News
Sarwar Urges PM to Resign Amid Crisis
Anas Sarwar’s call for Sir Keir Starmer to step down may appear to be a breach of party loyalty, yet it stems from feelings of concern and discontent.
The current state of Scottish Labour, led by Anas Sarwar, can be characterized as one of urgency, with the party facing significant challenges in closing the gap with the SNP ahead of the Holyrood elections.

Recent Scottish opinion polling trends indicate that Labour is struggling to gain traction, highlighting the enormity of the task ahead for Sarwar's party.
The controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington, amidst knowledge of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, has further complicated the situation.
Many within Scottish Labour view this as the latest in a series of missteps by Sir Keir Starmer, which they believe are hindering their chances of gaining power from the SNP.
In a notable development, Sarwar held a press conference on Monday, calling for the prime minister to step down, exemplifying the extraordinary measures being taken.
Sarwar cited the numerous mistakes made in Number 10 and emphasized the need to prioritize Scottish interests, even if it means speaking out against the party leadership.
Although this move may strain internal party relationships, Sarwar's team hopes it will resonate positively with the Scottish public.
However, some voters may perceive this as disloyal or divisive, potentially influencing their opinion of the party.
The upcoming opinion polls will be closely watched for any indication of a shift in public opinion, either in support of or against Sarwar's stance.
By taking this position, Sarwar has asserted his independence, demonstrating that he is not simply a representative of Starmer's leadership in Scotland.
Sarwar has expressed a sense of liberation in taking this stand and has not retracted his statements.
In contrast, Starmer has publicly offered Sarwar his "100%" support, despite potential underlying tensions.
The sincerity of Starmer's support is uncertain, and their next joint public appearance may be awkward.
It has been revealed that Sarwar engaged in conversations with key Labour figures, including Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Lucy Powell, prior to his announcement.

Sarwar did not disclose his plans to these individuals and has denied any attempt to coordinate a coup against Starmer.
If this was indeed an attempt to spark a larger movement, it can be considered a failure, as no other senior Labour figures followed suit.
Following Sarwar's call for Starmer to step down, cabinet ministers quickly expressed their support for the prime minister on social media.
A meeting of the parliamentary Labour party at Westminster also rallied behind Starmer, with no senior figures publicly backing Sarwar's position.
Speculation suggested that Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales, might be the most likely to support Sarwar's stance, given her previous criticism of Starmer's leadership.
However, Morgan ultimately fell in line with the party leadership, possibly due to concerns about the potential consequences for her own leadership in Cardiff Bay.
The Welsh Labour party is more reliant on UK Labour funding than its Scottish counterpart, which has reportedly secured sufficient funds for its Holyrood election campaign.
The need for a coordinated show of support for Starmer highlights his vulnerability, but it has been sufficient to maintain his position in the short term.
The party faces challenging electoral tests in the near future.
These include a Westminster by-election in Greater Manchester, as well as the May elections for the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments and English councils.
The release of vetting details for the Mandelson appointment may lead to further embarrassment for the party.
Starmer remains unpopular, and Sarwar's public break with him has exposed deeper divisions within Scottish Labour.

