Month: February 2026

Judges, including Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, praise Georgina Duncan’s play as the kind ‘producers dream of and audiences yearn to watch’A work that explores what happens when trauma is left to fester, set in Troubles-era Belfast, has been named the winner of the Women’s prize for playwriting 2025.Judges praised what they described as unflinching and moving writing in Sapling by Georgina Duncan, a working-class playwright from Lancashire. Continue reading...Source: www.theguardian.comRead […]

Cap-busting tax hike will be embarrassing for the party, which has made low council tax a priorityReform-led Worcestershire county council is likely to issue England’s largest council tax rise this April after it was given special permission by the government to increase it by up to 9%.Worcestershire is one of a handful of authorities whose requests to be allowed to increase local rates above the standard 5% cap from April […]

Allies of leading candidates keen to tout credentials but others despair at options at top of Labour party• Revealed: ‘Rayner for leader’ site briefly went live in January• Explainer: political leadership campaigns that launched too soon• UK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer fights for his political life, the contest to replace him has already begun.The prime minister was already under pressure when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, […]

Prime minister addresses parliamentary Labour party amid Mandelson scandal falloutScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand downTim Allan said he was standing down to allow Keir Starmer the opportunity to build a new team.In a statement, he said:I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built.I wish the PM and his team every success. Continue reading...Source: www.theguardian.comRead full article

Fallout begins after tumultuous scenes in Sydney and Melbourne. Follow the latest news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW premier, Chris Minns, is making the first of multiple appearances across the media this morning following the violent clashes between police and protesters yesterday evening.He has told Channel Nine’s Today program that police were “put in an impossible situation last night”:It’s worth remembering they did […]

Pakistan's government orders cricket team to take the field against India on Sunday in Colombo.Source: www.aljazeera.comRead full article

In a sweeping crackdown, Iranian security and judicial authorities have arrested several reformist politicians.Source: www.aljazeera.comRead full article

Ghislaine Maxwell avoids answering questions on alleged co-conspirators in case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Source: www.aljazeera.comRead full article

New US Maritime Administration advisory comes after first round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.Source: www.aljazeera.comRead full article