opposing

The pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina accused Yabloko of receiving undeclared campaign support, notably from Western sources – an allegation Yabloko denied.

Russia‘s Supreme Court has barred the only officially registered party opposing Moscow’s war in Ukraine from running in next month’s parliamentary elections.

The court upheld a suit on Monday brought by the small pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina to annul the registration of Yabloko, stripping voters of the chance to express their discontent with the four-and-a-half-year conflict at the ballot box.

Last month, the Central Election Commission had initially allowed Yabloko on the ballot along with 10 other parties.

“The claims seeking to annul the registration of the federal list of candidates for the State Duma of the ninth convocation, nominated by the Yabloko political party, were granted,” Judge Vyacheslav Kirillov said.

Rodina alleged that Yabloko had received undeclared campaign support, including from Western sources, among other accusations.

During a day-long hearing, Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov said there was no evidence to support the allegations and described the case as an unconstitutional attack on freedom of thought by political opponents seeking to clear the field of rivals.

About 100 supporters, mostly young people, gathered outside the courthouse as police stood by, chanting “Shame! Shame!” after the ruling was delivered. Some carried apples to display their affiliation with Yabloko, which means “apple” in Russian.

Addressing them after the hearing, Rybakov said the party would appeal the decision.

“We have a long way ahead, and we have a big and important task: to stop deaths and bring the peace back,” he said. “Everything we do should be dedicated to that.”

With most of President Vladimir Putin’s opponents jailed, exiled or dead, Yabloko is the only liberal party still operating in Russia.

The party has received the backing of several exiled opposition figures, including Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Both are listed as “extremists” in Russia.

A poll conducted earlier this year showed Yabloko at just three percent support – short of the five-percent threshold needed to enter Russia’s lower house.

With the Kremlin tightening its control over elections, Yabloko has failed to win seats in the State Duma since 2003.

Since then, every parliamentary vote has been won by the ruling United Russia party, which backs Putin.

Efforts to end the Ukraine war through diplomacy have so far failed, with Putin pushing hardline territorial demands to end the fighting and ruling out talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Independent polls show most Russians favour peace negotiations with Kyiv.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors appears to be in jeopardy, with a third confederation expressing opposition.

In a statement published on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it “stands in solidarity” with its counterparts in Europe and North, Central America and the Caribbean.

The AFC added Infantino’s plan could not “realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward”.

“The Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations,” it said.

“Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.”

The AFC’s statement means Infantino’s plans are unlikely to be approved by Fifa members if put to a vote.

Infantino had indicated the proposals would need a straight majority to go through – meaning 106 of its 211 members to vote in favour for the proposal.

Uefa – the body that governs European football – has 55 votes. Concacaf, which oversees football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, has 35 and Asia has 46.

Asian football’s governing body accused Fifa of once again setting the “direction of travel” for a “significant initiative” before consulting stakeholders.

It said Fifa’s failure to consult its member associations on the proposals had “exposed fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed”.

The AFC also criticised Fifa for leaving “confederations, member associations and even Fifa’s own governing bodies, including the Fifa Council, feeling sidelined.

“The Fifa World Cup, and the game itself, belong to the entire global football family,” it added.

Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and member associations.

“The AFC calls upon Fifa to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and appropriate oversight by Fifa’s statutory bodies.”

A picturesque seaside town in Essex is embroiled in controversy after plans were submitted to convert a shopfront into a Greggs outlet — with a petition now launched to block it

A picturesque seaside town hailed as one of Essex’s finest places to live could soon see the arrival of Greggs — but the prospect has divided opinion.

Leigh-on-Sea occupies one of Essex’s most stunning locations and is renowned for its independent shops and businesses.

The beautiful coastal town, known simply as ‘Leigh’ amongst residents, comprises the old town where dining and drinking venues abound, and the Broadway, home to boutique retailers and restaurants.

The delightful town, which features spectacular waterfront vistas, cobbled streets and vibrant beach huts, is celebrated for its independent character. Yet proposals to transform a Broadway shop into a Greggs branch have sparked debate.

Papers lodged with Southend-on-Sea City Council outlined plans for a shopfront displaying Greggs signage on the Factory Shop — with a verdict expected by July 10.

Nevertheless, a petition has been started urging the council to reject the Greggs proposals, attracting more than 1,700 signatures so far.

Behind the campaign is resident Enzo Harrison. He explained to this reporter: “It’s important to keep the Broadway independent. When people spend money in locally-owned businesses, the money stays in the area, it enriches us all.

“We risk losing not only our wealth but the unique feel of the area.”

Elaborating on why he started the petition, he explained on the website: “For as long as I remember, Leigh has had a host of high quality, independently owned bakeries and restaurants. Grout’s, The Homemade Bakery, The Flour and Spoon etc.

“The money we spent stayed in our community, the food we ate was wholesome and used proper ingredients, the faces behind the counter were familiar and friendly. This may soon come to an end.”

He continued: “To put it simply — Leigh’s too good for a Greggs. And we all know it.”

Responding below, one resident remarked: “I live on the Broadway and this would have a huge impact in my daily life, as their operations unit would sit right on my backyard. Keep Leigh independent, we love our artisan bakeries and coffee shops.”

Another chimed in: “Leigh doesn’t need any more chains or food outlets . To keep Leigh special we need independent shops selling things we actually need.”

