Virginia Democrats ask US supreme court to revive voter-approved electoral map

New voting maps flipped four Republican-held seats to give Democrats an edge in redistricting race sparked by Trump

Virginia Democrats asked the US supreme court on Monday to revive a congressional map designed to boost their party’s chances in November’s midterm elections, turning to the court as Republicans – including allies of Donald Trump – seek to preserve narrow control of Congress.

The case thrusts Virginia into an unusual, mid-decade redistricting showdown, as courts weigh whether lawmakers can remake House districts outside the normal post-census cycle – with control of a narrowly divided Congress potentially hanging in the balance.

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Amazon halts sales of illegal high-speed ebikes in California after fatal crashes

Recent consumer alert on ebike safety laws says some vehicles should be classified as mopeds or motorcycles

Amazon said it plans to stop selling certain high-speed electric bicycles in California after a string of high-profile incidents and a consumer alert that the state attorney general issued last month.

In April an 81-year-old man in Orange county died after a teenager illegally riding an e-motorcycle struck him. The teen’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Ed Ashman’s death as officials say she was warned it was illegal for her son to operate the vehicle.

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Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyer calls immigration case a ‘sham’ after revelation it was fast-tracked by DoJ

Palestinian activist is awaiting another legal decision on a separate track in a narrowing effort to stay in the US

A lawyer for Mahmoud Khalil, the first noncitizen activist arrested in the Trump administration crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech, called his client’s immigration proceedings “preordained and a complete sham” after it was revealed that the case was prioritized to be fast-tracked.

“These revelations make clear that this case has been controlled from day one by higher-ups in the administration,” said Marc Van Der Hout, an attorney on Khalil’s legal team, in a statement. “The immigration judge was hand-picked and the Board of Immigration Appeals decision was predetermined. We will continue to fight for Mahmoud in every court we can.”

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff targeted in major corruption probe – Financial Times

  1. Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff targeted in major corruption probe  Financial Times
  2. Former Top Zelensky Aide Is Accused in Corruption Inquiry  The New York Times
  3. Zelenskiy's ex-chief of staff named as suspect in major corruption probe  Reuters
  4. Zelenskyy's former chief of staff Yermak charged with money laundering  Українська правда
  5. Zelenskiy’s Former Top Aide Is Accussed of Money-Laundering  Bloomberg.com
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Democrats express ‘grave concerns’ over secretive ICE deportation flights

Exclusive: In a letter 40 lawmakers demand the FAA address allegations of mistreatment of immigrants and the ‘urgent need for transparency’

A group of 40 House Democrats have described “grave concerns” over the Trump administration’s secretive program of deportation flights and demanded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) address allegations of mistreatment and inhumane conditions on ICE charter jets.

In a letter shared with the Guardian and addressed to the FAA administrator, Bryan Bedford, the lawmakers describe the “urgent need for transparency” over ICE’s expanded use of commercial airliners to transfer detained immigrants and its “inappropriate and dangerous” efforts to shield these flights from public scrutiny.

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As Hungary’s new PM, Magyar’s hunt for Orban’s protégés has already begun – France 24

  1. As Hungary’s new PM, Magyar’s hunt for Orban’s protégés has already begun  France 24
  2. Rhythm nation: politician’s viral dance moves mark new, optimistic era for Hungary  The Guardian
  3. Péter Magyar Led Hungarians out of Autocracy. Where Will He Take Them Now?  The New Yorker
  4. Hungary’s New PM Magyar Demands President Quit in Showdown  Bloomberg.com
  5. Hungary's new PM Magyar sworn in after landslide victory over Orbán  BBC
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South Africa plans presidential impeachment probe over ‘Farmgate’ scandal – Al Jazeera

  1. South Africa plans presidential impeachment probe over ‘Farmgate’ scandal  Al Jazeera
  2. Ramaphosa’s Political Peril Earns Shrug from Investors for Now  Bloomberg.com
  3. South African president says he will not step down after impeachment call  BBC
  4. South Africa's Ramaphosa faces down calls to resign over cash-in-sofa scandal  Reuters
  5. Ramaphosa says he will not resign as South Africa opens an impeachment committee over cash scandal  AP News
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