POLITICS & POLICY

With Games In Full Swing, Opening Ceremony Controversy Simmers On

The show divided critics
The controversy over the iconoclastic opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is refusing to abate days into the Games, with conservative political figures worldwide condemning a show that has been staunchly defended by President Emmanuel Macron and its creators.

'Bending Of Reality': US Liberals Stoke Political Conspiracies

The United States confronts 'liberal' conspiracy theorists.
From false claims of a "staged" assassination attempt on Donald Trump to a viral joke about his running mate having sex with a couch, American liberals have taken a page from the far-right's playbook in pushing wild conspiracy theories ahead of US elections.
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (C) and his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara (L) review an honour guard prior to a meeting in Tokyo Sunday

US, Japan Take A Swipe At China And Deepen Defence Ties

The United States and Japan issued scathing verbal attacks on China and Russia on Sunday after high-level discussions on enhancing already close defence collaboration between Tokyo and Washington in an increasingly unstable region.
Analysts say the higher the turnout, the harder it will be for the regime to fraudulently deny an opposition win

Five Key Points As Venezuela Heads To The Polls

Venezuelans go to the polls Sunday to elect a president between incumbent Nicolas Maduro and rival Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, in a tense atmosphere marked by the last-minute barring of international observers and complaints of widespread opposition repression.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves is due to make a statement to parliament next week

UK To Reveal GBP20 Bn Hole In Public Finances: Reports

Britain's new Labour government will announce next week that the country's public finances have an additional hole of around GBP20 billion ($26 billion), risking tax rises in an upcoming budget, media reported on Friday.
Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza gather in Tel Aviv to watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address the US Congress

Israeli Hostages' Group Sees 'Sabotage' In Gaza Talks

Israeli strikes hit Gaza on Thursday, causing deaths and injuries according to Palestinian medical sources, as a group supporting Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants alleged "sabotage" of efforts to free them.
US President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2024, about the assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania

Biden To Address US As Clock Ticks On Presidency

US President Joe Biden will give what could be his final Oval Office speech Wednesday to explain why he dropped out of November's election and deny that he will spend six months as a lame duck.

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