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Two men found guilty of attending Cambridgeshire hare coursing event

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Cambridgeshire Live

The men were given a Criminal Behaviour Order and had to pay compensation to the landowners.

Two men have been found guilty of attending a hare coursing event in Cambridgeshire. Roy Lee, 27, of Barrowby Vale, Grantham, and Sam Sheady, 46, of Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, Clwyd, were found guilty of attending a hare coursing event on January 25, 2025.

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At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, March 3), the men were issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBOs). The CBO prohibits them from entering or being present on any part of private or agricultural land within England and Wales, without the written permission of the owner, which can be presented to an officer upon request.

The order also prohibits them from driving any vehicle with a sighthound breed dog, whilst outside of a five mile radius of his home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment, proof of appointment to be provided to an officer upon request and except when travelling to and from the land the defendant owns or rents and must provide written proof of ownership or rental agreement to present to any police officer if required.

Both of the men must also pay compensation to landowners in the sum of £1,000 each. Lee was also fined £200.

The conviction follows a large investigation into hare coursing and associated criminal activity that took place on Saturday, January 25 2025. The incident affected multiple communities in Cambridgeshire including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington and Doddington.

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The investigation was supported by multiple police forces and national crime units. It resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals being charged with a total of 39 offences.

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New Mexico jury says Meta harms children’s mental health and safety

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Landmark trial against Meta highlights mental health risks for children

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico jury determined Tuesday that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms, a verdict that signals a changing tide against tech companies and the government’s willingness to crack down.

The landmark decision comes after a nearly seven-week trial, and as jurors in a federal court in California have been sequestered in deliberations for more than a week about whether Meta and YouTube should be liable in a similar case.

New Mexico jurors sided with state prosecutors who argued that Meta — which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp — prioritized profits over safety, and violated parts of the state’s Unfair Practices Act.

The jury agreed with allegations that Meta made false or misleading statements and also agreed that Meta engaged in “unconscionable” trade practices that unfairly took advantage of the vulnerabilities of and inexperience of children.

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How much Meta owes

Jurors found there were thousands of violations, each counting separately toward a penalty of $375 million. That’s less than one-fifth of what prosecutors were seeking.

Meta is valued at about $1.5 trillion and the company’s stock was up 5% in early after-hours trading following the verdict, a signal that shareholders were shrugging off the news.

Juror Linda Payton, 38, said the jury reached a compromise on the estimated number of teenagers affected by Meta’s platforms, while opting for the maximum penalty per violation. With a maximum $5,000 penalty for each violation, she said she thought each child was worth the maximum amount.

What will change on Meta’s platforms

The social media conglomerate won’t be forced to change its practices right away. It will be up to a judge — not a jury — to determine whether Meta’s social media platforms created a public nuisance and whether the company should pay for public programs to address the harms. That second phase of the trial will happen in May.

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A Meta spokesperson said the company disagrees with the verdict and will appeal.

“We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

Attorneys for Meta said the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences, while acknowledging that some bad material gets through its safety net.

Other lawsuits against Meta

New Mexico’s case was among the first to reach trial in a wave of litigation involving social media platforms and their impacts on children.

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More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it’s contributing to a mental health crisis among young people by deliberately designing Instagram and Facebook features that are addictive.

“Meta’s house of cards is beginning to fall,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of watchdog group The Tech Oversight Project. “For years, it’s been glaringly obvious that Meta has failed to stop sexual predators from turning online interactions into real world harm.”

Haworth pointed to whistleblowers like Arturo Béjar, as well as unsealed documents and other evidence, saying it painted a damning picture.

New Mexico’s case relied on an undercover investigation where agents created social media accounts posing as children to document sexual solicitations and Meta’s response.

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The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, also said Meta hasn’t fully disclosed or addressed the dangers of social media addiction. Meta hasn’t agreed that social media addiction exists, but executives at trial acknowledged “problematic use” and say they want people to feel good about the time they spend on Meta’s platforms.

“Evidence shows not only that Meta invests in safety because it’s the right thing to do but because it is good for business,” Meta attorney Kevin Huff told jurors in closing arguments. “Meta designs its apps to help people connect with friends and family, not to try to connect predators.”

Tech companies have been protected from liability for content posted on their social media platforms under Section 230, a 30-year-old provision of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, as well as a First Amendment shield.

New Mexico prosecutors say Meta still should be responsible for its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that is harmful for children.

