Author: News Desk

Bulgarians head to the polls again amid political deadlock Bulgarians will vote in their seventh general election in just over three years this Sunday, as the country grapples with ongoing political instability. Since 2021, only two of the six elections have resulted in a working government, but each coalition soon collapsed over attempts to tackle corruption, reduce Russian dependence, and push reforms. June’s election yielded no clear winner, leaving a divided parliament with no stable coalition. Analysts predict this election will likely yield similar results, with low voter turnout and further gains for pro-Russian and far-right factions. Voter fatigue is…

Keir Starmer sparks Labour storm over slavery reparations Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer has sparked a row at the heart of the Labour Party after senior figures urged him to rethink his decision to rule out reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade.The prime minister flew into a diplomatic storm with Caribbean leaders over the issue at a summit in Samoa – and drew condemnation from his own MPs back in Britain.Commonwealth leaders are preparing to defy the UK and agree…

No plans to hold weddings for the public at the King’s Balmoral Estate For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThere are no plans to host weddings for members of the public on the King’s Balmoral Estate, a spokesman for the royal residence has said.Weddings are mentioned in plans a representative for the Aberdeenshire estate had lodged for the Queen’s Building, on the grounds near Balmoral Castle.The plans state the venue “may be used for weddings, dinners, meetings and associated events”, which…

Rachel Reeves set to increase borrowing after announcing major change to fiscal rules Rachel Reeves has announced a change to the fiscal rules ahead of next week’s budget, allowing her to borrow billions more each year. The chancellor today confirmed her rules will “make space for increased investment in the fabric of our economy”, amid widespread expectation she will change the way debt is measured. But former chancellor Jeremy Hunt warned his advice from the Treasury “was always that increasing borrowing meant interest rates would be higher for longer – and punish families with mortgages.” She said her “investment rule”…

Coventry student who hid newborn baby in cereal box convicted of murder A university student who put her newborn baby in a cereal box before hiding it inside a suitcase at her halls of residence has been convicted of murder. Jia Xin Teo, a 22-year-old from Malaysia who arrived in the UK earlier this year to study at Coventry University, was found guilty of murdering the baby she gave birth to in March. Teo concealed her pregnancy and gave birth to the baby girl in the en suite of her bedroom, where her flatmate found her bed “covered in blood”,…

Planned ban on smoking in pub gardens ‘set to be ditched by No 10 Sir Keir Starmer is set to drop a proposed ban on smoking in pub and restaurant gardens, it’s been reported. Smokers will still be barred from lighting up outside hospitals and schools, under plans first outlined in the summer. But the government will axe the idea of including pubs and racecourses in the outdoors smoking ban, according to The Sun. It’s thought ministers reconsidered their plans in the light of outrage from pub landlords and hospitality chiefs, who warned customers would be deterred and their futures…

New, strengthened Online Safety Act needed to protect children, charity says Ministers should commit to a new version of the Online Safety Bill which strengthens regulation in order to better protect children, a charity has said. The Molly Rose Foundation has warned that the current implementation of the Bill by new online safety regulator Ofcom has been risk averse and unambitious, while also exposing structural weaknesses in the Act which it says need to be fixed. In a report published to mark one year since the Act was passed, the charity said it was concerned that Ofcom’s draft regulatory plans…

Budget 2024: Reeves admits ‘taxes will need to rise’ in stark warning to public Rachel Reeves will announce Labour’s first Budget since coming into power on 30 October, leading one of the most anticipated fiscal events in over two decades. Ahead of her announcement, the chancellor has said “taxes will need to rise” in her starkest warning to the public yet. Writing in the Financial Times, the chancellor added that this will come alongside “tough decisions on spending and welfare.” Ms Reeves also strongly hints that she will be revising Labour’s fiscal rule around debt, unlocking a potential £57bn for…

Lithuania’s crucial parliamentary elections: What to watch for in the final round On Sunday, Lithuanians will head to the polls for the second and final round of parliamentary elections, with the conservative ruling party still in the race following the first round, which saw gains for the left-leaning opposition. Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s government, in power since 2020, has faced challenges from strict COVID-19 measures, political scandals involving key cabinet members, and an influx of migrants from neighbouring Belarus, all of which have impacted its popularity. The elections take place against the backdrop of heightened tensions due to Russia’s war…

King Charles says past can’t be changed as calls for slavery reparation grow in Samoa King Charles said the past cannot be changed as he indirectly acknowledged calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for a reckoning over its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The British royal understood “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”, he told leaders at a summit of Commonwealth countries in Samoa. But Charles stopped short of mentioning financial reparations that some leaders at the event urged for and instead exhorted them to find the “right language” and an understanding of history…