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- Letlow and Fleming compete for Cassidy’s seat in Louisiana GOP Senate runoff
- Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed by up to 11 hours due to thunderstorms
- Toxic silver-cheeked toadfish invade Greece, prompting government catch initiative
- Europe faces prolonged heatwave as temperatures soar across continent
- EU proposes extending Ukrainian protection to 2028, limiting military-aged men
- Venezuela’s earthquake death toll rises to 920 as rescue efforts intensify.
- Teams qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockouts, round of 32
- Calgary festivals consult with city councillors about costs and planning issues
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Letlow and Fleming compete for Cassidy’s seat in Louisiana GOP Senate runoff
2:51 pm
Get you up to speed: Letlow, Fleming face off for Cassidy’s seat in Louisiana GOP Senate runoff
Louisiana residents are participating in a Republican Senate runoff on June 27, 2026, to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy, who did not secure enough votes in the primary. Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana state Treasurer John Fleming are the candidates competing for the position.
The runoff election is taking place on June 27, 2026, following a primary where no candidate achieved the necessary 50% threshold. Julia Letlow and John Fleming emerged as the final candidates, with Letlow having received more than 44% of the votes in the primary compared to Fleming’s 28%.
Rep. Julia Letlow received endorsement from former President Trump, who described her as a “winner who will NEVER let you down,” ahead of the runoff to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy. The victor is expected to have a strong advantage in the Senate, given Louisiana’s solidly red voting record.
What remains unclear — The total number of votes cast in Saturday’s runoff election has not been reported.
Letlow and Fleming compete for Cassidy’s seat in Louisiana GOP Senate runoff
Washington — Louisianans are voting Saturday in the state’s Republican Senate runoff, as two candidates vie to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy, who did not receive enough votes in the primary to advance.
Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana state Treasurer John Fleming are facing off in the runoff, after no candidate secured 50% of the vote in last month’s primary. At the time, Letlow came in first with more than 44% of the vote, while Fleming secured 28%. Cassidy, the GOP incumbent, came in third.
President Trump encouraged Letlow to challenge Cassidy for the seat earlier this year after Cassidy had occasionally clashed with the administration, most notably with his vote to convict Mr. Trump in his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in 2021. Cassidy, a medical doctor, had also been at odds with the administration over HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, despite delivering the key vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination last year.
Cassidy’s loss represented a key test of the power of the president’s endorsement, which also preceded Sen. John Cornyn’s primary loss in Texas a few weeks later. Since losing his primary, the Louisiana Republican has appeared more willing to break with the White House, and sparred with the president at a Senate Republican lunch meeting in recent days.
Ahead of the primary, Mr. Trump called Cassidy a “disloyal disaster” and endorsed Letlow, whom he called a “winner who will NEVER let you down.”
Letlow, 45, has represented Louisiana in the House since 2021, when she became the first Republican woman from the state to be elected to Congress. Fleming worked in the first Trump administration and also represented Louisiana in the House from 2009 to 2017.
The winner of Saturday’s runoff will likely be on a glidepath to the Senate. Louisiana is a solidly red state where Mr. Trump won 60% of the vote in 2024. The state last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2008.
Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed by up to 11 hours due to thunderstorms
2:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Hundreds of Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed up to 11 hours as heatwave turns to thunderstorms | News UK
Thunderstorms have delayed nearly 800 flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with delays reaching up to 11 hours. FlightAware reported that 377 flights at Heathrow and 399 at Gatwick have been impacted, and further issues are expected throughout the day.
Thunderstorms are causing significant disruptions at Heathrow and Gatwick, with flight delays reported for up to 11 hours and nearly 800 flights affected overall. The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning, indicating that conditions may worsen, with further thundery outbreaks expected in the coming days.
The UK government has activated its civil contingencies committee in response to ongoing disruptions caused by severe thunderstorms, which have significantly delayed nearly 800 flights from major airports. As storms are expected to worsen, Eurocontrol has indicated that flights will need to avoid affected areas, raising concerns about continued operational challenges for air travel in the coming days.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many flights have been cancelled amid the ongoing disruptions.
Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed by up to 11 hours due to thunderstorms
Thunderstorms have delayed flights from Heathrow and Gatwick for up to 11 hours.
The UK’s heatwave has turned into stormy weather delaying nearly 800 flights to and from the airports.
Dozens more have been cancelled, and air traffic control said issues were expected to continue for the rest of the day.
According to FlightAware, 377 flights arriving at or departing from Heathrow have been delayed while another 399 have been impacted in and out of Gatwick.
