Investigations launched into polling firm at centre of Reform UK allegations
The Guardian •

Investigations launched into polling firm at centre of Reform UK allegations

British Polling Council and Market Research Society announce inquiries into JL Partners, which has been accused of breaking transparency rulesWhat is the latest finance scandal facing Reform UK?A polling firm at the centre of allegations that Reform UK breached electoral law is being investigated by two industry bodies.JL Partners, which is run by former Conservative aides, has been accused of bre...

Lindsay Clancy murder trial: jury says with ‘heavy heart’ it cannot reach unanimous verdict – live updates
The Guardian •

Lindsay Clancy murder trial: jury says with ‘heavy heart’ it cannot reach unanimous verdict – live updates

Jury returns to tell judge for a third time it cannot reach a verdict in case of Massachusetts woman who killed her childrenJudge set to declare mistrial in Lindsay Clancy case after jury deadlocked third timeAfter the judge read out the note from the jury, prosecutors expressed they were in favour of a mistrial, whereas Lindsay Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington had asked the judge to send jurors...

Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s security services HQ is a ‘major escalation’, says Ukraine’s foreign minister – as it happened

Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s security services HQ is a ‘major escalation’, says Ukraine’s foreign minister – as it happened

The Guardian •

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story herein Magdeburg, Saxony-AnhaltPolls have suggested that the election on Sunday could yield Germany’s first-ever state government led by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), shattering a postwar taboo and leaving minorities’ fate in the hands of a party that has promised to launch deportations “from day one”. Continue reading...

5 EU nations plan to send rejected migrants to non-EU ‘return hubs’, target 2027

5 EU nations plan to send rejected migrants to non-EU ‘return hubs’, target 2027

SCMP •

Denmark and four other European Union countries agreed on Friday on a model for “return hubs” in non-EU nations and hope to begin sending migrants to the facilities as early as 2027, an official said. The announcement, made after a one-day meeting in Copenhagen, is the latest development in an effort by EU states to send people whose asylum requests have been rejected to third countries outside th...

Judge set to declare mistrial in Lindsay Clancy case after jury deadlocked again

Judge set to declare mistrial in Lindsay Clancy case after jury deadlocked again

The Guardian •

Defense lawyer has asked for an hour to request emergency stay after jury deadlocked for third timeLindsay Clancy murder trial: live updatesThe judge in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, plans to declare a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict and remained deadlocked after a week of deliberations.Jurors in Plymo...

Lindsay Clancy murder trial: judge set to call mistrial after jury deadlocks – live updates

Lindsay Clancy murder trial: judge set to call mistrial after jury deadlocks – live updates

The Guardian •

Jury returns to tell judge for a third time it cannot reach a verdict in case of Massachusetts woman who killed her childrenThis dramatic turn of events, as the judge was about to declare a mistrial and call the jury back in, comes after Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked for an emergency stay.The judge, William Sullivan, has given him one hour to do so. Continue reading...

Russia strikes Ukraine intelligence HQ in ‘major escalation’

Russia strikes Ukraine intelligence HQ in ‘major escalation’

The Guardian •

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has instructed SBU to deliver an ‘appropriate, tangible response’ to Kyiv strikeThe head office of Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency has been hit in a Russian drone attack, sending plumes of black smoke rising into the air in the heart of Kyiv.Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said he had instructed the SBU to deliver an “appropriate, tangible response” to the s...

'Italian opposition fragmented: No alternative leader, no other possible leader than Giorgia Meloni'

'Italian opposition fragmented: No alternative leader, no other possible leader than Giorgia Meloni'

France 24 •

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Political analyst Lorenzo Pregliasco, co-founder of polling agency YouTrend and adjunct professor at the University of Bologna. He argues that Giorgia Meloni’s unusual longevity in office is best understood not simply as a record of political strength, but as the product of a carefully calibrated governing strategy. Meloni has maintained stability partly by avo...

Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner to visit Russia and Ukraine in coming days

Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner to visit Russia and Ukraine in coming days

France 24 •

US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Kyiv for a first-time visit on Sunday, several sources reported. Witkoff and Kushner – Trump's son-in-law – have been involved in shuttle diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine, travelling to Moscow multiple times, and are expected to visit Kyiv this weekend. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Ket...

Canary staff not paid amid fears for news website’s future

Canary staff not paid amid fears for news website’s future

The Guardian •

Outlet faced significant financial challenges after it had funds blocked by bank without explanationWorkers at the leftwing news outlet the Canary fear it will not survive beyond this year amid access to funds being blocked and allegations of financial mismanagement and internal turmoil.The site, which was founded in 2015 against a backdrop of the wave of support for the then Labour leader, Jeremy...

Game on, history off: White House unveils MAGA arcade

Game on, history off: White House unveils MAGA arcade

Times of India •

The White House launched retro-style video games to promote President Trump's agenda. Two immigration games, 'Build the Wall' and 'Rio Run,' sparked significant controversy. Critics argue these games trivialize serious immigration issues and dehumanize migrants. Supporters believe the administration is communicating policy in an accessible language for younger Americans. This initiative reflects a...

New York City police fatally shoot man who climbed up Brooklyn Bridge cables

New York City police fatally shoot man who climbed up Brooklyn Bridge cables

The Guardian •

Officers clipped to bridge had tried to talk man, who was holding a knife, into coming down safely, officials sayNew York City police shot and killed a man on Friday morning after he climbed onto the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge and approached officers with a knife extended, New York police department officials said.At a news conference Friday, NYPD officials said that a 911 call came in at aroun...

On the ground: Russian drone strikes Ukraine security service headquarters in Kyiv

On the ground: Russian drone strikes Ukraine security service headquarters in Kyiv

France 24 •

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security services on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, accusing Moscow of aiming directly at the SBU head's personal office. Zelensky said he had instructed the SBU to deliver an "appropriate, tangible response" to the strike, while Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described it as a "major escalation". FRANCE 24's ...