The U.S. added 206,000 new jobs in June, with leading gains in government, health care, social assistance and construction, the Labor Department reports. Unemployment crept above the 4% mark -- to 4.1% -- for the first time in 29 months. [CHART: Bureau of Labor Statistics]

FRIDAY 7/5/24

Landslide for Labour – King Charles formally appointed Keir Starmer (left column, above) as the UK’s prime minister after his Labour party overwhelmed the ruling Conservatives in Sunday’s general elections by more than three to one. 

Appearing on the street in front of his new residence at 10 Downing Street in London Monday, Starmer – who once called for the end of Britain’s monarchy – said; “If I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you would say no. And so my government will fight every day until you believe again.” (Per The Guardian.)

Starmer became only the fourth Labour party leader to win a general election since World War II. While Tories could end up with the lowest number of seats in Conservative Party history, Labour is forecast to fall short of the 419 seats Tony Blair won in 1997, according to the BBC. The Conservative party has led the UK since 2010.

Labour won 410 parliamentary seats, with 326 needed for a majority, 1440 reports, while the Tories snagged just 131 seats and the Liberal Democrats, 61.

Yesterday’s PM, Rishi Sunak, was re-elected for his Parliament seat for Richmond and Northallerton but said he would resign as the Tories’ leader.

“I have heard your anger, disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss,” Sunak said.

Yes, that’s what a peaceful change in power sounds like.

Meanwhile, in France … Second round in France’s elections happen Sunday. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party holds a huge lead after last Sunday’s elections.

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Biden, Take Two – In what could only be described as a desperate effort to reverse the effects of last week’s CNN presidential debate with Donald J. Trump, President Biden sits for an interview Friday with ABC News’ George Stephanopolous in Madison, Wisconsin, after a campaign rally in the state (per Good Morning America). First excerpts of the debate will be broadcast on World News Tonight with the full interview at 8 p.m.

--Compiled and edited by Todd Lassa