97 minutes ago Europe must take responsibility for its own security, says Polish minister

‘Very difficult time’ anticipated as Poland takes over EU presidency against backdrop of geopolitical uncertaintyEurope must “take responsibility” for its own security, Poland has told its fellow EU member states, as Warsaw takes over the rotating presidency of the bloc at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.Poland has started its six-month presidency as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House having promised to bring a negotiated end to Russia’s war in neighbouring Ukraine and threatened to seize Greenland using military force. Continue reading...

Politics

19 minutes ago London's property boom and bust: The city neighbourhoods where house prices are soaring

Those with properties in Greenwich in South East London and Ealing in West London have seen impressive increases, according to online estate agents Purplebricks.

Society

81 minutes ago Millions of people are not claiming lost pension pots worth £31.1 billion

The value of lost pension pots in the UK has increased by 60% since 2018

Economics

87 minutes ago Two thirds of retailers warn Budget will force them to hike prices amid market turmoil

The biggest concerns, cited by more than 60% of the CFO's, were falling demand for goods and services, inflation for goods and services, and the increasing tax and regulatory burden

Events

21 hours ago Joe Swash 'wants to be more involved' ahead of major TV show with Stacey Solomon

Joe Swash, who is married to Stacey Solomon, allegedly wants to be "more involved" with his family and is aware that they will be under increased scrutiny once their reality TV show is broadcast

Culture

2 hours ago Lothian unveils freeway fleet systems technology to improve operations

Lothian is set to implement software from the Free Fleet System to enhance safety and reliability for its fleet of 730 buses. The supplier's solution provides a holistic method for managing workshops, defects, inventory, purchasing, and compliance, and will be rolled out in three phases.

Politics

8 hours ago Parental mental health biggest cause of child protection referrals in England

Public service cuts and ‘stark impact of poverty’ are causing worse outcomes for children, according to surveyPoor parental mental health has overtaken domestic violence as the most commonly reported factor in social worker assessments into whether a child is at risk of serious harm or neglect, according to new research.Growing rates of mental illness – in both parents and children – were an increasingly important driver of child safeguarding interventions in England, the latest comprehensive survey of children’s social care pressures found.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Society

98 minutes ago Martin Lewis urges households to act now as he shares top tips to slash bills in 2025

Money can be shaved from many bills in 2025, the money expert says

Economics

87 minutes ago Greater power, magnetic controllers and backwards compatibility: what to expect when Nintendo announces the Switch 2

Long-running leaks mean the usually secretive Nintendo have failed to keep a lid on its new console. With its official announcement due any minute now, here’s what we know so farNintendo is likely to announce its next console this week, the follow-up to the 150m-selling Nintendo Switch, which came out in March 2017. There’s just one problem: we already know almost everything about it. At this point there’s very little that Nintendo could announce that would be a surprise to anyone who has been following the rumours closely.The trickle of Nintendo Switch 2 leaks began last summer, and built to a flood this month. Last week at the CES tech trade show in Vegas, accessory maker Genki arrived with a full-on model of Nintendo’s next console, which it happily showed off behind closed doors to illustrate its forthcoming products. You can even look at a detailed render of the thing on Genki’s website. It is a slightly larger, more powerful version of the Switch console we all know and love, ...

Events

14 hours ago Reframing obesity may end the diagnosis debate, but the health challenges remain

Assessment of the condition could face overhaul, but governments, companies and communities still have work to doCall to overhaul obesity diagnoses amid fears of over-reliance on BMIObesity is one of the world’s biggest health challenges, causing a mass of shorter, unhappier lives and a mounting burden on already overstretched healthcare systems.There is no doubt that more people than ever before are living with excess body fat, and there is no doubt about the dangers of doing so. Obesity has the ability to harm every single organ in the body, and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and mental illness. Continue reading...

Science

2 hours ago Exactly how much your broadband and mobile bill will rise by this April

Telecom firms are being banned by Ofcom from linking mid-contract price rises to inflation - instead, customers must be told in 'pounds and pence' how much their bill will increase by

Politics

19 hours ago Boeing's aircraft deliveries and orders in 2024 reflect the company's rough year

Boeing delivered less than half the number of commercial aircraft to customers than its European rival in 2024, The American aerospace giant reported on Tuesday that it supplied 348 jetliners during the year

Society

2 hours ago Slower UK inflation relieves pressure on Rachel Reeves as financial markets calm

The cost of Government borrowing eased on Wednesday morning in a tentative sign of relief among traders after more heightened economic concerns.

