Trump energy chief pick says linking wildfires to climate crisis is ‘hype’

Democrats criticize Chris Wright’s comments during US Senate confirmation hearing for energy secretary nominee Donald Trump’s nominee for energy secretary, Chris Wright, is facing criticism for disputing the ties between climate change and more frequent or severe wildfires, the Washington Post reports, a stance that is contrary to scientific consensus. During Wright’s US Senate confirmation … Read more

Key Trump cabinet picks appear at Senate confirmation hearings

Some of President-elect Trump’s key Cabinet picks appeared at Senate confirmation hearings. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, vowed to keep politics out of the prosecutorial process, while Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for Secretary of State, said Ukraine and Russia will have to make concessions to end the war. … Read more

DOGE caucus roadmap for cutting government waste emerges after closed-door meeting: ‘great synergy’

The Congressional DOGE Caucus’ plans for cutting government waste are shifting into focus after the group’s second-ever closed-door meeting on Wednesday. Caucus leaders are splitting lawmakers into eight working groups focused on different sectors for waste-cutting. Those will focus on retirement, social and family safety nets, emergency supplemental funding, energy permitting, homeland security, defense and … Read more

Stationery shopping may be the finest form of procrastination – but who can resist the joy of a perfect pen? | Jodi Wilson

It’s back-to-school time, which means nostalgia for covering books in contact and spending way too long in the notebook aisle As a child of the 90s, my summers were spent splashing in the neighbours’ overly chlorinated pool and flicking through the back-to-school stationery catalogue. I circled the essential items, categorised my needs and wants, and … Read more

Joe Biden warns ‘oligarchy is taking shape in America’ in farewell address

President sounds alarm about growing power of ultra-wealthy before handing presidency back to Trump Joe Biden’s final address to the nation struck an ominous tone after warning of the growing power of America’s ultra-wealthy, and cautioning that an emerging oligarchy threatens the foundations of US democracy. The Wednesday prime-time Oval Office speech came as Biden … Read more