Joe Biden has said the recent US supreme court decision providing presidents some immunity from criminal prosecution was “a fundamentally flawed [and] dangerous principle” as he called for significant reform of the nation’s highest court. Donald Trump’s actions demand legislative changes, he said, after the decision in Trump v United States granted presidents wide-ranging immunity from subsequent prosecution. Biden called for term limits and a binding code of conduct for supreme court justices, noting that scandals had undermined public trust in the fairness of the institution. Lebanon’s deputy parliament speaker, Elias Bou Saab, told Reuters that Israel could avoid a major escalation by sparing Beirut and the capital’s surrounding area. “If they avoid civilians and they avoid Beirut and its suburbs, then their attack could be well calculated,” he said.

A second Trump administration could undermine the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to regulate harmful PFAS chemicals, potentially endangering public health. In short:The EPA has set new drinking water limits for PFAS, which are harmful chemicals linked to various health issues. Trump's allies and Project 2025 aim to restrict the EPA’s regulatory power, favoring industry interests. Proposals include reclassifying dangerous substances and limiting the EPA’s ability to ban harmful chemicals. Key quote:“Basically the entire infrastructure of how EPA considers science and develops rules is very much under attack.”— Erik Olson, legislative director with the Natural Resource Defense CouncilWhy this matters:Weakening the EPA's ability to regulate PFAS and other toxins could increase exposure to harmful chemicals, posing significant health risks.

The number of plastic bags found on UK beaches has dropped by 80% in a decade, thanks to a mandatory fee on single-use bags. In short:The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) reported an 80% reduction in plastic bags on UK beaches since the fee introduction. MCS's 2023 survey showed a drop from five plastic bags per 100 meters in 2014 to one in 2023. Key quote:"It is brilliant to see policies on single-use plastics such as carrier bags working." Successful policies on plastic bags can inspire further measures to tackle other single-use plastics.

Maidenhead United have expressed their sadness following the death of former player Darti Brown who bravely battled against a 'one-in-a-million' form of cancer. The club announced his death on Monday morning, just a few hours before the death of long-time Magpies supporter Mick Vogel was also revealed. A firm fans' favourite during his time at Maidenhead, Darti had been diagnosed with a rare 'one-in-a-million' aggressive form of cancer called Cardiac Sarcoma. Maidenhead United held a well-attended 'All Stars' match in his honour to raise money for his treatment and awareness of the condition in November last year. Maidenhead United has sent its condolences to the family and friends of Darti at this sad time.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong says a security pact signed by Russia and North Korea is destabilising the region, adding that North Korea is giving weapons to Russia in 'flagrant violation' of UN security council resolutions. Wong was speaking to reporters in the South Korean city of Paju after a visit to the nearby demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, which remain technically at war

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Overrunning engineering works between London Paddington and Whitechapel means all lines are blocked this morning. As a result, services between London Paddington and Abbey Wood are suspended. There is currently no Elizabeth line service at central London stations including Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House and Woolwich. Services between London Paddington and Shenfield will be cancelled or revised to run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. You can use your ticket on Great Western Railway services between Reading and London Paddington at no additional cost.

The 42-year-old Queenslander had ditched show jumping for another shot at eventing and grabbed an unexpected individual eventing silver for Australia with a loaned horse he had only been riding for five months. ‘From the minute I sat on him, I thought he was incredible,’ Chris Burton said of his borrowed horse, Shadow Man.

Yvonne Furneaux Leaves Lasting Legacy In Film At 98 Iconic actress remembered for roles in classic films including La Dolce Vita and RepulsionYvonne Furneaux, the distinguished actress renowned for her compelling performances in iconic films such as Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and Roman Polanski’s Repulsion, passed away at the age of 98. Adopting her mother’s maiden name, Furneaux ventured into acting, beginning her film career with roles in Meet Me Tonight and Affair in Monte Carlo in 1952. However, it was La Dolce Vita (1960) that showcased Furneaux’s talent on an international platform. Following La Dolce Vita, Furneaux collaborated with some of cinema’s most innovative directors, further advancing her career. Throughout her impressive career, Furneaux appeared in over 30 films across various genres, from dark comedies to thrillers.

Rethinking Home Ownership In The Face Of Economic Reality Majority of Renters Believe American Dream of Owning a Home is Out of ReachThe American dream has long been characterized by aspirations for home ownership, financial stability, and a brighter future, but recent developments indicate a shift in that narrative. For renters, this translates into a harsh reality: nearly half reported lacking funds to cover bills within the past month. For many, financial independence is no longer tied to home ownership but rather to flexibility, freedom, and job satisfaction. As these trends continue to unfold, the American dream needs reevaluation. Addressing these concerns with nuanced understanding and proactive measures could lead to significant shifts in policy and perspective, ushering forth a new era in the evolving narrative of the American dream.

Joe Biden has called for a series of reforms to the US supreme court, including the introduction of term limits for justices and a constitutional amendment to remove immunity for crimes committed by a president while in office. www.theguardian.com/…The changes are not going to be easy to implement as long as the GQP holds the majority in the House and the filibuster exists in the Democratically held Senate. So, we got some work to do to make the changes possible after the election in November and we’ll need to hold the Democrat’s feet to the fire to make it happen. Still, good news to start the day on.

But despite these concerns, the consumer market for single-use plastics skyrocketed in the 1970s. While no federal ban exists in the United States, the Department of the Interior is phasing out all single-use plastics in national parks and some public lands by 2032. Internationally, China banned single-use plastic straws in restaurants and single-use plastic bags in major cities; the European Union banned most single-use plastics as of July 1, 2021; and several other countries have implemented or are considering such bans. From aiding people with disabilities to keeping food fresh, from reducing transportation emissions to aiding in medical treatment, single-use plastics are much more than “convenient.” People with disabilities rely on single-use plastics for a variety of reasons. Single-use plastics keep patients and providers safe by providing them with tools and drugs that are sterile.

Loughborough University-based swimmer, Daniel Wiffen, runs through his daily routine as an elite swimmer training for Paris. The 23-year-old current student starts his day at 5.45am in preparation for the Paris games. His extensive training programme allows him full use of the campus, showcasing the facilities Loughborough University has to offer its world-class athletes, including the swimming pool and Powerbase gym. Aside from training, Daniel expresses his love of gaming, striking a healthy balance between being an elite athlete and a student at Loughborough. “People don’t know I’m ‘the swimmer’, it’s quite nice… I go in and don’t think about swimming.

Timelapse video from 25 July captures California's Park fire creating what appears to be a ‘fire tornado’. The fire, burning north-east of the city of Chico, forced thousands of residents in Butte county, about 100 miles north-east of Sacramento, to evacuate their homes. The fire, which stretched over four counties, was believed to be caused by arson, after authorities say a man was seen pushing a burning car into a ravine

The other day, during an address to a Turning Point conference, Trump implored,Christians, get out to vote. Right wing trolls pushed the same horseshit claims of low turnout (again, we’re talking about the in-person and TV audience for a Turning Point conference!) Turning Point was also allegedly used to launder speaking fees to Don Jr and his girlfriend. To the extent that Trump needs lots of bodies to be somewhere, Charlie Kirk is a key part of that process. The point is, Trump’s audience of Christian nationalists do view taking over government in apocalyptic terms.