Economics

1 hour ago UFO whistleblower 'taken to underground military facility and shown alien tech'

Randy Anderson, a green beret, claims that he was taken to an underground military facility while on training in Indiana where he saw objects described as 'Off World Technology'

Events

20 hours ago Expert's easy heating hack can save you 10% on your energy bill in just one second

As the cold snap continues, people are looking for ways to keep their homes warm for less. A heating expert has shared a simple tip that could save you hundreds of pounds

Science

2 hours ago Britain's top 100 employers named in new survey: From energy and transport firms to universities and councils, did yours make the list?

The research conducted by Zensai analysed reviews of companies on Glassdoor - a platform where people can rate their company based on eight 'workplace factors'.

Politics

19 hours ago 'Unwelcome' tourists greeted with 'go home' graffiti in popular European holiday spot

A travel writer who recently spent time in Barcelona has spoken out about how she was greeted with 'go home' graffiti in the popular European holiday spot

Society

2 hours ago Keir Starmer 'pushes for US trade deal with Donald Trump' as he scrambles to get growth back into UK economy

The Prime Minister used yesterday's Cabinet meeting to outline his aim of striking a 'partnership' with America under Mr Trump to 'advance our economic growth'.

Economics

5 hours ago NATO warplanes are scrambled as Putin launches huge attack near Poland border

The Russian strikes - hitting vital energy facilities in the coldest weeks of winter - were led by Vladimir Putin's Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.

Events

23 hours ago Cold radiators will 'heat up fast' in 20 minutes with engineer's 'easy' fix

If your radiator is not heating up properly then your home will be less warm and you will be losing money through wasted energy, so it's important to act on the signs.

Science

4 hours ago Adrian Meronk sends message to Luke Donald as LIV Golf star eyes Ryder Cup redemption after snub

Adrian Meronk just missed out on a spot on the European Ryder Cup team at the 2023 event, and this time around the LIV Golf star has a different plan in the hopes of catching Luke Donald's eye

Politics

25 hours ago New renting law now 'one step closer' that will end bidding wars and 'unreasonable' rent increases

The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to be the 'biggest shake up' to the private rented sector in more than 30 years

Society

3 hours ago Amazon users are 'saving on energy bills' with heating hack that costs less than £14

Prevent heat loss from your home with the Deconovo Thermal Curtain Panel that has over 40,000 reviews from impressed Amazon customers.

Economics

5 hours ago NATO war planes scrambled as Putin launches huge bombardment and Poland 'on full alert'

The Russian strikes - hitting vital energy facilities near the Ukrainian border with Poland in the coldest weeks of winter - were led by Vladimir Putin’s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers

Events

24 hours ago 'I'm a heating expert – this 1 second tip will slash your energy bills by 10%'

The chill of winter remains, with people keen to find cost effective ways to keep their homes warm for less and one expert may have the answer to knocking 10% off your bills

Science

5 hours ago Arteta must revive Emirates roar as much as Arsenal’s fortunes on pitch

With Tottenham next up at home, Gunners manager must restore the positivity of the 2022-23 seasonMikel Arteta was sitting in the Emirates Stadium away dugout when he realised the scale of the task that awaited him. It was December 2019, and although he was still nominally the assistant manager of Manchester City, cruising to a 3-0 victory against Arsenal, thoughts were naturally beginning to turn towards the project he had secretly decided to take on. And – to put it mildly – he was alarmed.This wasn’t simply a case of how bad Arsenal were on the pitch. Performance is a fickle thing. There are known variables, measurable objectives. Performance you can fix. But the energy in the stadium, the disgruntlement, the disconnect between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands: as Arteta contemplated his first job in management, this was the challenge that worried him the most. Continue reading...

Politics

7 hours ago Shona Robison suggests Scottish child payment may have reached peak to incentivise work

Shona Robison has suggested further increases to the Scottish child payment could put off people seeking work.

Economics

7 hours ago How to shockproof the UK economy’s exposure to global risks | Mohamed El

As with US bond yields, the UK economy risks catching cold whenever anywhere else sneezes – but Britain can insulate itself betterThe British government was right to describe the recent bout of market volatility in the UK as having been fuelled principally by “global factors” – in particular, a sharp rise in US bond yields. It was also right in touting how well UK markets have coped with the turmoil. But no one should downplay the additional challenges the UK economy will confront in the months ahead, the structural weaknesses that are compounding its vulnerability, or the policy action that is urgently needed.The recent surge in US yields has three main causes: a string of data releases indicating that actual and potential economic growth are outpacing consensus estimates, higher-than-projected inflation (with a meaningful rise in consumers’ inflation expectations), and increased market sensitivity to the bond issuance that comes with large deficits and debt. Given that advanced ec...

