Political parties
Tony Blair's push for a Yes vote in the European Union referendum has hit a stumbling block, as two prominent trade union leaders announced they will not support his campaign. The Transport and General Workers' Union, led by Tony Woodley, and the GMB, led by Kevin Curran,
Political parties
The National Health Service (NHS) has long been a contentious issue in British politics, with both patients and staff suffering when it becomes a political football ahead of a general election. However, the current party political battle over the NHS is leading to a potentially new settlement for the institution.
Politics
In the aftermath of the European parliament elections, EU leaders must respond to the growing discontent of their electorate. The crucial question is how to achieve economic growth and address fiscal imbalances, particularly in the eurozone. Raising potential growth rates and increasing demand are essential for improving the eurozone'
Politics
A group of 26 high-ranking military and diplomatic officials from both US political parties are launching a scathing critique of the Bush administration's foreign policy, accusing it of isolating the nation and calling for President Bush's defeat in November. The group, called Diplomats and Military Commanders
Politics
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has witnessed a significant shift in negotiations on fishing subsidies, thanks to Japan's surprising about-turn. Previously opposed to curbs on subsidies, Japan has proposed a restricted list of prohibited subsidies that contribute to overcapacity of shipping fleets. This move has been welcomed by
Politics
In a sharply worded letter to President George W. Bush, Kurdish leaders Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani have listed their frustrations with US policy in Iraq. At the top of the list is the US-led administration's inaction over the troubled city of Kirkuk, where decades of ethnic cleansing
Political parties
The specter of renewed fuel protests is casting a shadow over the government, with key players gathering to plan a series of stunts aimed at forcing the authorities to reevaluate their policies. The group behind the 2000 fuel protests, Farmers for Action (FFA), has grown from 1,300 members to
Political parties
A strike on the Tube, threatened by Bob Crow's Rail, Maritime and Transport union, has inflicted a significant blow on Ken Livingstone's campaign for re-election as Mayor of London. The union's decision to hold the strike on June 10 has timed it perfectly to
Political parties
The western Balkans, a region plagued by instability for a decade, has become a focal point for international organised crime and trafficking. Illegal smuggling routes originating in central Asia and the Far East have spread, taking advantage of porous borders, corruption, and weak state institutions. This volatile mix of terrorism,
Political parties
Tony Blair's sudden u-turn in favor of a referendum on the European Union's draft constitutional treaty marks a crucial moment in the lead-up to the June 10 European Parliament elections. By conceding to a referendum, Mr. Blair aims to sideline the issue during the elections, but
Political parties
Berlin's commitment to the European Union's budget rules is increasingly under scrutiny as Germany's Social Democrats, the ruling party, consider abandoning the stability and growth pact's budget deficit rules in favor of increased spending on research and innovation. The developments indicate a
Political parties
Democrat John Kerry's presidential campaign has shifted focus to the US healthcare crisis, blaming President George W. Bush for failing to contain rising costs. As part of a week-long campaign, Kerry has specifically targeted key battleground states, accusing Bush of prioritizing special interests over the rising number of
