Why big tech is betting on cute mascots
Some of the world's biggest and most powerful brands are attempting to be more cute and cuddly.
· Chris Marshall
Follow the story
Elections
A focused view of neutral reporting on Elections, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Pink Bun Campaign: Baker's Delight raising money for cancer
Products & ServicesOpen Products & Services section
Higher Europe air fares 'inevitable', says industry head
Higher ticket prices for air travellers in Europe are "inevitable" because of the high cost of jet fuel, according to the head of the International Air Transport Association.
· Theo Leggett
Hearts' McInnes rages at 'disgusting' Celtic penalty
Sam Nicholson was deemed to have handled the ball when he challenged Auston Trusty
· Bbcsport
Supporters of bill to aid Ukraine hit number to force House vote
In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, recruits practice military skills at a training ground near the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
· Kevin Freking
Assist of the season? Mesmerising Foden keeps title hopes alive
Man City pile pressure on Arsenal with win over Palace
· Bbcsport
Mass sex abuse allegations force closure of boarding school in Indonesia
Hundreds of people descended on a girls' boarding school in the Indonesian village of Tlogosari, Central Java on 2 May, shouting chants and waving banners.
· Quinawaty Pasaribu
Trump’s China strategy is closer to Kissinger than Biden
US President Donald Trump’s arrival in China this week is being treated as far more than another diplomatic photo opportunity. Relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense, competition between the two powers stretches across almost every domain, and yet both sides appear increasingly aware that uncontrolled…
· RT
Chippy boss installing self-service tills as 'abrupt' customers query prices
A fish and chip shop owner says he is installing self-service tills to protect staff from customers with "abrupt" questions about price rises.
· Elen Davies
Starmer warns leadership contest would 'plunge us into chaos' in pleas to ministers and MPs
Embattled Sir Keir Starmer has warned his ministers and MPs a challenge against his leadership could "plunge us into chaos", after attempting to win them over with what he called a "radical" plan to change the country.
· Joshua Nevett
Durham to Bedford - Gay's 200-mile drive to tell parents of England call-up
Emilio Gay has made three centuries for Durham this season
· Bbcsport
Why Arsenal have fallen short in WSL and Champions League this season
Alessia Russo has scored 11 goals in the Women's Super League this season
· Bbcsport
Philip Davis and Progressive Liberal Party win general election in Bahamas
Philip Davis will hold onto his seat as prime minister of the Bahamas after the Progressive Liberal Party scored a victory in early elections.
· Al Jazeera
Why Louisiana paused its US House primary election amid redistricting push
The US state of Louisiana will hold several primary elections on Thursday, including for the United States Senate, the state’s Supreme Court, and a slate of local offices.
· Joseph Stepansky
Hochul’s $4B bailout of Mamdani’s NYC budget slammed by critics as ‘buying votes’
Gov. Kathy Hochul defended the state’s $4 billion bailout of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s New York City budget, while critics slammed it as a vote buying giveaway at the expense of the rest of the state.
· Carl Campanile
Jewish Republican Paul Singer tarred with rainbow Star of David in Kentucky candidate’s anti-LGBTQ
A prominent Jewish donor to Republican politicians has become the target of a new ad tied to Kentucky’s GOP congressional primary.
· JACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA
Israeli firm BlackCore investigated for role in alleged French election smear campaign
French authorities are examining whether a foreign interference campaign aimed at a hard-left party ahead of March's municipal elections was carried out at least in part by an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
· REUTERS
French Socialist MEP advised to ignore poor voters ahead of election – Politico
A leaked internal campaign memo has advised French presidential hopeful Raphael Glucksmann to limit efforts to attract the poorer middle-class and focus on older, wealthier voters instead, Politico has reported.
· RT
Read Full Article at RT.com
A leaked internal campaign memo has advised French presidential hopeful Raphael Glucksmann to limit efforts to attract the poorer middle-class and focus on older, wealthier voters instead, Politico has reported.
· RT
Massive Ukraine aid package to get House vote after backdoor maneuver to buck GOP leadership
WASHINGTON — The House will have to take up a major security package for war-torn Ukraine after enough Republicans joined Democrats to give the needed 218 signatures to force a vote.
· Ryan King
Three Republicans break ranks, but Senate fails to curb Trump’s war powers
Three Republican senators have joined Democrats in the United States Senate in voting to advance a bill to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to strike Iran without congressional approval.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Macron allies deny Brigitte slapped French president over texts with Iranian actress
PARIS — Team Brigitte is slapping back against allegations her relationship isn’t perfect.
· Clea Caulcutt
Coalition submits bill to dissolve Knesset, vote expected next week
Coalition whip Ofir Katz submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset with the full backing of coalition faction leaders, he announced on Wednesday after the opposition brought forward the same bill on Tuesday amid the crisis in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition over the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft bill.
· KESHET NEEV
Senate fails to curb Trump’s war on Iran even as Republican opposition grows
Resolution fails by 49-50, with Lisa Murkowski and fellow GOP members Rand Paul and Susan Collins voting in favor
· Chris Stein
California governor candidate Tom Steyer launches ‘predatory tactic’ to harvest voters — only costing $10
Tom Steyer’s campaign for governor is paying influencers to create social media content aimed at boosting his bid to become the next governor of California.
