74 minutes ago Rollercoaster week for the chancellor ends in relief and a lesson learned that fortunes can change very fast

Treasury officials claim there was no panic in No 11 before the economic numbers finally turned in their favourAfter a rollercoaster week which began with Keir Starmer being asked if he still had confidence in his ­chancellor of the ­exchequer and ended with the stock market ­smashing all ­previous records, the sense of relief ­surging through Downing Street and the Treasury on Friday afternoon ­bordered on elation.The teams that surround the prime minister and his neighbour at No 11, Rachel Reeves, are made up mainly of untried novices in the hard business of running a government. They are only just learning how quickly moods, including their own, can go from one extreme to the other. “It is weird,” said one. “Truly bloody weird at times.” Continue reading...

Politics

11 hours ago A Broadway dancer vanished from his home over three months ago. His distraught family ‘absolutely’ believes foul play is involved

Zelig Williams, who has performed in hit shows ‘Hamilton’ and ‘MJ The Musical,’ has been missing for over three months and there have been no answers on where he might be. Andrea Cavallier talks to his distraught family who haven’t given up as they share next steps in the search and explain why they believe there will be answers soon

Society

27 hours ago Eli was out for his daily surf when he was surrounded by dolphins. What should have been a moment of beauty suddenly became a terrifying ordeal

Eli Anderson, 20, was surfing his local break at Emerald beach New South Wales Mid North Coast on December 29 when he felt a sudden impact he likens to being hit by a car.

Economics

16 hours ago Brilliant Cardiff City player ratings as Robinson stars and midfielder puts in monster performance

Here is how the Bluebirds players rated in the 3-0 South Wales derby win against Swansea

Sport

90 minutes ago Netanyahu warns again that Gaza ceasefire will not begin until Hamas provides a hostage list

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza will not begin until Israel has received a list of the hostages set to be released from Hamas

Events

75 minutes ago Reuniting ice hockey’s Wembley Wizards 40 years on as legendary Scottish team honoured

Forty years ago, Fife was in the grip of the miners’ strike - a year-long, bitter industrial dispute that left a lasting mark on communities across the Kingdom. Amid the picket lines and the hardship, one success story captured the imagination of thousands.

Politics

13 hours ago Insiders say she's drunk on power and ideological zeal. But I can reveal that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is preparing to get tough with the teaching unions

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's merciless assault on the school system was deemed so destructive Tory shadow minister Laura Trott branded her 'our very own Miley Cyrus'.

Society

4 hours ago World holds its breath before Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases as bullish Netanyahu insists Israel 'reserves the right to resume the war with force' if necessary

The Israeli Prime Minister's declaration comes as families of hostages held in Gaza brace for news of loved ones, while Palestinians prepare to receive detainees.

Events

23 hours ago What Spain’s property ‘100 per cent’ tax hike means for Brits looking for their dream holiday home

Spain's prime minister has set out plans to increase property taxes for non-EU buyers, which could drive Brits to purchase holiday homes elsewhere

Society

4 hours ago Love Island: All Stars contestant has been DUMPED and already left the villa in shock eviction after latest recoupling

The second series the ITV show kicked off on Monday night, and the drama is already in full swing with three bombshells entering the South African villa within days of the launch.

Events

4 hours ago Tariffs and relations with China could be first questions to arise over Trump

Earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the support the US has given to Ukraine.

Politics

5 hours ago Ethnicity of criminals not revealed by police forces over 'racism fears'

Former Conservative minister Neil O'Brien, who carried out the analysis, says the statistics show the ethnicity of the criminal in almost half of all robberies now goes unreported

Events

4 hours ago Jill Biden squeezes out final first lady perk with private tour of National Zoo's adorable new pandas from China

Jill Biden may have missed final trip to Rome as first lady, but she did manage to score a private tour with D.C.'s new Giant Pandas, an import from China through a 10-year deal.

Politics

7 hours ago Man charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting woman on fire at home south of Brisbane

Woman, 34, in hospital after alleged domestic violence incident in Kingston on SaturdayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Queensland man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly setting fire to a woman in a horrific act of domestic violence in a home south of Brisbane.After being treated by paramedics at the scene in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Saturday morning, the 34-year-old woman was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital in a serious condition. Police say she sustained serious burns.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

4 hours ago Why experts fear Labour is planning a new pensions raid, despite Starmer's promises. Here's what they might try to change

You know the state pension triple lock is in trouble when the minister drafted in to oversee pensions policy has previously labelled it 'silly' - even if that was five years ago.

