Lou Koller, legendary Sick of It All frontman, die…

The industrial action carried out by WestJet flight attendants concluded following overnight negotiations that yielded a provisional contract between the Canadian airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125. The resolution arrived early Monday morning after a brief strike that disrupted travel plans nationwide over the weekend. Union leadership confirmed that the consensus marks progress regarding operational credit structures, ensuring better recognition and wage distribution for duties performed on the ground prior to takeoff, including passenger boarding and delay management. Management at the carrier expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the dedication of the workforce. Unofficial terms indicate the proposal includes an immediate pay raise retroactive to the start of the year, alongside adjusted duty allocations. While flight operations are slated to rebuild gradually pending safety verifications and roster adjustments, the negotiated terms remain subject to formal ratification by the union membership.

In a dramatic outcome that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic establishment, progressive public health advocate Dr Abdul El-Sayed has secured the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate in Michigan, narrowly defeating establishment-backed Representative Haley Stevens. The contest to replace retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters had emerged as a central battleground between the party’s moderate and progressive factions. Stevens, a four-term congresswoman with deep ties to Washington leadership, had entered the primary with formidable institutional backing and substantial financial support, including over $30 million (£23.5 million) spent on her behalf by political action committees affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Despite being outspent by a margin of roughly nine to one, El-Sayed built a coalition anchored by strong turnout among young voters, working-class communities, and urban centres such as Detroit and Ann Arbor. Backed by prominent progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, El-Sayed campaigned on a platform of universal healthcare, campaign finance reform, higher taxes on wealthy corporations, and an immediate end to foreign military aid. “We built this campaign brick by brick”, El-Sayed told cheering supporters at his election night watch party in Detroit, emphasising that grassroots engagement ultimately proved more powerful than dark-money political action committees. The progressive momentum extended down-ballot across the state. In Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, Democratic Socialist Donavan McKinney unseated incumbent Representative Shri Thanedar, an outspoken supporter of military aid to Israel, while progressive activist William Lawrence clinched the nomination in another competitive congressional district. The primary result sets up a high-stakes November general election against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former congressman who ran unopposed. Rogers and national Republican strategists have already signalled plans to paint El-Sayed’s left-wing platform as out of touch with Midwestern swing-state voters. For Democrats, the contest will serve as an ultimate test of whether a bold progressive message can unite the party base and retain a seat vital to determining control of the US Senate.

A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, leaving at least 26 people dead and causing widespread damage across several cities. The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.4. It struck at around 7:34am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region at a depth of about 107 kilometres. The tremor was felt across much of Colombia and in neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. Authorities warned residents to remain alert as aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake. Local officials reported deaths in several parts of the country. Three children were among those killed in Calima El Darién after a wall collapsed. Other fatalities were reported in Zarzal, Buenaventura, Manizales and Pereira. Pereira officials reported 18 deaths, while authorities in Manizales confirmed additional fatalities. Rescue teams continued assessing the situation as reports of casualties and damage were updated. Cali was among the worst-affected cities. Mayor Alejandro Eder said at least 20 buildings had collapsed, with people reportedly trapped under the rubble. He requested additional rescue personnel from Bogotá and Medellín to assist emergency teams. Residents were urged to leave buildings if they noticed major cracks or believed the structures were unsafe. Serious damage was also reported in Quibdó, the capital of Chocó. Regional authorities said several people were injured and buildings were damaged. Rescue workers were deployed to assess affected areas and search for people who may be trapped. Manizales also suffered significant structural damage. Images and videos showed part of the Cathedral Basilica’s clocktower leaning dangerously. A five-storey building was also seen collapsing as people evacuated nearby areas. The earthquake caused panic in Bogotá, where residents rushed out of homes and workplaces. Emergency sirens sounded across parts of the capital. People gathered in streets as buildings and traffic lights shook during the tremor. Bogotá authorities initially reported cracks in some structures but said there was no immediate indication of major infrastructure damage. The earthquake also disrupted air travel. Colombia’s civil aviation authority suspended operations at several airports after damage was reported at facilities in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago and Buenaventura. Operations at Popayán airport were also suspended because of volcanic ash. Officials said the Colombian Geological Service recorded two aftershocks, measuring 2.8 and 4.8. The stronger aftershock was widely felt. Colombian authorities described the earthquake as the strongest recorded in the country in roughly a decade. Emergency agencies continued damage assessments while rescue operations remained underway. President Abelardo De La Espriella said he had taken direct charge of the emergency response. He ordered the creation of a unified command centre to coordinate rescue and relief efforts and said he would travel to Pereira to monitor the situation. The disaster comes less than two months after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. Those quakes killed more than 6,100 people and caused extensive destruction.