29 h. ago Housing red flag: Data show increase in cancellations of home purchase agreements versus a year ago

The latest sign of trouble in the U.S. housing market: A pickup in home purchase agreements falling through before they’re finalized

Politics

3 d. ago Change in Nato mindset brought on by Vladimir Putin as much as Donald Trump

Allies agreed to raise defence spending to counter likely prospect of Russian remilitarisation if Ukraine war endsThe price was high, but for now, at least, a crisis in Nato has been averted. Donald Trump may like to take the credit for almost all of the 32 allies agreeing to a sharp increase in defence spending, but the reality is that the dramatic change in the Nato mindset was as much brought on by Vladimir Putin.The Russian president’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the first jolt, but there is a second uncomfortable reality. If there is a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine, it will mean the deployment of a European-led peacekeeping force in the country – and after a while, Russia’s military might will inevitably recover. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Europe’s pledge to spend more on military will hurt climate and social programmes

Nato spending plan overlooks risks to security posed by environmental breakdown and social decay, say economistsEurope risks choosing militarism over social and environmental security, economists have warned, as the head of Nato said all 32 members had agreed to increase weapons spending.Analyses drafted in anticipation of a Nato summit beginning on Tuesday warned of the opportunity cost that higher military spending would pose to the continent’s climate mitigation and social programmes, which are consistently underfunded. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Nato members willingly increasing defence spending amid rising threat from Russia, says Rutte

Exclusive: As alliance members arrive at The Hague summit, secretary general says Moscow capable of launching attack within three to five yearsMark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general, said it was “not a difficult thing” to get members to agree to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP because of the rising threat from Russia – and stressed that Trump remained “absolutely” committed to supporting the alliance.In an interview on the eve of the western alliance’s summit, Rutte told the Guardian that all 32 members had agreed to increase defence spending because “there is so much at stake” after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago How holidays to the Mediterranean and beyond are affected by Israel

Exclusive: Airlines are rescheduling connections because closed airspace means extended journey times

Politics

2 w. ago UK yet to commit to Nato plan for rise in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP

Nato chief Mark Rutte wants members to agree to plan at summit later this month but UK remains cautiousBritain has still not committed to agreeing an increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by the mid-2030s at the Nato summit later this month in line with a proposal from the alliance secretary general, Mark Rutte, defence sources said.Though Rutte visited Downing St on Monday and the Nato chief expressed confidence in a speech in London afterwards that countries would sign up, senior insiders complained that Britain was still dragging its heels over the issue. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Spain hotspot UK tourist chaos warning as hotel staff to 'strike every week on this day all summer'

The industrial action is being proposed in response to the "stubborn refusal" of employers to agree to a wage increase

Events

2 w. ago Ryanair, easyJet TUI and Jet2 passengers among those to face new 4 hour rule

In a huge blow to Brits, EU countries have green-lighted controversial plans to lengthen the wait time before delayed passengers can claim compensation for both short and long-haul journeys

Politics

3 w. ago Ryanair, easyJet and other airline passengers set to face new 'four hour rule'

The time allowance for flight delays before passengers can claim disruption compensation has been extended from three hours to four under new European Union rules

Politics

3 w. ago EU agrees to increase flight delay times before compensation kicks in

Countries finally settle on timeframe for compensation after 12 years of negotiations

Politics

3 w. ago Hegseth says Nato allies ‘very close’ to raising defence spending target to 5%

US defence secretary says he expects goal of 5% of GDP in next decade to be agreed this monthThe US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said Nato allies were “very close, almost near consensus” to an agreement to significantly raise targets for defence spending to 5% of GDP in the next decade.The Trump administration official indicated he expected the increased target to be agreed at a summit in The Hague later this month – and confirmed that the headline figure was to be split into two parts. Continue reading...

Events