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The relationship between Uefa and Fifa has been tense during the World Cup, with the governing bodies clashing over the Folarin Balogun incident and other issues. Uefa, Europe’s football governing body, said the decision not to uphold Balogun’s ban had “crossed a red line”, branding it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”. Fifa has faced criticism for…
A total of 34 candidates have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election, triggered by the resignation of Nigel Farage. The Reform UK leader resigned as MP on 7 July, following increased scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation, but is standing again. The list contains 20 independents and a number of joke candidates,…
An analysis of regional balance, internal challenges, and institutional sovereignty Iraq today is one of the most strategic countries in the Middle East. Its geographical position, its immense oil resources, and its history make it a central player in regional balances. Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the country has sought to rebuild…
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in her role as the chair of Labour’s ruling national executive committee, will announce Burnham as the new leader at the conference. It will mark a rapid rise to power following the former Greater Manchester mayor’s by-election win in Makerfield last month. Labour has trailed Reform UK in opinion polls for…
The economy saw a strong start to the year, but growth has faltered in recent months with the conflict in the Middle East having affected some businesses. The Iran war has pushed up oil and fuel prices, and also disrupted supply chains. The ONS said firms in a number of sectors had flagged the conflict…
A serious review of MPs’ security is needed following the death of Ann Widdecombe, Andy Burnham has said. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who is expected to become prime minister next Monday, said politics had “darkened” in the decade he had been away from Westminster. He said he was “shocked to see how much security…
Older teenagers in the UK will face an overnight social media curfew, the government has announced – though they will be able to opt out of it by changing their account settings. It would means apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube being set to be unavailable by default to 16 and 17-year-olds between midnight…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a new judicial offensive on the international stage. Lawyers representing alleged victims of kidnappings, enforced disappearances, and massacres, alongside several Congolese civil society organizations, have announced the simultaneous filing of two proceedings targeting Congolese authorities. One has been submitted to the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, while…
There is a depressing familiarity to the conversation among MPs about their safety. It is a topic those on all sides will regularly reflect on in private, given the day-to-day impact it has on many of them. But the latest news about counter terrorism police taking over the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death has brought…
Andy Burnham has effectively been confirmed as the new Labour leader with 349 of the party’s MPs having now nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer. After a second day of nominations, the MP for Makerfield received the support of a further 27 Labour MPs – putting him on track to become prime minister on…