Events

25 hours ago Martin Lewis says 'demon' household appliance is hiking your energy bills

Lots of people use tumble dryers, but a content creator recently revealed how expensive they are to use. Even Martin Lewis admits they cause people's bills to hike

Science

6 hours ago ‘Life is short, art is long’: the couple who poured their grief into collecting child portraits

After their daughter died aged 19, Yannick and Ben Jakober began amassing 165 paintings of children at their Mallorca museum - many with similarly tragic family stories attachedWhen Yannick and Ben Jakober’s daughter died aged 19, they poured their grief into art. The couple transformed their small set of portraits of children into the Nins, a one-of-its-kind collection. Numbering 165 paintings of children from the 16th to the 19th centuries, it includes works by old masters such as Ottavio Leoni, Frans Pourbus the Younger and François Quesnel, commissioned to capture the offspring of European royalty and the aristocracy in their most vulnerable years. Many did not live to adulthood.When I meet the Jakobers, it’s towards the end of Mallorca’s holiday season. The taxi taking me to the north-east of the island passes a large black and white billboard advertising their museum (“Life is short. Art is long”), before turning on to a single-track road heading into the hills. Continue readi...

Politics

7 hours ago ‘Cost of dying’ in UK hits record level as bereaved turn to crowdfunding to meet bills

Latest SunLife study shows average total funeral cost at £9,797 with many selling off possessions to help payThe “cost of dying” has hit a record high, prompting growing numbers of grieving UK families to turn to crowdfunding or sell possessions to help pay for a funeral, according to a report.The average cost of a basic funeral has increased by 3.5% in a year to hit an “all-time high” of £4,285, according to the insurer SunLife, which has been monitoring UK funeral costs for two decades. Continue reading...

Economics

8 hours ago Firefighters prepare for increasing gusts following brief reprieve for LA area

Firefighters are readying for another round of critical fire weather after calmer than expected winds gave them a much-needed reprieve

Events

6 hours ago In the new Trumpian era, liberal democracies must hold their noses – and engage with difficult partners | Timothy Garton Ash

New polling says much of the world will welcome Trump. Europe will need to be more transactional abroad – but less so at homeEuropean jitters about Trump 2.0 not shared by much of world, poll findsWhen returning US president Donald Trump eyes up Greenland, Panama and Canada, as Vladimir Putin once eyed Crimea and Xi Jinping eyes Taiwan, he is both symptom and cause of a new world disorder. Trumpism is just one variant of transactionalism, which is the leitmotif of this new disorder. Liberal democracies, especially those in Europe, need to wake up and smell the gunpowder.Russia and China are now revisionist great powers, which aim to change or overthrow the existing order, while middle powers like Turkey, Brazil and South Africa are happy to play with all sides. This is also a world of wars – in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan. Most Europeans carry on pretty much as if we still lived in late 20th-century peacetime, but the world around us increasingly resembles the late 19th-centu...

Politics

10 hours ago Councils spending £2 billion a year to send pupils with special needs to private schools, report reveals

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found spending has increased by 46 per cent in just four years, highlighting the state's 'reliance' on private schools.

Economics

8 hours ago Halt illegal imports of conflict minerals from DRC, campaigners urge EU

Law to stop armed groups profiting from trade in gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum is being breached, rights groups sayThe European Union has been urged to clamp down on illegal imports of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after evidence was found that current regulations had been breached.The advocacy group Global Witness (GW) said there remained a “high risk” of the EU’s mineral imports being used to fund militias and state repression in several countries. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago France and Portugal to follow Spain in tax crackdown over Brit holiday homes

Non-resident citizens from countries outside the European Union, including the UK, will face a big tax bill.

Politics

13 hours ago Investors urged to back climate adaption and resilience as roadmap unveiled

Experts urge investors to prepare for a hotter world as US firms increasingly turn away from environmental, social and governance initiatives.

Economics

8 hours ago LA fire death toll rises to 25 with another 84,800 placed on evacuation alert as dire new warning is issued for smoldering city

Authorities warned anybody in the vicinity of the blazes to be prepared to flee at a moment's notice, amid concerns that increasing winds will whip up new fires.

Events

7 hours ago 'I'm a careers expert – four lies you should always tell to succeed in a job interview'

A careers expert has shared the things she would recommend everyone lies about when they're going for a job interview – as it might actually increase your chance of success

Politics

14 hours ago Martin Lewis reveals 80% of homes are overpaying on their energy bills as he shares simple way to get cheaper prices

Speaking on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Tuesday evening, the Money Saving Expert founder, 52, explained that those who are on a price-capped tariff are overpaying.

