Author: News Desk

Monday’s front pages are dominated by one story: Joe Biden’s announcement he will not seek re-election in November, and backing his vice president Kamala Harris to be the Democratic candidate. The president had been under growing pressure to step aside following a disastrous TV debate performance that had many Americans questioning his age and mental fitness. Despite attempting to mount several comebacks, a few other high-profile gaffes only added to the pressure – which saw high-profile Democrats and Democratic figures call on the president to step aside. Biden will remain in office until the end of his term. The US will head to the polls in November to elect their new president – a race that now looks likely to be Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump. The new president will assume office in January 2025. 

Away from US politics, a handful of tabloids report on the Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandal, whilst the back pages are dominated by golf and cricket.

France recalls contaminated Olympic-branded water bottles France has recalled a line of Olympic-branded water bottles for children just a week before the Games’ opening ceremony in Paris. The reusable bottles, featuring the Olympic rings and the Paris 2024 mascot or flame, were found to contain excessive levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), according to the official consumer recall agency, Rappel Conso. These bottles, issued last August and sold until June, should be returned to the stores where they were purchased. BPA, commonly used in food containers, has been banned in France since 2015 due to its classification as an endocrine disruptor.…

Top Democrats throw support behind Harris after Biden exits race A growing number of senior Democrats and party donors are supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential candidate.  It comes after US President Joe Biden announced he has quit the race and won’t seek re-election. He will remain in office until the end of his term.  Biden had been facing increasing pressure to step aside since a poor TV debate performance against Donald Trump. There have been several high-profile blunders since then and growing concerns over the president’s age and mental fitness. The 81-year-old has endorsed his vice…

Bangladesh Court Scraps Job Quotas After Deadly Unrest Bangladesh’s top court has significantly reduced quotas in government jobs, which had led to violent clashes across the country, resulting in over 100 deaths. Previously, a third of public sector jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war. However, the court has now ruled that only 5% of these roles can be reserved for veterans’ relatives. Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the government would implement the ruling within days. Despite the court’s decision, student leaders plan to continue their protests. Their demands include justice for protesters killed…

EU and Serbia sign historic lithium mining agreement The EU has praised a new lithium mining agreement with Serbia as a “historic day for Serbia and Europe,” concluding a competitive race to finalise the deal. On Tuesday, Serbia reinstated mining giant Rio Tinto’s licence to extract lithium in the Jadar Valley. By Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Belgrade, highlighting the deal’s importance for Europe’s economic security and emphasising its benefits for Germany’s auto industry. With the transition to zero-emission vehicles accelerating, carmakers need more lithium for batteries. Rio Tinto’s Jadar project could potentially meet up to 90% of Europe’s…

Israel strikes Houthis after drone attack Israel launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in Yemen, following a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the group. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the strikes were meant to send a strong message to the Houthis. “The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear,” he said. Houthi media reported that the strikes killed three people and injured over 80. Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the attack as “brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen.” On Sunday morning, Israel’s military intercepted a…

After months of speculation US President Biden drops out of US presidential race and endorses Kamala Harris. Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory. President Biden drops out of US presidential race Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President.…

Prices fall in 49% of homes in area just 28 minutes from Kings Cross If you’re on the hunt for a new home within easy reach of London, you’ve probably been working through a list areas that are feasible for your commuter and within your budget. But have you considered St Albans, in Hertfordshire? Although house prices in St Albans are usually pretty sky-high, we’re currently in a rare moment where you can bag yourself a bit of a bargain. With mortgage rates soaring, buyers have been priced out of the housing market, particularly in St Albans, forcing sellers to…