Britain’s Labour on track for landslide victory, exit poll suggests, amid anger with Conservatives
LONDON (AP) — An exit poll indicates that the Labour Party in Britain is on course for a significant win in a parliamentary election. Voters seem to be expressing their dissatisfaction with the governing Conservatives after 14 years of turmoil in the economy and politics. The poll, released immediately after voting closed, suggests that Keir Starmer, the leader of the center-left Labour Party, will be the next prime minister of the country. He will be leading a population that is eager for change in the midst of economic challenges, increasing distrust in institutions, and a society that is increasingly divided. A defeat for the Conservatives of this magnitude would leave the party in disarray, likely leading to a leadership contest to replace Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Starmer stated that the voters have spoken and are ready for a change.
The Latest | Exit poll suggests UK’s Labour Party set for a landslide election victory
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. Polls closed at 10 p.m. local time (2100GMT) Thursday, and an exit poll suggested that the left-of-center Labour Party led by Keir Starmer is headed for a huge majority. The exit poll results suggested that after 14 years in power under five different prime ministers, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are set to have their seats in the 650-seat House of Commons cut down to 131. That would be the Tories’ worst result in the party’s two-century history. The Labour Party is expected to win 410 seats.
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.
Brazilian police indict ex-President Bolsonaro in undeclared diamonds case, sources say
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian police have indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association in connection with undeclared diamonds the far-right leader received from Saudi Arabia during his time in office, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the indictment, although not for which specific crimes. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Brazil’s Supreme Court has yet to receive the police report with the indictment. Once it does, the country’s prosecutor-general will analyze the document and decide whether to file charges and force Bolsonaro to stand trial. The former president has denied wrongdoing.
Fireworks light up the skies across the US as Americans endure searing heat to celebrate July Fourth
Millions of Americans are celebrating the Fourth of July despite heat warnings, a projected record number of travelers and so many beachgoers that officials had to close some parks to latecomers. In the nation’s capital, neon bursts of light illuminated the night sky above the Washington Monument. The Boston Pops performed a musical fireworks spectacular at that city’s Hatch Memorial Shell. And at parades all across the country, revelers dressed up in red, white and blue and waved the Stars and Stripes in commemoration of the country’s Independence Day. The July Fourth holiday generally unites Americans in their shared love of country, but the 2024 version comes against a backdrop of deep political polarization and a divisive presidential race.
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 strengthens back into a Category 3 storm as it nears Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
TULUM, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Beryl has strengthened back into a Category 3 storm late as it nears Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula after leaving a trail of destruction across the eastern Caribbean. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Beryl now had maximum winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and was located about 160 miles (260 kilometers) east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico. The hurricane was heading west at 16 mph (26 kph). Beryl is expected to rapidly weaken to a tropical storm as it crosses over the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday before it re-emerges into the Gulf of Mexico and likely regains hurricane strength.
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.
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