Unions in Europe press for new worker protections to counter heat stress 08. July 2026 (13:00) Climate crisis prompts calls for workplace temperature limits and rights to heat breaks and adjusted working hoursAs Europe’s sweltering summer continues, trades unions are mounting a push for new laws to counter deadly heat stress that is linked to an estimated 230 workplace deaths a year.This year’s toll may be even higher, with 1,300 excess European deaths already connected to the June heatwave by the World Health Organization, and other estimates running as high as 20,000. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US Food and Drug Administration rejects petition to set Pfas limits in food 08. July 2026 (13:00) Environmental protection agency and independent studies have found food biggest source of chemical exposureThe US Food and Drug Administration has rejected a legal petition demanding it set limits on toxic Pfas “forever chemicals” in food, marking another setback for public health advocates’ push to limit exposures to the dangerous compounds.The agency is refusing to set limits despite a growing body of science and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding food is the biggest source of Pfas exposure. Testing has found the levels of Pfas in single servings of some contaminated foods to be equivalent to drinking many glasses of contaminated water. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican leaders seek to quell Mitch McConnell speculation as rebellion grows 08. July 2026 (12:00) John Thune says he spoke to McConnell on phone as secrecy over 84-year-old’s health prompts Maga backlashRepublican leaders have moved to quash speculation about Mitch McConnell, the former Republican leader in the US Senate, amid a growing revolt over the lack of transparency around his health.The 84-year-old Kentucky politician, who led Senate Republicans for longer than anyone in history before stepping down last year, was admitted to hospital on 14 June but his office declined to say what he was being treated for. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
