Trump signs order creating new federal worker classification for at-will, political appointees pred 1 uro in 43 minutami Under the new classification, Schedule G, federal employees will be subject to hiring and firing by the presidentTrump signed an executive order on 17 July creating a new classification of federal employees who would be subject to hiring and firing by the president, Schedule G, for employees working on policy, in the latest action by his administration to reshape the federal workforce.The non-career classified employees will be expected to leave in changing presidential administrations, with the order claiming it will “improve operations, particularly in agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, by streamlining appointments for key policy roles”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Women who conceived in abusive relationships lose legal challenge over benefits ‘rape clause’ pred 1 uro in 58 minutami Justice Collins Rice says it is for politicians and not courts to change rules around two-child benefit cap Two women who conceived their eldest children while they were in violent and controlling relationships have lost a legal challenge to the rules around the two-child benefit cap.A high court judge said the accounts of the abuse the women faced when they were “vulnerable girls barely out of childhood” were “chilling”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Spain’s People’s party hit by alleged multimillion cash-for-favours scandal pred 2 urama in 43 minutami Claims involve former finance minister Cristóbal Montoro and dealings with gas and other energy companiesJust when Spain’s opposition People’s party thought it had the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez on the ropes over a series of corruption scandals, it has been hit by a controversy of its own over alleged trafficking of influences by Cristóbal Montoro, the former finance minister.It is alleged that Montoro established the “economic team”, a lawyer’s office linked to the finance ministry, which took kickbacks from gas and other energy companies in return for favourable government policy. It is claimed that between 2008 and 2015 Montoro and 27 other accused, among them senior treasury officials, were paid at least €11m (£9.5m) by big energy companies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I am extremely sad’: celebrities react to the end of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show pred 2 urama in 45 minutami Ben Stiller, Rachel Zegler and Judd Apatow and others disappointment at decision to axe long-running showThe end of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show is a concerning nail in the coffin for comedyCelebrities have expressed disappointment and anger at the controversial decision to end the long-running Late Show, bringing an end to host Stephen Colbert’s award-winning tenure.The late-night comedy show has been on CBS for 33 years and the news arrived just days after Colbert called out the network’s parent company Paramount for settling a “frivolous” lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16m. Paramount is seeking approval for a $8.4bn merger with Skydance, a company ran by David Ellison, son of close Trump ally Larry Ellison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man arrested in Glasgow for holding sign allegedly supportive of Palestine Action pred 3 urami in 1 minuto Arrest under the Terrorism Act happened after the man refused to stop displaying the sign when asked by policeA man has been arrested in Glasgow for holding a paper sign allegedly supportive of the proscribed direct action group Palestine Action, the third arrest of its kind across the city in the past week.Police Scotland confirmed that the 64-year-old man, who had been speaking to a small group of protesters gathered at Nelson Mandela Place in the city centre on Friday afternoon, had been arrested in connection with an offence under the Terrorism Act “for displaying a sign expressing support for a proscribed organisation”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle tag over fears he may abscond as coup trial nears end pred 3 urami in 19 minutami Guilty verdict widely expected for Brazil’s ex-president accused of plot to seize power after losing 2022 electionFederal police have raided Jair Bolsonaro’s Brasília mansion, banned him from communicating with foreign diplomats and ordered him to wear an electronic ankle tag amid fears Brazil’s ex-president may abscond to avoid punishment over an alleged coup attempt.A supreme court trial examining claims that Bolsonaro masterminded a murderous plot to seize power after losing the 2022 election is expected to reach its conclusion in the coming weeks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Essex police arrest two after asylum hotel protests turn violent pred 4 urami in 3 minutami Police say eight officers were assaulted when crowds surrounded a small counter-demonstrationTwo people have been arrested after a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers during which eight officers were assaulted, Essex police said.Riot police wore helmets and took up position while crowds of men, some masked, surrounded a small counter-demonstration by anti-racism activists on Thursday evening. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Christian leaders make rare visit to shelled church in Gaza pred 4 urami in 12 minutami Israel grants access after ‘stray’ tank round kills three people and wounds Catholic priestIsrael has granted two senior Christian leaders rare access to Gaza after an Israeli strike on the Palestinian territory’s only Roman Catholic church killed three people.Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Catholic Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Theophilos III, led a delegation on Friday to the Holy Family Church, whose shelling the day before triggered international condemnation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kneecap will face no further action over Glastonbury performance, say police pred 4 urami in 32 minutami Avon and Somerset force says it is ending investigation into rap group ‘on the grounds there is insufficient evidence’Kneecap will face no further action over their Glastonbury performance last month, Avon and Somerset police have said.In a statement, the force said: “An investigation has been carried out into comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 28 June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect charged in killing of American Idol supervisor and her husband pred 4 urami in 33 minutami Officials believe Raymond Boodarian was burglarizing home when Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca returnedA 22-year-old man suspected in the shooting deaths of a longtime music supervisor for American Idol and her husband at their home in Los Angeles was charged with two counts of murder Thursday.Police said officers conducting a welfare check Monday at a gated house in the Encino neighborhood found the bodies of Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca, both 70. The victims both had gunshot wounds, investigators determined. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