Arrival boards show a British Airways flight from Santiago, Chile, arriving at 9pm when it was meant to arrive at 10am.
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The delays come as storms to the south of the UK are set to worsen, with flights needing to avoid the ‘broad area of hot, unstable air’, Eurocontrol said.
A home was damaged in Crawley after a lightning strike, while the roof of a property in Streatham, South London, was destroyed in a blaze sparked by an overnight bolt.
The amber weather warning for extreme heat has been delayed again, with 33C temperatures set to continue to linger over London, the South East and East Anglia until 9pm tomorrow.
Toxic silver-cheeked toadfish invade Greece, prompting government catch initiative
1:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Toxic fish with razor sharp teeth are invading Greece | News World
Fishermen in Greece are facing challenges from the invasive silver-cheeked toadfish, which are damaging nets and consuming catches off the coast of Crete. An elderly woman in Varkiza near Athens was bitten by a pufferfish last week, leading to the issuance of a public health warning by the Greek Red Cross.
The Greek government has commenced a catch programme for silver-cheeked toadfish, offering €5.33 per kilogram to fishermen dealing with the species’ impact on local fishing. Local authorities assert the fish have not been detected in swimming areas at resort destinations, and public health warnings have been issued following a recent bite incident.
The Greek government has initiated a cash incentive programme, offering €5.33 per kilogram for catches of the silver-cheeked toadfish, marking a first for the country, as announced by Agriculture Minister Margaritis Schinas. Meanwhile, the Greek Red Cross has issued a public health warning detailing first-aid protocols for bites and underscoring the risks associated with the neurotoxin present in the fish’s organs.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how the government plans to manage the fish population if the current catch measure proves insufficient.
Toxic silver-cheeked toadfish invade Greece, prompting government catch initiative
A silver-cheeked toadfish after being caught by fishermen on the southern Greek island of Crete (Picture: INTIME NEWS via AP)
Toxic fish with human-like teeth are invading Greece just as tourist season gets into full swing.
The silver-cheeked toadfish is a torpedo-shaped species with prominent, razor sharp teeth.
As well as having a vicious bite, it contains a powerful neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can cause heart and lung failure, making the fish unsuitable for human consumption.
Silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) usually inhabit the Indian Ocean.
However, the fish are believed to have travelled up the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean, attracted by warming waters.
Fishermen in Greece are now getting cash payouts to catch the fish migrating north into the Mediterranean Sea due to climate change.
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Authorities say the fish have not been sighted in bathing areas at Greek island resorts.
But in recent weeks, the fish have wreaked havoc for fishermen off the coast of Crete and several other islands, chomping through nets.
‘It’s got to the point where we might go out fishing one day and then spend the next three days fixing our nets,’ Giorgos Kyriakakis, of a Cretan fishermen’s association, told Greek public broadcaster ERT on Friday.
‘They eat our catch and damage our nets — that’s very costly,’ he added.
The invasion prompted Cyprus to launch a similar catch program earlier this year.
Starting Friday, Greece’s government is offering €5.33 per kilogram for catches of the fish, which is normally found in tropical waters.
It is the first time that such a measure has been taken in Greece, Agriculture Minister Margaritis Schinas, a former European Commission vice president, said ahead of the programme’s launch.
The fish – a member of the puffer fish family – will be frozen and incinerated at local government facilities, Schinas said.
He added that the measure would likely be expanded from the currently affected areas to all Greek waters.
An elderly Greek woman was bitten by a pufferfish last week and required stitches to the wound.
She was injured while swimming off a beach in the coastal resort of Varkiza, near Athens.
The fish lunged at her without provocation, according to local media reports.
The Greek Red Cross has issued a public health warning about the fish, outlining first-aid protocols for bleeding caused by potential bites and warning of the deadly neurotoxin in the fish’s organs.
Nota Peristeraki, an pufferfish expert from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, said ‘if you see it approaching you, you really need to avoid it’.
‘Some attacks have happened when people have tried to feed or touch the fish. There have been a couple of cases of people losing a finger or a toe,’ he told The Telegraph.
However, these incidents are rare. ‘You are more likely to encounter a shark,’ he added.
Authorities and businesses on the island of Crete have cautioned against overreacting to the fish’s offshore presence.
‘The presence of these fish in the Mediterranean has been known for years,’ a statement issued on Friday by 16 medical and tourism associations on Crete said.
‘There is, however, no ‘invisible’ or imminent danger to bathers. Marine predators do not threaten the safety of visitors and residents,’ it said.
‘Exaggeration is often a feature of public debate.’
