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Swedish party blocs tied after Sunday vote, projections say
Sweden’s general election is too tight to call, with early results showing the two main political blocs separated by roughly 20,000 votes after half the ballots had been counted. The outcome will determine whether Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson returns as prime minister at the head of a left-wing coalition, or whether incumbent conservative Ulf…
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German far-right surge, Charlie Kirk backlash and Aspinall’s title under threat
Germany’s AfD nears historic regional power as Sweden votes Sunday amid a hard-right surge; US students spark outrage reenacting Charlie Kirk’s killing; plus a Rotherham cost-of-living charity, a Boko Haram survivor’s story, and sport and music updates.
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Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists
Turkish police detained 47 people in weekend raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists across 12 provinces, as part of a government campaign called “My Family is Safe” that officials say aims to protect family values. Human rights groups have condemned the operation, accusing the authorities of using it as cover to…
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‘Trump accounts’ promise to mint child millionaires. Experts have their doubts
Donald Trump has been heavily promoting “Trump accounts”, a federal scheme launched in July that gives newborns a $1,000 government-funded investment deposit, casting it as a way to give American children a financial head start. Economists say his claims about the programme’s benefits are overstated and warn it may actually widen, rather than narrow, the…
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Support for rejoining EU after Brexit at an all-time high, says leading pollster
Sir John Curtice, the UK’s leading polling expert, says support for rejoining the European Union has reached its highest level since the 2016 Brexit referendum, but he warns that politicians must actively make the case for closer EU ties or the shift in public opinion could stall. Speaking exclusively to The Independent as part of…
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Reform’s £72m crypto windfall and Burnham’s Starmer split lead a turbulent day for Labour and BBC’s Today
Farage hails record Reform UK donations as new PM Andy Burnham reportedly plans a break from Starmer’s legacy; elsewhere, Emma Barnett quits Radio 4’s Today, a Saudi pipeline shuts after Houthi drone strikes, and Arsenal’s Arteta slams a “unacceptable” penalty call.
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Swedish voters go to polls to choose a new parliament as hard right bids for role in government
Voters in Sweden go to the polls on Sunday in an election that will decide whether centre-right Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wins a second term, with the possibility that the hard-right Sweden Democrats gain Cabinet posts for the first time, or whether the centre-left Social Democrats return to power under former prime minister Magdalena Andersson.…
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The AfD won a shock election in Germany. Elon Musk was thrilled
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) secured a striking victory in a German state election, coming close to forming the country’s first far-right regional government since the Second World War. Elon Musk publicly celebrated the result on X, congratulating AfD leader Alice Weidel and prompting party officials to praise him in return, reigniting scrutiny of…
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Ukraine peace talks loom, Chile care-home fire kills 16, Jimmy Lai’s daughter reveals cancer diagnosis
Zelensky’s team eyes October talks with Russia and the US as Moscow rejects a Putin-Zelensky G20 meeting; a Chilean nursing home fire has killed sixteen. Also: Rupert Lowe turns down Musk funding, an Afghan teenager pleads guilty to a London murder, and Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0.
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Inheritance tax faces axe if Kemi wins next election as sources say ditching ‘hated’ levy will be funded by welfare cuts
Party sources have told the Mail on Sunday that inheritance tax is likely to be scrapped if Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives win the next general election, provided “the sums can be made to add up.” The move is designed to contrast with tax rises under Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham, including a newly announced £1.6billion “tourist…