Poland’s parliament votes to ease abortion ban but faces likely veto from president
The Guardian •

Poland’s parliament votes to ease abortion ban but faces likely veto from president

Measures would remove some penalties for those helping women access abortion but are ‘small-scale step’, say campaignersPoland’s lower house of parliament has approved two bills aimed at loosening a near-total ban on abortions, in what campaigners have described as a “small-scale step” ahead of protests calling on the government to fulfil its promises to overhaul the country’s laws.The new measure...

Booking.com under investigation by EU regulators over fake listings and scams
The Guardian •

Booking.com under investigation by EU regulators over fake listings and scams

European Commission calls accommodation website’s approach to fraudulent listings and phishing scams as ‘absolutely substandard’EU regulators have opened an investigation into Booking.com, alleging that the accommodation website has not done enough to protect consumers from fake listings and scams.The European Commission, which regulates the world’s biggest tech companies operating in the EU, said...

Witkoff blasted for calling Putin a "humanitarian"

CBS News •

After special envoy Steve Witkoff told Putin he was a "humanitarian" for releasing a U.S. citizen deemed to have been wrongfully detained, GOP Sen. John Cornyn responded, "No. Putin is a stone cold killer."

Reform UK claims racism exposé has left some members ‘psychologically damaged’ as it reports ITV to police – UK politics live

Reform UK claims racism exposé has left some members ‘psychologically damaged’ as it reports ITV to police – UK politics live

The Guardian •

Zia Yusuf claims undercover investigation broke the law as broadcaster stands by its journalismHere is an explainer by Jill Ambrose about the Jackdaw decision.But environmental groups have condemned the decision. Ami McCarthy, head of politics for Greenpeace UK, said:Approving Jackdaw shows the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy. Andy Burnham promised pragmatism [se...

Sacramento jury awards $33.3 million to physics student injured by a falling tree branch in 2020

Sacramento jury awards $33.3 million to physics student injured by a falling tree branch in 2020

Times of India •

In a landmark decision, a jury in Sacramento awarded Michael Flynn $33.3 million after he sustained a brain injury from a dead branch falling during his jog in McKinley Park. The city was found wholly negligent in their tree maintenance and safety checks. Despite the injury, Flynn persevered through rehabilitation to earn his doctorate in physics, advocating for greater accountability in public in...

In Southern California, five rival supercolonies of Argentine ants are engaged in a war that has led to 15 million deaths already

In Southern California, five rival supercolonies of Argentine ants are engaged in a war that has led to 15 million deaths already

Times of India •

A tumultuous and deadly rivalry unfolds among five Argentine ant supercolonies in San Diego, resulting in an alarming number of fatalities. These strongly territorial ants engage in relentless battles, disregarding the 'dear enemy effect' common in territorial animals. Surprisingly, studies reveal that these colonies have reached an impasse, maintaining fixed borders even amid continuous aggressio...

Ukraine and Russia both say ready to resume trilateral talks with US

Ukraine and Russia both say ready to resume trilateral talks with US

France 24 •

Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday said they are both ready to resume trilateral talks with the United States. The news comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff separately met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on two consecutive days.

Zelensky proposes freezing front with Russia as first step to peace talks

Zelensky proposes freezing front with Russia as first step to peace talks

France 24 •

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for the front line in Russia's war against to Ukraine to be frozen along current lines as a first step toward peace talks. His comments came as US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg.

Burnham backs mandatory suicide prevention training for social workers after parent-carer Matilda Davis’s death

Burnham backs mandatory suicide prevention training for social workers after parent-carer Matilda Davis’s death

The Guardian •

Former art teacher, who cared for her disabled son, ‘received almost no support’, said her local MP Manuela PerteghellaAndy Burnham has backed mandatory suicide prevention training for social workers after the “devastating” death of Matilda Davis, a parent-carer who killed herself minutes after meeting professionals.The Guardian revealed in August how the “absolutely inspirational” 36-year-old had...

Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest

Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest

The Guardian •

Leaders criticised for spreading misleading information as France prepares for further protests this weekendEurope live – latest updatesEmmanuel Macron has accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making “stupid comments” about France’s street unrest for political gain, as the country prepared for more protests this weekend.Speaking during a visit to Qatar, the French president did not na...

Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of making ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest

Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of making ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest

The Guardian •

French president criticises leaders for spreading misleading information as country prepares for further protests this weekendEurope live – latest updatesEmmanuel Macron has accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making “stupid comments” about France’s street unrest for political gain, as the country prepared for more protests this weekend.Speaking during a visit to Qatar, the French pr...

Peter Zalmayev: 'Ukraine was showing all sorts of cards that Trump took away and gave to Putin'

Peter Zalmayev: 'Ukraine was showing all sorts of cards that Trump took away and gave to Putin'

France 24 •

Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Peter Zalmayev, Founder and Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, LIVE from Kyiv. And he warns, "I'm seeing, I'm smelling a Yalta II. I'm smelling another Munich (1938), where we're seeing appeasement of the aggressor." With this striking historical analogy, Zalmayev captures what he considers the central danger facing Ukraine: the possibility that its ...