Air Canada C.E.O. Draws Scorn for Delivering Condolences Only in English

TSA official says workers have missed out on nearly $1bn in pay as airport turmoil continues amid shutdown – live

Some airports advise travelers to arrive four hours before their scheduled flights as TSA staff, who have been working without pay for over a month, are not reporting for dutySign up for the Breaking News US emailTop officials at agencies affected by the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown are testifying on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The lapse in funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has lasted 40 days with little end in sight.During opening remarks, the Republican chair of the House homeland security committee, Andrew Garbarino, said that the shutdown has caused “massive disruptions” across airports, “weakened our nation’s cybersecurity posture” and “left states unsupported with less than 100 days until the start of major events across the United States, such as FIFA World Cup”. Continue reading...

Middle East crisis live: confusion over Iran’s response to US proposal to end war

Sources suggest Iran unhappy with US’s 15-point list but it is unclear whether it has rejected it outrightIranian nationals with valid Australian tourist visas will be blocked from entering the country for six months, Australia’s home affairs minister said, citing concern some may decide to stay longer than they’re allowed. Tony Burke said the direction was necessary as there was a risk Iranians on tourist visas visiting Australia may be unable or unlikely to leave when their visa expires. The order only applies to people with a valid tourist visa outside of the country. The government said “sympathetic consideration” would be given to citizens with Iranian parents. The government said it would closely monitor global developments and adjust settings as required.If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap of the day:An Iranian military spokesperson mocked US attempts at a ceasefire deal, insisting Americans were only negotiating with themselves. Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari’s statement came after the Trump administration reportedly sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran through Pakistan.Even as Donald Trump claimed productive negotiations to end the war were ongoing with Tehran, Iran’s relentless bombardment of the Gulf states showed no sign of relenting. Kuwait and Bahrain were both hit with damaging strikes on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, as the patience of the Gulf states after rebuffing constant attacks for almost a month began to wear thin.The World Trade Organisation warned disruptions to international fertiliser supplies caused by the closing of the strait of Hormuz will cause food scarcity and high prices. A third of the world’s fertilisers normally transit the strait.Oil prices fell nearly 6% and Asian shares gained, after reports Donald Trump had sent a peace plan to Iran fuelled optimism in the market. A barrel of Brent crude was down 5.92% at $98.30, while benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down 5.01% at $87.72.Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed nine people, state media reported. Citing the health ministry, Lebanon’s official National News Agency said strikes had killed people across towns and a Palestinian refugee camp.News that Trump had approved the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East further undermined the US president’s repeated claims of successful peace talks. Iran has previously threatened to mine the gulf surrounding the island if the US appeared to be landing troops. Continue reading...

Iran War Live Updates: Tehran Dismisses Trump’s Cease-Fire Offer but Signals Openness to Talks

The Pentagon is sending more troops to the region even as President Trump seemed to endorse Pakistan’s offer to broker negotiations.

Israel Races to Hit Iran Hard While It Still Can, Leery of Possible Talks, Officials Say

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the order on Tuesday for the military to accelerate its attacks, with a 48-hour deadline, four people briefed on the matter said.

Block on political crypto donations and a £100k cap from Britons abroad to take effect today – UK politics live

Steve Reed makes statement to MPs following the Rycroft review into political fundingHere is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs.Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has urged people to reject “conspiracy” theories about the loss of Morgan McSweeney’s phone. Continue reading...

Israel Keeps Up Strikes in Lebanon as Hezbollah Signals Defiance

There were few signs that either side was prepared to step back from the fighting. Israel said it struck an area south of Beirut and issued new evacuation warnings.

Here’s the latest.

Iranians Reject Trump’s Offer for Cease-Fire but Signal Openness to Talk

Iran does not want a momentary pause in the fighting, fearing that Israel and the United States would use that opportunity to beef up their forces before resuming strikes.

Bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years, study finds

Research suggests hunter-gatherers were feeding dogs and giving them ritual burials as early as the last ice ageThey are humankind’s best friend, and now ancient DNA analysis has revealed that the enduring bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years.The groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature, pushes back the oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs by 5,000 years, revealing that hunter-gatherers were feeding the animals and giving them ritual burials long before the emergence of agriculture. Continue reading...