Greggs was established in 1939 and has become one of Britain’s best-loved bakeries with thousands of branches. It also runs its own charity, The Greggs Foundation, which provides eight million free breakfasts for primary school children each year.

Leigh-on-Sea, meanwhile, is home to over 20,000 residents who enjoy scenic walks and delicious fish and chips.

Situated on the Thames Estuary, London is accessible by train in roughly 45 minutes, making the town attractive to commuters who prefer to avoid living in the heart of the capital. Edward White, the owner of fashion boutique Local Merchants, told express.co.uk last year: “We’re lucky to be surrounded by locals and visitors who actually care about supporting independent shops. They want something you can’t get everywhere.”

Councillor Carole Mulroney also weighed in on the flourishing high street, saying: “We’re lucky, we don’t often see empty shops in Leigh. There’s a healthy turnover, but people are invested. Shop owners, residents, they want this place to do well.”

She went on to note that cafes were “always full” whether by the old town waterfront or along the lively hilltop high street.

The town once had a Costa Coffee, which has since shut its doors, and a Subway had to be redesigned to blend in with its surroundings. Leigh continues to resist the cookie-cutter uniformity that plagues so many British high streets, with its embrace of independent businesses proving to be its greatest strength.

The seaside town sits just a 15-minute drive from Southend-on-Sea, and according to Rightmove, the average property price in Leigh-on-Sea stands at £448,840.

Local resident Russell Campbell, who previously lived in Basildon, shared his thoughts on Leigh with this publication.

He said: “I like the people here. I like the art here, the music, and I like that it’s by the sea. I just like the whole feel about it. It’s quite arty. The people here are creative.”

A visitor also chimed in: “Leigh has a cultural life which other towns like Southend don’t. It’s a wonderful place. Some talented people have emerged from here.”

This includes Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren, who grew up there, and Jamie Oliver, who once posted on social media: ” Aaaaahhhh back in my home town of Leigh on Sea ESSEX down at the cockle sheds just a quick visit but 15 mins for a pint of Adams and a little Cockles white pepper and vinegar and a roll before my next job then back to London Town happy days and memories.”

One local resident, Simon Green, also championed Leigh-on-Sea last year when Which? placed Southend-on-Sea as the fourth-worst seaside resort in the country in its yearly survey of top coastal destinations.

He outlined three reasons why this assessment was “total nonsense”, arguing that Leigh-on-Sea had been unfairly dismissed as one of Southend’s finest assets.

Simon described it as “undoubtedly one of the most desirable areas in the city”, highlighting how residents descended there every weekend to soak up the atmosphere at the Broadway cafes.

He also praised the independent retailers and a Michelin restaurant named Food.

And painting a picture of what Broadway – which may soon welcome a Greggs – is truly like, he wrote: “Situated right on the seafront, the former fishing village has a beautiful cobbled street running through it lined with clapboard houses from the 18th Century. Shacks are always open selling countless varieties of fresh fish — including prawns, oysters and mussels caught that day.

“And the meal can be washed down with a pint at the ever-popular Peterboat or the Boatyard, which overlook the fishing trawlers bobbing in the estuary. Ye Olde Smack is always a popular pub for locals too.”

Greggs and Leigh Town Council have been approached for comment.

Bill Cassidy is among seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

US Senator Bill Cassidy has lost his Louisiana Republican primary after years of criticism from supporters of Donald Trump over his vote to convict the United States president during his 2021 impeachment trial linked to the January 6 Capitol attack that year.

Cassidy failed to secure enough support in the southern state on Saturday to advance to a run-off, finishing behind Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming. The two will face each other in a second round of voting on June 27.

The result underlines Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party as he targets politicians seen as disloyal, even as he faces growing political pressure over inflation, falling approval ratings and criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters who sought to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss. While several Republicans who broke with Trump chose not to seek re-election, Cassidy campaigned aggressively for a third six-year term and heavily outspent his rivals.

On the morning of the vote, Trump attacked Cassidy on social media, calling him “a disloyal disaster” and “a terrible guy”. Speaking after his defeat, Cassidy appeared to respond indirectly to Trump’s remarks. “Insults only bother me if they come from somebody of character and integrity,” he told supporters.

He added: “Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans, and it is about the constitution.”

Letlow, meanwhile, embraced Trump’s backing during her victory speech. “I want to say thank you to a very special man, … the best president this country has ever had, President Donald Trump,” she said.

She later described Cassidy’s impeachment vote as evidence that he had “turned his back on Louisiana voters”. Trump celebrated Cassidy’s loss online, writing: “That’s what you get by voting to impeach an innocent man.”

The Louisiana race is the latest in a series of contests in which Trump has backed efforts to remove Republicans who opposed him. Earlier this month, several Indiana state senators were also defeated after they had rejected Trump’s redistricting plan aimed at winning more seats in the US Congress for Republicans.

Saturday’s elections also took place amid confusion after a recent US Supreme Court ruling weakening part of the Voting Rights Act related to electoral district maps.

While the Senate primary went ahead as planned, Louisiana officials postponed primary elections for the US House of Representatives to redraw district boundaries. Civil rights groups challenged the delay, arguing it violates both the US Constitution and the Louisiana Constitution.