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“We know the output is meant to be engagement and time spent for kids,” prosecution attorney Linda Singer said. “That choice that Meta made has profound negative impacts on kids.”

What the New Mexico jury reviewed

The New Mexico trial examined a raft of Meta’s internal correspondence and reports related to child safety. Jurors also heard testimony from Meta executives, platform engineers, whistleblowers who left the company, psychiatric experts and tech safety consultants.

The jury also heard testimony from local public school educators who struggled with disruptions linked to social media, including sextortion schemes targeting children.

In reaching a verdict, the jury considered whether social media users were misled by specific statements about platform safety by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram head Adam Mosseri and Meta global head of safety Antigone Davis.

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Jurors also considered Meta’s failure to enforce its ban on users under 13, the role of its algorithms in prioritizing sensational or harmful content, and the prevalence of social media content about teen suicide.

ParentsSOS, a coalition of families who have lost children to harm caused by social media, called the verdict a “watershed moment.”

“We parents who have experienced the unimaginable — the death of a child because of social media harms — applaud this rare and momentous milestone in the years-long fight to hold Big Tech accountable for the dangers their products pose to our kids,” the group said in a statement.

___

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Associated Press writer Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco contributed to this report.

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Minimum Wage to rise on April 1 2026 – what it means for your pay

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Minimum Wage Rise 2026 what pay boost means for UK workers

The National Living Wage will rise by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over, which the Government said will increase gross annual earnings of a full-time worker on the rate by £900, benefiting around 2.4 million low-paid workers.

That will mean for the lowest paid workers on a 40-hour-week contract their pre-tax pay will hit £26,436.80 for the first time. A 37.5 hour week will see a salary of £24,784.50, while 35 hours will pay £23,132.20 a year.

The National Minimum Wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, narrowing the gap with the National Living Wage.

This will mean an annual earnings increase of £1,500 for a full-time worker, which the Government said marks further progress towards its goal of phasing out 18 to 20 wage bands and establishing a single adult rate.

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The National Minimum Wage for 16 to 17-year-olds and those on apprenticeships will increase by 6% to £8 an hour.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had accepted recommendations from the Low Pay Commission so that those on low incomes are “properly rewarded” for their work.

The Chancellor said: “I know that the cost of living is still the number one issue for working people and that the economy isn’t working well enough for those on the lowest incomes.

“Too many people are still struggling to make ends meet, and that has to change.

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“That’s why today I’m announcing that we will raise the National Living Wage and also the National Minimum Wage, so that those on low incomes are properly rewarded for their hard work.

“These changes are going to benefit many young people across our country, getting their first job.”

null (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)

What does the minimum wage increase mean for small businesses?

Kate Underwood, Managing Director and HR Director at Southampton-based Kate Underwood HR and Training says: “It’s good news for workers who’ve been stuck on the lowest rung for too long. £12.71 an hour still won’t stretch far in today’s world, but it’s a start. And closing the gap for younger workers? About time.

“Will it be tough for small businesses? Yep. But so is constant staff turnover, sick days from burnout, and people juggling three jobs just to pay the bills.

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“Can the UK afford it? Wrong question. Can we afford not to pay people properly? That’s the real one.”

Prem Raja, head of Trading Floor at Currencies 4 You agrees that it’s good news for workers.

“They need the extra cash and hopefully they spend it locally,” he says. “But we have to be real about the pressure this puts on business owners. It is getting incredibly hard to run a company right now. We’re already dealing with rising National Insurance and a weak Pound. Adding a big wage hike on top, especially that huge jump for younger staff, is squeezing us from every side.

“The brutal truth is that if employing people becomes too expensive, businesses just won’t hire. We’ll see jobs disappear because owners simply can’t afford the payroll, or prices will have to go up, which just fuels inflation further.

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“It looks like they want to land some ‘good news’ before the Chancellor likely announces heavy tax burdens tomorrow. Without real help for small businesses, this could be the tipping point that forces many entrepreneurs to shut down.”

UK National Living Wage. Infographic from PA Graphics. (Image: PA Wire)


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But Riz Malik, director at Southend-on-Sea-based R3 Wealth also has concerns: “The last budget impacted employers view on employment by adding further costs.

“Raising the national living wage will only add to it if you factor in this and the associated employment costs. This is on the eve of the budget, which is likely to make it even more costly to do business in the UK.”

