2 h. ago Gatwick's planned new runway appears set for green light as transport secretary says she 'believes in airport expansion'

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a deadline of Thursday to announce whether she has decided to approve Gatwick’s plan for a new runway

Society

3 h. ago 'We only have one shop and a Tesco over the border, we can't lose this supermarket'

Controversial plans to build on a B&M store have been approved

Economics

8 h. ago Ed Miliband is accused of 'playing into Vladimir Putin's hands' by approving plans to plug fracking sites

The Energy Secretary is waving through a plan to concrete over Britain's only shale gas wells as bills continue to rise.

Politics

9 h. ago Ed Miliband is accused of breaking his election promise to slash energy bills as utility costs soar for a THIRD time by average of £111 a year

The Energy Secretary pledged during the election campaign that his controversial plan to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would reduce household bills by £300.

Economics

12 h. ago Minister says she ‘believes in airport expansion’ ahead of Gatwick decision

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a deadline of Thursday to announce whether she has decided to approve Gatwick’s plan for a new runway.

Politics

14 h. ago SNP Budget plans approved with Greens, Lib Dems and Alba in support as Labour abstain

Green and Lib Dem MSPs backed the government during the Stage 3 vote on Tuesday, as well as Alba’s sole MSP.

Politics

15 h. ago SNP Budget plans approved with Greens, Lib Dems and Alba support

Ministers highlighted record spending for the NHS and councils in the £63 billion budget settlement.

Politics

18 h. ago Bid to build 10 wind farms across Wales gets £600 million boost

The project includes Twyn Hywel which has already been approved and nine more wind farms are still awaiting planning permission, forming part of a £3 billion onshore wind portfolio

Economics

35 h. ago Donald Trump's handshake with Macron proves subtle tactic in peace talks with dictator Putin

Emmanuel Macron became the first EU leader to meet US president Donald Trump since his return to power as the pair discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine with Russia in the White House

Politics

59 h. ago Ed Miliband is accused of 'playing into Vladimir Putin's hands' after approving plans to concrete over Britain's remaining fracking sites

The Energy Secretary, who is spearheading government efforts to transition to cleaner energy, greenlighted proposals to plug Britain's only shale gas wells with cement.

Politics

4 d. ago Senate passes budget funding Trump’s mass deportations; Pentagon reportedly delays firing civilians – US politics live

Republicans approve spending plan that will pay for hardline immigration policies; sackings on hold amid concerns they could hit military readinessMass firings could cause ‘monumental’ bill, say expertsNational security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd of Donald Trump loyalists that he believes the president will receive the Nobel peace prize.“This is the presidency of peace. He’s going to end the war in Europe. He is going to end the wars in the Middle East. He is going to reinvest the United States and our leadership in our own hemisphere, from the Arctic to the border to Panama all the way down to our good friends in Argentina,” Waltz told the Conservative Political Action Conference.The pause comes after CNN reported on Wednesday that the mass terminations, which could affect over 50,000 civilian employees across the Pentagon, could run afoul of Title 10 section 129a of the US code. Following that report, Pentagon lawyers began reviewing the legality of the planned terminations m...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump is the world’s greatest showman – and the weakest strongman it has ever seen | Jonathan Freedland

His capitulation to Putin over Ukraine reveals a pattern. He’s the patsy: giving everything away, getting little in returnHe parades as a strongman, but in fact he’s weak, weak, weak. In the face of America’s adversaries Donald Trump is, as he might put it, a patsy, a sucker, a pushover. He folds like a pack of cards. He’s a human doormat. A loser.Just consider the gifts he has handed Vladimir Putin this week. He has brought Russia in from the diplomatic cold after three years of ostracism following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, whose anniversary is nearly upon us. Sergei Lavrov, Putin’s foreign minister, was meant to be persona non grata; he remains under international sanctions. Nevertheless, this week in Riyadh he met Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in so-called peace talks.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Senate passes budget funding Trump’s mass deportations; federal workers brace for more firings – US politics live

Senate Republicans approve spending plan that will pay for hardline immigration policies; mass layoffs get all-clear after judge lifts blockMass firings could cause ‘monumental’ bill, say expertsThe defense department will delay a plan to fire civilian employees on probation as it assess whether the move complies with the law and if it affects military readiness, CNN reports.The cuts were to be made as part of Donald Trump’s effort to dramatically downsize the federal government, which is being led by Elon Musk’s “department of government efficiency”. Here’s more, from CNN:The pause comes after CNN reported on Wednesday that the mass terminations, which could affect over 50,000 civilian employees across the Pentagon, could run afoul of Title 10 section 129a of the US code. Following that report, Pentagon lawyers began reviewing the legality of the planned terminations more closely, the officials said.That law says that the secretary of defense “may not reduce the civilian workforce ...

Politics

4 d. ago First Minister John Swinney challenged over Dumfries and Galloway pylons project

The Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement project has been given planning approval - despite a Scottish Government reporter recommending refusal.

Politics

5 d. ago Hundreds of new homes to be built on land next to the M4 in Cardiff

Cardiff Council's planning committee approved the plans despite concerns from local councillors about public transport, noise and air pollution

Politics

6 d. ago Why IS Trump putty in Putin's hands? Rumours of Russian kompromat have been dismissed as 'fake news' by US president so what is the real reason he's cosying up to Putin?

In 2013 Miss Universe, American Olivia Culpo , travelled to Moscow to film a music video with a Russian pop star who was the son of a billionaire real estate mogul with ties to President Vladimir Putin.

Politics

6 d. ago Council drops school music service cuts as final draft budget approved

The plans will go for final approval next week with other cuts still on the table

Culture

6 d. ago Trump’s rush to strike a deal on Ukraine hands Putin the advantage

US president’s public exchange of insults with Zelenskyy forms part of rapid pivot towards Russia

Politics

6 d. ago Future of Pembrokeshire attraction that 'makes a real difference to thousands of lives' secured

The Willhome Farm Barn farm park, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers in 2023 - but has now been approved after a petition of support

Politics

6 d. ago Additional Support Needs expansion plans for South Ayrshire approved by council

Plans for a dedicated space for ASN learning at Troon Primary School have been given the go-ahead

Politics