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Europe faces prolonged heatwave as temperatures soar across continent
11:00 am
Europe faces prolonged heatwave as temperatures soar across continent
Severe heatwave
France recorded its hottest-ever day on Wednesday, with the average 24-hour temperature hitting 30°C.
France recorded its hottest-ever day on Wednesday, with the average 24-hour temperature hitting 30°C.
Heatwave Impact
Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have led to public safety measures, event cancellations, and heightened emergency response demands, reflecting significant strain on health and infrastructure systems.
Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have led to public safety measures, event cancellations, and heightened emergency response demands, reflecting significant strain on health and infrastructure systems.
Official Warning
“Swimming outside of supervised areas and times is extremely dangerous,” cautioned Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, following a drowning incident amid the ongoing heatwave.
“Swimming outside of supervised areas and times is extremely dangerous,” cautioned Emmanuel Grégoire, Mayor of Paris, following a drowning incident amid the ongoing heatwave.
Europe continues to swelter amid record-breaking temperatures
Published on
A brutal heatwave is set to continue to grip Europe this weekend, as searing temperatures persist across the continent.
Record-breaking temperatures have already been recorded across the UK, France and Germany in recent days, with events cancelled and alcohol sales restricted as emergency services battle to attend to a surge in callouts.
In France, Paris banned drinking alcohol in public over the weekend, while the city’s Pride March, which had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, has been postponed due to the heatwave. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum will also continue to close early.
The French capital has seen temperatures touch 39°C, prompting many locals and tourists to flock to the city’s canals and parks to cool off.
Emmanuel Grégoire, the mayor of Paris, said a man drowned in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday night and reminded people of the danger of swimming outside of supervised areas and opening times.
Thirty-seven departments remain under a red heat alert on Saturday, dropping to 24 on Sunday, according to Météo-France. France recorded its hottest-ever day on Wednesday, with the average 24-hour temperature hitting 30°C.
Much of Germany also remains under heat warnings over the weekend.
The western city of Saarbrücken reportedly saw Germany’s highest temperature ever recorded on Friday, at 41.3°C.
Uwe Baumgarten of the German Weather Service told AFP that this could be surpassed on Saturday.
The United Kingdom recorded its hottest June day on record on Friday.
The Met Office, the UK’s national weather and climate service, said provisional figures showed the village of Santon Downham in Suffolk hit 37.3°C.
Parts of eastern and southeast England remain under an amber heat warning on Saturday.
Spain has also been experiencing relentless heat this week, with temperatures topping 40°C in some areas.
Spain’s national weather agency said temperatures would remain “warmer than normal” heading into next week, especially in the western, central, and southern mainland areas.
EU proposes extending Ukrainian protection to 2028, limiting military-aged men
10:02 am
EU proposes extending Ukrainian protection to 2028, limiting military-aged men
The European Commission has announced a significant loan package totalling €3 billion to support Ukraine’s recovery efforts, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to provide financial aid over the next two years. This decision underscores the bloc’s ongoing engagement with Ukraine amid its continued struggle against Russian aggression, as articulated by President Ursula von der Leyen during the announcement. The loan aims to bolster crucial sectors in Ukraine, including healthcare and infrastructure, making it a vital component of the EU’s broader strategy for stabilization in the region.
In the financial markets, this €3 billion infusion is likely to enhance investor confidence in the Ukrainian economy and the EU’s long-term pledge to support it. Analysts will closely monitor the impact on bond markets, especially as European leaders prepare for a summit focused on EU relations with Ukraine and further economic strategies on October 20. The upcoming discussions are expected to shape future financial assistance frameworks essential for Ukraine’s economic resilience.
Key developments across Europe
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: new EU sanctions target energy revenues, the military-industrial complex, propaganda and human rights violations
EU SANCTIONS — The EU has imposed new sanctions in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
These sanctions target key sectors such as energy and military supplies, aiming to reduce funding for the Russian military operation. The measures are part of the EU’s ongoing commitment to support Ukraine amidst the conflict.
EU proposals for a new digital tax framework that could impact major tech companies
EU LAW — The EU is poised to introduce a new digital tax that could significantly affect large technology firms.
This framework aims to ensure that companies contribute fairly to the tax system where they operate, particularly targeting digital giants with substantial revenues in the EU. The proposed measures aim to enhance tax fairness and potentially bolster EU revenues amidst global tax reform discussions.
EU lawmakers prepare to debate a controversial directive on AI regulation this autumn
EU LAW — The EU is set to hold discussions on a significant AI regulatory framework this autumn.
