US lawmakers voice concerns about Venezuelan tanker seizure: ‘sounds a lot like the beginning of a war’ – US politics live
Republican senator Rand Paul said it was ‘not the job of the American government to go looking for monsters around the world’Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic senator from Maryland, was among the lawmakers speaking out against the Trump administration and its actions around Venezuela, taking to the senate floor on Wednesday to call on Congress to block Donald Trump from “using taxpayer dollars to launch a regime change war”.“Last time I checked, the constitution of the United States gives Congress – this body – the power to decide questions of war or peace,” he said. Continue reading...
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Merz says European leaders had ‘constructive’ call with Trump as he plays down tensions with US – Europe live
German chancellor says conversation focused on ‘what territorial concessions Ukraine is prepared to make’Nato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...
Trump’s strategy has echoes of ‘extreme rightwing tropes’ from 1930s, former minister tells MPs – UK politics live
Liam Byrne says language of the US national security strategy was ‘deeply regrettable’ and highlighted the need for strong UK-EU economic security linksSeema Malhotra, a Foreign Office minister, is responding to the urgent question about President Trump’s national security strategy (even though it was addressed to the Cabinet Office – see 10.12am.)The Trump document was published at the end of last week. Peter Beaumont has an analysis of it here. Continue reading...
Eight more UK universities cut recruitment ties with fossil fuel industry
Manchester Metropolitan University again wins top spot for climate and social justice in league table More universities have severed ties with fossil fuel companies, banning them from recruitment fairs and refusing to advertise roles in the industry, according to the latest higher education league table.The analysis found that eight more universities had signed up to end recruitment ties with the fossil fuel industry - an increase of 80% since last year. This means 18 higher education institutions, or 12% of the sector, now refuse to advertise roles with fossil fuel companies to their students. Continue reading...
Brian Eno urges support to get Together for Palestine song to Christmas No 1
Lullaby features Palestinian singer, lyrics written by Peter Gabriel and artists including Eno and CelesteThe Together for Palestine fund is trying to get a Palestinian lullaby to Christmas No 1 in the UK charts in an effort to help provide aid to the people of Gaza, but also showcase their culture and creativity.The musician Brian Eno, who performs on the track, said Lullaby, which will be released on Friday, is a chance to support Palestinians over Christmas and potentially stage an unlikely coup by getting to No 1. Continue reading...
Afghanistan war veteran arrested after ICE protest prepares for trial
Bajun Mavalwalla, who maintains his innocence, will take case to jury even as others strike plea agreementsAn Afghanistan war veteran arrested on felony “conspiracy” charges a month after he participated in a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains his innocence and is preparing for a jury trial, even as others arrested the same day strike plea agreements to avoid long prison terms, his father said.Bajun Mavalwalla II – a former army sergeant who survived a roadside bomb blast on a special operations mission in Afghanistan – was charged in July with “conspiracy to impede or injure officers” after joining an anti-ICE protest in Spokane, Washington. Continue reading...
Venezuelan Nobel laureate reunited with family after perilous journey to receive prize
María Corina Machado thanks those who risked their lives to help her make trip to Oslo and says she is hopeful ‘Venezuela will be free’Europe live – latest updatesVenezuela’s best-known opposition leader, the Nobel peace prize winner María Corina Machado, said her arrival in Oslo marked a “historic turning point” that showed Venezuelans “the world is with them”.Machado, who was forced into hiding in Venezuela by the country’s dictator, Nicolás Maduro, slipped out of her authoritarian homeland by boat in order to travel to Norway to collect her prize. Continue reading...
No guarantee tobacco tax cut would lure Australian smokers from illegal trade and raise more revenue, report says
Exclusive: New research points to need for ‘holistic approach to combating illicit tobacco’ including having support of health advocatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSlashing the tobacco excise might not be enough to lure smokers back to legal cigarettes, and could even widen the multi-billion dollar hole blown in the budget by the booming illicit trade, new research shows.The analysis from the e61 Institute comes as Jim Chalmers revealed next week’s mid-year fiscal update will reveal an extra $12.7bn in unanticipated spending, including an additional $6.3bn in higher than expected disaster relief payments. Continue reading...
Here’s What to Know About Japan’s Mega Quake Advisory
Japan’s government says that the chances of a magnitude 8 earthquake have increased. Scientists can’t predict when one will strike, but it represents a meaningful jump over typical odds.
US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela as Caracas condemns 'act of piracy'
The move is a sharp escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro's government.