Philp says UK France migrant returns deal unlikely to deter crossings

This news describes the use of precise geolocation data along with active scanning of device characteristics in order to identify individual devices. This process enables storing and accessing information directly on the device. The core purpose is to deliver personalized advertisements and content tailored to the user’s preferences and location. Additionally, this method supports measurement of ad and content performance, providing insights into audience behavior and aiding in product development. Geolocation data is obtained through various means such as GPS, WiFi, cell towers, and device sensors, delivering accurate location information usually down to latitude and longitude. Marketers use this data to create geofences—virtual perimeters around specific locations—triggering relevant ads when a user enters or moves near these zones. Besides location, scanning device characteristics helps further refine user identification for more targeted and relevant advertising. The collected information allows advertisers and publishers to personalize marketing efforts, making content feel more relevant by factoring in a user’s exact whereabouts and device profile. This approach enhances user engagement by presenting ads aligned with their location and interests, thereby increasing conversion rates and improving marketing ROI. Furthermore, audience insights gained from this data guide better product design and development decisions. A list of partners or vendors is typically involved in providing the technology, data processing, and advertising services necessary to execute such location-based and device-aware campaigns effectively. These partners ensure compliance with privacy standards while enabling data-driven marketing strategies that leverage real-time, precise user information.

Independent candidate Mike Duggan aims to leverage voter frustration with partisan politics in the Michigan governor race ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, has announced his decision to run for governor of Michigan as an independent candidate in the upcoming 2026 election. This move signifies a major political shift given Duggan’s decade-long tenure as a Democrat leading Detroit. His choice to leave the party and pursue an independent bid reflects growing voter disillusionment with traditional party politics and a desire for pragmatic, solution-oriented leadership rather than partisan gridlock. Duggan’s decision has garnered significant attention and support from influential groups such as the Detroit Regional Chamber, which endorsed his independent candidacy early on, expressing confidence in his reputation as a skilled manager and dealmaker. Business and moderate voters are drawn to his record of stable leadership and effective governance, especially as frustration grows over legislative stalemates commonly seen at state and national levels. Since announcing his run, Duggan has demonstrated strong fundraising prowess, raising over $3 million, leading the field in direct contributions. This financial backing further underscores his viability as a competitive candidate despite running outside the traditional two-party framework. His campaign strategy targets voters tired of partisan conflict and appeals to those seeking a more collaborative approach to Michigan’s key challenges. Duggan’s run as an independent could reshape Michigan’s political dynamics in 2026, potentially attracting a broad base of moderates and independents while challenging the dominance of Democrats and Republicans in this battleground state. His candidacy opens a new chapter in his political career, emphasizing pragmatism over party loyalty and highlighting a growing trend toward independent politics in American elections. <br /> <br /> This strategic pivot by Duggan comes amid a backdrop of political fatigue and increasing calls for change, positioning him as a unique candidate capable of bridging divides within Michigan.

JAMB Clarifies: UTME Candidates Cannot Combine WAEC and NECO Results for Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued an important directive regarding the combination of WAEC and NECO results for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, particularly those under the age of 16, for the 2025/2026 admission cycle. JAMB has explicitly prohibited under-16 candidates from mixing results from two different examination bodies, such as using both WAEC and NECO results combined for their admission qualifications. This means candidates in this category must present a single sitting result from either WAEC or NECO only, achieving a minimum pass mark of 80%, which translates to 24 points out of 30, as part of the eligibility criteria for admission consideration. This decision accompanies a broader set of criteria designed to ensure that exceptionally young candidates are academically and emotionally prepared for university life. Besides the O’level requirement, under-16 candidates must score at least 320 out of 400 in the UTME and secure a minimum of 80% in their post-UTME screening exams. These rules were announced to uphold educational standards and prevent the “academic abuse” of admitting children who are not cognitively or emotionally ready for the university environment. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the policy aligns with government regulations setting 16 years as the official minimum admission age into tertiary institutions, with exceptions only for outstandingly brilliant candidates under this age. The Ministry of Education supports this stance, aiming to balance academic qualifications with maturity and psychological readiness to curb the increasing trend of underage admissions in Nigerian universities.<br /> <br /> Candidates are further reminded that their O’level results must be uploaded onto the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) in line with stipulated guidelines. While combining results from different exam bodies may be permissible generally, it is strictly disallowed for underage candidates under the new policy framework, ensuring transparency and fairness in the admissions process.<br /> <br />

Trump administration moves to restore Confederate monuments and memorials removed in recent years, including a key statue in Washington, D.C., and a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, sparking renewed debate over how the Confederacy is commemorated[1][2][3].

