Latest News
- Missing jet-skier in South Saskatchewan River identified as 32-year-old man
- Supreme Court denies Rastafarian ex-inmate’s lawsuit over shaved dreadlocks
- Mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after two children die in car in heatwave
- Ukraine destroys key railway bridge in Crimea, striking at Russian control
- Primary voting begins across New York, Maryland and Utah as Democrats engage
- Kenya halts construction of US-run Ebola facility following court order
- Officials remove water supply alert as stormwater pressure in Edmonton eases
- Trump administration proposes $570 increase in citizenship application fees
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
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Global Reaction to DE Elections
Missing jet-skier in South Saskatchewan River identified as 32-year-old man
7:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Missing jet-skier in South Saskatchewan River identified by Saskatoon police
The Saskatoon Police Service has identified the jet-skier who went missing in the South Saskatchewan River Weir as a 32-year-old man visiting from Mexico. The immediate situation is confirmed as him being missing.
The Saskatoon Police Service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have confirmed that the man was in the city on a temporary visit and have not announced any further details on the recovery efforts.
The Saskatoon Police Service confirmed the identity of the missing jet-skier as a 32-year-old man from Mexico and are actively involved in ongoing search efforts. Authorities have issued warnings about safety measures for recreational activities on the river, urging the public to exercise caution.
What remains unclear — The circumstances surrounding the man’s disappearance have not been disclosed.
Missing jet-skier in South Saskatchewan River identified as 32-year-old man
The jet-skier who went missing in the South Saskatchewan River Weir has been identified by the Saskatoon Police Service as a 32-year-old man visiting the city from Mexico.
Supreme Court denies Rastafarian ex-inmate’s lawsuit over shaved dreadlocks
6:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Supreme Court rules Rastafarian ex-inmate can’t sue prison officials for shaving dreadlocks
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against Damon Landor, a former Louisiana inmate, in his attempt to sue state prison officials after they shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafarian beliefs. The Court’s 6-3 decision upheld lower court rulings that dismissed Landor’s claims under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The Supreme Court’s ruling was based on a previous 2009 decision which established that the RLUIPA does not permit lawsuits against prison officials in their individual capacities. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill noted that ten federal courts of appeals had concurred with this interpretation, highlighting the legal precedent surrounding the case.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety, which rejected the plaintiff’s ability to sue prison officials under the RLUIPA, has been met with approval from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who stated, “We condemn the conduct as alleged in this case… but we are grateful the Court agreed with the State in this matter.” Dissenting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned that the decision may leave prisoners without remedies for violations of their religious rights, indicating potential challenges for similar cases in the future.
What remains unclear — It is not specified what actions, if any, Louisiana officials will take to enforce protections for prisoners’ religious rights following the Supreme Court’s decision.
Supreme Court denies Rastafarian ex-inmate’s lawsuit over shaved dreadlocks
Washington — The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a former Louisiana inmate’s effort to sue state prison officials after they shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his religious beliefs.
The high court divided 6 to 3 along ideological lines in ruling against Damon Landor, with the three liberal justices in dissent. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the opinion for the majority.
Landor, who is a devout Rastafarian, sought to sue the Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety and prison officials for violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, after prison guards shaved his head. While lower courts condemned Landor’s treatment, judges on two different courts dismissed his claims. The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit rejecting Landor’s effort to revive his suit against the officers.
Landor, Gorsuch wrote, “does not have a federal RLUIPA cause of action against the officers. Under the Spending Clause, Congress lacks regulatory authority to impose liability on them directly and must depend instead on consent. And because they never agreed to answer suits like this one, Mr. Landor’s case cannot proceed against them any more than a breach of contract action might proceed against a defendant who never formed a contract.”
The ruling is a rare loss for a plaintiff arguing violations of his religious rights. In recent years, the high court has repeatedly sided with religious parties, including in a 2022 decision in favor of a Texas inmate who requested his pastor lay hands on him and audibly pray during his execution.
In a dissenting opinion joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson rejected what she said was the majority’s “full-throated endorsement of a contract analogy,” and warned its decision will leave prisoners like Landor whose suffer violations of their religious rights while incarcerated “remediless.”
“Encroachments on prisoners’ statutory rights are likely to happen with fair frequency, as state-empowered prison officials will have little incentive to abide by federal law, even if it is handed to them on a piece of paper,” Jackson wrote.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in response to the Supreme Court’s decision: “Religious liberty is deeply important, and Louisiana has laws on the books protecting it. Ten federal courts of appeals held that the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act does not allow prisoners to sue prison officials in their personal capacities for damages, and now the Supreme Court has agreed. We condemn the conduct as alleged in this case and have taken steps to prevent this problem from recurring, but we are grateful the Court agreed with the State in this matter.”
