33 h. ago Calls for snap UK General Election as questions over Starmer's future grows

The PM led his party to a 174-seat majority just 18 months ago, but there have been growing calls for him to step down and now a petition has called for him to call an election

Politics

4 d. ago Iraq's parliament elects a new speaker to face political and financial challenges

Iraq’s parliament has elected a new speaker following overnight talks to break a political deadlock

Politics

4 d. ago Kosovo prime minister wins snap election to end political deadlock

Albin Kurti’s emphatic victory strengthens mandate for domestic reforms including welfare expansionKosovo’s prime minister, Albin Kurti has won an emphatic election victory, marking a resurgence for the nationalist leader and ending a political deadlock in Europe’s youngest state.The win in Sunday’s snap election strengthens Kurti’s mandate to push through domestic reforms, including welfare expansion and higher salaries for public workers, although he faces significant problems including tensions with Serbia and health and education systems that lag behind Kosovo’s Balkan neighbours. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago John Swinney plans to serve as First Minister until at least 2031 if SNP wins next election

The veteran Nationalist took on the top job in April 2024 following the sudden resignation of Humza Yousaf.

Politics

5 d. ago Kosovo goes to the polls in snap election in bid to end political crisis

PM Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination party may struggle to win majority after rival parties refused allianceVoters in Kosovo are casting ballots in an early parliamentary election in the hope of breaking a political deadlock that has gripped the small Balkan nation for much of this year.The snap vote was scheduled after the prime minister Albin Kurti’s governing Vetëvendosje, or Self-Determination, party failed to form a government despite winning the most votes in a 9 February election. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Ice by Jacek Dukaj review – a dazzling journey to an alternate Siberia

The 1908 Tunguska comet changes the direction of history and gives rise to a weird new reality in this acclaimed epic from the Polish authorThe opening sentence of this remarkable novel announces that the reader is in for an intriguing experience. “On the fourteenth day of July 1924, when the tchinovniks of the Ministry of Winter came for me, on the evening of that day, on the eve of my Siberian Odyssey, only then did I begin to suspect that I did not exist.” It may hint at Kafka in the ominous arrival of officials, or Borges in its metaphysical conundrum, but stranger things are afoot. In 1924 there was no tsar, let alone his bureaucrats, the tchinovniks. The date is significant, but I don’t mind admitting I had to find out why online. The time, as Hamlet says, is out of joint.The rudely awakened sleeper is Benedykt Gierosławski, a Polish philosopher, logician, mathematician and gambler whose debts will be erased if he undertakes a special mission for the Ministry. He is to travel ...

Politics

1 week ago Spain’s ruling party faces crunch regional poll amid corruption and harassment claims

Results of Sunday’s snap election in Extremadura are seen as key test of Pedro Sánchez and his PSOE partySpain’s beleaguered prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, faces a key test on Sunday when voters in the south-western region of Extremadura cast their ballots in the first major election to be held since a series of corruption and sexual harassment allegations enveloped his inner circle, his party and his administration.Extremadura, once a stronghold of Sánchez’s Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE), has been in the hands of the conservative People’s party (PP) since 2023, when the latter managed to form a short-lived coalition government with the far-right Vox party, despite finishing just behind the socialists. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Is your area a winner or loser from new council funding formula? Ministers divert money to Labour heartlands while London and South East face being battered with higher tax

A new funding formula will see central cash diverted to the most 'deprived' areas, heaping pressure on better-off authorities that have managed to keep bills under control.

Politics

2 w. ago University students react as UK Government announces move to rejoin EU Erasmus exchange scheme

Cabinet Minister Mr Thomas-Symonds called the decision a ‘huge win’ for young people.

Politics

2 w. ago UK to rejoin EU student exchange scheme in 2027 as part of Starmer’s Brexit reset

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was a ‘huge win for our young people’

Politics

2 w. ago UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus scheme in 2027 as part of Starmer’s Brexit reset

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was a ‘huge win for our young people’

Politics

2 w. ago Ministers urged to intervene in deadline row over Borders wind farm

Communities and energy officials are in dispute over whether a public inquiry is to go ahead.

Politics

2 w. ago Andrew suffers final humiliation as last title stripped after King Charles request

The Ministry of Defence has now confirmed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's honourary Royal Navy Vice-Admiral rank has been downgraded - weeks after losing his prince and HRH styles

Politics

2 w. ago Spain's leader find himself alone in defending immigration as other EU heads take a tougher line

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is defying Europe’s prevailing winds as isolationism and nationalism flourish elsewhere by standing as the continent’s last major leader still speaking positively about immigration

Politics

4 w. ago UK could be set for snap General Election as petition tops one million signatures

The Petitions Committee has confirmed MPs will debate calling an early general election in January after a petition surpassed one million signatures

Politics