ELLE

A new poll on France's 2027 presidential election suggests no candidate currently manages to unite French voters ahead of a potential second round. The survey is drawing attention as political parties begin positioning themselves well ahead of the vote, with none of the likely contenders commanding broad national support.

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early resurgence of Covid-19 and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospitals are already feeling the strain: emergency room visits are reported to have jumped 67% among adults and 16% among children. The union's appeal puts pressure on health authorities to speed up autumn booster plans as infections climb sooner than expected.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is pushing for Frontex, the EU's border protection agency, to build a rapid intervention force capable of responding quickly to mass arrivals of migrants, citing the 2021 situation in Ceuta as an example. He also wants the agency's powers expanded, a proposal that is certain to fuel debate over migration policy and the militarisation of EU borders.

Attention in France is turning to the 2027 presidential election, with early polls pointing to a possible face-off between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Commentary is focusing on the political dynamics behind such a duel, including the strength of each camp's electorate and what it would mean for the country's future direction.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has pledged to keep criticism of Jean-Luc Mélenchon to a minimum during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that "we will not fall into aggression," signalling an effort to keep left-wing infighting in check. Commenters reacted with scepticism, with one mocking the pledge as a sudden conversion, and doubts remain about how long the truce will hold.

Almost half of home sellers in the United States are now offering incentives to close deals, ranging from cash concessions of up to $20,000 to perks like free cruises. The trend points to a cooling housing market, with buyers gaining leverage as high mortgage rates and elevated prices leave many properties sitting longer. Commenters are treating the report as a sign the seller-friendly era may be ending.

The Trump administration cancelled a $7 billion solar energy grant program, but a federal judge in Rhode Island has now ordered the program restored. The ruling is a setback for the administration's effort to roll back renewable energy funding and a win for states and organizations relying on those solar grants. Supporters of clean energy are highlighting the decision as a check on executive power over congressionally funded climate programs.

US Representative Joaquin Castro, along with Sigrid Gonzalez and Rochelle Garza, took part in a discussion about immigration detention centers operated by ICE in Texas, as aired by San Antonio station KSAT. The conversation focused on conditions and oversight at facilities across the state, which remains central to the national immigration debate.

New software tools are making it easier for United States e-commerce sellers to enter European markets, according to an E-Commerce Times report. The tools are said to lower barriers such as logistics, compliance and cross-border payments, letting smaller merchants sell to European customers. Details on which tools and companies are involved were not provided.

Radio-Canada reports on new research suggesting the brain may have evolved from the fusion of two ancestral organs. The idea, tied to studies of embryonic cells, challenges the classic view of how the brain developed over evolutionary time and is drawing attention among French-speaking science and neuroscience audiences discussing its implications for biology and evolution.

Sellers across the European Union will have to display guarantee notices both in physical shops and online within a seven-day deadline, under new EU requirements. The rule obliges retailers to inform consumers clearly about their legal warranty rights at the point of sale, whether in-store or on e-commerce platforms. Consumer groups are expected to welcome the move, while sellers face quick compliance work.

Canada has updated its travel advisory for the United States, and insurance specialists point out it carries a coverage trigger most travellers don't know exists. Travellers may be unaware that their travel insurance terms can be affected by a government advisory change, potentially leaving trips to the US with gaps in protection.

Opponents of a planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, organised their own public forum after an official public hearing on the project was cancelled. Local media report that residents critical of the facility used the gathering to voice opposition and discuss concerns. The cancelled hearing has fuelled frustration among critics, who say they lost a formal channel to raise objections about the detention centre.

Beyoncé is not attending the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, extending her absence from the show to a full decade. Outlets including ELLE are reporting on her continued no-show at the ceremony, prompting fans to speculate about whether she will return to the VMAs stage in future years.

An investigation has been opened in Carcassonne, France, after a new video surfaced allegedly implicating police officers in misconduct. The footage has drawn public attention and prompted authorities to examine the officers' conduct. The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of police behaviour in France, where videos of alleged abuses have repeatedly sparked controversy and official inquiries.

The Mhow-Khandwa rail line in Madhya Pradesh is entering a new phase, with authorities set to cut down around 1.34 lakh (134,000) trees beginning in October. The felling will be carried out in phases along the route. The large-scale loss of forest cover on the rail corridor is drawing attention to the environmental cost of the infrastructure project.

The Killeen, Texas housing market is shifting in buyers' favor as the number of homes for sale grows and sales slow. Local reports say sellers are adjusting their pricing strategies to attract offers, marking a notable change from the tighter conditions of recent years.

The New York Times has published its hardcover bestseller list for the week ended September 12, ranking the top-selling hardcover titles across fiction and nonfiction. The list, widely used as a benchmark of book sales in the United States, is drawing attention from readers and publishers tracking this week's leading titles.

Mary Ellen Stone and Tiffany Attrill are vying for a seat on the Washington State Supreme Court, a contest the Spokesman-Review argues carries real significance for the state. Court races typically get little notice, but the editorial makes the case that the outcome will shape how the bench rules on key legal questions facing Washingtonians.

Federal policy changes are reshaping the condominium market, affecting both buyers and sellers. The reported overhaul suggests new federal rules or regulations altering how condo transactions are conducted, with potential impacts on financing, disclosure, or ownership requirements. Details on the specific measures and their effective dates remain limited, and market participants are watching for guidance on how the changes will affect prices and sales activity.