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The increases will benefit a total of 2.7 million young and older workers, said the Government, adding that by seeking expert and independent advice, it was able to ensure that the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, the affordability for businesses and the opportunities for employment.

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GMP search for missing Wigan 15-year-old Summer Rae

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GMP search for missing Wigan 15-year-old Summer Rae

Summer-Rae, 15, was last seen in Wigan town centre at 4pm on Monday March 23.

She is described as a 5ft 6in female of medium build, with brown hair and blonde highlights.

She is from Wigan but is known to also spend time in Bolton and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester City Centre.

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GMP said: “Can you help find missing Summer-Rae (15) from Wigan?

“She was last seen in Wigan town centre on Monday 23 March at around 4pm.

“Summer-Rae is believed to frequent Bolton and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre.

“Officers want to make sure she is safe and well.

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“Anyone with information of her whereabouts is asked to call us on 0161 856 0364, quoting log 2615 of 23/03/26.

Summer-Rae was last seen wearing black leggings, a black hoody, a black Canada Goose jacket, and light blue and black Nike Jordan trainers.

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Bee Network set for more changes after pensioner bus pass rules lifted

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Bee Network set for more changes after pensioner bus pass rules lifted

Public transport has undergone a huge transformation in recent years, with buses being brought under public control and those serving Bolton being among the first.

According to Transport Focus, only 63 per cent of UK bus passengers believed they were getting value for money in 2025, down from 73 per cent in 2024.

But Greater Manchester bucked this trend – with 79 per cent saying the Bee Network offered value for money, up from 73 per cent the previous year.

Greater Manchester also shows the biggest improvement, rising seven percentage points from 79 per cent to 86 per cent, putting it above the England average.

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Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “These results show the Bee Network is making a real difference to passengers.

“We’ve worked hard to keep the cost of travel down, capping fares and making multi-modal travel by bus and tram cheaper and more convenient and it’s great that passengers are already feeling the benefit of this.

“This report, which shows a significant improvement in passenger satisfaction, explains why more and more people are using public transport in Greater Manchester.

“Bringing buses under public control has allowed us to freeze fares at £2 for another year, make improvements to services, introduce new routes and increase reliability.

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“It’s also meant that we were recently able to lift the 9.30am rule on concessionary passes, giving older and disabled people free round-the-clock travel every day.

“We are now looking at providing free travel for some children in temporary accommodation too.”

Bolton resident Wendy Pye said the bus pass changes were ‘welcome’ (Image: Dan Dougherty)

And 86 per cent of those surveyed said they were ‘satisfied’ with the service overall, up from 79 per cent in 2024 – the highest increase of any area in the UK.

Transport Focus surveyed 47,863 passengers throughout the UK to complete its survey, covering 43 separate areas.

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Greater Manchester’s 79 per cent approval rating for value for money puts it high above the national average of 63 per cent.

Its overall satisfaction rate of 86 per cent puts it slightly above the 85 per cent national average.

Bus passengers across England have reported further improvements in satisfaction with their journey with overall satisfaction rising to 85 per cent in the third year of the independent watchdog’s Your Bus Journey survey.

The results of the annual Transport Focus survey show an improvement on last year’s score of 83 per cent, although results continue to vary significantly between local authority areas. Passengers in both Greater Nottingham and Warwickshire are the most satisfied with their journeys at 93 per cent. Passengers in Thurrock (Essex) are the least satisfied in England, scoring 73 per cent.

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What to know about possible talks to end the Iran war

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What to know about possible talks to end the Iran war

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprising claim this week that talks with Iran were yielding great progress has only raised more confusion over a war whose goals were already unclear. The most basic question: What talks?

Iran denied any negotiations were taking place, pledging to fight “until complete victory.” Pakistan, Egypt and Gulf Arab nations are trying behind the scenes to piece together talks, but their efforts still seem preliminary. Israel is vowing to keep up its attacks.

If anything, the war appears to only be escalating. Barrages were fired into Iran, Israel and across the Mideast on Tuesday. Meanwhile, thousands more U.S. Marines were on their way to the Gulf, and the Army was preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days.

Here is a look at what’s known and not known about possible talks to wind down the war.

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Push for negotiations

Since launching the war alongside Israel on Feb. 28, Trump has given shifting and often vague objectives, and those mixed messages were on display in recent days. He has talked of degrading or destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, and its ability to threaten neighbors — goals that he has some flexibility in declaring accomplished. A much tougher goal is ensuring Iran can never build a nuclear weapon, and Trump has insisted that will be part of any deal.

A reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital waterway for oil shipments that Iran made virtually impassable when the war began — is now also a priority, for Trump and the global economy.

As Trump talks of engaging with leaders in Iran, he has backed off promoting the Islamic Republic’s collapse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, continues to say the war aims to help Iranians overthrow the theocracy.

Trump claimed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner held talks Sunday with an Iranian leader. He did not say who that was.

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Reports focused on Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as a possible interlocutor. But Qalibaf quickly denied talks were taking place in a post on X.

The U.S. agreed “in principle” to join talks in Pakistan, according to three Pakistani officials, one Egyptian official and a Gulf diplomat, while mediators were still working to convince Iran. The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to provide the details to the media.

The Egyptian official said efforts are centered on “trust-building” between the U.S. and Iran, aiming to reach a pause in fighting and a “mechanism” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Who speaks for Iran in any talks?

Iran’s leadership appears to have remained relatively cohesive, despite weeks of heavy bombardment and the killing of its supreme leader and many top-ranking military figures.

But who actually is in charge is not known. The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, hasn’t been seen or directly heard from since he was named to replace his slain father, Ali Khamenei.

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Within the Islamic Republic are other centers of power, including the military and the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, as well as political figures like Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

It’s not certain anyone entering talks with the U.S. would have backing from the military or Guard. In the ongoing war, Iran’s military has conducted strikes based on orders of local commanders, rather than from any political leadership, Araghchi has said.

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The spokesman of Iran’s top military command, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, vowed on Tuesday that the fighting “will continue until complete victory.” It was a message of defiance to Trump’s claim that Iran was petitioning for peace, but possibly also a warning to anyone within the Iranian leadership not to back down in talks.

Was Trump just trying to buy time?

Trump’s sudden declaration of progress in talks on Monday came just as the deadline was about to run out on an ultimatum he had made over the weekend threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless the country releases its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran threatened to retaliate against power, water and oil infrastructure across the Gulf.

Trump on Monday pushed the deadline back five days and said there’s a “very good chance” a deal could be reached this week. That was a relief to global oil and stock markets.

Trump’s move could signal he’s wary of the war’s possible long-term damage to the U.S. and global economy, though his administration has insisted that any pain from spiking oil prices will quickly be reversed once the war is over.

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“Trump could be actively seeking an offramp,” the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank, wrote in an analysis.

On the other hand, the Soufan Center noted, Trump could be buying time for thousands of Marines heading to the region to arrive.

The Marine deployment could be a tactic to pressure Iran on negotiations. But it has also raised speculation that the U.S. may try to seize Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, which is vital to Iran’s oil network, or carry out an operation to remove enriched uranium from inside Iran. Either would mean a greater escalation and a longer war.

Trump has said he has no plans to send ground forces into Iran but has not ruled it out. Israel has suggested ground forces could participate in the war.

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What is there to talk about?

Nuclear negotiations were already taking place when the U.S. and Israel launched their surprise attack on Feb. 28, killing the elder Khamenei in the opening salvos of the bombing campaign.

That only deepened Iranian mistrust of Americans in negotiations, especially after Trump’s unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from a landmark nuclear agreement reached with the United States three years earlier. Iran and the U.S. held negotiations in early 2025, and when a two-month deadline set by Trump ran out, Israel hit Iran in a surprise attack that the U.S. joined in a 12-day war, striking Iranian nuclear facilities and military positions.

Trump said Monday that any deal to end the war will entail the U.S. removing Iran’s enriched uranium, which is critical to its disputed nuclear program. Iran refused that demand in the past, insisting it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

A less ambitious goal for talks could be to reach a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

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But Araghchi seemed to reject any partial deal in an interview with Al Jazeera last Wednesday. “We don’t believe in ceasefire. We believe in the end of war … the end of war in all fronts,” Araghchi said, emphasizing the need for solutions to conflicts throughout the region.

What about Israel?

Notably, Israel is not involved in the move for negotiations.

Israel has depicted itself as following Trump’s lead, and it seems unlikely to continue with its strikes on Iran if the U.S. declared an end to the war. Still, it has pursued its own war aims beyond the Americans’. Its bombing last week of Iran’s offshore South Pars natural gas field triggered intensified Iranian attacks on the Gulf Arab states, and Trump told Israel to halt such attacks.

In a statement late Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged Trump’s diplomatic efforts but said Israel would continue to strike its enemies for the time being.