All Scottish Labour MSPs who have spoken have endorsed Sarwar's position, while only two Scottish Labour MPs have done so.
Some MPs may attempt to straddle the issue, claiming support for both leaders.
Others question the timing of Sarwar's move, suggesting that it may be premature to seek a change in leadership.
The timescales for Westminster and Holyrood politicians differ significantly, with MPs having three years until the next election and MSPs facing elections in just three months.
This disparity in timelines influences the calculations of politicians, with some preferring to wait for the right moment to act.
For those seeking to become Scotland's next first minister, May is too late to effect change, making Sarwar's decision to speak out more understandable.
Sarwar's decision to act was driven by his belief that doing nothing was not an option and that taking a bold stance might improve Scottish Labour's position.
While this gamble may ultimately prove to be a mistake, Sarwar has deemed it a risk worth taking.
In the face of significant challenges, Sarwar has chosen to take a proactive approach, rather than waiting for circumstances to improve.
The outcome of this decision remains uncertain, but it reflects the sense of urgency and desperation within Scottish Labour.
The party's situation can be characterized as one of desperation, leading to the adoption of extraordinary measures.
News
Probe Underway into DNA Discovered at Nancy Guthrie’s Residence
According to the sheriff’s department, efforts are underway to determine the owner of the DNA, although the location of its discovery has not been released.
Local authorities have discovered DNA at the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of American news anchor Savannah Guthrie, that does not match her or anyone in her close circle, according to officials.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently working to determine the origin of the unidentified DNA, but has not disclosed its exact location.
Several gloves have been found by investigators, with one discovered approximately two miles away from Nancy Guthrie's residence.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home nearly two weeks ago, and authorities suspect she was taken against her will.
The sheriff's department has clarified that reports of a glove being found inside or on the property of Nancy Guthrie's home are incorrect.
All evidence collected has been submitted for laboratory analysis, according to the department.
On Thursday, the FBI released a description of the suspect, stating that the individual is a male, approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in (175-177cm) tall, with a medium build.
Investigators were able to gather identifying details about the suspect by analyzing footage from a doorbell camera located outside Nancy Guthrie's home.
The suspect was seen wearing a 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the footage, as reported by the FBI.
Following the release of the doorbell footage, investigators received over 13,000 tips, including 4,000 within a 24-hour period.
The FBI has increased the reward for information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from $50,000 (£36,700) to $100,000.
The county sheriff's department stated that the suspect description remains a primary focus of the investigation, but added that no individual or possibility is being ruled out.
Investigators have also made a broader appeal for neighbors to share any video footage that may be relevant to the case.
Authorities have noted that Nancy Guthrie, 84, requires daily medication and has limited mobility.
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have posted multiple social media appeals directed at their mother's abductor.
The family believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive and has indicated their willingness to pay for her safe return.
News
Malinin Crashes to Eighth in Free Skate Upset
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, USA’s Ilia Malinin, heavily tipped to claim the men’s figure skating title, experienced a disappointing outing, suffering two falls, which ultimately led to him finishing off the podium, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov secured the top spot and the gold medal.
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, Ilia Malinin of the USA, who was heavily tipped to win the men's figure skating gold, experienced a disappointing performance, falling twice and ultimately missing the podium, allowing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov to claim the top spot.
For further information, Mikhail Shaidorov's gold medal win is detailed in a separate article, which also discusses Ilia Malinin's unexpected loss.
Access to additional content is restricted to users based in the UK.
Business
Decline of Dining Out Trend Raises Concerns
According to the restaurant industry, it is currently dealing with a dual challenge: increasing expenses and a decrease in consumer spending power.
James Deegan's go-to order at his favorite restaurant, the grilled chicken burger, has lost its appeal due to a significant price hike.

The price increase from £12 to £18, plus the cost of a drink, has made dining out a costly affair for James.
This substantial price jump has led to James reducing his restaurant visits to just a couple of times a month, as he can no longer afford to dine out as frequently as he used to.
As a 27-year-old carer for autistic individuals, James must closely monitor his expenses to cover all his outgoings, limiting his social activities in the process.
James emphasizes the need to budget for small pleasures, which he once took for granted, in order to make ends meet.
The UK's cost of living crisis has been well-documented, with James having relied on a food bank in the past when his finances were strained, and one of its effects is a decrease in people's disposable income.
This reduction in disposable income means people have less money to spend on social activities, such as vacations, drinks at the pub, or eating out at restaurants.
The hospitality industry is facing a significant challenge due to decreased consumer spending and rising business costs, including taxes, food, wages, and energy expenses.
Many restaurants have increased their prices to remain operational, but some have still been forced to close down.

According to the Hospitality Market Monitor, the number of restaurants in the UK decreased by nearly a fifth between December 2019 and December 2025, from 43,000 to 35,500.
A YouGov report found that people in Britain are dining out less frequently, with the majority citing price increases and the rising cost of living as the primary reasons.
The report, published in October, surveyed 2,000 respondents, with 38% stating they were eating out less often than the previous year.
Of those who reported eating out less, 63% attributed it to price increases, while 62% cited the increased cost of living.
Petrit Velaj, a 30-year veteran of the restaurant industry, opened his own Greek restaurant, Rozafa, in central Manchester in 2010.
Rozafa has received awards for its cuisine and has hosted famous diners, including Priscilla Presley and Boris Johnson.
Petrit, who hails from Corfu, enjoys sharing traditional Greek culture and music with his customers, in addition to serving authentic Greek dishes.
However, he is uncertain about the restaurant's future prospects.
Petrit expressed his passion for cooking and providing excellent service, stating that it brings him joy to see customers happy.

