Government inspection of council finances extended

A government inspection of a Surrey council’s finances has been extended into 2025. The Best Value inspection was started at Spelthorne Borough Council in May, when the authority’s “extremely high” levels of debt and borrowing were highlighted.

Mass protests in Georgia as government put EU accession talks on hold

Thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets of Tbilisi and other Georgian cities again tonight, continuing demonstrations that began on Thursday. In recent days, police have used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the protests. At least 150