Britain’s Labour on track for huge majority, exit poll suggests, amid frustration with Conservatives
LONDON (AP) — A exit poll suggests that Britain’s Labour Party is headed for a huge majority in a parliamentary election held against a gloomy backdrop of economic malaise, mounting distrust in institutions and a fraying social fabric. The poll released moments after voting closed Thursday indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country’s next prime minister. A jaded electorate looks to have delivered a historic defeat for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. It has been in power since 2010.
The Latest | The UK has voted in a national election to choose its next government
Voters in the U.K. have cast their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election, which could have taken place as late as January 2025. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m. on Thursday night. An exit poll commissioned by the main U.K. broadcasters will be published as soon as the polls close, giving an indication of the likely result. Counting will begin immediately but most of the results will only be announced in the early hours of Friday.
Biden heads into a make-or-break stretch for his imperiled presidential campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is opening a critical stretch in his effort to salvage his imperiled reelection campaign. There’s a growing sense that Biden may have just days to make a persuasive case that he’s fit for office before Democratic support for him completely evaporates in the aftermath of his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. Already, some financial backers are holding off or canceling upcoming fundraisers. And Biden himself acknowledged to Democratic governors that he needs to get more sleep and limit late events so he can be fit and rested for the job.
Americans shrug off searing heat to celebrate Fourth of July with parades, cookouts and fireworks
All signs point to big celebrations for Americans this Fourth of July even as sizzling temperatures are triggering heat warnings for millions. Travel records are projected to fall as people gather for cookouts, parades and fireworks. Some unique celebrations are also planned. In Down East, Maine, lobster boat races will be held off. In Philadelphia, descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence will ring the Liberty Bell. An annual tug-of-war contest is being held in California. And, of course, there’s the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, New York.
Millions swelter under dangerous Fourth of July heat wave
The National Weather Service says that around 134 million people in the U.S. are under alerts as an extremely dangerous and record-breaking heat wave broils much of the country. Regions that may see temperatures above 90 degrees or much higher into the triple digits include nearly all of the West Coast, the southern Plains, most of the lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley and parts of Florida. It’s a dangerous weather pattern hitting as fires burn in northern California, and just in time for a holiday weekend. Experts urge people to drink plenty of water and find air conditioning.
Israel approves plans for nearly 5,300 new homes in West Bank settlements
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli anti-settlement monitoring group says the government has approved plans to build nearly 5,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank. It’s the latest effort by Israel’s hard-line government to beef up the settlements as part of a strategy to cement Israel’s control over the West Bank and prevent a future Palestinian state. Peace Now says the government’s Higher Planning Council approved or advanced plans for 5,295 homes in dozens of settlements. Also on Thursday, Gaza cease-fire talks appeared to stir back to life, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office saying he’s decided to send negotiators to resume negotiations. Hamas on Wednesday gave mediators its latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a deal.
Hurricane Beryl churns toward Mexico after leaving destruction in Jamaica and eastern Caribbean
TULUM, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Beryl has ripped off roofs in Jamaica, jumbled fishing boats in Barbados and damaged or destroyed 95% of homes on a pair of islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It rumbled past the Cayman Islands and took aim at Mexico’s Caribbean coast — with at least nine people dead in its wake. Beryl had been the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic but weakened by Thursday afternoon to a Category 2. Its eye was forecast to pass just south of the Cayman Islands overnight. Mexico’s popular Caribbean coast prepared shelters, evacuated some small outlying coastal communities and even moved sea turtle eggs off beaches threatened by storm surge.
Parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue to buy Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion
NEW YORK (AP) — The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue has signed a deal to buy upscale rival Neiman Marcus Group, which owns Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores, for $2.65 billion, with online behemoth Amazon holding a minority stake. The new entity would be called Saks Global, which will comprise the Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH brands, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, as well as the real estate assets of Neiman Marcus Group and HBC, a holding company that purchased Saks in 2013. The deal comes after months of rumors that the department store chains had been negotiating a deal. But the twist is Amazon’s minority stake, which adds “a bit of spice” to an otherwise anticipated pact, according to Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData,  a research firm.
World swimming federation confirms US federal investigation into Chinese swimmers’ doping tests
GENEVA (AP) — The international swimming federation says its executive director has been ordered to testify as a witness in a U.S. criminal investigation into the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 yet were allowed to continue competing. World Aquatics confirmed to The Associated Press that Brent Nowicki “was served with a witness subpoena by the United States government.” In May, a House Committee on China asked the Justice Department and the FBI to launch an investigation under a federal law that allows investigations into suspected doping conspiracies even if they occurred outside the U.S. The swimmers were allowed to compete at the previous Olympics in Tokyo despite testing positive for a banned heart medication.
Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago wins his first men’s title at annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest.
NEW YORK (AP) — Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago wins his first men’s title at the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest. Bertoletti won by consuming 58 hot dogs in a tight, 10-minute race where the leader bounced back and forth. Earlier, defending champion Miki Sudo of Florida won her 10th title in the women’s division. The 38-year-old Sudo consumed 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes and set a new world record for women. Thousands of fans flock each year to the event held outside the original Nathan’s location in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, a beachfront destination with amusement parks and a carnivalesque summer culture.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