Economics

12 hours ago US sues Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose early Twitter stock purchase

Financial regulator alleges Musk later acquired shares of company at ‘artificially low prices’, stiffing shareholdersA US financial regulator has sued Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose his ownership of Twitter stock and later acquiring shares in the company at “artificially low prices”, stiffing other shareholders.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed suit against Musk late on Tuesday in federal court in Washington DC for alleged securities violations. According to the suit, Musk did not disclose that he had acquired a 5% stake in the company in a timely manner, which allowed him “to underpay by at least $150m for shares he purchased after his financial beneficial ownership report was due”. Continue reading...

Events

11 hours ago France and Portugal to follow Spain's crushing blow to Brits dreaming of life in the sun

Non-resident citizens from countries outside the European Union, including the UK, will face a big tax bill if they want to buy a home in Spain, its PM Pedro Sánchez said

Politics

19 hours ago MSPs to receive another pay rise as wages climb to over £74,000 a year

The 3.2% increase, which amounts to more than £2,000, was announced by the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer in a letter to the Finance Committee.

Economics

16 hours ago Britons will invest their money in places such as Greece and Cyprus instead of Spain, experts warn

Measures being proposed in Spain to ease pressures on its housing situation include tax increase of up to 100 per cent on properties bought by non-European Union residents.

Events

13 hours ago Biden announces 2 new national monuments in California after wildfires scuttled previous event

President Joe Biden has announced the creation of two California national monuments that will honor Native American tribes while shielding picturesque mountains and deserts from mining and energy development

Politics

22 hours ago Reeves rejects claims economic turbulence is a ‘crisis made in Downing Street’ but admits need to ‘go faster’

The chancellor faced a grilling from MPs in the Commons after the cost of government borrowing increased and the value of the pound fell, putting her plans for the nation’s finances at risk

Economics

16 hours ago Martin Lewis issues warning over major broadband and mobile bill change coming this Friday

Martin Lewis explained how telecom firms are being banned by Ofcom from using mid-contract price rises that are linked to inflation - instead they'll have to outline any increases in cash values

Events

13 hours ago How much the average house seller made last year compared to when they bought

On average, sellers had owned their home for just under nine years

Politics

25 hours ago Tips to increase your pension pot as survey shows many are unsure how to boost it

Nearly three in 10 do not know the process to increase their pension contributions and a quarter are unsure, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association

Economics

19 hours ago Foot and mouth risk level in Scotland increased following discovery of disease in Germany

Farmers and livestock keepers have been urged to be vigilant.

Events

14 hours ago European jitters about Trump 2.0 not shared by much of world, poll finds

Exclusive: Findings suggest ‘weakening of west’ as relations become more transactional, say report’s authorsEuropean anxiety about Donald Trump’s return to the White House is not shared in much of the world, a poll has shown, with more people in non-western powers such as China, Russia, India and Brazil welcoming his second term than not.The 24-country poll, which also included Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Indonesia and Turkey, found that Switzerland, the UK, 11 EU nations surveyed and South Korea were alone in feeling Trump 2.0 would be bad for their country and for peace in the world. Continue reading...

Politics

26 hours ago Half of workers ‘have never considered increasing current pension contributions’

Just under half of people said they know the process to change their pension contributions with their current employer.

Economics

20 hours ago LA fires live updates: California braces for ‘extremely critical fire conditions’ as strong winds increase

Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage through southern California as Santa Ana winds set to return

Events

15 hours ago What Arne Slot got wrong as Liverpool snatch draw with resilient Nottingham Forest

Liverpool, for the second time this season, couldn't solve the Nottingham Forest puzzle - and Daily Star Sport has a look at what Arne Slot got wrong on Tuesday evening

Politics

26 hours ago 3G mobile switch off: Everything O2, Virgin, Vodafone, EE and Three customers need to know

In December 2021, the government agreed with mobile network operators (MNOs) that 2G and 3G services would be phased out by 2033. Currently, networks use four generations of technology: 2G, 3G, 4G, and the latest 5G

Economics

20 hours ago Arsenal confirm serious Gabriel Jesus knee injury as transfer pressure builds

Gunners are increasingly short of options in attack as season falters

Events

17 hours ago Red Bull’s ‘Dr football’ role at odds with Jürgen Klopp’s former club ethos