Also, an end to the war on Iran does not mean an end to Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon. There, Israel has seized a new opportunity to try to crush Hezbollah after the militants fired rockets in support of Iran.

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——

Keath reported from Cairo, Ahmed from Islamabad, Pakistan.

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Overturned lorry closes major Cambridgeshire road

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Police are assisting with a road closure while the vehicle is recovered

A major Cambridgeshire road has been closed after a lorry overturned at a roundabout. Police were called at around 6.30am today (March 24) to reports of an overturned lorry on the A47 roundabout near Guyhirn.

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Officers attended and are assisting with a road closure on the roundabout, which connects the A47 to the A141, while the vehicle is recovered. Cambridgeshire Police has confirmed that there were no injuries.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at 6.27am to reports a lorry had overturned on the A47 roundabout near Guyhirn.

“Officers attended and are assisting with a road closure on the A141 while the vehicle is recovered. We advise motorists to avoid the area. No injuries were sustained.”

Traffic monitoring site, Inrix said: “A47 Westbound closed, queueing traffic due to accident, an overturned vehicle involved from A141 March Road (Guyhirn Roundabout, Ring’s End) to B1167 Wisbech Road (Thorney).”

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Local election results show the hurdles along the path to power for French far right

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Local election results show the hurdles along the path to power for French far right

Despite achieving historic scores and taking control of over 60 municipalities in the French local elections, the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally, RN) will be disappointed by its failure to make a breakthrough in the larger towns and cities. The headlines coming out of France after the second round of elections on March 22 tell of the resilience of the mainstream centre left and centre right, whose candidates held on to every major city hall in the country.

The two parties that dominate France’s political extremes – the far-right RN, led by Marine le Pen and Jordan Bardella, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s far-left La France Insoumise (France Unbowed, LFI) – made some gains in smaller towns. But they failed to capture a single one of the large cities.

This matters because France goes to the polls again in 2027 to elect its next president. The local elections were widely seen as a dress rehearsal – and the results expose the limits of both parties’ strategies. For the RN, the failure to break through in cities such as Marseille and Toulon — combined with the refusal of the centre-right Les Républicains (LR) to enter into alliances with RN candidates — shows that, for the far right, the path to the Élysée Palace remains highly complicated.

For LFI, a similar inability to translate national prominence into local power raises questions about Mélenchon’s capacity to unite the left ahead of next year’s presidential campaign.

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For the RN, the dream result would have been a win in Marseille. Capturing France’s second city would have been a massive statement of intent. After the first round of the local elections on March 16, however, a victory in the port city seemed unlikely – especially after the refusal of the centre-right candidate, Martine Vassal, to enter into any alliance with the RN.

‘Le grande confusion’: all sides have claimed victory, but there are no real pointers ahead of next year’s presidential election.
France 24 screenshot.

Vassal’s decision is emblematic of one of the big lessons of these elections: the centre-right LR has resisted the temptation to ally itself with the far right, even where doing so might have delivered local power. The centre-left mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, drew his own red line, refusing to merge his electoral list with LFI. He still held on to his job comfortably, winning 54% in the second round, well ahead of the RN’s Franck Allisio on 40%. The double refusal in Marseille – the centre right rejecting the far right, the centre left rejecting the radical left – encapsulates the resilience of the political mainstream in France’s major cities.

Battle for credibility

While taking Marseille was always going to be a long shot, the RN had invested heavily in winning back another important port city on the south coast: Toulon. This is the city where in 1995 the party, then called the Front National (FN) and led by Marine Le Pen’s late father, Jean-Marie, made a historic breakthrough, taking control of the council. This was the first time the far right had captured a major French city since the second world war.

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But the FN mayor, Jean-Marie Le Chevallier, endured a disastrous time in office. He fell out with his own city councillors and in 1999 ended up quitting the party after a spat with Le Pen (père). The failure to manage Toulon city council (Le Chevallier scored less than 8% when he was up for reelection in 2001) became an albatross around the party’s neck for many years to come.

As we have argued in our research on the RN in local government, overcoming this reputation for incompetence has been an important goal for all the party’s mayors elected since 2014. Recapturing Toulon would have been highly symbolic. But the RN candidate (and current MP) Laure Lavalette, despite leading after the first round, eventually fell short with 48% in the runoff against centre-right incumbent Josée Massi.