The case, known as Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety, arose in 2020, when Landor had nearly completed a five-month prison sentence. As a devout Rastafarian, Landor pledged to “let the locks of the hair of his head grow,” known as the Nazarite Vow, which he had upheld for nearly 20 years.
For the first four months of his incarceration, two prisons had permitted Landor to keep his hair long or under a “rastacap.” But that changed after Landor was transferred to the Raymond Laborde Correctional Center for the remaining three weeks of his sentence. Landor told an intake guard at the facility that he was a practicing Rastafarian and provided the guard with proof of his religious accommodations. He also gave the guard a copy of a 2017 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which found Louisiana’s policy of cutting the hair of incarcerated Rastafarians violated the RLUIPA, according to court papers.
But prison guards threw the decision in the trash, handcuffed Landor to a chair and shaved his head, his lawyers said.
Landor sued the prison warden and guards under the RLUIPA, which protects the religious rights of individuals confined to institutions. A federal judge dismissed the case, finding that the law does not allow for damages against individual state officials. A three-judge panel of judges on the 5th Circuit upheld that decision.
While the appeals court “emphatically” condemned Landor’s treatment, it said a 2009 decision in the circuit ended his case. In that earlier ruling, the 5th Circuit held that the RLUIPA doesn’t permit lawsuits against officers in their individual capacities. The full 5th Circuit then declined to rehear Landor’s case.
The Trump administration backed Landor in the dispute, warning in court papers that if inmates could not obtain money damages in actions against government officials sued in their individual capacities, it would undermine RLUIPA’s enforcement.
Mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after two children die in car in heatwave
5:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Mother charged with manslaughter after two brothers left to die in car in 40C heat | News World
Two children, aged four and two, were found dead in their family vehicle in Carpentras, southern France, during a heatwave. Their mother has been charged with ‘involuntary manslaughter’ following discrepancies in her account of events leading to the incident.
Hélène Mourges, the Carpentras prosecutor, has initiated a preliminary enquiry into the charge of involuntary manslaughter against the boys’ mother, who provided conflicting accounts regarding the incident. The timing of the call to emergency services occurred at approximately 1.10pm on Monday, but the specifics concerning the children’s final moments remain unclear.
The Carpentras prosecutor, Hélène Mourges, has initiated a preliminary enquiry into the case of the two children found dead, charging their mother with ‘involuntary manslaughter’ following conflicting statements regarding the events. In light of the ongoing heatwave in France, emergency services have heightened alerts for wildfires nationwide, indicating a broader institutional response to the extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
What remains unclear — The precise circumstances surrounding how the children became locked inside the vehicle are still unresolved.
Mother charged with involuntary manslaughter after two children die in car in heatwave
Two children were found dead in their family vehicle amid a heatwave, in Carpentras (Picture: AFP or licensors)
The mother of two boys found dead in a car has been charged with ‘involuntary manslaughter’ after giving different versions of events to police as to how they got locked in.
The boys, aged 4 and 2, were found to have suffered heart attacks in sweltering 40C heat in Carpentras, south of France, on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutors initially reported the children had ‘allegedly locked themselves’ inside the vehicle without their mother’s knowledge.
But it has now emerged that the boys’ mother claimed to have ‘forgotten her children’ while shopping, French daily Le Parisien said, citing a police source.
A source close to the investigation told AFP that the mother gave police several different versions of events.
In her revised statement, the mother said the children got inside the car without her knowing, locked the doors behind them, and became trapped inside, without her knowledge.
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Hélène Mourges, the Carpentras prosecutor, has opened a preliminary enquiry into the ‘unintentional manslaughter’.
‘She first claimed she had left them in the car upon returning from a shopping trip.
‘Later, she stated that they had climbed back inside without her knowledge while she was unloading her groceries.’
Her original statement to police was that she had left the children to sleep in the back of the car, following a shopping trip.
Police and fire crews were unable to save the young children (Picture: AFP)
According Le Dauphiné Libéré , the two children took advantage of their mother’s inattention to go outside and play.
They then climbed into the car parked in the driveway, before the doors closed, trapping them inside. ‘By the time the mother realised they were gone, it was already too late’, they reported.
Police and firefighters were called to the scene around 1.10pm, according to La Provence, but efforts to save the children were unsuccessful.
Europe, much like the UK, is enduring a record-breaking heatwave, with highs of more than 40C in parts of France.
Emergency services and the military have been put on a wildfire alert throughout the country.
