina Machado will not lead negotiations over new elections, contrary to expectationsThe interim government of Venezuela has announced it will begin formal talks with the opposition aimed at “strengthening democracy” in the country.The move is backed by the US, which says it is seeking a “democratic transition” in a country still recovering from the twin earthquakes that killed more than 4,700 people. Continue reading...

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Italy's Meloni suffers surprise setback in close vote on electoral reform

The defeat triggered opposition calls for Meloni to resign ahead of next year's general election.

general  Jul 15, 2026

The Guardian

First Thing: Trump flip-flops on Hormuz toll and threatens Iran’s civilian infrastructure

US president says power plants and bridges could be targeted, which would probably constitute war crimes. Plus, the bear that raided an elderly couple’s fridge, and a stolen cat involved in a bank robberyGood morning. Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target civilian infrastructure including power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal. Trump made similar comments in March. Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities wo

general  Jul 15, 2026

BBC World

Heatwave prompts Italy's delivery riders to strike for extra rights

Delivery riders in Milan, Bologna and Florence want to protect their health and their wages.

general  Jul 15, 2026