5 h. ago Government facing ‘walk of shame’ over Chinese embassy decision – Duncan Smith

The former Tory leader described the Government’s response to plans for a new Chinese embassy in London as ‘Project Kowtow’.

Politics

26 h. ago US expresses concern over plan for Chinese embassy in London

White House deems Royal Mint site a security risk owing to its proximity to critical communications infrastructure

Politics

28 h. ago UK vows due diligence on Chinese embassy in London amid security concerns

UK vows due diligence on Chinese embassy in London amid security concerns  South China Morning Post

Events

29 h. ago The Guardian view on child poverty: free school meals are a help, but not a panacea | Editorial

Giving lunch to more pupils is a good move – but poor nutrition points to deeper problems that ministers must faceIt was Ellen Wilkinson, education minister in the Attlee government, who announced in 1946 that free school dinners would be introduced, along with free school milk, at the same time as child benefit. No doubt Rachel Reeves, who has a picture of Wilkinson on the wall of her office, is aware of this – and also that the Treasury subsequently decided the policy was unaffordable. The meals were subsidised instead.Despite these initial charges, and later price rises, poorer children did gain, and keep, an entitlement to free school meals. The announcement last week that this is being extended in England to all those whose parents or carers claim universal credit – rather than restricted to families with incomes lower than £7,400 – should be welcomed by all objectors to child poverty. Being assured of a hot lunch in the middle of the school day makes pupils’ lives be...

Politics

30 h. ago New Chinese embassy in London likely to be blocked, says former MI6 boss

New Chinese embassy in London likely to be blocked, says former MI6 boss  MSN

Politics

33 h. ago Minister dismisses US misgivings over Chinese 'super embassy' in London

Minister dismisses US misgivings over Chinese 'super embassy' in London - as Tories warn of 'espionage base'  Sky News

Politics

34 h. ago UK will handle US security concerns over new Chinese embassy plan, says Kyle

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle indicated the UK would offer a ‘fulsome response’ to any concerns raised by allies.

Events

37 h. ago 'Deeply concerned!' US issues stark warning to Britain not to allow Chinese 'super

'Deeply concerned!' US issues stark warning to Britain not to allow Chinese 'super-embassy' near London's financial centres  GB News

Events

38 h. ago White House urges Keir Starmer to block Chinese 'super embassy' in London amid national security fears

‘The Chinese Communist Party has a clear track record of targeting critical infrastructure’, Trump administration warns

Events

38 h. ago White House urges Starmer to block Chinese 'super embassy' in London

White House urges Starmer to block Chinese 'super embassy' in London  London Evening Standard

Events

3 d. ago Medieval cold case is SOLVED: Vengeful noblewoman had her priest lover murdered after 'betrayal' that forced her to do Game of Thrones

Records traced by an expert criminologist suggest the murder of John Forde in 1337 was orchestrated by her lover, noblewoman Ela Fitzpayne in revenge for his alleged betrayal.

Events

5 d. ago ‘Accept it or you have to walk’: Labour’s UK spending review battles enter final stage

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces ‘make or break’ moment for government’s pledge to deliver 1.5mn new homes

Events

7 d. ago Our obsession with spoiling pets has gone too far: your dog doesn’t care if its collar is from Burberry | Van Badham

From luxury pet-friendly accommodation to chartering a private plane for your pooch, the indulgences of late-stage capitalism are extreme A delightfully fluffy expenses controversy emerged in Queensland in the past week. The ABC reported that the chair of a Queensland government-owned company “faced questions” after billing the taxpayer for a hotel stay with a luxury accommodation package for his dog.The energy company chair, his “fur-baby Vito” and his wife (unnamed) allegedly enjoyed a $500-a-night stay at the Ovolo hotel in Fortitude Valley when a board meeting obliged his attendance in Brisbane, 100km away from his Sunshine Coast home. The “luxury pet-friendly accommodation” offered at the five-star Ovolo includes a “super comfy” dog bed, treats, premium dog food, mealtime mat and water bowl, as well as a take-home dog toy “because who doesn’t love a present?” Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago DWP chief Liz Kendall to face Labour MPs as government braces for benefits revolt

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to address the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) ahead of a major vote this month on cuts to sickness and disability benefits

Politics

9 d. ago Trump praises Elon Musk for ‘colossal change’ as Doge adviser says farewell

US president presents top ally with golden key as Musk says Doge unit ‘will only grow stronger over time’Donald Trump saw Elon Musk off from the White House on Friday, as the Tesla chief concluded his more than four months leading the so-called department of government efficiency’s disruptive foray into federal departments that achieved far fewer cost savings than expected.Standing alongside Trump in the Oval Office, Musk, who faced a 130-day limit in his tenure as a special government employee that had ended two days prior, vowed that his departure “is not the end” of Doge. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Diddy trial live: Combs rape accuser ‘Mia’ to return to stand after gruesome ‘freak off’ testimony

Ex-assistant will face futher direct questioning from the government Friday in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s sex trafficking trial

Events

1 week ago Spending cuts and tax rises loom in ‘challenging period’ for ministers, with welfare bill set to top £9bn

Scottish Government warned by economic experts it faces ‘widening gap on social security’ and will ‘have to find additional resources’

Economics

1 week ago England could run out of drinking water within TEN YEARS as mass immigration fuels rapid population growth, warns minister

Emma Hardy said the country faces an 'infrastructure crisis' as she set out plans for the Government to seize take control of the planning process for two new reservoirs.

Events

1 week ago England could run out of drinking water within TEN YEARS, warns minister

Emma Hardy said the country faces an 'infrastructure crisis' as she set out plans for the Government to seize take control of the planning process for two new reservoirs.

Events

1 week ago DWP Universal Credit 'two child' rule update as 'it's not off the table'

The Government has faced calls from campaigners, opposition MPs and some Tory backbenchers to scrap the two-child benefit cap

Politics