15 h. ago Friedrich Merz accused of using ‘dangerous’ rhetoric on immigration

German chancellor rebuffs critics and insists anyone with daughters would agree ‘we have to change something’Critics have accused Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, of adopting “dangerous” rhetoric on immigration, after he championed “very large scale” expulsions of people from cities – and claimed that anyone with daughters would agree with him.Merz, who took office in May with a pledge to beat back the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, on Monday chastised a reporter who asked if he wished to revise his hardline remarks on migration from last week in light of widespread criticism, or apologise for them. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago SNP accused of 'dangerous incompetence' as more ambulances left waiting outside hospitals

Jackie Baillie warned ambulances are left queueing outside hospitals while Scots wait for emergency care.

Politics

6 d. ago German retirees who continue working set to earn €2,000 a month tax

Active pension scheme expected to start in January is part of chancellor’s ‘autumn of reforms’ to tackle economic stagnationGermans who continue in the labour market beyond retirement age will be able to earn up to €2,000 (£1,750) a month tax-free on top of their pension under a scheme aimed at boosting economic growth and labour force participation rates.The “Aktivrente”, or active pension scheme, due to come into force in January, was promised on the campaign trail by the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, before he came into office five months ago. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff

Voluntary organisations forced to introduce extensive security measures to protect staff and propertyCharities have warned of growing racial abuse, intimidation and threats of violence towards their staff and beneficiaries amid increasingly toxic rhetoric around immigration and race by politicians and extremist activists.Voluntary organisations say they are being forced to introduce extensive security measures to protect staff and property – a trend described by one charity head as in danger of becoming the “new normal” – after being targeted. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Power restored to 800,000 in Kyiv after major Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid

Power was restored to more than 800,000 residents in Kyiv on Saturday following major Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid that wounded at least 20 people and caused widespread blackouts

Events

1 week ago John Swinney accused of 'dangerous dishonesty' as SNP leader insists Scotland 'on path to independence'

John Swinney has claimed that “Scotland is on a pathway to independence”.

Politics

1 week ago Daughter suspected in an attack on a newly elected mayor in Germany

Investigators say that the newly elected mayor of a German town who was found at her home with stab wounds apparently was attacked by her teenage daughter, and her life is no longer in danger

Events

1 week ago German mayor in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in ‘abhorrent attack’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the attack which happened just days after the mayor was elected

Events

1 week ago German mayor fighting for life after being stabbed ‘13 times’ in ‘abhorrent attack’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the attack which happened just days after the mayor was elected

Events

2 w. ago German mayor fighting for life after being stabbed ‘by several men’ in ‘abhorrent attack’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the ‘terrible deed’ just days after the mayor’s election

Events

2 w. ago German mayor fighting for life after being stabbed in ‘abhorrent attack’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the ‘terrible deed’ just days after the mayor’s election

Events

2 w. ago Baroness Michelle Mone resigns as Conservative peer after PPE scandal

Michelle Mone, who has links to PPE Medpro wrote a letter to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch after accusing Chancellor Rachel Reeves of using 'dangerous and inflammatory' language about her

Politics

3 w. ago Nigel Farage's actions 'much worse than racism' says Shabana Mahmood in blistering attack

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has accused Reform leader Nigel Farage of sending dangerous 'dog whistle' messages to racists - saying he 'knows what he's doing'

Events

3 w. ago Johnson accuses Farage of ‘extremely dangerous’ stance on Ukraine war

The former Conservative prime minister said he had ‘serious anxieties’ about the insurgent party’s approach to the economy and national security.

Politics

4 w. ago Germany hopes to attract tens of thousands more military recruits as NATO strengthens its defenses

Germany has committed billions to beefing up its military’s equipment after years of neglect

Events

4 w. ago We will confront Russian planes in Nato airspace, UK foreign secretary says, and warns Putin risks armed clash – Europe live

Yvette Cooper says Russia is undermining territorial integrity of sovereign nations with fighter jet incursions into European territoryin BerlinThe absence of Friedrich Merz this week from the UN general assembly at which recognising Palestine as a state is the central focus might not be headline news but both in Germany and beyond it is very much being commented on. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Russian violation of Estonian airspace brings region ‘closer to conflict’, foreign minister says – Europe live

Estonian foreign minister says incident on Friday is fourth Russian violation of Estonian airspace this yearin BerlinThe absence of Friedrich Merz this week from the UN general assembly at which recognising Palestine as a state is the central focus might not be headline news but both in Germany and beyond it is very much being commented on. Continue reading...

Politics