Author: James Harden
Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Global migration myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.Spain’s lower house has endorsed a law granting citizenship to tens of thousands of people born in western Sahara, a move likely to anger Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the disputed territory.If confirmed by the Senate, the initiative risks adding a fresh strain to relations already tested after more than 70,000 migrants swam from Morocco to Spain’s north African exclave of Ceuta. The bill was adopted on Thursday with 168 votes in favour, 31 against, while 145 lawmakers abstained.It was put forward…
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.I blame Angela Merkel. In the early 2010s, the former German chancellor was fond of saying that Europe accounts for 7 per cent of the world’s population, 25 per cent of its GDP and 50 per cent of its social spending. She would wield these statistics to warn about the effects of a bloated welfare state on Europe’s competitiveness. Ever since, an army of armchair philosophers has accused Europeans of being work-shy layabouts, degenerately dependent on welfare instead of doing an honest…
The Conservatives’ former director of campaigning and his wife have pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling by placing bets on the date of the 2024 general election.Anthony Lee passed confidential information to his wife Laura Lee about when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was planning to call the general election.Laura Lee, who was a parliamentary candidate at the time, then placed bets on the date of the general election.On Thursday at Southwark Crown Court, Anthony Lee pleaded guilty to two offences and Laura Lee pleaded guilty to one offence. They will be sentenced in October.Former MP Craig Williams, who was…
A hard-left, pro-Russian party set up just three years ago has emerged as the unlikely kingmaker that could usher in Germany’s first postwar far-right state premier.The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) bears the name of its steely founder whose dominance over the party and strict control of its members has led prominent critics to refer to the party as “Ich AG” — “Me Inc”.BSW squeaked into Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament in Sunday’s election with 5.3 per cent of the vote. It now holds unusual leverage as the only party willing to entertain working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) — potentially…
DALLAS, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 09: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. U.S. President Donald Trump will headline the Republican National Committee’s first-ever midterm convention as he aims to highlight his administration’s achievements and rally support for GOP candidates just two months before the upcoming elections being held on November 3. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the…
Michael O’Leary, chief executive officer of Ryanair Holdings Plc, at the Norges Bank Investment Management annual investment conference in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesRyanair’s CEO warned Thursday that airfare prices may see “significant” hikes if oil prices remain elevated as the surging cost of jet fuel continues to squeeze the airline industry. “We expect pricing to be very modestly down in the second quarter (from July to September), but the December and March quarters are entirely up in the air,” Michael O’Leary told reporters ahead of the company’s annual general meeting, according to…
The leader of Britain’s trade unionists has told Andy Burnham the government should introduce a “social tariff”, paid for by a bank surcharge, to help low and middle earners with their energy bills.A social tariff is a discount on bills based on household income, and the TUC says it believes two-thirds of households could benefit.The TUC says the bank surcharge, which was reduced in 2023 from 8% to 3% by the then Conservative government, should be reversed – and estimates it would raise £9bn over four years.TUC leader Paul Nowak said: “I think it will appeal to the prime minister.…
Vantor satellite image shows tunnel construction activities and a large spoil pile near the Natanz nuclear complex at Pickaxe Mountain.Maxar | Maxar | Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran “not to get cute” over activity at a suspected nuclear site on Pickaxe Mountain, following a barrage of attacks between both countries on tankers around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.”We notice there’s a little activity at Pickaxe. I would advise Iran not to get cute because we will have to hit them very hard,” Trump said Wednesday at the midterm Republican convention.Situated near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium…
Plans to give mayors in England the power to introduce a levy on tourists are expected to be outlined on Thursday.Under the proposals, a fee would be charged to people staying overnight and local leaders would decide how the revenue raised should be reinvested.The idea – dubbed the tourist tax – was first raised by Sir Keir Starmer’s government in November and is similar to a scheme running in Scotland.The levy will be charged as a percentage of the cost of accommodation, rather than as a flat fee – a move the government argues will protect budget holidays. In theory,…
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said energy prices that have been elevated due to the Iran war will not come down until after the midterm elections, which are nearly two months away.”Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews before heading to Texas for the Republican Party’s midterm convention.He had been asked how he plans to explain to Americans why oil prices have just soared to highs not seen since the early weeks of the war. Global benchmark Brent crude futures on Wednesday traded above $101 per barrel for…