Library

Bizarre 250th spectacle in North Dakota sees Trump take ride on red, white and blue train – and speak with hologram of 26th presidentThe sound of YMCA by the Village People booming through the badlands of North Dakota could only mean one thing: Donald Trump’s 250th anniversary travelling circus had reached a remote corner of America more familiar with bison, wild horses and bighorn sheep.The US president visited Medora on Wednesday to dedicate a $450m library and museum honouring Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, in the region where he roamed as a cowboy and big-game hunter in the 1880s. Continue reading...

Theodore Roosevelt protected swathes of land, while Trump has lifted them from more than 86m acresDonald Trump will attend a ribbon cutting for the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on Wednesday, touting the legacy of a president his own administration is attempting to destroy, critics say.While in office from 1901 to 1909, Roosevelt established five new national parks, protected swaths of land and passed legislation enabling himself and future presidents to proclaim historic landmarks and other objects of historic or scientific interest in federal ownership as national monuments. Continue reading...

• The Bank of England maintained UK interest rates at 3.75% for the fourth consecutive month due to persistent inflation concerns. • The decision was split among the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), with seven members voting to hold and two voting to increase rates to 4%. • This caution follows May 2026 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation of 2.8%, which remains above the MPC's official 2% target.

• Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have continued through June 2026, following the start of the conflict on 2 March 2026. • According to the UN and Lebanese government data, at least 4,175 Lebanese citizens were killed as of 22 June 2026, though military and civilian casualties are not distinguished. • Diplomatic talks are currently focused on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the mutual withdrawal of both Israeli and Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon.

• The House of Commons Library is tracking financial market indicators, including share prices, oil, and gold, to assess the overall health of the economy. • The FTSE-100, which monitors the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange, experienced a sharp decline in 2020 due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. • On March 23, 2020, the index closed at 4,994, marking its lowest point since October 2011.

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and the US-Iran axis has disrupted oil and gas supplies across the Middle East. • These disruptions are driving energy price increases, which may lead to higher inflation and reduced GDP growth within the UK. • The severity of the economic shock depends largely on overseas geopolitical decisions and the resulting stability of global energy markets.

Suspect in incident at Chico branch of Butte county library arrested, police say, but no known motiveTwo people were killed and a child was injured in a shooting at a northern California library on Monday evening, authorities said.A suspect in the incident at the Chico branch of the Butte county library has been arrested, according to the Chico police department. Continue reading...

• Nepal elected a former rapper as prime minister following legislative elections held in March 2026, which were preceded by widespread youth protests. • The new leader, Shah, has committed to a balanced and independent foreign policy based on non-alignment to navigate the influence of neighboring China and India. • This transition marks a significant political shift driven by youth activism and a desire for independent governance.

• UK inflation dropped to 2.8% in April 2026, performing better than initial forecasts. • Economic experts predict a rebound in inflation, expecting it to rise to 3.5% by the end of the year. • The labor market is showing signs of cooling, with the number of payrolled employees steadily decreasing since mid-2024.

Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawnThe Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn. Continue reading...

Rochford LGBTQ+ community say Reform council’s ban on flying pride flags or holding events states they’re not welcomeBefore Reform gained control of Essex county council in the May elections, Chris Taylor and members of the Rochford LGBTQ+ community already felt they were witnessing a growing tide of political rhetoric around identity.But they were still shocked when the county’s new leadership moved to ban Pride events in 74 libraries, scaling back events of “any particular groups or themes”, a decision they said was “straight out of Trumpland”. Continue reading...

• The House of Commons Library reported that UK government borrowing for the 2025/26 financial year totaled £129 billion. • This figure represents a decrease of £23 billion compared to the borrowing levels recorded in the 2024/25 financial year. • These statistics serve as critical economic indicators for analyzing the UK's fiscal health and international standing.

• The House of Commons Library has published a comprehensive timeline documenting the major events of the Russia-Ukraine conflict from the February 2022 invasion to the present. • The report tracks key military developments, diplomatic efforts, and geopolitical shifts resulting from Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. • This resource serves as a critical reference for policymakers and the public to understand the progression of the war and the evolving strategic landscape.

