1 hour ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

1 hour ago Boarding school gave me PTSD but I locked it away until my daughter started to board. Then it triggered a breakdown that saw me sectioned: DR CATHY WIELD

I had just dropped my daughter off at the Royal Ballet School, where she was to be a boarder. But the trauma of my own boarding experience brought the dread and horror flooding back to me.

Politics

3 h. ago Ava White's schoolboy killer unmasked: Murderer's identity is revealed on his 18th birthday after he stabbed 12

Harry Gilbertson was just 14 when he stabbed Ava White, 12, in the neck over a Snapchat video, in November 2021.

Events

4 h. ago Deputy headteacher, 51, who had sex with schoolgirl is married to former student and has children with her, court hears

John Harvey, 51, who was an English teacher and safeguarding lead at Penryn College in Cornwall, allegedly had sex with the teenager in his car and at her home while her father was away.

Society

8 h. ago Pupils in England face lost learning from flooding and extreme heat, study finds

School leaders call for action on adaptation measures as DfE research warns of potential impact of climate crisisChildren in England face prolonged “lost learning” caused by extreme heat and flooding at school, according to research on the potential impact of the climate crisis on education.School leaders and teachers said the scenarios published by the Department for Education made for grim reading and urged ministers to move quickly to improve school resilience. Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Warning to instant coffee drinkers as 'significant' link to eye disease discovered

Chinese reserachers have said they discovered a statistically significant correlation between consumption of instant coffee and common degenerative disorder AMD

Events

8 h. ago Keir Starmer must refuse to follow Donald Trump into war on Iran

Editorial: Should the US decide to join the Israeli attacks on Iran, there are strong moral and practical reasons why Britain should refuse to help its closest ally and stand aside

Politics

9 h. ago Bank of Scotland customers could face major changes in overdraft charges

From now on, all new customers at Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Lloyds will get a 29.9% representative overdraft rate – here’s how that change could hit your wallet.

Economics

9 h. ago London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist

London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist  KITCO

Events

9 h. ago London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist By Reuters

London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist By Reuters  Investing.com

Events

10 h. ago Call to end postcode lottery in children’s social care after Sara Sharif tragedy

A Liberal Democrat peer has tabled amendments that aim to give a ‘basic level of protection’ to every child.

Politics

10 h. ago Disabled pupil left in burning school by fire service speaks out on ‘petrifying’ ordeal

A disabled student who was left in his school when a fire broke out has spoken about his "petrifying” ordeal.

Events

10 h. ago Stocks dip as Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged

The FTSE 100 index closed down 51.67 points, 0.6%, at 8,791.80.

Politics

10 h. ago Kids taught in cupboards as brutal school reality laid bare after neglect

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was appalled at the lack of investment in schools as she vowed a huge cash injection would finally turn things around

Politics

10 h. ago Tonight's rugby news as Wales star reveals 'disgusting' training regime and Morgan's chances rated

These are the rugby stories making headlines on the evening of Thursday, June 19

Politics

10 h. ago Monk who brought shame on Catholic boarding school jailed for abusing pupils

Michael James Callaghan, known as Father James, has been jailed for seven years for preying on the vulnerable teenage boys at Ampleforth College.

Events

10 h. ago Lenovo IdeaPad laptop praised for everyday use and affordable price

This Windows laptop will make school or homework a breeze, with a tasty discount too

Politics

11 h. ago Ministers set out plans to spend £725bn on UK infrastructure over 10 years

Government strategy includes spending £9bn a year on fixing schools, hospitals, courts and prisonsMinisters have pledged to spend £9bn a year on fixing crumbling schools, hospitals, courts and prisons over the next decade as part of the government’s infrastructure strategy.Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, set out plans on Thursday to spend a minimum of £725bn over 10 years to boost UK-wide infrastructure and achieve a “national renewal”. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Voices: Don’t panic, chancellor – there’s still hope for interest rate cuts

Forget homeowners with tracker mortgages or those desperate for a better deal – the person who’s hurting the most from the Bank of England’s decision not to lower interest rates is Rachel Reeves, says James Moore

Politics

11 h. ago Interest rates UK: Bank of England move today could make a mortgage more costly

The rate decision offers little relief as bills stay high and pressure on households grows 💸

Economics