UK won’t have ‘tailor-made’ deal to rejoin EU, former officials warn as Labour reopens Brexit debate

UK won’t have ‘tailor-made’ deal to rejoin EU, f
ormer officials warn as Labour reopens
Brexit debate

Former EU Brexit officials have warned that the UK would not enjoy “exceptional” terms if it decided to rejoin the EU, after Labour leadership candidates reopened the debate.

The question of whether Brexit should be reversed has returned to the spotlight over the weekend, with figures at the top of the party setting out their bids to be the next prime minister.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who has confirmed plans to stand in any leadership race, put a pitch to rejoin the trade bloc in the future at the heart of his first speech as a backbench MP.

By Athena Stavrou

Full story at Yahoo News

Impeachment drama: EFF, MK Party walk out of Parliament to protest over Ramaphosa motion

The parties organised under the Progressive Alliance banner, including the MK Party and EFF, on Thursday walked out of the sitting of the National Assembly when Speaker Thoko Didiza refused their request to debate the motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

MK Party chief whip Mmabatho Nthabiseng Mokoena-Zondi rose on a point of order minutes after Didiza announced that the sitting was to consider the scheduled oral question to Ramaphosa.

Mokoena-Zondi made the request on behalf of the Progressive Alliance-aligned parties after she wrote a letter to Didiza earlier in the day.

Full story at IOL

Tinubu is seeking another fresh $1.25bn World Bank loan as total national debt rises to record N159 trillion

The loan would rank as the second-largest single World Bank facility secured under President Tinubu, behind only the $1.5 billion RESET, Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation, Development Policy Financing approved in June 2024.

The Tinubu administration is pursuing a fresh $1.25 billion loan from the World Bank, with the proposed facility titled Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration already at an advanced stage in the bank's approval process.

If cleared, it will be presented to the World Bank's board on June 26, 2026.

By Gift Davies

Full story at Pulse NG

California gubernatorial frontrunners clash in high-stakes debate as early voting gets under way

Seven of the leading contenders in California’s unexpectedly
dramatic race for governor will meet on a debate stage
Tuesday night.Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters
(Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters)

Seven of the leading contenders in California’s unexpectedly dramatic race for governor faced off on Tuesday night, in a feisty, high-stakes showdown that arrived as voters begin casting ballots in the state’s nonpartisan primary.

The heightened tenor of the two-hour scrap matchup reflected how important the candidates viewed the debate, which aired on CNN to a national audience.

“This is a very serious moment for California. The ballots are out there in your hands, and we have a really big choice to make, which is, do we go for another four years of one party rule?” said Republican Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host who has continually led the jumbled field.

By Lauren Gambino

Full story at Yahoo News

Starmer says attacks on British Jews ‘a crisis for all of us’ as he opens Downing Street talks

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets first responders
from Shomrim North West London
during a visit to Golders Green
(PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer is set to convene senior figures from across public life to drive a “whole of society” response to antisemitism, following the stabbings in London’s Golders Green.

The prime minister will warn that everyone bears a responsibility to stand with Jewish communities, saying that attacks on British Jews are “a crisis for all of us” and “a test of our values”.

Sir Keir will hold meetings with leaders from business, civil society, health, culture, higher education and policing, asking them to reflect on how they can move “at pace” to tackle antisemitism in their sector.

By PA Reporters

Full story at Yahoo News

Will the ANC lose more support in the upcoming local elections? Analysts weigh in

With the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) contesting the local government elections for the first time this year, the ANC might have a good reason to be worried, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, based on the outcome of the last general elections.

These are the views of University of KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this week that the upcoming local government elections will be held on November 4, meaning the campaign is now in full swing.

Full story at IOL

By Bongani Hans

My life was easier with multiple women – Akon

Senegalese American singer Akon has said his life was easier when he had multiple women around him.

The 53-year-old record producer discussed his past relationships during an appearance on The Shade Room.

He said his earlier romantic lifestyle was marked by ease and excitement.

According to him, he no longer experiences those feelings in a monogamous relationship.

By Yewande Fasan

Full story at The Nation Online