He explained that for every £100 the restaurant earns, approximately £55 goes towards paying various taxes, leaving £45 to cover other expenses.
These expenses, including gas, electricity, water, rent, food, and wages, have increased over the years, making it challenging for the restaurant to operate.
As the owner of two restaurants, including one in Stockport, Petrit is responsible for 18 employees, some of whom have been with him for 20 years.
He is aware of the financial burdens his staff face and sometimes forgoes his own salary to ensure they are paid.
Fortunately, Petrit's children are now financially independent, alleviating some of his concerns.
He believes that running a restaurant has become increasingly difficult since he started in the industry.
Petrit, like many chefs, is critical of National Insurance rises and increasing business rates, as well as local issues such as limited parking and unclean streets, which deter customers.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay shares Petrit's concerns about tax, warning that restaurants are "facing a bloodbath" and advocating for more cautious implementation of business rate increases.
Shortly after Ramsay's comments, the government announced a support package for pubs, but not restaurants.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed particular concern about the impact of business rates on pubs compared to other high street businesses.
Petrit fears the potential closure of Rozafa, not only for himself and his staff but also for the local community it serves.
Several well-known restaurants in Manchester city centre, including TNQ Restaurant & Bar, have closed down in the past year.
Petrit believes that restaurants play a vital role in society, providing a space for people to come together and experience different cultures.
Kate Nicholls, chairwoman of the UK Hospitality trade body, agrees that restaurants are essential to the cultural and economic well-being of British towns and cities.
Nicholls emphasizes the importance of restaurants in creating jobs and attracting people to high streets, which in turn benefits other local businesses.
She stresses that restaurants are valuable assets that must be supported to prevent their loss.

Nicholls warns that if restaurants are not utilized, they will be lost, highlighting the need for community support.
Even individuals with above-average disposable incomes are feeling the effects of the higher cost of living, leading to changes in their dining habits.
Vicki Broadbent, a children's author and parenting blogger, comes from a family of restaurateurs and values the importance of restaurants in bringing people together.
Vicki and her husband, who live in Harrogate with their three children, typically dine out once a week, which they consider a privilege.
For Vicki, dining out is not only about enjoying good food but also about spending quality time with her family and reconnecting after a busy schedule.
However, as a higher rate taxpayer, Vicki and her husband are also feeling the financial strain and have adapted their restaurant habits accordingly.
Vicki notes that she and her family have stopped ordering starters due to their high cost, with prices ranging from £7-9 per dish, which could be better spent on a more substantial main course.
The expense of dining out is further compounded by Vicki's two teenage boys, who have outgrown the children's menu and now require more substantial portions, driving up the overall cost of their meals.
To keep costs in check, Vicki and her husband typically opt for soft drinks and water instead of alcoholic beverages, reserving the latter for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries.

In an effort to save money, the Broadbents sometimes choose to order takeaways instead of eating out, although Vicki observes that portion sizes have decreased over time, making it challenging to find good value.
Vicki remarks that the value of takeaways is often short-lived, as her teenagers tend to feel hungry again just a few hours later, leading her to question the worth of spending £100 on a meal that does not provide long-lasting satisfaction.
When selecting a restaurant, Vicki is often swayed by establishments that offer discounts, a strategy that Sarika Rana, head of consumer research at YouGov, says is common among many diners.
According to YouGov's October report, the rising cost of living is significantly influencing people's dining habits, with many still valuing the experience of eating out but being forced to make adjustments due to financial constraints.
The report found that half of the surveyed diners had altered their behavior to save money, with strategies including choosing less expensive restaurants and reducing the number of dishes ordered, while 46% of respondents said they forego desserts altogether.
In Crewe, James is being mindful of his expenses, recognizing that careful budgeting is necessary to enjoy a meal with friends or family without breaking the bank.
For James, eating out serves as a vital way to unwind and recharge after periods of intense care work, but he wishes that indulging in such small pleasures did not require so much financial planning and effort.
James expresses frustration at the difficulty of affording modest luxuries like dining out, describing the situation as "crazy" and "ridiculous".
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