Politics

13 hours ago The Observer view on the Gaza ceasefire: it’s time for both sides to think again

This brief, fragile pause is a chance for all involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict to accept that violence does not work The ceasefire in Gaza, due to begin tomorrow, will bring welcome relief from daily violence but amounts, at present, to little more than a fragile, temporary pause in a conflict that is far from over. Israel has not achieved its principal war aim, as defined by its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu: the total elimination of Hamas. Nor has Hamas achieved its objective: the destruction of Israel. The leaders responsible for the 7 October 2023 terrorist atrocities are dead. The organisation’s capabilities are severely reduced. But it has survived – which its supporters claim is a victory for Palestinian sumud (steadfastness).Most of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, alive and dead, will not be freed in this first phase of the ceasefire, which is to last for six weeks. There is no agreed “day after” strategy for devastated Gaza, where nearly 47,000 Palestinians...

Events

6 hours ago Chrystia Freeland’s campaign to lead Canada starts with humblebrag: ‘Trump doesn’t like me’

Former deputy prime minister kicks off run for top job with video of Trump disparaging her for being tough negotiatorChrystia Freeland, Canada’s former deputy prime minister, kicked off her bid to lead Canada by boasting: “Donald Trump doesn’t like me very much” in a campaign video that quickly went viral.For Freeland, who led Canada’s re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade agreement (Nafta) with the United States and Mexico during Trump’s first term, video of Trump disparaging her for being a tough negotiator is a selling point. Continue reading...

Politics

15 hours ago ‘I’ll kiss the ground’: chaos feared amid Gaza ceasefire as families head home

Hundreds of thousands are now set to return to whatever remains of their houses or to claim bodies from the rubbleAid agencies in Gaza are bracing for chaotic scenes this week as hundreds of thousands of people try to return to homes across the territory after the expected implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Sunday.Before the ceasefire, which is due to begin at 8.30am local time, Israel has continued to carry out attacks inside Gaza. The local health ministry claimed on Saturday that 23 Palestinians had been killed in the previous 24 hours, while the Israeli army said it had conducted strikes on 50 “terror targets” on Friday. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago Will President Trump veto Mandelson's return as our next US ambassador after he was not invited to inauguration?

A member of Trump's team has said it was 'still not certain' Lord Peter Mandelson's credentials would be accepted by the incoming President amid strains with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Politics

16 hours ago Disastrous Swansea City ratings as no one turns up in crushing South Wales Derby defeat

Here's how the Swansea City players rated at the Cardiff City Stadium in the humbling 3-0 defeat

Events

7 hours ago Ministers to announce plans to claim back money from benefit fraudsters

Liz Kendall has said that legislation will ‘make sure’ that people who ‘seek to cheat’ the system are held accountable.

Politics

16 hours ago Voices: Tactical voting was Keir Starmer’s secret weapon. Next time, it could be turned against him

The prime minister won because of anti-Tory tactical voting last year – but, John Rentoul argues, new polling suggests that the next election could be very different

Events

7 hours ago Remain is in the past, rejoining EU is ‘Scotland’s best hope’, Swinney to say

The First Minister will stress the need for migration in Scotland due to the ageing population.

Politics

17 hours ago Major update on 'sexsomnia' soldier who claimed he raped women in his sleep horrifies victims

Joseph Short, who was jailed in May 2016, will still be subject to restrictions and monitoring after his release this week - but victims fear he could now seek revenge

Events

7 hours ago Trump reveals the three themes of his inauguration speech and hints at two early trips

President-elect will reportedly focus on ‘unity, strength and fairness,’ a contrast from his ‘American carnage’ message to the nation in 2017

Politics

20 hours ago Briton jailed in Dubai for 16 years ordered to sign document claiming his human rights are being upheld

Exclusive: Imprisoned British businessman Ryan Cornelius has appealed to the Foreign Office for help after his Dubai jailers tried to force him to sign a document claiming his human rights were being upheld, we can reveal

Events

11 hours ago ‘Finally it’s happening. I know he’s still alive’: Families of Israeli hostages await nervously the return of their loved ones

The fate of captives held by Hamas is in the balance until they are finally swapped for Palestinian prisonersFor over a decade the world seemed to have forgotten Avera Mengistu.An Israeli Jew of Ethiopian heritage, who reportedly had mental health issues, Mengistu was 28 when he entered the Gaza Strip voluntarily on 7 September 2014 after a dispute with his mother. Continue reading...

Politics

21 hours ago Live updates as Cardiff City fans march to ground and stage protest against board

Bluebirds supporters will march towards Cardiff City Stadium ahead of the South Wales derby

Events

12 hours ago First Minister John Swinney hails Denis Law as ‘giant of Scottish football’

Law remains the only Scottish player to have won a Ballon d’Or, which he was awarded in 1964.

