Writing the summary…
How Russia's parliamentary election might affect the war in Ukraine
Source: NPR
Original reporting
NPR: read the full reportRelated stories
The Guardian
Merz insists he will stay as German chancellor despite heavy losses in state elections – Europe live
CDU suffered heavy losses in two regional elections, including in home state of former leader Angela Merkel, where it polled just 4.9% Also rolling in this morning are the numbers from Russia’s orchestrated lower-house election, where Vladimir Putin’s party has retained a huge majority against token opposition. Electoral officers say the ruling United Russia party is on track to gain 355 of the 450 seats in the State Duma - even larger than the previous 2016 record. It’s the first election since the Kremlin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine four-and-a-half years ago and parties critical of Putin were excluded from the vote. The EU’s Kaja Kallas has slammed the sham this morning, calling it “another major setback for Russian democracy.” Continue reading...
BBC News
Three arrested in South Africa over one of nine women's bodies found
The body of Jabulile Ntimba was the ninth to be found recently in an area east of Johannesburg.
Al Jazeera
Michael Carrick demands Manchester United response after ‘pathetic’ jibes
With only one win so far this season, United have equalled their lowest points total in season after five matches.
The Guardian
Rebel Wilson back in court as The Deb producers sue star over allegedly blocking film
Hollywood actress appears in NSW supreme court in Sydney for the latest lawsuit over her directorial debut Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Hollywood star Rebel Wilson had a “last chance” phone call with her film’s co-producers over a dispute about up-front costs and her $1m fee, a judge has heard. The Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids star appeared in the New South Wales supreme court in Sydney on Monday in the latest lawsuit over her directorial debut, a musical comedy named The Deb. Continue reading...
Al Jazeera
Aliko Dangote: Refining Nigeria’s oil, helping Africa, and creating wealth
The world’s richest Black man says he aims to make Africa more self-sufficient and less reliant on imports.
The Guardian
Babies ‘will face almost twice as much’ extreme fire weather in Europe than great-grandparents
Children born after 2025 will experience three more years of brutally fire-conducive weather as global heating intensifies European babies will face almost twice as much extreme fire weather as their great-grandparents if climate action does not ramp up quickly, a study has found. Global heating under current policies will expose a child born in Europe in 2025 to three more years of brutally fire-conducive weather over their lifetime than someone born in 1950, the researchers found. Continue reading...