12 h. ago Don't do it, Andy! Rachel Reeves pleads with Burnham to serve full term as Manchester mayor amid talk of a plot to oust Keir Starmer

The Chancellor used a media interview to suggest the former Labour cabinet minister should serve out a full term running the city until 2028.

Events

14 h. ago Reeves blamed for 'crushing confidence' after shoppers shun Black Friday sales sparking fears over Christmas 'golden quarter'

Analysts said the Chancellor 'running confidence into the ground' was partly behind volumes dipping 0.1 per cent.

Economics

22 h. ago Horoscope today, December 19, 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes. Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. ♈ ARIES March 21 to April 20 Tonight’s new moon casts its renewal spell over your chart, so be prepared to...

Politics

30 h. ago Sadiq Khan reveals what really happened when Rachel Reeves 'kicked him out of her office'

Mayor speaks for first time about alleged bust-up with Chancellor over funding for London

Politics

31 h. ago Ukraine may need to cut drone production if no deal reached on frozen Russian assets, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says case for transfer of assets to fund war effort is ‘morally clear and just’ Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Economics

32 h. ago DOJ will pay DC plane crash victims compensation after government admits fault

67 people were killed in January when an Army Black Hawk Helicopter collided with a passenger jet over the Potomac River

Events

32 h. ago Polish independence could be under threat if Ukraine forced to capitulate, Donald Tusk warns – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders discuss sending frozen Russian assets to UkraineGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

33 h. ago Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live

Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago Russia warns it will ‘recover damages’ as EU leaders begin debate on giving frozen assets to Ukraine – Europe live

Zelenskyy warns of ‘big problems for Ukraine’ if no deal reached to unlock €210bn in frozen Russian assetsGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago Rochdale grooming police whistleblower Maggie Oliver said she feared being jailed but decided 'speaking the truth was more important than my job'

The former Greater Manchester Police officer has told of the 'almost impossible' move she made over force failures to tackle widespread child grooming and sex abuse.

Events

37 h. ago George Osborne joins US crypto exchange after taking on OpenAI role

Former Chancellor George Osborne has landed a role with US cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, which is seeking to expand its influence over UK policymaking.

Politics

37 h. ago EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine – Europe live

European leaders meet in Brussels as Poland’s Donald Tusk issues warning to fellow EU statesGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms his support for the EU’s reparations loan, saying he sees “no better option.”He diplomatically acknowledges Belgium’s concerns, and says he hopes “we can address them together” to “send a signal of strength and resolve towards Russia.” Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago I want my sons to know masculinity can be kind – and my daughter to live without fear | David Lammy

Violence against women is a national emergency. As a minister, but also as a father, I see Labour’s new strategy as a matter of the highest priorityDavid Lammy MP is the deputy prime minister, lord chancellor and secretary of state for justiceIn the year leading up to March 2025, one in eight women in England and Wales had been a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. Almost 200 rapes are recorded every day. And on average, three women are killed by men in the UK every single week. Just pause and consider that.There has been plenty of tough talk on violence against women and girls over the past decade – but too little action. We will deploy the full power of the state in the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history. This violence is a national emergency. And as a dad to a daughter, it terrifies me. But as a dad to two sons, it drives home that we can’t keep doing things the same way.David Lammy MP is the deputy prime ministe...

Politics

45 h. ago HMRC ISA switch could hit those nearing retirement as change come in

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to ISAs in the Autumn Budget

Events

45 h. ago ISA tax rule change warning for people approaching retirement

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to ISAs in the Autumn Budget

Events

45 h. ago Devastation of the jobs apocalypse revealed: It's about to get worse, says City guru ALEX BRUMMER

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves' much-repeated mantra that they are on the side of 'working people' has been shattered by the ongoing surge in sickness benefits and joblessness.

Politics

46 h. ago Horoscope today, December 18, 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes. Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. ♈ ARIES March 21 to April 20 This is a day for Aries movement, so even if the steps you make...

Politics

52 h. ago Top House Democrat demands immediate action to extend Obamacare subsidies after four Republicans help force vote – live

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries calls on Mike Johnson to allow vote on legislation extending Affordable Care Act subsidies before recessFour Republicans join Democrats to force vote on bill that would extend Obamacare subsidiesThe Donald Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, will soon make his first appearance before Congress since sparking an uproar with comments seen as pressuring ABC to temporarily pull comedian Jimmy Kimmel from the air.ABC indefinitely suspended Kimmel’s show over statements he made following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which prompted Carr to say that he wanted broadcasters to “take action” on Kimmel, and: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Continue reading...

Politics

53 h. ago Top House Democrat demands immediate vote on extending ACA subsidies – US politics live

Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader, calls on Mike Johnson to immediately allow vote on legislation before House is set to go on recessThe Donald Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, will soon make his first appearance before Congress since sparking an uproar with comments seen as pressuring ABC to temporarily pull comedian Jimmy Kimmel from the air.ABC indefinitely suspended Kimmel’s show over statements he made following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which prompted Carr to say that he wanted broadcasters to “take action” on Kimmel, and: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Continue reading...

Politics

54 h. ago Four Republicans defy Mike Johnson to sign Democratic petition to force vote on healthcare subsidies

Hakeem Jeffries tells The Independent ‘Mike Johnson should not recess the House of Representatives until we vote on the straightforward extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits’

Politics