renewed partnership in strengthening grassroots democracy

Paloma Faith, a mother-of-two, has joined a movement of parents advocating for a smartphone-free childhood, stating that her eight-year-old stopped begging for a smartphone once she installed a landline for prank calls. Co-parenting with her ex-husband, Faith believes that limiting smartphone use has led to better sleep, focus, imagination, and behavior in her children. Celebrities like Joe Wicks and Benedict Cumberbatch have also committed to delaying smartphone use for their children until at least age...

The captain of the Solong cargo ship, a Russian national, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after colliding with the Stena Immaculate oil tanker in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire. The crash, captured on thermal camera footage, resulted in a massive fireball. The rest of the crew on the cargo ship were Russian and Filipino nationals, according to the vessel's owner, Ernst Russ. Full Article

Reports from humanitarians in the Strip highlight increasing challenges in accessing food, water, and medical services. Progress in restoring the healthcare system is slow, with only 16% of health service points functional in devastated northern areas. Funding cuts threaten women's rights organizations in Ukraine, forcing closures and disruptions to critical programmes. In coastal areas of Syria, access to vital services remains limited following deadly violence, with UN agencies mobilizing aid response efforts to provide water,...

Team Fouad Ahidar (TFA), MR, and Les Engagés criticized Molenbeek's service delays, with acting mayor Amet Gjanaj admitting issues but offering no solutions. The city struggles with 1,200 residence permits and a high volume of emails at the Civil Registry, leading to delays and frustrations. The city faces staff shortages, as seen with the resignation of the city secretary and a cleaners' strike, prompting concerns about the efficiency and transparency of Molenbeek's services. Full Article

MPs voted to remove the requirement for a High Court judge to approve assisted dying applications in England and Wales, making the proposed legislation less restrictive; instead, a voluntary assisted dying commissioner and expert panels will oversee the process. Anti-assisted dying campaigners criticized the move as a weakening of protections for the vulnerable, while supporters viewed it as a positive step forward in the process. Kim Leadbeater's bill, which initially required court approval, will now...

Ministers are accused of showing "contempt" towards farmers by suspending applications for a post-Brexit payment scheme, sparking what is called a "war on farmers". Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour for canceling the sustainable farming incentive just before tax returns were due, leading to anger among farmers and protests. Despite Labour's decision, Sir Keir Starmer pointed out that the Tories had also cancelled the scheme without sufficient notice in previous years, leading to further tensions...