4 hours ago Biden leads international push for Gaza ceasefire after killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

US president joins western leaders in urging Israeli PM to seek an end to conflict, as Tehran suggests killing of Yahya Sinwar will inspire future generations, and Hezbollah vows to escalate confrontationMiddle East crisis: live updatesJoe Biden has urged Israel’s prime minister to “move on” and make progress towards a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader and mastermind of the 7 October attack, as world leaders renewed a push for an end to the conflict.Hours after the killing on Thursday in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town, the US president congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Sinwar “has a lot of blood on his hands — American blood, Israeli blood, and others”. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago JAN MOIR: Starmer's visit to Taylor Swift is a curdled image of freebie

This is the photograph of Sir Keir and Lady Starmer at the Taylor Swift concert back in June, the first of two visits the starstruck Prime Minister made to Wembley to see his favourite pop star.

Politics

9 hours ago ‘Listen to voters’ and block Chancellor’s Budget cuts, Flynn tells Starmer

The SNP Westminster leader has written to the Prime Minister urging him to intervene on the plans to raise £40 billion through cuts and tax hikes.

Politics

10 hours ago Kemi Badenoch says her first act as prime minister would be to restore tax breaks for private schools

Ms Badenoch told Tory members to ‘stop blaming Brexit for all our problems’ and added Reform leader Nigel Farage would not be welcome in the party

Politics

11 hours ago Leadership rivals reject Tory MP’s claim Badenoch ‘preoccupied’ with children

The two finalists in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak went head to head in a GB News show on Thursday.

Politics

19 hours ago No 10 warns of ‘tough decisions’ on spending, as Reeves submits Budget plans to watchdog

The Chancellor and Prime Minister have submitted the “major measures” of the upcoming Budget for scrutiny by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Events

22 hours ago India made ‘horrific mistake’ by violating Canadian sovereignty, says Justin Trudeau

New Delhi says Canadian prime minister’s ‘cavalier behaviour’ has damaged bilateral relations

Politics

22 hours ago Angela Rayner among Cabinet ministers protesting spending cuts in letter to Keir Starmer

The Deputy Prime Minister is one of multiple senior members of the Labour Government who are worried about plans to cut spending.

Politics

23 hours ago Eurozone interest rates could be cut today; UK won’t take HS2 phase 2 ‘back off the shelf’ – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe UK government is playing down this morning’s reports that it will reverse Rishi Sunak’s decision to only run the HS2 rail line from London to Birmingham.Asked about reports it will revive HS2 to Crewe (see 8.45am), a DfT spokesperson has said:“We have always said we won’t be taking plans for HS2 phase 2 back off the shelf after the Conservatives took a wrecking ball to the project and allowed costs to spiral completely out of control. “But we are committed to delivering better rail connectivity across the north, as set out in our manifesto. “Transport is an essential part of the Government’s mission to rebuild Britain and grow our economy.”“We delivered organic sales growth, driven by positive real internal growth. Consumer d...

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