5 h. ago Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank

Keir Starmer accused of failing to adequately strategise while in opposition, leading to uncoordinated policymaking Keir Starmer is failing to make major improvements to public services partly because he did not plan properly while in opposition, according to a report from the Institute for Government (IfG).The prime minister went into government without a clear idea about how to achieve his targets, the IfG found, resulting in haphazard attempts to reform various sectors, from the health service to the courts. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Ukrainians working for Russia were behind rail blasts, alleges Polish PM

Donald Tusk says two saboteurs crossed border from Belarus hoping to cause divisive ‘catastrophe’Polish authorities have identified two Ukrainian men, allegedly working for the Russian intelligence services, as the key suspects in two cases of rail sabotage, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has said.The men are alleged to have planted a military-grade explosive device and attached a steel clamp to rail tracks in two incidents on a strategic rail route used for aid deliveries for Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Ukrainians working for Russia were behind rail blasts, says Polish PM

Donald Tusk says two saboteurs crossed border from Belarus hoping to cause divisive ‘catastrophe’Polish authorities have identified two Ukrainian men, allegedly working for the Russian intelligence services, as the key suspects in two cases of rail sabotage, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has said.The men are alleged to have planted a military-grade explosive device and attached a steel clamp to rail tracks in two incidents on a strategic rail route used for aid deliveries for Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Starmer pleads for government to unite in fightback after difficult week

Prime minister tells cabinet budget leaks and infighting are distracting from priorities and delivering changeUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has warned senior ministers and officials to stop briefing against one another and leaking details of the budget as he pleaded for his embattled government to unite.The prime minister told his weekly cabinet meeting that last week’s political turmoil had distracted from voters’ priorities, and ministers needed to work together and start delivering rather than talking about the government itself. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Poland says two Ukrainians 'cooperating with Russian services' were behind 'unprecedented' railway line bombing

During a speech in parliament on Tuesday, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the pair 'have been operating and cooperating with Russian services for a long time'.

Events

16 h. ago Two Ukrainian men believed to be working with Russia identified as suspects in Polish rail sabotage attacks – Europe live

Donald Tusk warns Polish parliament of an ‘escalation’ of Russian intelligence activities ‘across the whole of Europe’Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has just told lawmakers that the authorities investigating the rail sabotage incidents over the weekend identified two main suspects.He says the suspects are Ukrainian men, who crossed into Poland from Belarus this autumn, and are believed to have been working for Russian intelligence services. Continue reading...

Events

16 h. ago Keir Starmer warns Cabinet against ‘distractions’ after briefing row

The Prime Minister also made a plea for unity at the Tuesday meeting.

Events

16 h. ago Labour Traitors War: Keir Starmer warns Cabinet against 'distraction' of party infighting after coup frenzy

The Prime Minister stressed to his senior ministers that they must ‘work as one team’

Events

17 h. ago The idyllic Spanish properties to snap up now... no matter your budget: As Spain threatens a 100% expat tax, our experts reveal the homes you can buy for as little as £13,000

In January, Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez proposed a new law to impose a 100 per cent tax on property purchases for non-European residents buying Spanish property.

Economics

17 h. ago Why has former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina been sentenced to death? – video explainer

Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Dhaka for crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. The Guardian's Hannah Ellis-Peterson describes the events leading up to the conviction and what this unprecedented sentencing means for the future of BangladeshOusted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death for crimes against humanity Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Bangladesh remains calm a day after tribunal issues death sentence for ousted prime minister

Bangladesh’s capital and major cities are calm despite a call for a nationwide shutdown by supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Politics

18 h. ago Keir Starmer joins Pete Wicks' Man Made podcast and shares emotional admission

The Prime Minister will appear in a special episode of Pete Wicks' podcast Man Made as Men's Mental Health Month gets underway, and opens up about the tragic death of his brother, Nick

Events

18 h. ago Almost a quarter of Labour voters think Starmer should quit now, damning new poll shows

In total, almost half of all Labour voters want Sir Keir Starmer out of No 10 before the next election, a new poll has shown

Politics

18 h. ago The worrying numbers for Keir Starmer when voters were asked their opinion of him

The Prime Minister is battling poor approval ratings from voters

Politics

19 h. ago Reed: Voters not going to give PM benefit of the doubt until they feel change

It came after Sir Keir Starmer used a newspaper interview to defend his premiership.

Politics

20 h. ago Poland says ‘all traces lead to Russia’ being behind rail sabotage incidents – Europe live

Deputy prime minster says investigators are looking at a device found near the blast sitePoland’s deputy prime minister and defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said that looking at the rail sabotage incidents over the weekend in the broader context of hybrid threats facing European countries “all traces lead east, to Russia.”Speaking on Radio Zet this morning, he also confirmed media reports that investigators were looking at a device was found near the blast site which they believe may have been intended to capture “the explosion or observe the site” of the blast. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Chinese travellers cancel hundreds of thousands of trips to Japan amid rising tensions

Chinese airlines offer free cancellations and film releases postponed after Japanese PM’s comments on TaiwanChinese travellers are estimated to have cancelled hundreds of thousands of tickets to fly to Japan amid reports of suspended visa processing and cultural exchanges as a diplomatic dispute over Japan’s stance on Taiwan continues.Under pressure from business groups, Japan has sent a senior diplomat to Beijing in an attempt to calm tensions after Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said her country could get involved militarily if China attempted to invade Taiwan. Her comments prompted fury from China’s government, which issued warnings against Chinese travellers and students going to Japan. Continue reading...

Events

23 h. ago Now is not the time for a Labour leadership election | Polly Toynbee

The focus should be on talking up this government’s achievements so far – and preventing a Reform victoryThe dominant political force sweeping across Europe is the “throw the bastards out” party, whoever happens to be in power. Discontent and distrust spread as global democracy declines. Only 6.6% of the world’s people live in a full democracy, according to the Economist’s global index, down from 12.5% 10 years ago. Europe is still the most democratic place, but it’s turbulent.Britain is an insular country that needs reminding it is not alone in its political turmoil after an omnishambles week for Keir Starmer’s government. The rumbling earthquakes beneath No 10 also shake the ground under the Élysée Palace and other official residences. A number of European countries have thrown out old governments in the past three years, including Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK (Starmer is Britain’s sixth prime minister in less than a decade)...

Politics

29 h. ago Human rights groups criticise Troubles Bill ‘lawfare’ claims

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is due for its second reading in the UK Parliament on Tuesday.

Economics

30 h. ago Keir Starmer insists he will lead Labour into next general election

The prime minister said that discussions around his leadership amounted to time-wasting

Politics