The article discusses the geographical and social divisions in France as reflected in the support for presidential candidates Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. It highlights the urban, pro-European electorate's preference for Macron, while Le Pen finds her base among anti-EU, working-class voters, particularly in the countryside and the north-east and south-east regions. The piece notes that Macron appeals to white-collar workers, whereas Le Pen is favored by blue-collar workers. It also touches on the 'Republican Front', a political tactic to prevent the far-right from gaining power, and the varying responses from other candidates like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Francois Fillon regarding their support in the second round of the election. The article conveys the dilemma faced by many French voters who oppose Le Pen's xenophobic policies but are also hesitant to support Macron's pro-Europe, pro-business stance.

The article discusses President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, a significant period for American presidents. Trump has been active, signing 25 executive orders and 28 bills into law, and successfully appointing a Supreme Court Justice. However, the article notes that his executive orders have had limited impact and he has not fulfilled many campaign promises, including the repeal of Obamacare and the implementation of an immigration ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries, which faced legal challenges. The financing for the proposed wall on the Mexican border remains uncertain. Despite initial concerns about his foreign policy, Trump seems to be adopting a more traditional stance.

The article reports on the arrival of Syrian refugees on the shores of Kos, Greece, including a group of 40 people with an eight-month-old baby. The refugees, who are fleeing the regime of President Bashar Assad, expressed relief and joy upon reaching Europe. Despite the celebration, the article highlights the challenges they face, such as collecting paperwork and potential delays that could leave them sleeping rough on the island. The Greek authorities have been criticized for their slow response to the crisis, with over 30,000 migrants having arrived since January. The refugees' journey began in Bodrum, Turkey, and some had previously been stopped from leaving. The article also touches on the local perspective, with a hotel worker acknowledging the increased workload due to the situation but expressing concern for the tourism industry.

Sajda Mughal, the only Muslim survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, has spoken out about the increasing threat of Islamophobia in the UK, which she has personally experienced through death threats and online abuse. As the tenth anniversary of the bombings nears, Mughal, who now works with the Jan Trust, emphasizes the importance of unity against both terrorism and Islamophobia, similar to the solidarity shown after the attacks. She highlights the rise in Islamophobic incidents, including attacks on veiled women, vandalism, job discrimination, school bullying, and social media abuse. Mughal's work with the Jan Trust involves an anti-radicalisation program for Muslim mothers, which educates them on internet use, the dangers of online radicalisation, and how to protect their children, claiming to have prevented teens from joining ISIS in Syria. She advocates for education and dialogue to combat ignorance and misconceptions about Islam.

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has released a report highlighting the plight of girls and young women in gangs, revealing routine sexual exploitation, drug-running, and gun handling. Despite a Home Office-led strategy launched three years ago, little progress has been made. The report, edited by CSJ's deputy policy director Edward Boyd, emphasizes the lack of attention to the suffering of female gang members, who are often forced into sex, used to transport weapons and drugs, and subjected to rape as a control mechanism or retaliation against rival gangs. The CSJ calls for better mapping of the problem, placing youth workers in hospitals, and police collaboration with voluntary organizations to support females wanting to exit gang life. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker acknowledges the issue and outlines government efforts to support vulnerable girls and reduce youth violence.