The result shows the enduring power of the front républicain: the tactical alliance of voters from across the political spectrum to keep out the far right.

RN leader Marine le Pen and party president Jordan Bardella hold baby lambs and share a joke while campaigning in Paris, February 2026.
No clear path to victory: RN leader Marine le Pen and party president Jordan Bardella campaigning in Paris, February 2026.
EPA/Yoan Valat

Nevertheless, RN supporters could console themselves with some important victories in smaller towns across the south including Carcassonne, Menton and Orange – another municipality originally captured by the party in 1995. The RN also held on to the vast majority of the towns it was already governing, several of which it won outright in the first round. This includes Perpignan, still the largest town run by the party. In these established strongholds, RN mayors have worked to normalise the party’s reputation and professionalise its approach to local governance.

The success of this strategy is shown by the re-election of the longstanding mayor of Hénin-Beaumont, Steeve Briois, with a commanding 78% of the vote in the first round. His success seems to have had a kind of “coattail effect” across the former coal mining basin in France’s far north – with RN victories in a number of neighbouring towns. The consolidation of a solid block of RN-run municipalities in northern France, alongside those in its traditional heartland of the south-east, is one of the most striking outcomes of these elections.

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Signs of things to come?

Yet arguably the most significant result for the far right came in a battle between former allies on the centre right. In Nice, France’s fifth-largest city, Éric Ciotti – who broke with the centre-right LR in 2024 to ally himself with the RN ahead of the legislative elections – defeated his former mentor, the outgoing mayor Christian Estrosi.

Ciotti’s victory raises an uncomfortable question for LR. Even as the party nationally held the line against allying with the far right, one of its most prominent former figures has demonstrated that crossing that line can be electorally rewarding. Whether Ciotti’s path remains an isolated case or becomes a template for other ambitious centre-right politicians will be one of the key dynamics to watch as the 2027 presidential campaign takes shape.

These local elections confirm that the RN’s road to the Élysée runs through a France that is not yet willing to hand over the keys. However, the cracks in the adherence of some significant political figures to the front républicain, cracks which became visible in Nice, even if not yet spreading to voters at large, suggest that “not yet” may not necessarily mean “never”.

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‘US troops gather in Gulf’ and ‘Strictly No Baftas’

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'US troops gather in Gulf' and 'Strictly No Baftas'
The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: "US set to deploy airborne troops as Middle East strikes intensify."

Paratroopers are “poised to go to the Gulf”, the Guardian reports, as talks remain ongoing between the US and Iran. According to Donald Trump, Washington was in “very good talks” with Iran to end the war, the paper says. Meanwhile, “Iranian barrages targeted Israel, Gulf Arab states and northern Iraq”, the paper says.

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New school-based nursery to open in city suburb for new academic year

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It’s hoped that the location will make pick up and drop off easier for parents

The opening of a new school-based nursery is set to offer families in and around Orton more opportunities to take advantage of accessible and affordable childcare. The new nursery will be based within St John’s Church School at Riseholme. The expectation is that it will open when the new school year starts in September 2026.

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Funding for this new nursery has been provided by Best Start in Life, an initiative by central government which aims to support working families and improve access to early education. Across the country, more than 300 schools have been successful in securing a share of £45 million funding to build or expand nurseries on their sites.

Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, welcomed the news. He said: “Access to affordable childcare is one of the biggest challenges many families raise with me locally.

“That’s why it’s really positive to see the Government investing in Orton to expand nursery provision and create more places close to home.”

School-based nurseries are designed to make daily routines easier for families by reducing the need for multiple drop-offs and pick-ups. The hope is that this approach will help parents who may otherwise be struggling to return to – or remain in – work.

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Mr Carling agreed that creating additional nursery places close to home should be a more effective way of helping parents manage their busy working lives while also ensuring children enjoy access to high-quality early education from a young age.

“School-based nurseries can make a genuine difference,” he said, “helping parents balance work and family life, simplifying the school run, and ensuring children get a strong start in their early years.”

It is believed more than a million parents are now taking advantage of government-funded childcare support. Alongside new nursery places, eligible families can also benefit from up to 30 hours of funded childcare.

Mr Carling said that, as well as funded childcare hours, central government was aiding families by offering additional support, such as free breakfast clubs and action to reduce the cost of school uniforms.

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“Together, these steps are about easing the pressure on household budgets and making sure children growing up here have every opportunity to thrive,” he said.

