Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella holds a razor-thin lead in Colombia’s presidential election with nearly all the votes counted, in a runoff vote marked by people’s fears of a renewed internal conflict. A victory by de la Espriella would effectively be an indictment of the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, whose protégé had promised to continue his agenda if he defeated his rival, who is backed by President Donald Trump. De la Espriella led progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda taking 49.7% of the votes to 48.7% for Cepeda. Election officials have not formally announced a winner.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella maintained a narrow lead as Colombia’s presidential runoff election count …
Trump-backed de la Espriella holds razor-thin lead in Colombia's presidential election as Cepeda challenges votes.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a crucial decision. Either step down or fight a possible leadership challenge from Labour Party rival Andy Burnham. Starmer has vowed to stay. But pressure is mounting as colleagues believe his time is up. Expectations are growing that he will announce a timetable for his resignation as soon as Monday. Burnham was recently elected as a lawmaker. That puts him in a position to challenge Starmer. Discontent has been building because of Starmer's struggles with economic growth and public services. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Sunday that Starmer is reflecting on his political situation.
U.K. voters chose to leave the European Union in a referendum that 10 years on still forges political identities. It was a vote that shattered a half-century project to get closer to the continent. Brexit, short for British exit, became a reality on June 23, 2016, when 52% — or more than 17 million people — voted to leave the bloc. Though the margin may have been narrow, the vote led to the most dramatic shake-up of the U.K. economy and society since World War II. But like any divorce, the paperwork and process of completing the breakup was not swift: It took nearly five years.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he will fight attempts by rival Andy Burnham to oust him from office. Starmer said on Friday that he was elected on a “mandate for change” and will not “walk away.” He will run in a leadership contest if one is triggered. Burnham, Greater Manchester's mayor, won a seat in Parliament in a special election. He's looking to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the country. Burnham has led Manchester since 2017, overseeing rapid regeneration for the city where the Industrial Revolution was forged. He is pledging to repeat his successes on a national scale.
The relationship between President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans seems to be nearing a breaking point. Tensions flared this week on Capitol Hill as Trump upended Republicans efforts for a swift confirmation of his intelligence nominee and as he thwarted quick passage of a bill to renew a surveillance law. Republicans have been frustrated and openly critical of Trump's agreement with Iran. The public tensions are an almost complete reversal from a year ago. Back then, Republicans senators worked closely with Trump on a complicated effort to push through his massive package of spending and tax cuts.
Janeese Lewis George is making waves in Washington, D.C., with her progressive agenda as she aims for the mayor's office. Her plans include subsidized childcare and increased homebuyer assistance. She also promises to challenge President Donald Trump's influence. Her Democratic primary victory was a shift from centrist governance in the nation's capital and aligns with a broader trend of democratic socialists gaining traction in urban politics. While some cities still favor moderate candidates, progressives like Lewis George are pushing for change by focusing on affordability and responsive government services.
Labour’s Andy Burnham wins a UK special election, setting up a likely push to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer.