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Mayors could be given powers to oversee water companies

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Village votes to leave UK over asylum housing plan
Piddington residents vote over proposals to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers nearby.

To understand the threat to our real democracy, watch Putin's fake one | Rafael Behr
As Russians vote this weekend, remember that Britain is not immune to the cynical tactics and corrosion of trust that keep him in power Millions of people will participate in elections in Russia this weekend and a new parliament will be chosen, but not necessarily in that order. The purpose of the exercise is to maintain Vladimir Putin’s authority over the political process, which means United Russia, the president’s party, will retain control of the Duma. That much is settled before the polls open, although the scale of the government’s victory won’t be declared until the votes are counted. A portion of seats is available for other “systemic parties” that function as Kremlin licensed-opposition, padding out the pretence of pluralism. They serve as a pressure valves for public frustration and parliamentary proxies when rival factions within the ruling elite want to nudge Kremlin policy i

Judge blocks DHS from acting against a man over a harsh email to an ICE official
ICE agents turned up at David Streever's home over a harsh email he sent to an ICE official. Now a court order prevents the federal government from making additional threats against him.

'One in, one out' scheme costs £56,000 per person returned to France, home secretary says
Home secretary defends cost, saying it is about the same or cheaper than putting someone up in a hotel for a year The government’s “one in, one out” deal is costing about £56,000 for every person sent back to France, Shabana Mahmood has told MPs. The home secretary disclosed the figure as she was questioned by the home affairs select committee over whether the scheme was delivering value for taxpayers. Continue reading...

Dan Thomas resigns as Reform Wales leader after arrest on suspicion of assault
Thomas says he has done nothing wrong as Gwent Police confirms his arrest on suspicion of assault.
For many Pennsylvania Democrats, frustration with Fetterman is at a breaking point
A group of former campaign and Senate staffers for John Fetterman say they will soon begin dropping damaging stories about the Pennsylvania Democrat. Many of his constituents are already fed up.