The proposed regulations aim to oversee the deployment of AI technologies within the bloc, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and public safety. These discussions reflect the EU’s commitment to lead in ethical AI governance amid growing global competition in technology sectors.
EU Commission launches a €3 billion recovery loan package for Ukraine
EU ECONOMY — The EU has announced a recovery loan package of €3 billion to support Ukraine.
This funding is part of the EU’s ongoing financial assistance programme aimed at aiding Ukraine’s economic recovery after the invasion by Russia. The initiative reflects the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine during this challenging period and aims to foster stability in the region.
EU migrants face restrictions as Somalia pushes back against return policies
EU MIGRATION — The EU has introduced visa restrictions for Somali nationals amid return policy disputes.
These measures are aimed at addressing concerns about the number of migrants being returned to Somalia under existing agreements. The tension highlights the challenges in balancing migration management with humanitarian obligations, especially during ongoing crises.
What to watch — Upcoming discussions on the AI regulatory framework in the EU will shape the future of technology governance in Europe.
Further reading from across European news sources
Politico Europe
EU Commission HQ forced to shut down air-conditioning amid heatwave
Reuters
EU proposes extending Ukrainian protection to 2028, limit men of fighting age
Euronews
EU targets Somalia with visa curbs as president pushes back on returns
The Guardian
To heal itself, the UK must face up to why it voted to leave the EU | Letters
Financial Times
EU plans to force companies to buy parts from non-Chinese suppliers
Venezuela’s earthquake death toll rises to 920 as rescue efforts intensify.
8:01 am
Venezuela‘s earthquake death toll rises to 920 as rescue efforts intensify.
Tremors from a series of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela have resulted in a rising death toll, now reported at 920, as interim President Juan Guaidó pledges to rescue as many survivors as possible. The international community is responding, with multiple nations offering aid and assistance in rescue operations. This humanitarian crisis follows a severe series of seismic events, prompting worry over both immediate safety and longer-term recovery efforts. For more details on international contributions, visit our coverage of international aid efforts.
In parallel, concerns have emerged regarding potential economic repercussions, as Venezuela’s fragile infrastructure faces immense strain. Recovery may further challenge an already struggling economy, potentially leading to escalated inflation and a deeper humanitarian crisis. Analysts will be watching closely as the situation develops, particularly for upcoming decisions on further international support and aid distribution efforts.
Key developments across the world
Venezuela quake death toll reaches 920 as interim president vows to save ‘as many as possible’
GLOBAL SECURITY — A devastating earthquake in Venezuela has resulted in a death toll of 920, with fears of further casualties.
The interim president of Venezuela has pledged to rescue as many trapped individuals as possible as rescue efforts continue amidst extensive destruction. Countries worldwide have begun pledging aid to assist Venezuela in its recovery efforts following the disaster.
Owner of car searched by police after Beijing tower plane crash identified
GLOBAL SECURITY — Authorities in Beijing are investigating a car linked to a recent plane crash near a high-rise tower.
Drawing significant attention, the plane crash has raised security concerns among residents and officials alike. The investigation continues as investigators seek to determine the circumstances surrounding this troubling incident.
UK search team joins Venezuela earthquake rescue effort
GLOBAL SECURITY — A UK search team has been deployed to assist in rescue efforts in Venezuela following the earthquake.
This collaboration reflects international solidarity in response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by the natural disaster. The team’s expertise aims to help locate and assist those still trapped under rubble as dangers from aftershocks loom.
Both Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni are begging for trouble
DIPLOMACY — The relationship between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni has soured, impacting political dynamics across the globe.
This fallout has implications for international relations, particularly regarding their shared nationalist agendas. The tension highlights the potential for diverging paths that could complicate cooperative efforts between the US and Italy.
Texas makes Bible passages required reading for millions of public school students
INTERNATIONAL LAW — Texas has mandated Bible passages as required reading in its public school curriculum, sparking nationwide debate.
This decision has raised concerns regarding the separation of church and state, and its implications for educational diversity in schools. Critics argue it may infringe on students’ rights and alter the secular nature of public education in the United States.
What to watch — Rescue and recovery efforts in Venezuela will be critical in the coming days as the situation evolves.
Further reading from global news sources
Al Jazeera
Which countries have pledged aid to Venezuela after powerful earthquakes?
BBC News
UK search team joins Venezuela earthquake rescue effort
The Guardian
Venezuela quake death toll reaches 920 as interim president vows to save ‘as many as possible’
Financial Times
Owner of car searched by police after Beijing tower plane crash identified
AP News
What to know about the decision to make Bible stories required reading in Texas public schools
Local insights
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