· Zain Khan
McIlroy 'totally fine' for US PGA after toe issue
McIlroy sat down on the 18th fairway on Wednesday to inspect his injured toe
· Bbcsport
Bahamas Prime Minister Davis declares victory for Progressive Liberal Party in snap election
Voters arrive at a polling station to cast their ballots in the general election in Nassau, Bahamas, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tim Aylen)
· Anselm Gibbs
Bill to dissolve Knesset expected for vote next week, Bennett praises move
The bill to dissolve the Knesset is expected to be brought for a vote next week on Wednesday, amid the crisis in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition over the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft bill, opposition coordinator MK Merav Ben-Ari’s (Yesh Atid) office confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
· KESHET NEEV
Netanyahu secretly visited UAE during war with Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates and met its president during the war with Iran, his office has confirmed.
· Ione Wells
GOP Lawmakers Leery Of Trump's Billion-Dollar Ballroom-Security Package
Wary of the terrible election-year optics, some federal Republican legislators are less-than-enthusiastic about approving a request for a billion dollars in security funding relating to President Trump's White House ballroom project. Some of them shared those feelings with reporters after they received a Tuesday aft…
· Tyler Durden
Contact with British couple held in Iran cut off, family says
The family of a British couple imprisoned in Iran have claimed that contact has been cut off for more than a week, leaving them "gravely concerned" for their wellbeing.
· Hsin-Yi Lo
Baby born on Attenborough's 100th birthday named after environmentalist
A baby born just before midnight on Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday has been named after the legendary broadcaster and environmentalist.
· Maria Cassidy
Egg sandwiches and colouring book: Life in US quarantine after cruise
Jake Rosmarin made an egg sandwich for breakfast Wednesday in his quarantine room in Omaha using ingredients ordered from a numbered menu provided by staff at the medical facility he and 15 others expect to call home for the next 40 days.
· Sheila Flynn
Reform suspend councillor over social media posts
A newly elected Reform UK councillor has been suspended pending an investigation into social media posts "which have brought the party into disrepute".
· BBC News
Wes Streeting prepares to launch leadership challenge against Keir Starmer
Health secretary’s move to force race sparks scramble on left of Labour for candidate to oppose him
· Rowena Mason, Jessica Elgot, Pippacrerar
Netanyahu reveals secret UAE visit
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates at the height of the US-Israeli war on Iran, his office revealed on Wednesday. The visit coincides with the UAE receiving Iron Dome air defense batteries from Israel.
· RT
LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt’s living in a Bel-Air hotel, not a trailer
Spencer Pratt has slammed a report saying he is now living in a swanky Bel Air hotel and not an airstream trailer after his Pacific Palisades home burnt down last year.
· Zain Khan
Britain expands Hormuz mission as Starmer faces calls to quit
Britain will contribute drones, fighter jets and naval assets to a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz to “secure freedom of navigation,” Defense Secretary John Healey has announced.
· RT
Journalists scramble as gunshots sound in Philippine senate
The Philippine Senate was locked down with military personnel seen entering the building where a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had sought refuge.
‘The threat is manageable’: IDF downplays Hezbollah drone campaign
AL-KHIAM, Lebanon – Even though three soldiers and one civilian have been killed by exploding drones launched from Lebanon since the ceasefire went into effect there on April 17, the IDF does not view the threat as a strategic challenge with far-reaching ramifications, but rather as a tactical problem for which solu…
· HERB KEINON
Drug addiction counsellor sentenced in Matthew Perry's overdose death
A man involved in the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry has been sentenced to two years in prison, US media report.
· Nardine Saad
Starmer hopes to save his job with promise of change - and warnings of chaos
The State Opening of Parliament is the most British of occasions - and today it had the most British of ingredients: royals, regalia and rain.
· Chris Mason
Spain’s alleged misuse of post-Covid funds sparks fury in frugal northern EU
BRUSSELS — Spain’s alleged misuse of the EU’s post-Covid funds to pay government pensions is triggering outrage in Germany and the Netherlands and reigniting criticism of joint EU debt.
· Gregorio Sorgi, Johanna Treeck
Met Police prepares armoured vehicles and 4,000 officers for dual London protests
The Metropolitan Police has warned that it is preparing for potential violence and hate speech crimes across two protests in London this Saturday.
· Dominic Casciani
US Senator Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump looms over Louisiana primary
A Republican senator who broke from his party to vote in favour of convicting US President Donald Trump in impeachment proceedings during his first term is facing a bruising primary challenge in his home state of Louisiana.
· Joseph Stepansky
German soldiers attacked by NATO ‘haters’ – media
Two German soldiers have been attacked outside the NATO operational headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, according to dpa news agency and Der Spiegel. The assailants, who are yet to be identified, reportedly shouted anti-NATO slogans.
· RT
Gunfire Erupts Inside Philippine Senate As Former 'Drug War' Enforcer Evades International Arrest Warrant
At least a dozen gunshots rang out inside the Philippine Senate building in Manila earlier on Wednesday as police and marines moved to arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged crimes against humanity linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs…
· Tyler Durden
Ex-mayor in Kansas town fears deportation in voting controversy
The beloved former mayor of a conservative Kansas town reported to a federal immigration office Wednesday, a possible step toward deportation, months after acknowledging he had voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen.
· Ed White
Montenegro enters the endgame for joining the EU
BRUSSELS — Montenegro’s EU bid moved a step closer to the finish line on Wednesday as EU officials began working on the accession treaty that would bring the Western Balkan country into the bloc.
· Jakob Weizman