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US Senate confirms Trump nominees for labor board, cementing Republican control

ByJustpaste.in

The US Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominees for two positions on the federal labour law enforcement agency on Friday. The move provides Republicans with the necessary votes to overturn several key decisions that previously supported union organising.

The Republican-led Senate approved a block of over 70 federal government nominees in a 51–47 vote. Among those confirmed were James Macy and David Prouty to serve on the National Labor Relations Board.

James Macy, a Republican, held several roles at the US Department of Labour after spending four decades representing employers in labour disputes. David Prouty, a former union lawyer serving as the board’s sole Democrat, was confirmed for a second term.

The five-member board already held a 2–1 Republican majority prior to the confirmation vote. By tradition, the panel maintains two Democrats, two Republicans, and a chair designated by the president.

The NLRB investigates complaints from private-sector workers and unions whilst overseeing workplace elections. Formal complaints filed by the general counsel are heard by administrative judges before reaching the full board, whose rulings can be appealed in federal court.

This internal process faces ongoing legal challenges from companies such as Amazon and SpaceX, which argue that the framework violates the US Constitution.

Under long-standing tradition, the board requires three affirmative votes to overturn established precedent. Existing Republican appointees Scott Mayer and Chairman James Murphy had previously stated they would not break with that practice without a third vote.

Trump’s appointees are expected to target policies favoured by trade unions that contributed to a recent surge in organising efforts.

Murphy and Mayer have already revived a rule making it harder to hold companies accountable as joint employers of contract workers, whilst relinquishing jurisdiction over a SpaceX case to another federal agency.

The board previously lost its quorum and was unable to process cases last year after Trump took the unprecedented step of removing Democratic member Gwynne Wilcox. Her dismissal left hundreds of cases unresolved for nearly a year.

Wilcox sued and brief reinstatement was granted before a federal appeals court paused and reversed the decision.

In June, the US Supreme Court upheld Trump’s removal of a Democratic Federal Trade Commission member, ruling that statutory protections against removal without cause were invalid. Wilcox’s petition for Supreme Court review regarding an identical protection remains pending.

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    Hobbit Heroes reunite for dinner in Cambridge

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    Nearly two decades after The Lord of the Rings trilogy brought them together on screen, four of Middle-earth’s most beloved hobbits have reunited for an evening of food, drinks and friendship. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, who famously portrayed Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, respectively, gathered at La Royal restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on August 8. The longtime friends spent the evening enjoying dinner, drinks and lively conversation, giving fans another glimpse of the enduring bond formed during the making of Peter Jackson’s acclaimed fantasy trilogy. Astin shared a selfie from the gathering on social media, writing, “The band’s all here,” alongside a photo of the four actors. Monaghan also documented the reunion, jokingly captioning his own post: “Four Halflings. Three cocktails. Two desserts. ONE great night of conversation!” The playful posts quickly delighted fans, many of whom have continued to follow the actors’ friendship long after the final chapter of the original trilogy reached theaters. Their regular reunions have become a nostalgic reminder of the close relationships that developed behind the scenes while filming The Lord of the Rings. The quartet last appeared together as their iconic characters in 2003’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the Oscar-winning conclusion to Jackson’s trilogy. The film became a landmark in modern cinema and cemented Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin as some of fantasy’s most recognizable characters. The reunion also arrives as excitement continues to build around the wider Lord of the Rings universe. Wood is set to return to Middle-earth as Frodo in the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, once again connecting him with the franchise that transformed his career. For fans, however, the Cambridge dinner was about more than a famous film series. The photographs offered a warm glimpse of four actors whose friendship has endured long after their journey through Middle-earth ended. From the Shire to Cambridge, the hobbits may have left the screen years ago, but their friendship clearly remains an adventure worth celebrating. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbxAfQKp3RN/?igsh=ZzdnOHNuYXI4cDEy

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    Death toll from Gansu landslides climbs as heavy rain batters parts of China

