Browsing: Politics

Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s initial pick for attorney general ahead of his White House return, has withdrawn from consideration for the post. Trump’s decision to choose Gaetz shocked Washington and the country.

Gaetz had faced significant scrutiny over a previous federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl that cast doubt over his ability to be confirmed as the country’s top legal official.

He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The top newspapers in the United States all lead with the news of Gaetz’s withdrawal.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC says both men – alongside a Hamas leader who was killed in July – bore “criminal responsibility” for crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas. The court accuses Israel of using starvation as a war tactic and for intentionally targeting civilians.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The European leaders – including PM Keir Starmer – have backed the arrest of Netanyahu, and several papers note if the Israeli prime minister steps foot in the UK, he’ll be arrested.

Several papers pay tribute to the ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott who died at 86. Other domestic stories include the latest death in the alcohol poisonings in Laos, this time a 28-year-old British woman. There is ongoing coverage of the farm tax fallout and No 10’s vow to stand with Ukraine features.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the use of US and UK missiles by Ukraine means the West is now involved in his war against Ukraine.

The former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott died on Wednesday at the age of 86. His family confirmed he died listening to jazz music at the care home he’d been living in since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Prescott served during the Tony Blair government – tributes are pouring in from across the political spectrum.

Yesterday, former One Direction boyband member Liam Payne was laid to rest in a small and private service in Buckinghamshire. His funeral was attended by his former bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. The 31-year-old died last month in Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony.

The UK’s cold snap continues to bite with schools being closed this Thursday morning and severe travel disruptions affecting the country.

A long-awaited report into the family of Captain Tom Moore has finally been released. The report says the family’s refusal to donate any of the £1.4m received from his book deal damaged public trust in charities. It says the family of Sir Tom made profit off the charity set up in his name.