Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation violates EU law, court finds – AP News

  1. Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation violates EU law, court finds  AP News
  2. Unprecedented ruling finds Hungary's anti-LGBTQ laws in breach of EU values  BBC
  3. 'I told Orbán his LGBT law was homophobic,' says Luxembourg's Bettel  Euronews.com
  4. EU court rules Hungary’s LGBTQ law violates human rights  Al Jazeera
  5. EU’s top court finds Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law in breach of key values  The Guardian
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Cabinet Office suggested Mandelson did not need security vetting, says Robbins as he describes ‘pressure’ from No 10 – UK politics live

Olly Robbins was forced out as Foreign Office permanent secretary over the Peter Mandelson security vetting revelations in the Guardian

The hearing has started.

Emily Thornberry, the chair, started by saying that Robbins did not tell the whole truth about this process when he gave evidence to it in November.

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Middle East crisis live: Iran claims it has ‘new cards for battlefield’, and weighs talks in Pakistan

Iranian official stresses no decision made on taking part, as US vice-president JD Vance is set to travel to Islamabad for negotiations

Iran’s armed forces are ready to deliver an “immediate and decisive response” to any renewed hostile action by its adversaries, Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was quoted by the Tasnim news agency as having said.

He said Tehran had the upper hand militarily, including in the management of the strait of Hormuz, and would not allow Donald Trump to “create false narratives over the situation on the ground.”

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Trump’s Federal Reserve chair pick to face lawmakers at key confirmation hearing – US politics live

The hearing marks a key hurdle Kevin Warsh must overcome in order to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends on 15 May

While the long-delayed hearing is a necessary step for Kevin Warsh, it’s not clear when the committee may even be able to vote on his nomination.

The Justice Department is investigating Powell and the Fed over a building renovation, and senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, has said he would effectively block Warsh until the probe is dropped, AP reported.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.

Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.

The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race.

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Exclusive: Russia to halt Kazakhstan’s oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say – Reuters

  1. Exclusive: Russia to halt Kazakhstan's oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say  Reuters
  2. Moscow to suspend Kazakh oil flows through key pipeline supplying Berlin  Financial Times
  3. Kazakhstan says Ukrainian drone strikes cause of oil flow stoppage to Germany  Baird Maritime
  4. Berlin will face attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the minister said why the transit of Kazakh oil will stop  EADaily
  5. Poland can ship oil for non-Russian shareholders of Schwedt refinery if asked  marketscreener.com
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US ‘restricts intelligence sharing with South Korea’ after minister identified suspected nuclear site

Washington reportedly limits satellite data after minister spoke publicly about suspected facility in North Korea

The US has partly restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea after the country’s unification minister publicly identified a suspected North Korean nuclear site, according to reports in South Korean media.

Chung Dong-young told lawmakers in March that North Korea was operating uranium enrichment facilities in Kusong, a north-western area that had not previously been officially confirmed as a nuclear site alongside the known facilities at Yongbyon and Kangson.

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Sam Neill says New Zealand goldmine supporters have threatened him with violence

Actor, who has publicly objected to plans to fast-track project near his farm, says he has received personal abuse

The actor Sam Neill says he has received threats of violence from supporters of a controversial goldmine that could be opened several kilometres away from his farm in New Zealand’s Central Otago district, after he publicly objected to the government’s plans to fast-track the mine.

The Australian mining company Santana Minerals is pushing to expedite a 85-hectare (210-acre) open-cast goldmine, called Bendigo-Ophir, in the Dunstan mountains, an area described as “outstanding natural landscape” by the Central Otago district council.

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Xi Calls For Hormuz to Reopen as China Balances Its Gulf Interests – The New York Times

  1. Xi Calls For Hormuz to Reopen as China Balances Its Gulf Interests  The New York Times
  2. Xi says for first time Strait of Hormuz should be reopened  The Hill
  3. China’s Xi Urges Ceasefire, Full Hormuz Transit in Saudi Call  Bloomberg
  4. China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open  Reuters
  5. Xi Calls For Reopening Of Homruz And ‘Immediate Ceasefire’ In U.S.-Iran War  Forbes
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EU top court strikes down Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ rules – politico.eu

  1. EU top court strikes down Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ rules  politico.eu
  2. Unprecedented ruling finds Hungary's anti-LGBTQ laws in breach of EU values  BBC
  3. EU’s top court finds Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law in breach of key values  The Guardian
  4. Hungary: Orban-era LGBTQ rules breach EU laws, ECJ finds  DW.com
  5. Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation violates EU law, court finds  AP News
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Minnesota boy fighting for life after rescuing younger brother from creek

Ashkan Thibodeaux, five years old, saved his kid brother Wyatt after he fell into ‘icy water’ of creek they were exploring

A five-year-old Minnesota boy reportedly jumped into frigid water after his younger brother fell in on Easter Sunday to successfully rescue him – and has subsequently had to fight for his life at a hospital, a battle in which he is making steady progress, according to his family.

Ashkan Thibodeaux’s story, which has captured widespread attention in corners of the internet dedicated to spotlighting remarkable displays of bravery, began with exploring a creek in Minnesota’s Itasca county alongside his kid brother, Wyatt, on 5 April, his family and their supporters say.

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