‘Global head of soccer’ at an energy drink brand seems a world away from the rough and tumble of the touchlineFlanked by Formula One cars bearing the appropriate livery, Jürgen Klopp cracked open a can of Red Bull and started talking. Product placement has always come naturally to the energy drink brand and here, on home turf, little fanfare was spared in putting a shiny new asset front and centre. This moment had been well over two years in the making but now their head of global soccer could broadcast his mission statement to the world.These were jarring surroundings in which to see Klopp, champion of the raw and the real, begin his new career. Hangar-7, an events space overlooking the runway at Salzburg airport, lets the public inspect a fleet from a selection of Red Bull’s more daredevil sporting endeavours. The lines are smooth, the Alpine light clear, the corporate self-assuredness pervasive. It could not have felt further from the rough and tumble of the touchline at Liverpoo...

Politics

27 hours ago Cheapest ways to dry laundry in winter without using tumble dryer to save £170 a year on energy bills

It can be extremely difficult to get your clothes to dry quickly during the freezing cold UK weather

Economics

22 hours ago Foreign Office issues new warning to holidaymakers visiting popular European destination

The FCDO is warning that terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners

Events

18 hours ago Canada’s provincial leaders in disarray over response to Trump tariff threats

Responses range from conciliation to retaliation, including cutting off electricity and halting the purchase of US liquorCanada’s provincial premiers are sharply divided on how to prepare for US trade tariffs, less than a week before Donald Trump takes office with a threat to dramatically reshape the relationship between the two countries.Canadian officials have sought to defuse the crisis with personal appeals to the president-elect, multimillion-dollar advertising sprees and targeted threats, but the country remains gripped by uncertainty over how Trump’s tariffs might take effect. On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the incoming US administration is weighing hiking tariffs by 2%-5% a month to avoid spiking inflation. Continue reading...

Politics

27 hours ago Britain's care home crisis: Families are forced to spend £5,000 more a year in fees to looks after their loved ones thanks to Labour's tax raid budget

Leading care providers are increasingly concerned about high employment costs after the Chancellor's national insurance raid along with low fees paid by local authorities.

Economics

23 hours ago LA fires live updates: ‘Particularly dangerous’ weather warning issued as winds increase in Southern California

Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage through southern California as Santa Ana winds set to return

Events

18 hours ago WW3 fears ramp up as Putin set to strengthen alliance with Iran with world 'on knife edge'

Russian despot Vladimir Putin is set to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later this week, with fears of a deal allowing for a potential arms trade between the two

Politics

29 hours ago New update on calls to increase State Pension payments and stop 'means

Thousands of people have signed an online petition supporting the proposals for higher State Pension payments.

Economics

24 hours ago German police investigate AfD flyers resembling plane tickets for immigrants

Karlsruhe police say they have opened inquiry into ‘persons unknown on suspicion of incitement of racial hatred’German police have launched an investigation after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party distributed flyers designed to resemble plane tickets for deportation that were addressed to “illegal immigrants” as part of an increasingly provocative campaign for next month’s general election.People from immigrant communities in the south-western city of Karlsruhe found the flyers in their letterboxes, although it was not immediately clear if they had been directly targeted. Continue reading...

Events

19 hours ago West Ham XI vs Fulham: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League today

Hammers increasingly short of options in attack

Politics

31 hours ago Borough seeks permission to increase council tax by massive 10% in bid to avoid bankruptcy

Newham town hall is blaming a £157 million budget gap caused by the spiralling cost of providing temporary accommodation for homeless residents

Economics

24 hours ago ‘It allowed me to be more myself’: how becoming a clown can be therapeutic

Clowns are associated with laughter and entertainment, but increasing numbers of people are using the medium as a form of personal development and self-discoveryWithout clowning, Olly Mead would never have had the courage to become a politician; Issy Millsop wouldn’t have swapped her career for something that paid less but was more fulfilling; and Lucy Heard wouldn’t have learned to “appreciate silliness, being stupid and playful, and the freedom that gives me”.Therapeutic clowning, albeit still niche, is gaining in popularity: while 10 years ago, Holly Stoppit says she was probably the only therapeutic clown teacher in the UK, there are now teachers across the country. Continue reading...

Events

19 hours ago Why Donald Trump's return to White House means UK must rejoin European Union

As Donald Trump rattles his sabre about trade, tariffs and territorial expansion, it’s clear the UK urgently needs to improve access to Europe’s single market

Politics

25 hours ago Millions of UK workers warned they will 'miss out on retirement they hope for' if they don't take action now

Half of savers have never considered increasing their workplace pension contributions, a survey has found

Events