-
More than half of local election candidates suffered abuse in 2026
More than half of candidates in this year’s local elections in England experienced abuse or intimidation while campaigning, according to a new Electoral Commission report, prompting fresh concern about the safety of those seeking public office. The watchdog warned that rising hostility could deter people from standing in future elections and urged social media platforms…
-
Piddington women fighting to stop 1,250-person asylum centre in village of 350 prepare for ‘independence referendum’ on leaving the UK
Residents of Piddington, a small Oxfordshire village of around 350 people, are holding an unofficial “independence referendum” on Tuesday as part of their campaign against government plans to convert a former Ministry of Defence site on the village’s edge into accommodation for 1,250 male asylum seekers for up to a decade. The non-binding vote follows…
-
‘Sweat the asset’: new development minister plots path to make UK aid count
The UK’s development minister, Kirsty McNeill, has reaffirmed Labour’s manifesto commitment to eventually restore aid spending to 0.7% of national income, while stressing there is no timetable and the increase depends on fiscal conditions allowing it. Her remarks matter because they come after the government cut aid spending to 0.3% of national income, drawing criticism…
-
‘Whitewash’ as elections watchdog brushes aside family voting evidence: No reference to claims first raised by the Mail
The Electoral Commission has been accused of a “whitewash” after publishing a report that found only “very low levels of proven electoral fraud” at this year’s elections in England, despite mounting evidence of family voting and voter intimidation. Critics say the report failed to reference claims first raised by the Daily Mail, including reports that…
-
Swedish party blocs tied after Sunday vote, projections say
Sweden’s general election is too tight to call, with early results showing the two main political blocs separated by roughly 20,000 votes after half the ballots had been counted. The outcome will determine whether Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson returns as prime minister at the head of a left-wing coalition, or whether incumbent conservative Ulf…
-
German far-right surge, Charlie Kirk backlash and Aspinall’s title under threat
Germany’s AfD nears historic regional power as Sweden votes Sunday amid a hard-right surge; US students spark outrage reenacting Charlie Kirk’s killing; plus a Rotherham cost-of-living charity, a Boko Haram survivor’s story, and sport and music updates.
-
Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists
Turkish police detained 47 people in weekend raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists across 12 provinces, as part of a government campaign called “My Family is Safe” that officials say aims to protect family values. Human rights groups have condemned the operation, accusing the authorities of using it as cover to…
-
‘Trump accounts’ promise to mint child millionaires. Experts have their doubts
Donald Trump has been heavily promoting “Trump accounts”, a federal scheme launched in July that gives newborns a $1,000 government-funded investment deposit, casting it as a way to give American children a financial head start. Economists say his claims about the programme’s benefits are overstated and warn it may actually widen, rather than narrow, the…
-
Support for rejoining EU after Brexit at an all-time high, says leading pollster
Sir John Curtice, the UK’s leading polling expert, says support for rejoining the European Union has reached its highest level since the 2016 Brexit referendum, but he warns that politicians must actively make the case for closer EU ties or the shift in public opinion could stall. Speaking exclusively to The Independent as part of…
-
Reform’s £72m crypto windfall and Burnham’s Starmer split lead a turbulent day for Labour and BBC’s Today
Farage hails record Reform UK donations as new PM Andy Burnham reportedly plans a break from Starmer’s legacy; elsewhere, Emma Barnett quits Radio 4’s Today, a Saudi pipeline shuts after Houthi drone strikes, and Arsenal’s Arteta slams a “unacceptable” penalty call.