far left

A new poll projects France's 2027 presidential election could come down to a run-off between far-right leader Marine Le Pen's camp and hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Melenchon, sidelining President Emmanuel Macron's centrist bloc. Commentators see the projection as a sign of deepening polarisation in French politics, with the mainstream centre at risk of being squeezed out of the second round entirely.

Dairy farmers in Idaho are voicing concern that President Trump's immigration enforcement campaign, which has so far largely left agricultural workplaces alone, could soon extend to farms. Dairy work depends heavily on immigrant labor, and producers say a shift in enforcement would threaten their operations and milk production.

France's far right has achieved a historic victory in elections to the French Senate, a result with no precedent in the chamber's history. The win marks a significant breakthrough for the nationalist right in an institution long dominated by mainstream conservative and centre-left groups, and is being closely watched for what it signals about the party's growing national strength.

Marine Le Pen is polling as the frontrunner for France's 2027 presidential election, according to trending reports. Early surveys suggest the far-right Rassemblement National leader holds a lead over potential rivals, months ahead of the vote. Commentators are debating whether she can convert poll numbers into victory after previous near-misses, and how rivals on the mainstream right and left might unite to block her.

France is holding its Senate elections today, with 178 of the 348 seats in the upper house being renewed. The grand electors, drawn from local elected officials, are casting their votes, with the far-right RN in a position of strength in several areas. The left says it expects little from the vote, since indirect elections by local officials limit its chances.

A far-left party has won the election in Berlin, campaigning on a pledge to nationalise the city's housing stock. The result signals strong voter support for radical measures against the German capital's housing shortage and rising rents, and is expected to trigger debate over property expropriation both in Germany and across Europe.

Donald Trump says his re-election campaign, despite raising record funds, was forced to spend heavily to counter what he calls Fake News coverage of his administration's handling of the coronavirus, citing his early China travel ban. He insists his campaign has far more money left than at the same point in 2016 and defends his team's performance on the pandemic as doing a great job.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon publicly celebrated the election of his son-in-law Gabriel Amard to the French Senate, claiming that in every department La France Insoumise scores far higher than its number of grand electors would suggest. He called the result an "auspicious sign for 2027", while also noting that the RN has tripled its presence, fueling debate on the left's and far-right's momentum.

Way Out West, the music festival held in Gothenburg, has paused sales of tickets. The announcement, reported by Swedish media, gives no public explanation in the initial notice, and festival-goers are left waiting to learn whether more tickets will be released or whether the move signals a problem with the event. Details on timing and reasons remain limited so far.

A legislative district in Seattle is the scene of an intraparty clash among Democrats over the direction of progressive politics. Rather than a contest against Republicans, the battle pits more moderate Democrats against the party's left wing, reflecting broader tensions within the party about how far to push progressive policies. KUOW reports the contest has become a proxy for the national fight over the future of the Democratic coalition.

The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament has jointly organised a Trade Union Forum with the European Trade Union Confederation. The gathering brings together centre-left MEPs and union representatives to discuss workers' rights and labour priorities in EU policy. Little detail has been released so far about the agenda or outcomes of the event.

Attention is on the AfD's growing standing in Hamburg, with local radio coverage noting that political extremes are gaining support across the city. The discussion comes as the far-right party registers rising poll numbers regionally, prompting debate about shifting voter alignments in a traditionally left-leaning city-state. Commenters are weighing what this means for Hamburg's established parties ahead of future elections.

New York Yankees player Luis García Jr. hit a home run that, according to Statcast-style distance data, would have gone out in 27 of the 30 MLB ballparks. The claim highlights how far the ball traveled and how hitter-friendly or restrictive different stadiums are, a common talking point among baseball fans comparing home run distances across parks.

The blog "This Needs Fixin'", which examines systemic problems in society and proposes remedies, is circulating randomly selected older pieces from its archive. Posts highlighted include a 2020 essay on how a democracy would go to war, a piece on what to do when "the autocrat is correct," and a 2026 entry criticizing the site Wonkette as an example of an authoritarian left. So far the shares have drawn only a handful of likes and little discussion.

Celebrity Traitors season 2 is under way, with viewers tracking which contestants have been murdered by the Traitors or banished at the round table. Coverage is compiling a running list of every eliminated celebrity, as fans debate who is faithful, who is a Traitor, and which exits have shaped the game so far.

Germany's centrist parties are struggling to maintain political relevance as both far-right and far-left movements gain ground with voters. The trend puts pressure on mainstream groups that have long dominated German politics, raising questions about coalition-building and the future stability of the country's political landscape. Commentators are weighing how established parties should respond to the shifting electorate.

Supporters are urging donations for Ahmed, a student from Gaza, with a fundraiser standing at 58 of a 250 target and under 24 hours remaining. Organisers say the aim is to help Ahmed become financially independent, arguing that the devastation in Gaza does not stop at its borders. Posts circulating on social media are calling for last-minute contributions to close the gap before the deadline expires.

A Dallas News opinion piece argues that both the far right and far left are mistaken in their positions on immigration. It contends that extreme ends of the political spectrum distort the debate, and implies the need for a more balanced approach to immigration policy in the United States.

The hosts of Good Morning America were quizzed on the New York Times' list of the 100 best TV shows of the century so far, giving their reactions and guesses on air. The exchange has drawn attention as viewers debate which series made the ranking and which were left out.

Germany's mainstream centrist parties are struggling to hold their ground as the far-right AfD and the far-left Die Linke gain support. The report examines how Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right CDU, alongside other establishment forces, is searching for a response as voters shift toward the political extremes, raising questions about the future of coalition politics in Germany.

French high school students are blocking schools and staging protests, and the backlash is to dismiss them as spoiled teenagers with radical left-wing ideas. But supporters say behind the burning bins lies genuine frustration over conditions in the education system. The debate over whether the young protesters' grievances are legitimate is drawing attention far beyond France.

The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia ran far slower than expected during Formula 1 activity, with lap times over four seconds adrift of Pirelli's pre-event simulations. The gap is attributed to an extremely rough, low-grip track surface that left drivers struggling for pace. The finding raises questions about track preparation and surface condition at the venue ahead of future rounds.

Germany's political mainstream is being squeezed out as both far-right and far-left parties make electoral gains, leaving the centrist establishment struggling to stay relevant. Observers see the shift as part of a broader European trend of voters abandoning traditional coalition parties amid discontent over the economy, migration and the cost of living, raising questions about how stable governing majorities can be formed.