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Daily horoscope March 25, 2026: Predictions for your star sign

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Daily horoscope March 25, 2026: Predictions for your star sign
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

The Sun in Saturn is aligned with Pluto, creating a sensible cosmic blend. Dedication comes easily today, so make the most of this.

Taurus, Cancer and Virgo, you may feel you are finally being seen for who you are. Hard work pays off, so keep persisting.

Don’t let the serious tone of the day stop you from enjoying the possibilities that this placement brings. Rely on your drive, and you will prosper.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Wednesday March 25, 2026.

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To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

As the Sun merges with Saturn in your sign, your confidence in your authority can be enhanced. You’re no longer proving yourself; you’re defining yourself. Responsibility is a better fit for you than expected. Aligned with Pluto, your personal decisions ripple outward, reshaping friendships, networks, and long-term goals. You’re fast becoming someone completely new.

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Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Today’s celestial guidance for Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Something quiet but powerful is shifting beneath the surface. You’re releasing old fears, habits, or self-limits that no longer serve you, and inner work connects directly to your future direction. What you let go of now creates space for greater recognition later. For now, reflection is productive, and you’ll come up with strategies that both build and restructure.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Today’s planetary forecast for Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

You’re being asked to commit to goals, friendships, or plans that have staying power. No more scattered enthusiasm, as your influence within groups now grows quietly but powerfully. People will listen when you showcase your leadership qualities. You’re learning which ideas are worth using and which are just conversations. Think long term and collaborate wisely.

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Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

How the stars aligned for Gemini today

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Career matters demand maturity, boundaries, and a clearer sense of authority. You’re being taken seriously now, even if it feels slightly daunting. It means shared responsibilities, and you’ll find issues around power also evolve fast. What you create must be honest, not habitual. You don’t need to please everyone; just choose what you want to work at long-term

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Celestial energies for Cancer today

Leo

The Sun-Saturn merger in Aries suggests your beliefs, plans, or big dreams require commitment. You’re learning that confidence grows stronger when backed by discipline. Aligned with Pluto in Aquarius, partnerships and collaborations reshape how you see your future. Power comes from shared vision, so connect with those who challenge you to mature.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

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Your daily zodiac insight for Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

You’re being asked to take something seriously, and you’ve already sussed where the weak points are. Daily habits and work patterns are transforming from the inside out. Small changes have powerful consequences now. Your intense focus can be inspirational rather than pouring on pressure. Streamline what drains you and invest in what truly matters, and you’ll skyrocket.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Relationships step into serious territory with the Sun in Aries blending with Saturn, so commitments need clearer terms, stronger boundaries, and honest effort. This isn’t about romance losing sparkle, it’s about making it real. With Pluto in the mix, love, creativity, or collaboration shift profoundly. You’re learning what equality means, not just what looks fair.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

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Your daily stellar guidance for Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Does your life need a smarter structure? What you’re aiming for is discipline with purpose, as it will refine outdated work habits. Home life or emotional foundations are transforming too. Old patterns won’t support the future you’re building. You’re learning that power comes from consistency, not intensity alone. Small changes can have a lasting impact on efficiency.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Star alignments for Scorpio today

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Today’s first Sun-Saturn tie in Aries for 29 years means creativity, romance, or personal projects ask for commitment, not just enthusiasm. Leisure and hobbies become meaningful when you show up consistently. Allied with Pluto, conversations, learning, or personal stories carry power. Your words shape futures, including your own. Choose what you create and communicate with firm intention.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

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Today’s astral messages for Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

Foundations are under renovation as home or family demand more attention and sound decisions. This is about responsibility that engages with your feelings, not about duty alone. Finances, values, or self-worth are evolving alongside these changes. What you build now needs to feel secure. You’re learning that true authority starts at home, within yourself.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Your zodiac forecast for Capricorn today

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

A serious line-up today suggests your choices and commitments are a major focus. What you say now shapes reality, so speak with intention. This is also a time when personal reinvention accelerates. Old versions of you quietly retire as authority grows from authenticity. Discipline becomes a creative tool, not a cage. You’re learning how to steer without explaining yourself.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

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Daily cosmic update for Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Reality is calling, and it’s kinder than you expect. With the Sun associating with Saturn, money, priorities, and self-worth need a clearer structure. This is about valuing yourself enough to be consistent. Aligned with Pluto, deep inner shifts support this practical reset as old fears around security lose their grip. You’ll find discipline can be steadying, not limiting.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your cosmic energy update for Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.

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