Posts by category: Politics

Wiltshire's 2025 local elections are set for May 1, covering all 98 Unitary Council seats and numerous parish council positions. Voters must bring photo ID. With 47 parish areas contested and nomination forms due by April 2, officials expect costs to rise compared to 2021. Full results will be posted online.

Universal Credit deductions will be capped at 15% of the standard allowance from April 2025, raising annual incomes by £420 for 1.2 million UK households. The change follows court challenges and is part of cost-of-living relief, though issues like advance loan repayments remain.

Canada’s 2025 election saw Mark Carney’s Liberals claim 169 seats for a minority government, narrowly missing a majority. The Conservatives ended at 144 seats, with Pierre Poilievre losing his own riding. The campaign turned dramatic amid U.S. sovereignty threats. Nearly 19.6 million voters participated, with final results pending.

Donald Trump announces a broad tariff initiative affecting over 150 countries, to be enacted by April 2025. Aimed at bolstering domestic industries, these tariffs impose varying rates, with Vietnam and Sri Lanka among the highest at 46% and 44% respectively. While some hail the economic boost and job creation, others caution about potential disruptiveness to global trade flows.

The newly-formed Patriots for Europe group catapults to being the European Parliament's third-largest political bloc with 84 Members of European Parliament from 13 national parties. Led by Jordan Bardella, the group is rooted in far-right ideologies advocating for national sovereignty and opposing EU federalism. It displaces Renew Europe and faces potential isolation despite its growing influence.

Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the PKK, has called for the group to disarm, dissolve, and integrate into Türkiye, potentially ending a conflict that's taken over 40,000 lives. This paradigm shift, emerging from secret talks, could drive legal reforms and redefine regional geopolitics. Yet, success hinges on internal and external cooperation and addressing Kurdish issues within Türkiye.

UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch abandoned the 2050 net zero target, labeling it 'impossible' after receiving donations linked to climate denial groups. The decision has sparked criticism from former officials, business leaders, and environmentalists who warn of the potential negative impacts on both progress and economic opportunities.

The Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the FBI director in a tight 51-49 vote, sparking debates about his qualifications and potential influence. Supporters see him as a reformer, while critics worry about his past and promises to reshape the agency's dynamics. The decision adds another chapter to the political tug-of-war over the FBI's future direction.

Steve Bannon, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, ignited controversy when he seemed to make a Nazi salute, a gesture he claims was a wave. The incident led French far-right leader Jordan Bardella to cancel his speech, dubbing it a provocation. Bannon's actions drew fire from both critics and some white nationalists, reflecting growing unease with Nazi associations in political discourse.

Hunter Schafer's passport was changed to list her gender as male due to an executive order by Donald Trump requiring federal documents to reflect biological sex at birth. This shift came after Schafer replaced her stolen passport and highlighted her unamended birth certificate as a contributing factor. The policy change raises concerns about discrimination for transgender individuals.