Thinktank’s Legal Request Over Drug Use Allegations Leads to Partial Disclosure

Court documents related to Prince Harry’s US visa application have been made public in a heavily redacted format, ensuring his exact immigration status remains undisclosed due to concerns over potential harassment.

The release follows a legal request by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative US thinktank, which sought access to the Duke of Sussex’s visa records. The organisation questioned whether Harry had disclosed past drug use—detailed in his memoir Spare—which could have affected his eligibility for a US visa.

US visa applicants must disclose past or present drug use, and such admissions can lead to a rejection. However, immigration officials have discretion when evaluating applications. While the Heritage Foundation argued there was public interest in revealing whether Harry received preferential treatment, the court ruled that the request did not demonstrate sufficient justification for full disclosure.

The documents state: “To release his exact status could subject him to reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others.” They further highlight that privacy concerns outweigh the claims of public interest presented by the plaintiffs.

Prince Harry’s memoir includes accounts of past drug use, mentioning that he experimented with cocaine at 17 and regularly used marijuana while attending Eton. He also described experiences with hallucinogenic substances, including magic mushrooms, during social events in California.

Harry and Meghan relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties and leaving the UK.

Former minister Chris Skidmore and environmental groups accuse the Tory leader of contradicting her previous stance on climate action

Kemi Badenoch is under fire for her call to reconsider the UK’s net zero policies, as she argues the 2050 targets are unachievable. In a major speech today, the Conservative leader will claim she was among a small group of MPs who initially questioned the feasibility of Theresa May’s government’s climate commitments.

Former environment minister Chris Skidmore has led the backlash, pointing out Badenoch’s past advocacy for net zero while serving as business and trade secretary. He highlighted a previous speech in which she praised clean energy’s economic benefits, posting a sarcastic remark on social media.

A Labour spokesperson accused Badenoch of denying the Conservatives’ poor environmental record while contradicting her earlier positions. “She once championed net zero, and now she’s tearing it apart. The Tories stand for nothing and refuse to learn from their failures,” they said.

Environmentalists also warned that weakening climate policies could harm both economic growth and the public. Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, stressed that abandoning climate targets would prolong reliance on costly, polluting fossil fuels. “Green industries are growing three times faster than the rest of the economy. This is the economic opportunity of the century, and stepping back now is reckless,” she added.

Badenoch, however, insists she is not questioning climate science but rather the practicality of current policies. In a preview of her speech, she called net zero ambitions “noble” but claimed they are driving up energy costs without delivering meaningful environmental progress. “We are stuck between high costs and little advancement. Achieving net zero by 2050 is impossible,” she said.

She maintains that her position is not ideological but a recognition of economic and political realities, arguing that policies need urgent revision to balance affordability with environmental protection.

Controversy Erupts as US Deports Hundreds to El Salvador Despite Court Order

The White House has denied allegations from human rights groups that it bypassed legal procedures by disregarding a judge’s order while executing deportations over the weekend.

A total of 261 individuals, including 238 suspected Venezuelan gang members and 23 alleged affiliates of MS-13, were deported from the US to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Some were expelled under a law that had not been invoked since World War Two.

Despite a judge issuing a temporary halt, the White House argued that the ruling had no legal standing and was announced only after the deportations had already taken place. Neither the US nor El Salvador has released information on the identities of those deported or provided evidence of their alleged gang affiliations.

Announcing the action on Saturday, President Trump accused the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua (TdA) of launching an “attempted invasion” of the US. To justify the move, he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used law dating back to 1798, designed to expel non-citizens during times of war or invasion. Critics have challenged Trump’s rationale for using this legislation.

A senior administration official confirmed that 137 of the deportees were removed under the Alien Enemies Act but did not clarify the legal grounds for the remaining cases. Several family members of those deported told The New York Times that their relatives had no gang ties.

US District Judge James Boasberg issued a ruling on Saturday evening ordering a 14-day suspension of the deportations. However, by the time the order was given, planes carrying deportees had already taken off. Reports indicate that the judge verbally instructed flights to return, but this directive was not included in his written ruling.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the administration had not violated the court order. “The government did not defy any legal ruling,” she stated. “The directive had no legal basis and was issued after TdA terrorists had already left US territory.” The Department of Justice echoed her stance, confirming that the deportees had departed before the judge’s ruling and that the government had appealed the decision.

The case raises concerns about constitutional checks and balances, as federal agencies are expected to comply with judicial rulings. Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have strongly criticised the administration’s actions. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt warned that invoking an outdated wartime law to accelerate deportations sets a dangerous precedent. “This law applies in cases of war or invasion—gang activity does not qualify,” he told BBC News.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed the deportees’ arrival, posting footage of them inside a mega-prison and dismissing the US judge’s order with a mocking remark on social media: “Oopsie… Too late.”

Meanwhile, Venezuela condemned Trump’s actions, accusing him of unjustly criminalising its migrants. Human rights groups have also accused the US president of targeting Venezuelans based on broad, unverified claims of gang membership.

These deportations are the latest in Trump’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration. His administration has also sought to strengthen ties with El Salvador, where the gangs targeted in this operation were recently designated as foreign terrorist organisations.

Canadian Prime Minister Highlights Importance of Trustworthy Partnerships in Paris Meeting with French President

During his first overseas visit as prime minister, Mark Carney emphasised Canada’s close connections to Europe, stating that the country is the “most European among non-European nations.” Speaking in France and the UK, Carney sought to reinforce alliances in response to Donald Trump’s policies, which he sees as a challenge to Canada’s sovereignty and economy.

At a joint press conference in Paris, Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron presented a united stance against global economic and political instability. Without directly mentioning Trump, they criticised protectionist measures and highlighted the need for fair trade. “Canada is a valued partner,” Macron said, stressing that trade cooperation is more effective than tariffs. Carney, speaking in both French and English, underlined the importance of working closely with “reliable allies.”

A senior Canadian official stated that Carney’s trip is aimed at deepening ties with Canada’s historical partners, France and the UK. The official noted that while Canada maintains a strong relationship with the United States, current tensions are undeniable.

Carney deliberately chose Paris and London as the first destinations of his tenure, acknowledging their influence on Canada’s history. During his swearing-in ceremony, he highlighted the country’s foundations, shaped by Indigenous, French, and British traditions. He also firmly stated that Canada would never become part of the United States.

Following his European meetings, Carney will visit northern Canada to reaffirm the nation’s Arctic sovereignty. His government is also reassessing defence agreements, including a review of US-made F-35 fighter jet purchases, in response to escalating trade tensions.

Carney has indicated he is open to dialogue with Trump if Canadian sovereignty is respected. Although he does not plan a visit to Washington, he hopes to engage in discussions with the US president soon.

With Trump’s tariffs of 25% and remarks suggesting Canada should be the 51st US state, tensions have risen sharply, prompting Canadians to shift away from American products. Political analysts suggest that Trump’s actions, initially seen as a challenge to Canada’s leadership, may now be rallying support for Carney’s government ahead of the upcoming elections.