3h ago 11.45 EST Marina Dunbar California governor Gavin Newsom will launch a new podcast called This is Gavin Newsom, saying: “We need to change the conversation.” In a post on X, the Democratic governor announced he plans on “talking to people directly that I disagree with, as well as people I look up to, and you — the listeners.” He says egg prices, tariffs, executive orders, and Doge are among the topics he will discuss on his new platform. Share Updated at 14.15 EST
3h ago 11.20 EST Marina Dunbar The US supreme court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday in a case that could radically transform workplace discrimination claims. Marlean Ames has brought an appeal claiming that she was passed over for a job and demoted because she is straight. She says she was fired from her position as an administrator in a state agency for youth services in Ohio and replaced by a gay man. Her petition to the supreme court seeks to challenge the way that such “reverse discrimination” cases have been handled in lower courts. Previous court rulings have set a precedent that people from majority groups – such as men, white and straight people – have to meet a higher legal bar than those from minority groups in proving workplace discrimination and bias claims.
Read more about it here: US supreme court to hear straight woman’s ‘reverse discrimination’ case Read more Share
4h ago 11.08 EST The treasury department’s office of foreign assets has announced sanctions on six companies accused of helping procure drone parts for sanctioned Iranian firm Pishtazan Kavosh Gostar Boshra and its subsidiary Narin Sepehr Mobin Isatis. In a news release, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said that “Iran continues to try to find new ways to procure the key components it needs to bolster its UAV weapons program through new front companies and third-country suppliers.” He added: “Treasury remains committed to disrupting the schemes that enable Iran to send its deadly weapons abroad to its terrorist proxies and other destabilising actors.” Share Updated at 11.19 EST
4h ago 10.36 EST The Trump administration has set its sights on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the US’s pre-eminent climate research agency, with significant cuts and a political crackdown on climate science. As Trump takes aim at the agency, the impact is likely to be felt across the US and around the world. Experts and officials have warned that dismantling and defunding the agency will come with severe consequences that will only increase as the world heats. Read more about it here: US climate research agency braces for ‘efficiency’ cuts: ‘They will gut the work’ Read more Share
4h ago 10.29 EST Marina Dunbar New York City Mayor Eric Adams has asked a federal judge to toss out the corruption case against him. Adams alleges misconduct by the prosecution even as the Justice Department is seeking to dismiss the charges. His lawyers allege the misconduct occurred when the government leaked a letter to the public that then-US attorney Danielle Sassoon wrote to attorney general Pam Bondi explaining why the charges should not be dropped. Sassoon offered to resign as she refused to follow acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove’s directive to drop the charges against Adams. View image in fullscreen Mayor Eric Adams attends a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan in New York City on Monday. Photograph: Jeenah Moon/Reuters Share Updated at 10.43 EST
5h ago 09.43 EST EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will not meet with US secretary of state Marco Rubio during her trip to Washington DC this week, “due to scheduling issues”, her office said on Wednesday. Kallas had said on Monday that she would meet Rubio during her trip on this week to discuss efforts by the US to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Share
5h ago 09.42 EST Zelenskyy: no security guarantee with US and mineral deal ‘depends on Trump’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this morning that no security guarantee had been agreed with the US and described the deal between the two countries as a ‘framework’. Speaking at a press conference earlier today, the Ukrainian president also said the success of an initial minerals agreement with the US will depend on President Trump. Follow our coverage about that here: Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy says no security guarantee agreed with the US and minerals deal ‘depends on Trump’ Read more Share Updated at 10.35 EST
5h ago 09.25 EST Mexican security envoy is set to meet with US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Thursday. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters on Wednesday that senior Mexican security and diplomatic officials will meet Rubio in Washington on Thursday. Sheinbaum said her government’s security, defense and foreign ministers will attend the meeting. Share Updated at 09.34 EST