There is growing recognition that Donald Trump’s administration has actively supported efforts to preserve and restore symbols of the Confederacy, arguably delivering more victories for its legacy than recent presidents. Notably, after halting attempts to rename U.S. military bases originally named after Confederate leaders, Trump’s administration has now committed to restoring Confederate monuments removed during the wave of protests following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. This week, the National Park Service announced plans to reinstall the statue of Albert Pike in Washington, D.C. Pike was a Confederate general with ties to the Ku Klux Klan and a controversial legacy due to his leadership in the Confederacy and involvement in violent campaigns during the Civil War. The statue was toppled by protesters in 2020, but under Trump’s executive order aimed at “restoring truth and sanity to American history,” the administration is reinstating it, framing Pike’s legacy primarily through his Freemasonry leadership and downplaying his Confederate role. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the restoration of another Confederate-related memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. These actions are part of a broader initiative to reverse removals and renamings that have taken place since 2020 amid Black Lives Matter protests, during which over 300 Confederate monuments were taken down nationwide. Trump’s executive order directs the Department of the Interior to review and restore monuments removed or altered since January 2020, challenging what his administration views as “divisive race-centered ideology.” Critics argue these moves glorify individuals who fought to uphold slavery and perpetuate racial oppression. Nonetheless, these restorations mark significant symbolic victories for proponents of preserving Confederate heritage under Trump’s leadership.<br /><br /> The resurgence of Confederate symbols during Trump’s administration reflects ongoing national debates over history, race, and memory, with the Old South’s legacy gaining renewed official support despite widespread public opposition and protests.

Trump signals a bold move with ambitious White House expansion plan

The news titled "Trump is sending a dark signal with his White House expansion," first published on Salon.com, reflects concerns raised by a conservative attorney regarding President Trump's ambitious plan to significantly expand the White House with a new ballroom. The project, officially announced in late July 2025, involves constructing a 90,000-square-foot White House State Ballroom adjacent to the East Wing, replacing the current East Wing structure which dates back to 1902. This $200 million privately funded expansion is slated to begin construction in September 2025 and aims to be completed before the end of Trump's presidential term in 2029. <br /> <br /> Supporters highlight President Trump’s passion for building and attention to architectural detail, portraying the ballroom as a valuable addition that will enhance the historic estate and accommodate larger formal events than the current East Room, which only seats about 200 people. Trump has long criticized the temporary tents used for state dinners as unattractive and has expressed a desire to bring his personal sense of style to the project, even comparing it to the luxury of ballrooms at his private golf resorts. <br /> <br /> However, the conservative attorney’s warning suggests that this expansion could symbolize more than an architectural venture—it may represent a troubling indication of a greater crisis ahead under Trump’s leadership. Critics argue that dedicating such resources, especially through private donations and ongoing secret service modifications, signals a potential misdirection of priorities and foreshadows escalating controversies or instability during the remainder of his presidency. The attorney's caution serves as a reminder to scrutinize how Trump's decisions, including this high-profile construction, might influence the nation’s political and institutional health moving forward.

Which Scandal Is Being Labeled a Distraction and Why?

The notion of a "distraction" in scandal politics often reveals a complex dance of deflection and accusation, where opposing sides claim the other is diverting public attention from more pressing issues. For example, when former President Donald Trump rehashes grievances about the Russia collusion investigation, his critics label this as a "distraction" aimed at sidestepping more uncomfortable topics. One such topic is the media's persistent focus on the Jeffrey Epstein case, which has captivated public and journalistic scrutiny due to its gravity and connections to powerful figures. Trump’s repeated attempts to frame the Russia probe as a "witch hunt" underscore his effort to delegitimize investigations into his 2016 campaign’s ties to Russian interference. His administration, through reports such as the one released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, sought to downplay the extent of Russian meddling, emphasizing that state election systems were not hacked. However, this perspective overlooks comprehensive intelligence findings that confirmed significant Russian influence through hacks, leaks, and disinformation aimed at shaping public opinion in 2016. While Trump pivots to dismiss Russia-related investigations as baseless, critics argue this shift is designed to "distract" from the Epstein scandal, which raises serious questions about elite networks and potential abuses. The Epstein case’s ongoing legal and political ramifications have fueled intense media coverage, pressuring political figures linked to Epstein to respond or deflect. This interplay of allegations of "distraction" reveals how scandal politics often becomes a battleground of narrative control, where each side accuses the other of deflecting from issues that could damage their credibility or legitimacy.<br /><br />Such dynamics highlight the challenge for public discourse: distinguishing genuine investigative focus from politically motivated diversion tactics, a tension evident in the competing narratives surrounding the Trump-Russia investigation and the Epstein scandal.