Source: NDTV [India]

“Maximilian Arthur Fosh, a UK-based YouTuber, ‘died’ to get a refund from an airline for a flight he missed, he revealed in a recent video titled ‘I Technically Died.’ He discovered a loophole in the airline’s policy that allowed refunds in case of bereavement or death. … Fosh travelled to the Principality of Seborga, a micronation in Italy, known for its unrecognised status. He got a death certificate from Princess Nina Menegatto. He also met with the princess and learned about the micronation’s history. With the death certificate, Fosh submitted a refund request to the airline, which initially accepted it and asked for his bank details. However, his lawyer advised him not to proceed with the refund, calling it ‘fraudulent.’ … Fosh, with over 4.7 million followers on YouTube, created this content to showcase his creativity and challenge the airline’s policies.” (07/02/25)

https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/uk-based-youtuber-fakes-death-to-get-refund-from-airline-8816028

Source: Independent [UK]

“Rachel Reeves has cried in the Commons after Keir Starmer refused to guarantee she will stay on as chancellor. Ms Reeves wiped away tears, as Kemi Badenoch told the Commons she looked ‘absolutely miserable.’. Labour minister Ellie Reeves then appeared to be holding her sister’s hand as she left the chamber on Wednesday. However, the chancellor’s spokesperson later said Ms Reeves was crying over a ‘personal matter.’ And Sir Keir’s press secretary confirmed that Ms Reeves has the prime minister’s ‘full backing.’ In the grilling at PMQs, Sir Keir was forced to defend his government’s welfare reforms. He insisted his benefits bill will be ‘better for individuals, better for the taxpayer, and better for the economy’ despite a £5billion hole now left in the government’s spending plans. And he refused to rule out tax rises.” (07/02/25)

https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/welfare-bill-starmer-latest-news-labour-benefits-pip-b2780916.html

Source: SFGate

“The Wisconsin Legislature pushed to pass a compromise state budget Wednesday, with Democratic votes expected to be needed to approve the deal reached between Gov. Tony Evers and majority Republicans. The two-year spending plan would affect nearly every person in the battleground state. Income taxes would be cut for working people and retirees, sales taxes would be eliminated on residential electric bills and it would cost more to get a driver’s license, buy license plates and title a vehicle. Evers, who has broad partial veto powers, has promised not to kill any portions of the budget he agreed to with Republicans. In a concession to the Democratic governor, Republicans also agreed to spend more money on special education services in K-12 schools, subsidize child care costs and give the Universities of Wisconsin its biggest increase in nearly two decades.” (07/02/25)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/wisconsin-republicans-look-to-democrats-to-pass-20414946.php