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    The death toll from flash floods and landslides in China’s northwestern Gansu Province has risen to 25 as rescue teams continue recovery efforts while heavy rainfall threatens more areas across the country. According to Chinese state media, the disaster struck Weiyuan County in Dingxi City after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides on July 26. Earlier reports had confirmed 10 deaths, but updated figures released on Sunday showed that at least 25 people have now lost their lives while another 23 were injured. Rescue workers remain active in the affected areas as authorities assess the full extent of the damage. China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief has instructed Gansu provincial authorities to carry out detailed investigations and damage assessments following the deadly disaster. Officials are also working to identify areas at risk of further landslides as persistent rainfall continues during the country’s annual flood season. Local authorities in Gansu have warned residents to remain alert because unstable hillsides and saturated ground could trigger additional landslides, particularly around Dingxi and nearby districts. Emergency services have been placed on standby to respond quickly if weather conditions worsen. The severe weather has not been limited to Gansu. China’s national weather agency issued fresh warnings on Sunday for several regions, including Beijing and Inner Mongolia, where heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected. Forecasters said a broad stretch of the country from the southwest to the northeast could experience dangerous weather over the coming days. Sichuan Province has also been hit hard by continuous rainfall. State broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 64,000 people have been evacuated from high risk areas, while over 881,000 residents have been relocated since the beginning of this year’s flood season. Local governments are continuing emergency operations to protect communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Weather officials have also warned of another potential threat developing in the western Pacific. Super Typhoon Dolphin is moving towards East Asia and is expected to begin affecting China’s southeastern coastal regions from Wednesday. Authorities are closely monitoring its path and preparing emergency response measures in case the storm brings strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal provinces. China experiences frequent flooding during the summer monsoon season, with mountainous regions particularly vulnerable to landslides caused by prolonged rainfall. In recent years, extreme weather events have become more common, prompting authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve emergency response systems to reduce the impact on local communities. As rescue and recovery efforts continue in Gansu, officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow weather updates and evacuation orders to minimise the risk of further casualties as heavy rain continues across large parts of the country.

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    IRGC targets key US military bases in Kuwait

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    Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for launching another round of attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait, saying the strikes targeted key military infrastructure used by American forces in the Gulf region. In an official statement, the IRGC said the operation targeted the Ali Al Salem Air Base, where US military personnel and equipment are stationed. According to the statement, the attack struck a large military equipment warehouse, a Patriot air defence missile system, and a hangar used to house US MQ-9 Reaper drones. The IRGC claimed the strikes caused significant damage to military assets at the base. However, the extent of the reported damage has not been independently verified. The statement also said Iranian forces targeted Al Udairi Barracks, another military facility used by US forces in Kuwait. The IRGC claimed the attack hit accommodation areas used by American troops as well as two helicopter hangars, resulting in heavy damage to helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. Iran further claimed that a telecommunications tower was also struck during the operation. According to the IRGC, the attack was carried out in retaliation for what it described as previous US attacks on communication infrastructure inside Iran. The latest announcement comes amid heightened military tensions between Iran and the United States following recent exchanges of attacks in the region. Both countries have accused each other of escalating the conflict through military operations targeting strategic installations. There has been no immediate confirmation from the US Department of Defense or the Kuwaiti government regarding the IRGC’s claims. American and Kuwaiti officials have not publicly commented on whether the reported attacks caused casualties or damage to military facilities. Independent verification of the IRGC’s claims remains unavailable, and the exact impact of the reported strikes has not yet been confirmed. The reported attacks are likely to further increase tensions in the Gulf region, where US military bases play a central role in regional security and military operations. Observers say any further escalation could have significant implications for stability in the Middle East as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continue.

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    2 students killed in Philippines school shooting, …

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    Colombia earthquake, Shehbaz Sharif expresses deep…

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    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with Colombia after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the country, killing more than 111 people and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region. The powerful tremor damaged hundreds of buildings and triggered desperate rescue operations as emergency workers searched through collapsed structures for survivors. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound grief over the loss of precious lives and the destruction caused by the disaster. He extended heartfelt condolences to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, the people of Colombia and families who lost loved ones in the tragedy. “Pakistan stands with the people of Colombia in this difficult hour,” the prime minister said in his message, conveying solidarity with those facing the devastating consequences of the earthquake. Sharif also expressed sympathy for those injured and affected by the disaster, saying Pakistan’s thoughts and prayers were with the victims, survivors and rescue teams working in difficult conditions. The earthquake caused severe damage across several western cities, including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales. Hospitals were placed under pressure as injured people were brought in, while rescue workers and volunteers continued clearing rubble in search of those feared trapped. Authorities also reported damage to infrastructure and airports, while aftershocks added to fears among residents. Colombia’s government declared an emergency to speed up rescue and relief operations. The disaster has prompted an international response, with countries offering assistance as Colombia confronts one of its most serious seismic emergencies in years. For Pakistan, the tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of international solidarity during natural disasters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Pakistani government and people shared the grief of Colombian families and prayed for strength, patience and an early recovery for everyone affected. As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on saving lives, supporting survivors and helping devastated communities rebuild.

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