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EU drops Usmanov and Fridman from blacklist as Russia sanctions continue
The EU has removed Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, after France and Luxembourg pressed for their delisting. The decision enabled the bloc to preserve broader sanctions against Russia, but angered many member states and Ukraine, which said it weakened Europe’s unity and created a dangerous precedent. To secure unanimous…
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Swinney backs Holyrood’s authority to decide Scotland’s referendum timing
Scottish First Minister John Swinney led a Holyrood debate asserting Scotland’s status as a nation and arguing that the Scottish Parliament, rather than Westminster, should decide when another independence referendum is held. The motion exposed divisions over constitutional authority and priorities, with critics arguing that the SNP was revisiting independence instead of addressing domestic problems.…
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Taylor Swift sets new single Patient Zero for 25 September
Taylor Swift has announced “Patient Zero”, a new single due on Friday, 25 September, marking her first new single since “I Knew It, I Knew You”, her contribution to the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The announcement followed a website countdown and social-media teasers in which she replaced the letter “O” with zeroes, while saying she…
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DAVID MARCUS: In deep blue Minnesota a red dawn may be rising ahead of the midterms
The article argues that Minnesota’s traditionally Democratic races may be becoming competitive ahead of the midterm elections. It attributes the shift to voter dissatisfaction with state leadership, affordability concerns and a major alleged fraud scandal, while noting that polling remains uncertain. Republican Senate candidate Michelle Tafoya is described as trailing Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannagan…
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Mahershala Ali backs Feige’s view that abandoned Blade reboot was career low
Mahershala Ali has publicly agreed with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige that the abandoned Blade reboot represents a major failure, with Feige calling it the biggest career setback of his tenure. In a recent GQ interview, Ali expressed bewilderment that Marvel failed to produce the film despite having him—a two-time Oscar winner—under contract and possessing…
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Putin secures record supermajority as AI bubble fears intensify
Russia votes amid mobilisation worries whilst leading figures warn AI boom may be speculative with no proven productivity gains.
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Swinney defends fresh independence referendum debate amid domestic crises
John Swinney led a Scottish Parliament debate arguing that Scotland should have the right to hold another independence referendum, despite the 2014 vote in which 55% backed remaining in the UK. Opponents accused him and the SNP of repeatedly revisiting the issue while failing to focus on pressing concerns including homelessness, public services and children’s…
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Brutal poll reveals where Californians stand on Gavin Newsom v Kamala Harris as 2028 enthusiasm plummets
A poll suggests enthusiasm among Californians for potential 2028 presidential campaigns by Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris has fallen sharply. Just 37% of registered voters said they would be excited by a Newsom campaign, down from 48% in March, while Harris fell to 28% from 41%. The results indicate weakening support for both politicians, although…
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Daredevil Fans Officially Campaign to Save ‘Born Again’
Marvel Studios plans to end Daredevil: Born Again with its forthcoming third season, prompting fans to relaunch a campaign to save the series. The decision is especially significant because Marvel Television had previously discussed making the show an annual Disney+ release, while the cancellation echoes Netflix’s decision to end the original Daredevil series in 2018.…
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Jacks stars as England grind out win over Sri Lanka
England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs in the first one-day international at Chester-le-Street, with Will Jacks playing a match-winning all-round performance. The victory extends England’s winning streak against Sri Lanka to ten matches this year and puts them within touching distance of a third consecutive ODI series win, which they can secure on Thursday…