59 m. ago UK economy posts surprise 0.3% growth in three months to June

GDP figure slower than previous quarter but beats expectations thanks to 0.4% expansion last monthThe UK economy grew at a faster rate than expected in the second quarter, official figures show, despite pressure on households and businesses from tax increased and Donald Trump’s global trade war.Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed growth in gross domestic product (GDP) slowed to 0.3% in the three months to the end of June, down from a rate of 0.7% in the first quarter. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Chinese military ‘expels’ US warship from disputed South China Sea waters

First confrontation between Chinese and US warships near Scarborough Shoal in six years comes after a pair of Chinese vessels collide while chasing away a Philippine ship from disputed atoll

Events

2 h. ago Nicola Sturgeon’s immense political talent is undeniable. The nationalism was the problem | Martin Kettle

Many of her admirers gloss over her desire to break up the UK as Scotland’s first minister. But in her open and touching memoir, it plays a starring roleNicola Sturgeon was – and still is – important, talented, personable and, to many, inspirational. She was also extremely lucky and often wrong, sometimes seriously so. There are examples of all these qualities in her newly published memoir, Frankly. Sturgeosceptics should concede at once that it contains much that is fascinating, especially about her relations with her charismatic mentor turned vengeful enemy Alex Salmond. Starry-eyed Sturgies should equally admit she made several deep and lasting errors that have left behind a divided nationalist party and movement.The book is more open and touching about private issues than most political memoirs, although Sturgeon deploys these qualities selectively. Many of the intimate reflections are about being a woman in politics. Other memoirs by female politicians – including those of Marg...

Politics

2 h. ago Steve Buscemi as the letter Q? Tilda Swinton as toilet bowl water? Julio Torres pulls off the impossible in Hollywood

The leftfield comedian and actor is behind some of the best ‘Saturday Night Live’ skits in recent memory. Off the back of his surreal and spectacular HBO series, he speaks with Annabel Nugent about why he has zero interest in going mainstream, his latest colour-focused show – and why Ellen DeGeneres is red

Politics

2 h. ago This Morning's Lisa Snowdon loves hair serum for thinning hair that's a 'staple'

NIOXIN's Anti-Hair Loss Serum for Thinning Hair has been designed to minimise the risk of breakage and hair fall out - and it's garnered a celebrity fan

Politics

2 h. ago New Look's 'elevated' cardigan in eight colours looks a 'lot more expensive' than its £30 price tag

"Lovely, elevated, classic cardigan for winter. This feels lovely quality and looks great- I’m really pleased with it for the price"

Economics

4 h. ago DC troop numbers expected to increase as Trump pushes to extend federal takeover despite dropping crime figures

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has called Trump’s takeover ‘authoritarian’

Politics

5 h. ago Father of New Zealand woman held in US by Ice along with six

Rod Price recounts ‘frantic’ call he received from Sarah Shaw after her detention at US border while returning from CanadaThe father of a New Zealand woman who has been held in a US immigration detention centre for three weeks with her six-year-old son is hopeful the pair will be released by the end of the week.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) detained Sarah Shaw and her youngest son after they attempted to re-enter the US from Canada on 24 July. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Scrooge to be portrayed as a 'British Indian who hates refugees' in new version of A Christmas Carol

The musical, which is directed by Gurinder Chadha and based on the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, will feature a 'British-Indian' man named Sood as the lead character.

Events

6 h. ago Pregnant Pixie Lott showcases her blossoming baby bump in a plunging red gown as she steps out in London

The 34-year-old singer, who recently announced she is expecting her second child with husband Oliver Cheshire, turned heads in a plunging red gown.

Politics

6 h. ago I'd hit rock bottom after heartache and betrayal, says LIZ JONES. Then I discovered numerology and it transformed everything

Over the past few years, I've consulted a witch, given a lock of hair to a wizard, 'met' my guardian angel, manifested like mad and now I've seen a numerologist.

Events

7 h. ago Bella Hadid is a dead ringer for sister Gigi as she steps out with newly

Bella Hadid was a sight to see as she stepped out with friends in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Events

7 h. ago Jimmy Lai trial: closing arguments in Hong Kong delayed by aftermath of Typhoon Podul

Lai has been detained since December 2020, with western nations and rights groups calling for his releaseThe closing arguments in the national security trial against jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai were postponed on Thursday after the Asian financial hub issued its highest-level “black” weather warning, stemming from ex-typhoon Podul.Queues had formed outside the court for the public gallery, but torrential rain saw the closing arguments in the trial, which began in late 2023, delayed. Proceedings are expected to resume on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Trump’s National Guard takeover of DC gets trolled: ‘Did they bust somebody for pairing Chardonnay with a steak?’

One resident replied, ‘My favorite part is that ‘Donald Trump doesn't like to see it’

Politics

9 h. ago Barriers prevent severe flooding in Alaska capital after glacier outburst

Officials say temporary barriers helped Juneau avoid hundreds of flooded homes from Mendenhall Glacier meltNewly installed river barriers held back record levels of flooding and prevented widespread damage in Alaska’s capital city on Wednesday, after an ice dam at the nearby Mendenhall Glacier released a huge surge of rainwater and snowmelt, officials said.Water pooled on several streets and in some yards in Juneau after the Mendenhall River crested earlier in the day, and high water was expected to persist for hours. But many residents in the flood zone had evacuated before peak water levels, and there were no damage reports similar to the past two summers, when about 300 homes were flooded. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago We were overjoyed when we were told we were having twins until doctors gave us devastating diagnosis... now we may have to lose one of our girls to save the other

When Jack Alexander and his partner Laura went for their early 16-week baby scan, they were delighted to discover they were expecting identical twin girls.

Science

10 h. ago Top Fed official signals uncertainty over September rate cut

Hawkish tone from Austan Goolsbee contrasts with market expectations for reduction next month

Politics

12 h. ago Mariah Carey snubs Meghan Markle after THAT 'diva' controversy in interview ahead of Sandringham show

Mariah Carey pointedly snubbed Meghan Markle during a wild new interview - three years after the pair had a memorably tense exchange over being a 'diva.'

Politics

12 h. ago Scots teen missing for three days as cops launch urgent search

The 16-year-old is described as being around 5ft 5in in height, of medium build, with fair/blonde hair.

Events

13 h. ago 'Controversial' animated movie has Netflix viewers divided on if it 'goes too far'

The film features a stacked cast that includes Idris Elba and Kathryn Hahn

Politics