Politics

21 hours ago Live updates as Cardiff City fans march through city streets in protest

Bluebirds supporters will march towards Cardiff City Stadium ahead of the South Wales derby

Events

13 hours ago Man living on cruise ships for last 23 years now facing one big problem

A sea loving man gave up his top dog job as an international finance director to set sail and live on a cruise ship, but now he admits that he struggles to adapt to being back on dry land

Politics

30 hours ago South Carolina man pleads guilty to the carjacking and killing of a New Mexico police officer

A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to charges that he gunned down a New Mexico state police officer who had stopped to help him

Events

13 hours ago Who will tame Donald Trump this time? Roll up, roll up, for the White House travelling circus | Simon Tisdall

On the eve of his return, it’s clear that world leaders, whether they like him or loathe him, can’t ignore this unpredictable showmanMichelle Obama’s one-woman boycott of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on Monday requires no explanation. It’s plain that the former first lady has zero tolerance and even less love for a man who delights in racist and sexist behaviour. Lots of other people, especially among US allies in Europe, would boycott Trump, too, if they could. Yet, inescapably, they must deal with him for the next four years.Such fear and loathing is by no means universally shared. A poll, published last week by the European Council on Foreign Relations, found that in China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, South Africa and Brazil, more people welcome Trump’s return than deplore it. In contrast, people in the UK, France, Germany and a clutch of other west European countries are frankly appalled at the prospect. Continue reading...

Politics

31 hours ago Censorship, homework help and cats: China’s RedNote users welcome ‘TikTok refugees’

Americans fleeing the looming TikTok ban have been warmly welcomed to app Xiaohongshu – or RedNote – despite China’s tight restrictions on what can be posted“It is the coolest thing,” says Huang Ziyan, a longtime user of Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, describing the experience as a “21st-century Tower of Babel”.Huang is referring to the influx of US “TikTok refugees” fleeing the impending ban and the resulting cross-cultural exchange that has seen Americans warmly welcomed – and sometimes given a few helpful tips. Continue reading...

Events

14 hours ago ‘She would have been in awe of him’: how Laurence Olivier gave Margaret Thatcher private seduction lessons

New drama, When Maggie Met Larry, reveals exactly how the world’s most famous actor coached the fledgling Iron LadyIn 1972, a nervous Margaret Thatcher went to Laurence Olivier’s London home for a lesson on presentational skills. The most famous actor of the 20th century told the then education secretary to put a book on her head and walk around to improve her deportment. He also advised her to take long confident strides, and to use her eyes to seduce and flirt.The future prime minister went on to visit Olivier’s house for a further five lessons, details of which are revealed in a new Radio 4 play, When Maggie Met Larry. Starring Derek Jacobi, who joined Olivier’s fledgling National Theatre when only 24, and Frances Barber as Thatcher, the drama tells of the previously unknown advice on style and voice offered to the Tory politician. Continue reading...

Politics

15 hours ago Omer Riza's sacrifices for Cardiff City in father's final hours emerge

The Bluebirds manager was sent off as tempers flared during the South Wales derby, but his side ran out 3-0 winners after a tough week for him personally

Politics

15 hours ago Adding a couple of planters and slightly widening the pavement is hardly ‘reimagining’ a neighbourhood | Rachel Cooke

The on-trend word reeks of desperation, an attempt to make the unpalatable sound dreamy, while the reality is a nightmareLots of fashionable words ring alarm bells, but the one that’s giving me the pip right now is “reimagine”. Sure, it’s fine to assert that in her novel Wide Sargasso Sea Jean Rhys reimagines elements of Jane Eyre. But can the same ever really be said of an apartment block or a hamburger? Its deployment often reeks of desperation, an attempt to make the controversial or the unpalatable sound dreamy and magical. No, you may not be able to see the beauty in what lies ahead, but that’s only because you’re a philistine with no vision.Near our house, a major “reimagining” is under way in the form of the construction of the borough’s first “livable neighbourhood”, the initial stages of which (faffing with pavements) have closed a major arterial road, pushing yet more traffic and several bus routes on to another, already-clogged thoroughfare – and the result is chaotic. Jo...

Politics

15 hours ago Tories accuse Angela Rayner of asking civil servants to help her move house in breach of ministerial code

Tories target deputy prime minister over where she lives again, with claims she instructed officials to help with transport and cleaning

Politics

16 hours ago Championship roundup: Cardiff sink Swansea as Hull grasp vital victory

Callum Robinson hits double in fiery 3-0 derby triumphQPR deepen Plymouth woes with Kolli grabbing only goalCardiff claimed their biggest South Wales derby win for nearly 60 years with a 3-0 Championship victory at home to Swansea.Callum Robinson’s brace at the start of the second half put Cardiff in command and Dimitrios Goutas thundered home a header off the underside of the crossbar to ram home their superiority. It ended a run of six games without home joy for Cardiff and secured the biggest league victory over their arch-rivals since winning 5-0 at Ninian Park in April 1965.This roundup will update later after the 3pm kick-offs Continue reading...

Politics