36 h. ago Don’t sugarcoat this: Starmer’s government is weak and may perish. Here are my five steps to recovery | John McDonnell

After so many avoidable mistakes, of course people are angry. But with the far right looming, we need action not despairJohn McDonnell is the MP for Hayes and Harlington. He was shadow chancellor for Labour from 2015 to 2020The Labour party is facing one of the most dangerous moments in its history, possibly an existential threat. Not only is it adrift in the polls, losing one council byelection after another, and with a leader whose popularity has plummeted; but the main threat comes from the xenophobic hard right in the shape of Reform UK.Labour has to wake up to this threat and seize the moment. It must take five basic steps to recovery:John McDonnell is the MP for Hayes and Harlington. He was shadow chancellor for Labour from 2015 to 2020Sign up for our new weekly newsletter Matters of Opinion, where our columnists and writers will reflect on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading, and more Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago ECHR asylum seeker rulings 'are an existential threat to western democracies' and led to 'uncontrolled immigration'

Hans-Jürgen Papier says that the current legislation from the ECHR had led to 'uncontrolled and unconditional immigration'.

Events

3 d. ago Leaving the ECHR 'is NOT a threat to Good Friday Agreement' as pressure mounts for overhaul of asylum rules

Supporters of the Strasbourg court have long claimed that quitting the ECHR would undermine the landmark agreement that brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Events

6 d. ago Why are there growing calls for Britain to quit the ECHR – and would it make a difference?

Here, The Independent takes a look at what the ECHR is, why some people think we should quit and why others say leaving may bring more problems than it solves

Politics

7 d. ago Court of Appeal to rule on Epping asylum seeker injunction challenge

Somani Hotels, which owns the Bell Hotel in Epping, and the Home Office are seeking to challenge a High Court ruling.

Events

7 d. ago Court of Appeal to rule on Epping asylum seeker injunction challenge on Friday

Lord Justice Bean, Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb are due to hand down their ruling at 2pm on Friday.

Events

9 d. ago Why Nigel Farage’s ‘fag packet’ migrant deportation plans don’t add up

Nigel Farage claims he would deport 600,000 asylum seekers in the first term of a Reform government and ramp up detentions of those who come here illegally. But the numbers don’t quite add up, as Alicja Hagopian and Millie Cooke report

Events

9 d. ago Why Nigel Farage’s migrant deportation plans don’t quite add up

Nigel Farage claims he would deport 600,000 asylum seekers in the first term of a Reform government and ramp up detentions of those who come here illegally. But the numbers don’t quite add up, as Alicja Hagopian and Millie Cooke report

Events

1 week ago Lord Blunkett says Starmer should suspend ECHR to deport thousands of rejected asylum seekers and 'get a grip' on migrant crisis

The ex-Labour home secretary urged ministers to take the 'radical' step as fury grows over the use of nearly 200 hotels to house 32,000 asylum seekers at taxpayers' expense

Events

1 week ago Botswana was once ‘at risk of extinction’ from HIV. Now it is a world leader in eliminating the virus in children

The pioneering African country is lauded for slashing rates of mother-to-child transmission to just 1.2% and is holding trials that may now hold the key to curing young peopleAt the turn of the century, HIV was so rampant in Botswana that politicians and doctors viewed it as an existential threat. One in eight infants were reported to be infected at birth, while rates of mother to child transmission either through pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding ranged from between 20 and 40%, according to UNAIDS. Between 1990 and 2000, mortality among children under five almost doubled due to HIV.With a population of just 1.7 million people, no cure available and the second-highest HIV prevalence in the world, the country’s then-president, Festus Mogae, declared in 2001: “We are threatened with extinction.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago India’s flight safety systems face ‘existential threat’ from staff shortage, committee warns

MPs say aviation watchdog is facing a ‘profound and persistent shortage’ of staff with almost half its posts unfilled

Events

2 w. ago ‘An existential threat’: US health workers call Robert F Kennedy Jr a risk to public health

More than 750 health workers say Kennedy’s misinformation fuels violence and endangers livesCurrent and former employees at US health agencies released a letter on Wednesday outlining how misinformation spread by Robert F Kennedy Jr is endangering the lives of federal employees and the American people.Experts emphasized to the Guardian that he’s “an existential threat to public health”. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Pakistan's military chief 'warns "we'll take half the world down with us" in nuclear weapon threat'

Pakistan's military chief has allegedly warned that the nuclear nation will 'take half the world down with us' should it face an existential threat from India. 

Events

3 w. ago EU leaders push to consult with Trump ahead of Putin meeting on Ukraine

Foreign ministers expected to demand Russia agree to ceasefire and include Zelenskyy during emergency meetingEurope live – latest updatesEuropean leaders claiming Russia represents an existential threat to their continent are pushing for consultations with Donald Trump to spell out Europe’s red lines before his meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine war on Friday in Alaska.The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, said he was optimistic the US president would formally consult with European leaders before his meeting, adding that the summit between Trump and Putin filled him with hope and fear. Continue reading...

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