58 m. ago Humiliation for Germany’s Merz in vote to be chancellor as he falls short in first ballot – Europe live

Further vote not expected today in process that had been expected to anoint CDU/CSU leader to replace outgoing Olaf ScholzScholz to hand over power to sound of feminist anthemFor what it’s worth, multiple German media are now suggesting that there won’t be another round of voting today – exactly because Merz and his team worry about the risk of another hugely embarrassing defeat.Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Bild and Stern’s Julias Betschka all say the second vote is unlikely to take place today. Let’s wait for the official confirmation, though. Continue reading...

Politics

61 m. ago UK business activity falls for the first time since October 2023 as trade tensions hurt economy, and car sales slide – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsTrump’s foreign film tariffs could ‘wipe out’ UK movie industry, ministers toldCar sales across the UK fell by over 10% last month, compared to a year ago.New industry data shows that 120,331 new vehicles were registered in April, 10.4% fewer than in April 2024.In what is traditionally a quieter month following the March plate change, volumes were also impacted by the late timing of Easter, resulting in fewer working days.In addition, the implementation of VED changes affecting all new cars, including the Expensive Car Supplement which became applicable to many new EVs from 1 April, pushed transactions into March as shrewd buyers got ahead of the tax increases. Continue reading...

Economics

61 m. ago What Zelensky hopes to achieve by targeting Moscow ahead of Putin’s victory parade

Ukraine’s drone onslaught on Russia in the run up Moscow’s victory parade is designed to make Putin look foolish on the world stage, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

64 m. ago Town at war over 'Berlin Wall MK2' built to block access to a walking route after Google Maps blunder... as furious local knocks it down with a JCB

The concrete blocks on Kellands Lane in Okehampton, Devon, had been put up to block a thoroughfare which families used to get to school.

Events

74 m. ago Michaela Strachan becomes a gran at 59 as she welcomes new baby into the family

Springwatch star, Michaela Strachan, has proudly announced that she's become a grandmother for the first time to her stepson's son, Huxley

Politics

76 m. ago Swinney to put ‘serious action’ over the NHS at the heart of his plans

The Scottish First Minister will announce his Government’s plans and priorities for the coming year in a flagship statement to Holyrood on Tuesday.

Politics

78 m. ago Hamas says it will not engage with Israel again until ‘hunger war’ in Gaza ends

‘No sense’ in considering new truce proposals, says group, hours after Israel agrees plan for ‘conquest’ of territoryMiddle East crisis – live updatesHamas has said it is no longer interested in truce talks with Israel and urged the international community to halt Israel’s “hunger war” against Gaza, hours after Israeli officials agreed an intensified offensive in the devastated territory that would involve displacing “most” of its residents and a sustained Israeli military presence in the devastated territory.“There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told AFP. Continue reading...

Politics

80 m. ago Putin offers rare glimpse inside his gilded Kremlin apartment — complete with baby grand piano

It’s a rare glimpse into the private life of Putin, who opened his home for a state media documentary to mark 25 years as leader

Politics

88 m. ago Royal news live: Prince Louis teases George and air drums at VE Day celebrations

Prince Louis playfully teased older brother Prince George during VE Day celebrations

Politics

94 m. ago Long A&E waits for people who have paid into NHS all their lives ‘appalling’

A report from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine shows that rising numbers of elderly and frail people are enduring very long waits.

Politics

1 hour ago Trump live: Mike Pence slams tariff plan in major intervention against former ally

Former vice president’s comments come as President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ready for their high-stakes White House meeting

Politics

1 hour ago Royal news live: Prince Louis steals show at VE Day commemorations

Prince Louis playfully teased older brother Prince George during VE Day celebrations

Politics

2 h. ago Germany’s Merz falls short of votes needed to be chancellor in shock first ballot – Europe live

Session adjourned so parties can consult over process that had been expected to anoint CDU/CSU leader to replace outgoing Olaf ScholzScholz to hand over power to sound of feminist anthemHere’s a procedural explanation on what’s next, via the Bundestag’s website:To be elected, the candidate must secure the votes of an absolute majority of the Members of the Bundestag, that is half of the Members plus at least one additional vote. This is sometimes called the “chancellor majority”.If the candidate fails to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting, a second round is held. The Bundestag then has 14 days to elect another candidate to be Chancellor. There is no limit to the number of possible ballots, although an absolute majority is always required (Article 63.3 of the Basic Law). Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago UK car sales drop 10% in April; Ford predicts $1.5bn profit hit from Trump tariffs – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsTrump’s foreign film tariffs could ‘wipe out’ UK movie industry, ministers toldCar sales across the UK fell by over 10% last month, compared to a year ago.New industry data shows that 120,331 new vehicles were registered in April, 10.4% fewer than in April 2024.In what is traditionally a quieter month following the March plate change, volumes were also impacted by the late timing of Easter, resulting in fewer working days.In addition, the implementation of VED changes affecting all new cars, including the Expensive Car Supplement which became applicable to many new EVs from 1 April, pushed transactions into March as shrewd buyers got ahead of the tax increases. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago Hailey Bieber puts on a VERY leggy display in a gold corset dress as she heads to Met Gala afterparty while the reason husband Justin snubbed event is revealed

The model, 28, showed off her incredible physique in a gold figure-hugging corset mini dress, teamed with peep-toe heels.

Culture

2 h. ago Barbie maker raises prices due to Trump tariffs as Ford warns of $1.5bn cost

Toy company Mattel says it will reduce imports into the US from China to below 15% by 2026Business live – latest updatesBarbie maker Mattel has said it will increase prices for some products in the US in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs while carmaker Ford said the US president’s measures would cost it about $1.5bn (£1.1bn) this year.The US represents about half of Mattel’s global toy sales, and the company imports about 20% of its goods sold in the country from China. Mattel said it would reduce imports into the US from China to below 15% by 2026. Continue reading...

Economics

2 h. ago LIVE: Police launch investigation after body of unidentified woman found

The body was discovered on Monday afternoon

Events

2 h. ago Children under 16 will be BANNED from social media to protect them from 'harmful content' under plans put forward in New Zealand

The draft bill, drawn up by National Party MP Catherine Wedd, is modelled on strict legislation recently passed by Australia.

Events

2 h. ago Mass drone attack on Moscow: Airports shut as Russia claims to have shot down more than 100 Ukrainian drones

Kyiv warned that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of foreign delegations and world leaders travelling to Moscow to attend the Victory Day parade.

Events

2 h. ago Liverpool keep or sell as Roy Keane tells Arne Slot three positions champions MUST improve on

Liverpool have only just been confirmed as Premier League champions for the second time but boss Arne Slot might already be putting thought into how his squad might look next season

Politics