Paul Pelosi faces hit-and-run charge after he allegedly crashed into parked vehicle 18. July 2026 (02:12) Husband of Nancy Pelosi has traffic infractions in California stretching back at least to 2011, according to public recordsPaul Pelosi, husband of US congresswoman and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, is facing a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge after he allegedly crashed into a parked vehicle and left the scene in early July, the Napa county district attorney announced on Friday.No passengers were in the struck car, authorities said, but the vehicle was left with “major” damage. A spokesperson for the Pelosi family told several outlets in a statement that Paul apologized to the owner of the vehicle and was assuming responsibility for the damage. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One person dies amid legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City 18. July 2026 (01:40) Officials haven’t released additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell illA legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in New York City has claimed its first life, health officials said Friday.Officials didn’t release additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell ill. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats call for investigation into ICE officer shooting in Maine after new reports emerge 18. July 2026 (00:51) Lawmakers press for review of hiring practices amid a spate of ICE-related deaths within the same weekDemocratic lawmakers are pressing for a review of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hiring practices and continuing calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of an immigrant in Maine by one of the agency’s officers after news media reported allegations of past violent and threatening behavior by the officer, according to his family members.The Associated Press, the Portland Press Herald and National Public Radio (NPR) all identified the officer in question as David Brouillette, information that the publications attributed to his family. The outlets also reported allegations that Brouillette had a history of mental health issues and had purportedly subjected his ex-wife to violent, threatening behavior. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara cleared to travel to US 18. July 2026 (00:28) Whereabouts of artist imprisoned after 2021 protests had been unknown following end of his prison term in JulyLuis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a prominent Cuban dissident artist whose whereabouts remained unknown after his prison sentence ended last week, has been given permission to travel to the US, according to his official Facebook page.Otero Alcántara, designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt and disturbing the public order. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kidnapped US Forest Service employees released after more than 12 hours, say authorities 17. July 2026 (23:43) Two men arrested after taking federal employees hostage in Shasta-Trinity national forestTwo US Forest Service employees were released early Friday morning after being held hostage for more than 12 hours, authorities in far northern California said.Law enforcement arrested two men for the alleged kidnapping near Gumboot Lake in Shasta-Trinity national forest, Jeremiah LaRue, the Siskiyou county sheriff, told reporters on Friday afternoon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Distillery owner could face only three months in jail over alleged poisoning Australian teenagers 17. July 2026 (23:36) Fears of light charges in case of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles and four other travellers confirmed by Laos courtThe distillery owner linked to the deaths of Australian backpackers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles could serve just three months in jail after a court in Laos announced charges over the case.The teenagers, who were both 19, were travelling through south-east Asia when they were fatally poisoned with methanol while drinking at Nana backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US launches seventh night of Iran strikes as Hormuz conflict escalates 17. July 2026 (22:52) Central Command says attacks were designed to ‘continue degrading Iranian military capabilities’The US military said it had launched a seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran on Friday night as fighting escalated over the strait of Hormuz.US Central Command, in a post on X, said the strikes, which began at 7pm GMT, were designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Run, Darline, run!’: Trump endorses Lindsey Graham’s sister for full Senate term 17. July 2026 (22:42) Sister of the South Carolina senator who died last Saturday has not previously held any elected officeDonald Trump on Friday said he had encouraged Darline Graham to run for a full six-year term representing South Carolina in the US Senate, after she was sworn in to office earlier this week following the sudden death of her brother, Lindsey Graham.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he spoken to Darline Graham at the White House. “I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary,” he wrote. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Five claims Trump made in primetime address not backed up by evidence 17. July 2026 (22:04) US president offered litany of misleading and false claims during Thursday speech on alleged threats to US electionsDonald Trump offered a litany of misleading and false claims during his Thursday speech on threats to US elections, and released previously classified documents to try to support his specious claims. In some cases, his claims were not supported by those documents. Here is a look at some of the key claims that could mislead the American public. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jeffrey Donaldson to appeal against conviction for child sexual offences 17. July 2026 (20:32) Former Democratic Unionist party leader’s legal team has lodged documents with the court of appeal in Belfast Jeffrey Donaldson is to appeal against his conviction for rape and other sexual offences against two children.The former Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader’s legal team lodged documents with the court of appeal in Belfast on Friday, his solicitor, John McBurney, said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
