WASHINGTON U.S. wholesale inventories fell a bit less in April than initially estimated, which could provide a lift

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus criticised Texas governor Greg Abbott for deploying “cruel and inhumane” tactics like razor-tipped buoys as part of his controversial effort to lock down the US-Mexico border. “Today was eye-opening,” Rep Sylvia Garcia of Texas wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing a video of orange buoys used in the Rio Grande which are separated with blade saw-like barbed disks. “Seeing the barbaric, inhumane, and ungodly practices in my home state of Texas. This is beyond politics and crosses a line into human rights violations.” “Everyone needs to see what I saw in Eagle Pass today,” said Texas congressman Joaquin Castro in his own dispatch from the border. “Clothing stuck on razor wire where families got trapped. Chainsaw devices in the middle of buoys. Land seized from US citizens. Operation Lone Star is barbaric — and Governor Abbott is making border communities collateral damage.” The Texas governor has insisted that the buoys and razor wire he’s installed across the border between the state and Mexico will save lives by deterring migration. However, as The Independent has reported, advocates and Texas troopers are warning the tools are already putting people at risk. In July, a Texas state border medic named Nicholas Wingate went public with allegations that the border barriers were already causing severe injuries, and that he and his fellow troopers were ordered, as part of the governor’s Operation Lone Star, to push exhausted migrants back into the river and refuse to offer them water. (The state denies this order existed.) “I believe we have stepped over a line into the inhumane,” he told his superiors, in messages shared with media outlets. Last week, Mexican officials informed the state of Texas that two bodies were found in the Rio Grande: one ensnared in Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial floating border wall, and another in a nearby area. Critics allege the border build-up cause these deaths, though the cause of death for the two people found hasn’t been determined yet. Despite years of border security installations and billions invested across multiple state and federal administrations, migration continues to increase, hitting a record in December. “It’s been proven time after time that these so-called prevention through deterrence strategies don’t work,” Fernando García of the Border Network for Human Rights told The Independent last month. “They have not stopped immigration flows, but what they have done is they have put immigrants at risk.” “It’s very likely that with [the floating buoy wall] they are looking for more remote and isolated places to come across so that whenever they are in danger by heat exhaustion, by drowning, they will not have anybody to help them,” he added, saying he worries it could be a record year for migrant deaths in the Rio Grande. Members of Congress and human rights activists aren’t the only ones taking issue with the border barriers. Last month, a local kayak guide in Eagle Pass named Jessie Fuentes sued the state, arguing it doesn’t have authority to erect a floating border barrier in the Rio Grande. “You’ve taken a beautiful waterway and you’ve converted it into a war zone,” he toldThe Independent. The Department of Justice has also sued the state, arguing it violated federal waterways laws. Texas has insisted it has legal authority to carry out such measures, some of which it argues are allowed under a controversial reading of the US Constitution granting states war powers when theyr’e under invasion. Legal experts told The Independent this is a mistaken reading of the clause, which was intended to cover invasion by military forces, not regular immigration by civilians. “The theory that Abbott is relying on here is that the influx of undocumented individuals is an actual invasion. That also doesn’t pass muster,” Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel at the Brennan Center’s Liberty & National Security Program, told The Independent. Read More How governor Greg Abbott is using an obscure ‘invasion’ legal theory for a border power grab in Texas Republicans and Democrats agree: They want to kill migrants at the US-Mexico border Buoys, razor wire, and a Trump-y wall: How Greg Abbott turned the Rio Grande into an immigration ‘war zone’ After a glacial dam outburst destroyed homes in Alaska, a look at the risks of melting ice masses District attorney threatens to charge officials in California's capital over homelessness response Judge is asked to block Florida law making it a crime to drive people who are in the US illegally

BBC Breakfast star Emma Vardy has welcomed her first child with husband Aaron Adams. The co-host of the morning news programme announced her “best breaking news ever” on Instagram, where she shared a photo of herself cradling her newborn. Vardy first revealed her pregnancy in May, when she shared a photo of her baby bump after a day of surfing in Co Sligo. The BBC Ireland correspondent wrote on Instagram: “Presenting my best breaking news ever. Baby boy Jago Fionn is here. “At just a few hours old, playing a little camera shy. Huge thanks to the dedicated and talented midwives and doctors at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for looking after us so well.” She added that she and Adams were “smitten and so in love”. The photo was a selfie taken from her hospital bed as she cuddled the newborn baby, who has dark hair and was dressed in a white onesie. Announcing the news of her pregnancy in May, Vardy posted a photo of herself holding a surfboard as she showcased her bump. She wrote: “Well folks it’s definitely getting a bit harder to balance…. extra cargo hitching a ride!! Still managing to catch a few waves though. “Beautiful weekend in Co Sligo, and a very exciting summer ahead!!” She added: “#paddlingfortwo #babyonboard.” Last month, Vardy celebrated her baby shower and shared a series of photos from the joyous event. She wore a one-shouldered white gown and a beautiful pink and yellow flower crown as she posed in front of a large blue-and-white balloon display. Other photos included in the post showed her friends and family posing with her, all wearing green flower crowns, as well as photos of the decoration and tablescape for the event. “Belated Babyshower spam for the gram,” she wrote in the caption. Vardy married Adams in March 2022 in Co Antrim, where Adams’ son Jonah acted as ring bearer. Read More ‘My depression ate me up and stopped me doing the thing in life I loved the most – cooking’ Maya Jama and Stormzy ‘confirm relationship’ as they’re seen holding hands in Greece King Charles planning ‘major shakeup’ to Royal Household staff Elle King opens up about her ‘deep depression’ amid two-year postpartum journey Sienna Miller pregnant with her second child Serena Williams celebrates second pregnancy with ‘pre-push party’

National Treasure was first across the finish line in the 2023 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Saturday evening.

All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi has been activated from the injured list to start for the Texas Rangers in the middle game of their pivotal AL West series against the Houston Astros

It's probably easy to forget that Magic Leap still exists, but its 5-year-old, first-gen product

SHANGHAI Tesla's ambitious plan to boost auto production in Shanghai, its most valuable plant globally, hinges on China's

This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from Kelly Clarkson and Portugal

Switzerland’s central bank says it's time to review rules aimed at preventing disastrous bank collapses

The military academy first thought the 200-year-old box was empty. Closer study revealed otherwise.

Meta Platforms Inc. is hoping to revive interest in the metaverse by pitching it as a tool to

The Chicago Cubs placed Dansby Swanson on the 10-day injured list Saturday because of a bruised left foot and anticipate it will be a short absence for their All-Star shortstop