-
Ken Paxton filmed at Dubai gathering with indicted US businessmen
Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Texas, was filmed at a New Year’s Eve gathering in Dubai with two American businessmen who had been indicted months earlier on federal healthcare fraud charges. The meeting has drawn scrutiny because the men had not yet returned to the US to face the allegations,…
-
Minister pushed hospital builders to meet EU visit deadline, not treat patients
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill pressed the builders of Ireland’s €2.2 billion National Children’s Hospital to finish it by April so European health ministers could visit during Ireland’s EU Council Presidency. The correspondence suggests the deadline was tied to showcasing the project, rather than getting the hospital ready for patients, and the April target was…
-
Man accused of holding five government jobs while earning £350,000
Kashim Chowdhury is accused of concealing multiple full-time jobs across government departments and public bodies, earning salaries from employers who did not know about his other roles. Prosecutors say he secured the jobs through false statements about his employment history between 2020 and 2023, in a case that raises questions about checks on publicly funded…
-
Ed Davey faces growing Lib Dem pressure at MPs’ meeting
Ed Davey is facing mounting pressure over his leadership of the Liberal Democrats, with a private meeting of the party’s MPs expected to give critics a chance to raise concerns. The dispute matters because the party has struggled to build on its 2024 election success, while rivals have gained ground and two frontbenchers have recently…
-
Mike Rounds removes Trump references from campaign website as race tightens
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has removed references to Donald Trump from the front page and issues section of his campaign website, despite previously highlighting the president’s endorsement and their shared “America First” positions. The change comes as Rounds faces a stronger challenge than usual in a state Trump won comfortably, and as some Republicans…
-
McFadden backs Burnham’s proposed pension triple lock reform from 2030
Pat McFadden has defended Andy Burnham’s proposal to weaken the state pension triple lock from 2030, saying reform is inevitable and the plan would curb pension spending. Burnham says the savings could help fund a national social care service, while the Conservatives warn the policy could provoke a backlash and be reversed, as they say…
-
Labour forced to ditch ‘bat s**t crazy’ wealth tax plan after Treasury officials warn Chancellor it would backfire and cost the government billions
Labour has dropped plans to raise capital gains tax (CGT) on investments after Treasury officials warned Chancellor John Healey that a sharp increase could reduce revenue and deter investment. The proposal had been promoted by some Labour ministers and union leaders as a way to raise money from wealth, but officials said taxpayer responses could…
-
MI5 chief says Brexit interference debate could deepen divisions
MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum said Russian media and online trolls attempted to influence the 2016 Brexit referendum, but warned that prolonged debate over their impact could serve the Kremlin by making its efforts seem more powerful and deepening divisions. His comments followed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s claim that he had been told Russia…
-
Miliband approves Falklands oil drilling, renewing dispute with Argentina
Ed Miliband has approved drilling for the Sea Lion oil project off the Falkland Islands, prompting a fresh dispute with Argentina over sovereignty and access to offshore resources. The decision matters because Argentina is challenging the project through sanctions and legal action, while the UK says Falkland Islanders have the right to self-determination. Argentina has…