42 h. ago Minister hopes supreme court’s gender ruling will ‘draw a line’ under trans debate – UK politics live

Health minister Karen Smyth says ‘it’s good we have clarity for women’ as Tories call for ruling to be ‘reinforced with legislation’Shadow chancellor Mel Stride has highlighted the recent report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) which suggested business confidence in the UK has dipped severely.In a post to social media, the recently knighted MP said:I take no pleasure in the ICAEW’s latest survey, which reveals UK business confidence has slipped into negative territory for the first three months of 2025, thanks to Labour’s anti-business budget.Tax burden tops the list of concerns for the second quarter in a row, with 56% of businesses saying it’s their greatest challenge. Red tape follows closely, with 43% of companies reporting increased strain. Rising costs and wage pressures continue to squeeze profits, with investment growth remaining sluggish.Single-sex services like changing rooms must be based on biological sex. If a male person is allowed...

Politics

4 d. ago Record migrant crossings for 2025 as over 8,000 make small boats English Channel journey so far

A new record has been set with 8,064 migrants coming to the UK in small boats in the first four months of 2025

Events

5 d. ago Record number of migrants arrived in the UK in the first four months of 2025 in huge embarrassment for 'smash the gangs' Keir Starmer

Despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 's promise to 'smash the gangs' crossing from France on small boats, there have already been 8,064 arrivals so far this year.

Events

8 d. ago US egg prices break record high for third consecutive month even as inflation drops

The 12-month inflation rate at 2.4%, down from 2.8% in February, was largely fueled by a sharp fall in gas pricesThe price of eggs continues to soar for American consumers, rising by almost 6% in March even as overall inflation fell slightly.Breaking a record high for the third consecutive month, the average cost of a dozen large eggs hit $6.23 in March – more than double the price just 12-months earlier, according to new figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday. This surpassed the previous record highs of $5.90 a dozen in February, and $4.95 in January. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Netflix new titles April 2025: Every film and TV show coming this month

Netflix has countless new films and television shows that are being added to the streaming platform in April that you do NOT want to miss - you can find the entire list below.

Culture

1 week ago Netflix removal list April 2025: Every TV show and film being axed this month

Netflix is set to get rid of over 50 titles this month from the UK version of the streaming site - you can find the full list below.

Culture

2 w. ago Santander boss warns of escalating trade tensions after US tariffs

The Spanish bank flagged heightened geopolitical uncertainty and market turbulence in the first few months of 2025.

Events

2 w. ago ‘Same shit, different year’: Australia records hottest 12 months and warmest March on record

ANU climate scientist says ‘everyone is getting fatigued these records keep falling – it’s now incredibly predictable’Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia has experienced its hottest 12-month period on record, ending with its hottest March on record, with last month seeing temperatures 2.41C above average, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed.The bureau said its data going back to 1910 showed the 12 months ending in March 2025 averaged 1.61C above average – the hottest of any 12-month period, beating the previous 1.51C mark set from January to December 2019.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Stress Awareness Month 2025: 5 expert tips for managing workspace anxiety and work related stress causes

Small changes can make a difference in reducing stress and improving your well-being 😰

Economics

2 w. ago Queensland’s recovery to ‘take months and years’ after floods sweep across vast interior

Bureau of Meteorology predicts flooding could continue for weeks as stock losses already estimated at over 150,000Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastQueensland’s premier has declared “day one” of a recovery that will take years as the state prepares to wake to clear skies that should reveal the vast scale of its outback floods.But despite forecasts the rain will pass for soaked central and south-west Queensland by Thursday, towns and homesteads could be cut off or at risk of flooding for weeks to come, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist, Dean Narramore. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago US stocks post worst quarter since 2022 as tariff worries swirl

S&P 500 sinks almost 5% in first three months of 2025 on rising concerns over economy

Politics

2 w. ago US stocks on track for worst quarter in three years as tariff worries swirl

S&P 500 down 5% in first three months of 2025 on rising concerns over economy

Politics

2 w. ago World markets and US dollar suffer worst monthly losses since 2022 as Trump tariffs fuel recession fears – business live

