Authorities in southern Brazil say at least 27 people have died after a fierce storm caused floods in several cities in the region

France is broadly supportive of stopping girls wearing the robe, but many Muslim women are unhappy.

Tristan Tate's reaction to Lucy Williamson's reactivation of her Twitter account was immediate and unequivocal

The Biden administration is taking steps meant to strengthen protections for government employees as leading Republican presidential candidates, including Donald Trump, campaign on shrinking and remaking the federal workforce

Rudi Garcia said Monday that he is not worried about stepping in to take over at Napoli just weeks after they won their first Serie A title...

The Senate voted late on Thursday night to raise the debt limit and avoid allowing the United States to default on its debt for the first time in history after having an all-night marathon session of votes to assuage Republican concerns. The legislation passed 63 to 36 after senators held 11 votes on amendments —10 from Republicans and 1 from Democrats — to address concerns about the bill. All but five Senators in the Democratic caucus--Sens Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR)--voted for the legislation while 31 Republican Senators opposed it. “America can breathe a sigh of relief because in this process we are avoiding,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said before the votes began on Thursday evening. The vote came after the House passed the legislation on Wednesday that was the result of bipartisan negotiations between the House and the White House. The bill will now head to President before 5 June, the date that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had warned that the United States would default on its debt. Republicans raised concerns about some of the restraints on defence spending, which is capped at $886bn. “Well, my message is, I'm a Reagan Republican,” Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told The Independent. “And you do military budgets based on threats and you want to fight over the role of the Republican Party on national defence, I welcome the fight.” Mr Graham expressed concern that it would lead to the United States not being able to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. “And if you want to avoid conflict, you better stand up to aggression,” he said. Sen Susan Collins (R-ME) echoed those concerns in a floor speech. “It would trigger an automatic meat an indiscriminate across-the-board cut in our already inadequate defence budget and in the domestic discretionary non-defence funding,” Sen Susan Collins (R-ME) said in a floor speech. “This would happen automatically if in fact all 12 appropriations bills have not been passed.” Ms Collins said that such a problem could be remedied through a defence supplemental package, which other Senators have also discussed. “It was important for some of our members to have folks on the record, acknowledging that there clearly could be a need will be a need for additional assistance for our national security interests,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told The Independent. But some Republicans said they still opposed the debt limit increase. “Trade deficit with China,” Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO) told The Independent about why he opposed the bill. “Not gonna do anything about it.” Before the votes began, the Senate went into overtime with negotiations, with Sen Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) serving as an intermediary between Democrats and Republicans. “The President took too long but he had his own process and we got to save the country from having to fall,” Sen Mitt Romney (R-UT) told The Independent. “Speaker McCarthy has been underestimated and he's proven that he could get something done.” Conversely, Sen Tim Kaine (D-VA) proposed an amendment to strike a provision to expedite the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline that spans from West Virginia to Virginia, that ultimately failed 30 to 69. The pipeline is a top priority for Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV). Mr Manchin celebrated the inclusion of the pipeline in the agreement. “It’s important for our country, very much important,” Mr Manchin told The Independent. The approval of the pipeline triggered Sen Ed Markey (D-MA), an outspoken advocate for combating climate change, from opposing the legislation. But Sen Brian Schatz (D-HI), another climate hawk, said he would vote for it. “The agreement is the agreement we're going to have to vote for it,” he told The Independent. Other Democrats criticised the fact the bill imposed work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP and formerly called food stamps, for adults between the ages of 50 and 54 who do not have children and do not have disabilities. “I did not agree to these SNAP restrictions, and I won’t give Republicans an opening to try and take food from more food insecure Americans in Farm Bill negotiations later this year,” Mr Fetterman said in a statement after the vote. “As I communicated to leadership and the White House, I would have voted to avoid default if it would have made the difference. All in all, this was a tough vote and an ugly situation manufactured by extortionists. While we avoided a catastrophe this time around, we should never put the country in this situation again.” Mr Fetterman said Mr Biden should have invoked the 14th amendment to the US Constitution to avoid a default on the nation’s debt. The vote signals the end to a drawn-out fight between the Republican-controlled House on one end and a Democratic-controlled Senate and the White House on the other. Mr Schumer said the quick passage of the legislation showed the willingness to the Senate to avoid a catastrophic default. Read More 'Shrink the room:' How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt-limit deal and staved off a catastrophe Underestimated McCarthy emerges from debt deal empowered as speaker, still threatened by far right Biden and McCarthy’s debt limit deal went through – but there are winners and losers 'Shrink the room:' How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt-limit deal and staved off a catastrophe Biden and McCarthy’s debt limit deal went through – but there are winners and losers What’s next for Biden-McCarthy debt limit deal as Senate races to beat default?

