76 m. ago Geert Wilders collapsed the Dutch government. He wanted power, but had no idea how to govern | Koen Vossen

The anti-Islam ideologue has exposed the limits of his insular, badly organised operation. For a ‘radical’, opposition is a much easier placeKoen Vossen is the author of The Power of Populism: Geert Wilders and the Party for Freedom in the NetherlandsEarlier this month, Geert Wilders decided he had had enough. “No signature for our asylum plans. No changes to the coalition agreement. The PVV is leaving the coalition,” he posted on X. After 11 months, he was withdrawing support for the Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof’s rightwing cabinet, forcing the Netherlands back to the polls.The decision put an end to Wilders’ far-right Freedom party’s (PVV) first spell in power. Following an unexpected victory in the 2023 elections, the PVV joined a government for the first time in its 18-year history – alongside the conservative-liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the centrist New Social Contract (NSC), and the agrarian-populist Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) – although Wild...

Politics

1 hour ago Thursday’s briefing: Bellingham upsets Tuchel’s mother with behaviour

Harry Kane calls on England to learn from defeat to Senegal.

Politics

4 h. ago ANDREW NEIL: Starmer's claim to be 'investing in Britain's renewal' is delusional drivel in a class of its own

'Our first job was to stabilise the economy and public finances,' Keir Starmer tweeted yesterday morning, a few hours before Rachel Reeves delivered Labour's spending plans.

Politics

5 h. ago Police come under attack during third night of disorder in Ballymena

Elsewhere, a leisure centre in Larne was set on fire.

Events

6 h. ago Thomas Tuchel makes honest admission over England start after World Cup wake

England manager Thomas Tuchel has no concerns over his side ahead of next year's World Cup after an underwhelming start to life in the Three Lions hotseat

Events

7 h. ago Major difference between Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate outlined by England star

Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher played a handful of games for Thomas Tuchel when the German was his Chelsea manager and Gallagher was given his England debut by Gareth Southgate

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10 h. ago Thomas Tuchel makes England guarantee as he reveals what's missing from Three Lions

England boss Thomas Tuchel insists his side will definitely qualify for the World Cup as he bids to turn around their fortunes after a worrying June international break

Events

10 h. ago Police leaders say they will struggle to fulfil Labour’s promise to recruit 13,000 officers

Projected £1.2bn police funding shortfall expected to grow after spending review outlined fall in Home Office spending powerPolice forces will struggle to fulfil Keir Starmer’s promise to recruit an additional 13,000 officers and the public will “pay the price”, police leaders have warned, after the chancellor outlined a decline in Home Office spending power on Wednesday.The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it would be incredibly difficult to deliver the prime minister’s election pledge within the lifetime of this parliament, with a projected £1.2bn shortfall in police funding expected to grow. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Tuchel searching for England’s missing joy after failing to spark listless players

While there are mitigating circumstances, England showed an ominous lack of dynamism and control during friendlyIt was 11pm on Tuesday and it sounded as if there was some kind of road rage incident on the forecourt of the City Ground in Nottingham. All that could be heard was the deep blare of a horn from a large vehicle, which went on for an uncomfortably long time. Then the realisation dawned. It was the Senegal team bus and the driver was geeing up the gaggle of fans draped in the country’s colours, still ecstatic at how they had beaten England 3-1.The celebrations had got into full swing when Cheikh Sabaly, on as a substitute, swept home the clinching goal in stoppage time, the Senegal bench emptying, everybody wanting in on it. No team from Africa had beaten England before and it did not matter it was a friendly. The scene in the visiting dressing room was probably best described – as heard – by Thomas Tuchel. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Thomas Tuchel issues warning to England players in World Cup 2026 countdown

England were stunned by Senegal, leaving Tuchel with a number of issues to solve to establish the Three Lions as contenders for the 2026 World Cup

Events

11 h. ago Thomas Tuchel tells England critics 'stay calm' and vows 'it's just a learning curve'

Thomas Tuchel has fired back at critics of his England team after the 3-1 humbling by Senegal and insisted he still knows what he's doing - urging those against him to keep calm and carry on

Politics

11 h. ago England: Thomas Tuchel to assess Jobe Bellingham ahead of World Cup 2026

The new Borussia Dortmund signing will be given a chance to prove his worth with the senior team

Politics

11 h. ago Labour promised people we would rebuild Britain – and that’s what we’re doing | Keir Starmer

This week’s spending review marks a new stage in the mission of national renewal, built on the foundations laid last yearKeir Starmer is the prime minister of the United KingdomThe mandate we received from the British people could not have been clearer. First, we had to stop the chaos and return Britain to economic stability. Second, we had to turn the page on Tory decline with clear Labour choices. Third, we were instructed to rebuild our country.Wednesday’s spending review turbocharged that rebuilding. It is an investment in Britain’s renewal, so working people have more money in their pocket, more pride in their community and more hope for their children’s future. It’s what people voted for. An NHS cutting waiting lists, with care closer to the community. Wealth and opportunity no longer hoarded by only a few towns and cities. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Government can hit NHS waiting times targets despite scepticism, says Reeves

The NHS has received a 3% increase in real terms per year in the Government spending review.

Events

12 h. ago Thomas Tuchel: My mother finds some of Jude Bellingham’s behaviour repulsive

Bellingham was angry with officials on Tuesday after his equaliser against Senegal was ruled out.

Politics

12 h. ago Thomas Tuchel's mum 'repulsed' by Jude Bellingham's behaviour as England suffer fresh blow

Jude Bellingham has a fiery reputation on the pitch and Thomas Tuchel has admitted that even his own mum is not a fan of the Real Madrid star's behaviour at times

Politics

12 h. ago Tuchel admits Bellingham can intimidate teammates and leave his mum a bit repulsed

England coach wants midfielder to channel ‘fire’ correctlyTuchel praises Bellingham’s talent and intelligenceThomas Tuchel has told Jude Bellingham to concentrate on intimidating the opposition rather than his England teammates as he opened up on what it was like to manage one of the game’s “special” talents.The England head coach talked about Bellingham’s “edge”, which can make him erupt during matches – even at colleagues – and come across in a way that “can be a bit repulsive”. Tuchel admitted his mother sometimes had “mixed emotions” when watching Bellingham play. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago England suffer fresh blow as Jude Bellingham's behaviour 'repulses' Thomas Tuchel's mum

England boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted his own mum is often left "repulsed" by Jude Bellingham's behaviour on the pitch as he opened up on the Real Madrid star

Politics

13 h. ago Treasury minister dismisses claims spending review will lead to autumn tax rises – UK politics live

Darren Jones says such claims are ‘incoherent’ and the government is allocating money that has already been raisedSpending review: key points at a glanceGreen party MPs and activists joined a protest outside parliament today saying the government should use the spending review to announce a wealth tax. In a post on social media, Adrian Ramsay, the party’s co-leader, said:We expect the chancellor to take another axe to public spending today: decline by design from a govt that refuses to tax wealth to properly fund our overstretched public services & support the most vulnerable. We need to invest in a secure & fairer future. #TaxExtremeWealth Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Donald Tusk wins vote of confidence after Polish presidential election blow

Vote passed by 243-210 for prime minister whose preferred presidential candidate lost election this monthThe Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has comfortably won a vote of confidence in parliament that was called to shore up his fragile coalition government after a bruising setback in the presidential election earlier this month.The vote of confidence on Wednesday was passed by 243 votes in favour to 210 against. Continue reading...

Politics