Shares slide after President Donald Trump says new reciprocal tariffs expected this week will include all nations, and Goldman Sachs say US recession more likelyWall Street shrinks in response to price pressures, stoking fears of Trump tariffsSwiss bank UBS has cut its forecast for the US stock market’s gains this year.Having previously forecast the S&P 500 shares index would end the year at 6,600 points (which would have been a 12% gain in 2025), UBS have now cut their end-year target to 6,400 points.“After considering the effects of tariffs and slower growth data so far in 2025, we now expect 6% earnings per share growth, and we have accordingly reduced our year-end target for the index to 6,400 (from 6,600).But this also means that there is still meaningful upside for broad US equities by year-end, in our view.”The Nikkei closed down 4%, while European indices are a sea of red. The sell off is broad based, with more than 550 of the Eurostoxx 600 stocks lower as investors take...

Economics

2 w. ago World markets and US dollar suffer worst monthly losses since 2022 as Trump trade war riles investors – business live

Shares slide after President Donald Trump says new reciprocal tariffs expected this week will include all nationsWall Street shrinks in response to price pressures, stoking fears of Trump tariffsEurope’s main stock indices are a sea of red, as investors react to Donald Trump’s declaration that the reciprocal tariffs he is set to announce this week will include all nations.Italy’s FTSE MIB index has dropped 1.4%, France’s CAC is down 1%, and Germany’s DAX has lost 0.95%.The tariffs imposed by the U.S. government and the fear of new announcements as early as Wednesday are creating a bleak atmosphere on trading floors worldwide. Just last Wednesday, the DAX was above 23,000 points, but it now appears that the index may soon test the 22,000 mark.The risk appetite seen in the initial weeks of the year has dissipated as investors and asset managers pull back, reduce positions, and refrain from taking on large new ones. The inclination to buy the dips has nearly vanished. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago People on PIP or ADP might need to wait until May for new payment rates

People on the highest rates of disability benefits will be due nearly £750 each month over the 2025/26 financial year.

Politics

3 w. ago Flight bookings between Canada and US down 70% amid Trump tariff war

Airline capacity between two countries reduced through October 2025 as high-profile incidents of Ice arrests on riseAirline travel between Canada and the US is “collapsing” amid Donald Trump’s tariff war, with flight bookings between the two countries down by over 70%, newly released data suggests.According to data from the aviation analytics company OAG, airline capacity between Canada and the US has been reduced through October 2025, with the biggest cuts occurring between the months of July and August, which is considered peak travel season. Passenger bookings on Canada to US routes are currently down by over 70% compared to the same period last year. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Mapped: House and rental prices revealed across the UK as growth accelerates

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show average private rent in the UK was £1,326 per month in February 2025

Society

3 w. ago Shaun Murphy opens up on embarrassing moment with fan during worst season of his career ‘I didn’t like that at all’

The Magician has enjoyed a 2025 to remember so far, but 12 months ago things were very different

Sport

3 w. ago Channel migrant arrivals hits another record: 5,847 asylum seekers landed in UK in first three months of 2025

A total of 5,847 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far in 2025, including 335 yesterday, according to provisional Home Office figures.

Events

3 w. ago ‘60 hours of hell’: hardship is the only way forward at the Barkley Marathons

More crucible than race, the Barkley Marathons in the hostile backwoods of Tennessee remains the world’s toughest footrace, where change, adaptation and the struggle to survive play outA month before the 2025 Barkley Marathons, Lazarus Lake is out on his daily eight-mile stroll along the rural roads near his Bell Buckle, Tennessee home. Pausing mid-step, he fixes his gaze on a vine creeping onto the asphalt – kudzu, the invasive scourge of the American South. Laz pins it with the toe of his worn-out shoe, then crushes it with a sharp twist. Pop. “Nature isn’t about balance,” he says, kicking the remains aside. “That’s a common misconception – it’s war.”Frozen Head State Park, where he’s held the Barkley since 1986, has managed to fight off this botanical kraken – so far. Introduced from Japan in the 1930s to combat soil erosion, kudzu earned its reputation as “the plant that ate the South” by swallowing entire forests, abandoned houses, and telephone poles at a pace of up to a foot ...

Events