• Following US-Israel strikes and subsequent Iranian counter-strikes, a broader conflict has escalated involving Israel and Hezbollah. • On 28 February 2026, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany condemning Iran's military actions. • The UK response emphasizes the urgent need for a resumption of diplomacy to prevent further regional destabilization.

• Diplomatic efforts are underway to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following closures linked to the 2026 Israel/US-Iran conflict. • The strait serves as a critical global maritime chokepoint, essential for the transport of oil, gas, and other vital supplies. • Restoring access is a priority to stabilize global energy markets and prevent widespread economic disruption caused by supply shortages.

• A formal review of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is scheduled for 2026, potentially aligning with broader efforts to reset diplomatic and economic relations. • Proposed initiatives include establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area for food and agricultural standards and linking the UK and EU emission trading schemes (ETS). • Further negotiations may cover UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market and the creation of a UK-EU youth experience agreement.

• Libya remains geographically and politically fractured, with rival administrations governing the eastern and western regions of the country. • This division intensified following a general election in mid-2014, which triggered a surge in violence and institutional collapse. • The split is characterized by competing governments that are supported by various foreign powers and local armed groups.

• The House of Commons Library released an analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators. • Government borrowing for the 2025/26 financial year was recorded at £132 billion. • This figure represents a £20 billion decrease in borrowing compared to the 2024/25 financial year.

• The House of Commons Library has released updated economic indicators focusing on UK government borrowing and debt. • Public sector net financial liabilities (PSNFL), a key metric for the government's wider financial balance sheet, reached 83.6% of GDP by the end of April 2026. • These indicators are critical as they track the government's progress toward specific fiscal targets and overall financial stability.

• Viktor Orbán lost his position as Prime Minister in the April 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections, ending a 16-year tenure in power. • The election saw significant international involvement, with US President Donald Trump endorsing Orbán and Vice President JD Vance visiting Hungary to criticize EU interference. • Opposing parties, including Magyar and Tisza, campaigned on platforms to combat corruption and "state-capture" orchestrated by Orbán and the Fidesz party.

• The Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 proposes lowering the voting age to 16 for all elections and introducing automated electoral registration. • To increase voter turnout, the bill aims to move the postal vote application deadline in Great Britain three days earlier, providing more time for ballots to be returned. • Part 4 of the legislation tightens rules regarding donations from companies, limited liability partnerships, and unincorporated associations to prevent foreign influence in UK politics.

• The House of Commons Library has released updated GDP international comparisons to measure the size and growth of the UK economy. • The report provides the latest GDP growth data for the UK and offers direct performance benchmarks against other G7 economies. • These indicators are critical for policymakers to assess the UK's relative economic competitiveness and overall financial health on a global scale.

US plaintiffs say waterfront site was improperly transferred for Trump’s personal gainA group of Miami residents has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and the state of Florida over a land giveaway for his proposed presidential library.Almost three acres of prime waterfront land that once belonged to Miami Dade College (MDC) was illegally gifted to the US president by Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, the lawsuit states. Continue reading...

Dublin scholars find 1,200-year-old manuscript of Caedmon’s Hymn composed by Northumbrian cattle herderA lost copy of a poem composed in the seventh century by a Northumbrian cattle herder – the earliest surviving poem in the English language – has been discovered in Rome.Scholars from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) uncovered the manuscript that contains Caedmon’s Hymn at the National Central Library of Rome. Continue reading...

Luanne James said as a librarian she had an obligation to protect the public’s right to access informationSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Tennessee library director has been fired after she refused to relocate more than 100 LGBTQ+-themed children’s titles to the library system’s adult section.The Rutherford county library board on Monday voted to fire Luanne James following a heated emergency meeting that involved supporters of hers chanting “We stand with Luanne!” while wearing shirts that read “Protect the freedom to read.” Continue reading...

The president’s son, Eric Trump, posted a video rendering of the proposed 50-storey gargantuan structure decked in gold In a city of respected art deco buildings, ridicule is being heaped on the latest structure proposed for Miami’s skyline: the Donald J Trump presidential library, unveiled in ambitious plans posted to social media on Monday night.A 1 minute 40 second video tour of the proposed gargantuan structure revealed it will be decked, almost inevitably, in Trump’s trademark gold, including a giant statue of him, and will feature Air Force One, the $400m Boeing “flying palace” gifted to him by Qatar, in its cavernous lobby. Continue reading...