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Ukraine destroys key railway bridge in Crimea, striking at Russian control
3:00 pm
Ukraine destroys key railway bridge in Crimea, striking at Russian control
Key Strike
Ukraine announced the destruction of a key railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal, marking the first elimination of such infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine announced the destruction of a key railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal, marking the first elimination of such infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
Strategic Disruption
The destruction of the railway bridge significantly undermines Russia’s logistical capabilities in Crimea, affecting troop movements and supply lines crucial for sustaining its military operations.
The destruction of the railway bridge significantly undermines Russia’s logistical capabilities in Crimea, affecting troop movements and supply lines crucial for sustaining its military operations.
Strategic Impact
“This is a significant achievement for our forces, marking the first time a crucial logistical route for the enemy has been eliminated,” a spokesperson for Ukraine announced.
“This is a significant achievement for our forces, marking the first time a crucial logistical route for the enemy has been eliminated,” a spokesperson for Ukraine announced.
Ukraine says key Crimea rail bridge ‘no longer exists’ after drone strikes
Ukraine said it struck a major blow to Russia’s grip on the occupied Crimean peninsula, announcing the destruction of a key railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal in a series of strikes. The bridge is the “first one” to be eliminated, Kyiv’s troops said.
Primary voting begins across New York, Maryland and Utah as Democrats engage
2:45 pm
Media Lens: Primary voting begins across New York, Maryland and Utah as Democrats engage
Democrats’ Jeffries and Mamdani wings face off in New York.
Democrats’ Jeffries and Mamdani wings are facing off in New York. Coverage in latest US news and US and global politics highlights the developments.
What happened
Democrats’ Jeffries and Mamdani wings are currently facing off in New York, as reported by Axios. This political contest highlights differing approaches within the party as they navigate upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, primary voting has commenced in New York, Maryland, and Utah, as noted by The Guardian. This election cycle marks a crucial moment for candidates across these states, shaping the political landscape ahead.
Key facts
- Primary voting is taking place in New York, Maryland, and Utah today.
- Democrats’ leaders, including Jeffries and Mamdani, are competing in key races.
- There are ongoing discussions about the implications of these races on future Democratic strategies.
- Recent articles detail the potential challenges Jeffries may face in his leadership role.
- The New York primary elections are part of a larger political landscape affecting several key states.
Where coverage differs
- Axios emphasizes the conflict between Jeffries and Mamdani, while Politico highlights Jeffries’ future challenges in Congress.
- Fortune foregrounds Mamdani’s attempt to emerge as a key figure in the Democratic primary, rather than focusing on Jeffries’ leadership role.
- The Guardian prioritizes the broader context of primary voting across multiple states over the specific narratives related to individual candidates.
One story, four angles
Axios – Democrats’ Jeffries and Mamdani wings face off in New York
Publication: Axios | Primary framing pattern: Political | Tone: Analytical | Intensity: 6/10 | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Low
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Espresso Shot: This article emphasizes the contrasting factions within the Democratic Party, specifically focusing on the feud between Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Zohran Mamdani during New York’s primaries. The report covers the political implications for both sides, highlighting intra-party tensions.
Publication emphasis: Highlighting the internal conflict in the Democratic Party during the primaries.
Framing analysis: The focus is on party dynamics and leadership struggles, whereas secondary aspects like voter implications are less emphasized.
Bias: Selection: Primarily details specific individuals and their conflicts. Language: Uses terms that suggest conflict and rivalry. Omission: Limited exploration of broader voter sentiment outside party factions.
Assessment: Axios effectively outlines the key political dynamics within the Democratic Party but lacks depth regarding voter reactions.
Politico – Capitol agenda: Jeffries gets preview of his future headaches
Publication: Politico | Primary framing pattern: Political | Tone: Cautionary | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: Mixed | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: Politico elaborates on the challenges faced by Hakeem Jeffries as he navigates the legislative landscape, indicating potential political turmoil ahead. The article forecasts issues that might arise as he leads the party through upcoming legislative battles.
Publication emphasis: The impending challenges and complexities for Jeffries as a party leader.
Framing analysis: The piece foregrounds potential struggles for leadership, downplaying positive elements or successes within the party.
Bias: Selection: Focuses on difficulties ahead for Jeffries without showcasing any accomplishments. Language: Suggests impending risks and struggles. Omission: Limited mention of positive aspects of the current leadership situation.
Assessment: Politico offers an insightful examination of the hurdles facing Jeffries, although it may lean towards a pessimistic outlook.
Fortune – Mamdani’s bid to become a Democratic socialist kingmaker—and other races to watch in the New York primary
Publication: Fortune | Primary framing pattern: Political | Tone: Ambitious | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: Positive | Legal precision: Low
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Espresso Shot: This article portrays Zohran Mamdani as a rising star within the Democratic Party, emphasizing his ambitions to reshape the party’s future. The piece discusses his policies and positions, presenting a hopeful tone about his prospects in the New York primaries.
