68 m. ago Apple cheers Trump with $500bn US investment plan; UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm – business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

69 m. ago US politics live: confusion at agencies over whether to comply with Elon Musk email demanding workers justify jobs

Government agencies give conflicting orders after Musk demands employees list accomplishments from past week by Monday deadlineDonald Trump’s sweeping foreign aid freeze has stalled a United Nations programme in Mexico aimed at stopping imported fentanyl chemicals from reaching the country’s drug cartels, according to eight people familiar with the situation, Reuters reports.It is one of several US counternarcotics efforts in Mexico derailed in recent weeks by the stop-work order. Continue reading...

Politics

80 m. ago Man wanted by FBI over bombings to face full extradition hearing in September

Daniel Andreas San Diego, 47, has been one of the FBI’s ‘most wanted fugitives’.

Events

82 m. ago Wynne Evans holds hands with loyal girlfriend Liz Brookes in first joint outing since Strictly tour scandal as she 'offers him support over BBC fight'

Liz, 50, is said to be sticking by him amid the scandal, offering her full support to Wynne as he reportedly takes legal action against the BBC.

Politics

87 m. ago Scotland's 'healthiest cities' named with one crowned best for wellness in UK

New research has revealed the "healthiest UK cities" based on factors such as the abundance of green spaces and gyms, and one Scottish city has topped the nation-wide roundup.

Politics

89 m. ago ‘Watching any of it made you feel grubby’ – the most notorious reality TV families ever

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin join a long line of people that have opened themselves up for the public to gawp at. Here are 10 of the wildest to grace our screensToday sees the debut of The Baldwins, a reality TV show about Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and their seven children. According to TLC, the show will demonstrate “what life is really like for the Baldwins – chaotic, funny, exhausting and filled with love. Alec and Hilaria’s dynamic as a couple will also take centre stage, with moments that showcase their deep partnership as they navigate challenges hand in hand.” Which, given that it is still not long since Alec Baldwin fatally shot Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, is quite a lot of challenges.But however you view The Baldwins – either as a moneymaking necessity for a family in trouble, or something less edifying – they now join a long line of other reality show families that have opened themselves up for the public to gawp at. Here are 10 of the most notorious. Continue reading...

Politics

92 m. ago Netanyahu ‘preparing atmosphere’ to return to war with Gaza, says Hamas official – Middle East crisis live

Hamas official Basem Naim says Benjamin Netanyahu ‘intentionally sabotaging’ peace deal According to a report from Hebrew media outlet Ynet, Israel has told international mediators that it will release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners who were initially scheduled for release on Saturday if Hamas returns four bodies today without any ceremony. The Guardian has not confirmed this report.Israel suspended the handover of 620 Palestinians it was due to free from its prisons on Saturday, putting the ceasefire agreement in jeopardy after Benjamin Netanyahu criticised what he called “disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda”.We have fulfilled all our obligations according to the deal.Unfortunately, all the time Netanyahu and his government have been trying to undermine and sabotage the deal.They have committed a lot of violations – killed more than 100 Palestinians, prevented most of the basic needs of the Palestinians to enter the...

Events

97 m. ago Woman walks into restaurant to use loo and 'leaves with £150 sink stuffed in her bag'

Restaurant owner Robert Melman says he was shocked to find a woman had walked into the loos and left with the sink after reviewing CCTV footage last week

Economics

1 hour ago Mansion owner builds massive metal gates and hires security guards as he goes to war with locals over path through his land

Villagers in Cwmparc, near Treorchy in Wales, gathered in numbers to protest against the new resident who moved in and quickly set about blocking the accessible walking path.

Events

1 hour ago Boris and Carrie Johnson enjoy luxury trip away to Saudi Arabia with their children after 'miserable' Christmas

Mrs Johnson posted scenes from a family trip to a resort in Saudi Arabia, including her husband hugging their 19-month-old third child Frank.

Politics

2 h. ago 'UK's most forgotten dog' has spent a decade in kennels waiting for forever home

Woody - a Shih Tzu cross Poodle - has just celebrated his 11th birthday with carers at a Dogs Trust's rehoming centre. He is looking forward to his forever home

Politics

2 h. ago Confusion at US agencies over whether to comply with Elon Musk email demanding workers justify their jobs – US politics live

Government agencies give conflicting advice after email from Elon Musk demanding employees list accomplishments from past weekThe Trump administration has blocked a crucial step in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) process for funding medical research, likely in violation of a federal judge’s temporary restraining order on federal funding freezes.The NIH has stopped submitting study sections – meetings in which scientists peer review NIH grant funding proposals – to the Federal Register after the Trump administration paused health agency communications. By law, study sections must appear on the register 15 days in advance of meetings.Those who ignored President Trump’s executive order to return to work have now received over a month’s warning.Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago ‘I feel trapped’: how home ownership has become a nightmare for many Americans

Scores in the US say they’re grappling with raised mortgage and loan interest rates and exploding insurance premiums“I bought my home in a hurry in 2020,” said Meg, 60, an office manager from Maryland. “It was less expensive to take on a mortgage than to keep paying ever-increasing rents for my college-student daughter and me.”Now housing costs consume 50% of her income. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Man United handed new Antony verdict after Real Betis dream turns into 'nightmare'

Antony was enjoying start to life in La Liga but is now set to miss Real Betis' match against Real Madrid after receiving marching orders - unless the decision can be appealed

Politics

2 h. ago Horse Whisperer handed £3,600 legal bill following bitter nine

Animal trainer Stephanie Dale (pictured) illegally built stables on greenbelt land. Cheshire East council told her to take them down as far back as 2016. She was found guilty of breaching the order.

Economics

2 h. ago Love Island star Toby Aromolaran speaks out as ex Chloe Burrows gets a new man

Love Island star Toby Aromolaran, who rose to fame on the 2021 series of the programme, opened up about his previous relationship with Chloe Burrows

Politics

2 h. ago UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm Bain Capital– business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

2 h. ago Wealthy businesswoman faces jail over insurance fraud plot after her boyfriend organised jewellery, designer handbag and cash break

Emma O'Shea, 46, has been convicted of trying to con insurers after her lover Dean Ryan masterminded a plot to steal her Tiffany diamonds, Rolexes, and Chanel handbags from her Hampshire home..

Economics

2 h. ago Anna Nordqvist becomes seventh Swede to hold Solheim Cup captaincy

Nine-time Solheim Cup player handed reins for 2026 contest in the Netherlands

Politics

3 h. ago Disbelief from National Trust members as it hands back Tudor mansion to previous owners AFTER it carried out £3.3million of restorations

The charity announced last week that the Throckmorton family had requested to take back the running of Coughton Court in Alcester, Warwickshire, from February 2026.

Economics