Guatemala’s attorney general is calling for the government to act against largely peaceful protesters, which have taken to the streets for weeks demanding her resignation for what they say are clear attempts to undermine their nation’s democracy

On Monday, the Rolling Stones announced they will release their first album of original material in 18 years

The Arizona Cardinals begin their new regime under coach Jonathan Gannon at the Washington Commanders, who are under new ownership

Intelligence gained by the "Five Eyes" network led to Canada's public accusation that the Indian government may have played a role in the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil, the US Ambassador to Canada said Sunday.

Starbucks has just dropped its 2023 fall lineup with the added surprise of two brand new drinks alongside fan favourites like the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte. According to the coffee chain, fans should be prepared to say goodbye to summer with a taste of fall on 24 August, when items new and old make their way to Starbucks locations. As companies all over begin to decorate their storefronts with autumn-themed merchandise, Starbucks prepares to celebrate not only one of its most lucrative seasons but also the 20th anniversary of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The popular seasonal drink has over the past two decades become synonymous with fall itself. Some other beloved drinks joining the 2023 lineup include newer fan favourites like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. Meanwhile, the new drinks on the block will include the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, which was reportedly inspired by a popular barista and customer customisation. The new drink takes Starbucks’ classic chai up a notch with the added twist of the highly anticipated, seasonal pumpkin cream cold foam. Starbucks beverage developer Billy Altieri said in a press release: "The warm spice flavors of chai and pumpkin seamlessly blend together, creating a creamy and comforting iced beverage.” Meanwhile, another new addition will be the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, following in the footsteps of its much warmer predecessor. Altieri described the new twist on the fan-favourite as “the warm, gooey taste of apple crisp paired with a cup of coffee meld perfectly to unveil a cosy beverage”. Starbucks Reserve locations around the United States will also be offering pumpkin spice beverages, including the Starbucks Reserve Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Iced Latt, and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini. There will also be new items from the Princi Bakery on the menu, such as the Pumpkin Maritozzo and Pumpkin Spice cake among others. At Starbucks Reserve and select Starbucks locations, there will also be two special whole bean coffees available for purchase: the Starbucks Reserve Vietnam Du Lat and Malawi Sable Farms. Some tried and true classics will also be on the menu at regular Starbucks shops to satisfy customers alongside the new fall flavours, notably pastries like the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Baked Apple Croissant, and Owl Cake Pop. Staple coffee beans like the Guatemala Casi Cielo, which the company has been using since 2004 when the Pumpkin Spice Latte was first launched, will also return. Fans took to Twitter to express their excitement, with one user writing that they had “been waiting for this all year,” and another wondering: “Why not keep fan favourites year-round? Imagine sipping a Pumpkin Spice Latte in April! It’s more than just a drink; it’s an experience.” However, some were perplexed that the company was launching its lineup so early, writing: “it’s AUGUST bro.” But mostly, people were simply ecstatic that their favourite drinks were back: “Enjoying all the pumpkin spice and don’t care what anyone says!” Read More What is the UK’s cheapest meal deal? Waitrose has launched its first ever lunchtime meal deal 30-minute summer recipes for all the family to enjoy

Skky Partners LP, the investment firm led by Kim Kardashian and Jay Sammons, has gotten a taste of