Publication emphasis: The potential influence of Mamdani as a progressive leader within the party.
Framing analysis: The article foregrounds Mamdani’s aspirations and positive achievements, while secondary issues like intra-party conflicts are not highlighted.
Bias: Selection: Focuses extensively on Mamdani’s positive attributes and ambitions. Language: Optimistic and forward-looking. Omission: Little attention is given to potential challenges or criticisms he may face.
Assessment: Fortune portrays Mamdani in a strong, positive light, but the lack of critique may skew the overall narrative.
The Guardian – Primary voting begins in New York, Maryland and Utah – US politics live
Publication: The Guardian | Primary framing pattern: Political | Tone: Informative | Intensity: 5/10 | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: This live update article provides ongoing coverage of the primary elections happening in multiple states, detailing candidate performances and voter turnout as they unfold. The piece is structured to keep readers updated in real-time.
Publication emphasis: The logistical aspects and real-time developments of the primaries across multiple states.
Framing analysis: Focus is maintained on factual reporting of election events, largely avoiding opinion or interpretation, while sidestepping details on individual candidates’ wider implications.
Bias: Selection: Candidacy details are included without much analysis on their implications. Language: Neutral tone with straightforward reporting. Omission: Lacks personal narratives or deeper analysis on candidates’ backgrounds.
Assessment: The Guardian provides solid, factual reporting but does not delve into the broader significance of the primaries.
Food for thought
Axios presents the strongest legal framing in its coverage of the New York primary, emphasizing procedural structure and the influence of party dynamics on candidates’ paths. In contrast, Politico adopts a more escalatory framing, depicting heightened tensions and looming factional disputes among Democratic factions, particularly surrounding leaders like Jeffries and Mamdani. While Axios focuses on the procedural nuances important for understanding legal implications, Politico raises alarms about potential conflicts and the impact on party cohesion. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Kenya halts construction of US-run Ebola facility following court order
2:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Kenya minister says US-run Ebola facility plans halted after court order
Kenya has halted the construction of a United States-run Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia airbase after Health Minister Aden Duale declared a complete cessation following a court order. Protests against the facility, amidst concerns over its impact on the health system, have resulted in three fatalities in the area.
The construction of the facility at Laikipia airbase was intended to feature 50 isolation beds and would have been operated by US medical staff. As of now, Kenya has not reported any cases of Ebola, despite the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has led to over 1,000 confirmed cases and significant fatalities.
Health Minister Aden Duale announced the immediate cessation of construction for the US-run Ebola facility at Laikipia airbase, following a court directive amid public opposition. Rights groups and healthcare professionals have voiced concerns about the project’s impact on Kenya’s health system, as the country continues to monitor the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether the construction halt will impact future plans for the facility once the court hearing concludes.
Kenya halts construction of US-run Ebola facility following court order
News|HealthKenya minister says US-run Ebola facility plans halted after court order
Kenya stops constructing US-run Ebola site amid public outcry; $13.5m US funding is criticised as masking health risks.
Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026
Kenya has ordered a halt to preparations for a United States-run Ebola quarantine facility, the health minister has told a court after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous stop-work order.
The announcement on Tuesday comes amid strong opposition to the plan in Kenya. Deadly protests have taken place since the government confirmed plans to build the facility for potential US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), which is grappling with a major Ebola outbreak.
The quarantine facility was being constructed at Laikipia airbase, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the capital, Nairobi, with some 50 isolation beds. It was expected to be managed by US medical staff.
“I have directed the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparation, or related activities concerning the Laikipia airbase facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive petition or until further orders of this court,” Health Minister Aden Duale said.
The minister spoke in court a day after he was held in contempt for failing to respond to multiple orders in late May and early June to halt activities.
Rights groups had petitioned the court, saying the facility was being developed secretly and without consultation. Kenyan doctors and medical professionals have been especially outspoken about the proposed Nanyuki site, arguing it would threaten the country’s already fragile health system.
Three people have been killed in unrest near the facility in Laikipia.
Civilians and healthcare workers have expressed anger over the prospect of importing the virus and criticised the Kenyan government’s acceptance of a $13.5m Ebola preparedness contribution from the US as whitewashing the deal. So far, the country has not recorded a case of Ebola.
The Ebola outbreak was confirmed in DR Congo in May. It has led to 1,048 confirmed cases and at least 267 deaths as of June 22, according to the Health Ministry. At least 75 healthcare workers in DRC have contracted the virus, with 17 deaths recorded.
Uganda – which neighbours Kenya – has reported 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
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