4 h. ago Government's war on punters as fresh new betting taxes could bleed customers dry

The future of gambling could be affected in new government tax hikes – which are currently being considered by officials – meaning punters using apps to bet could face increased prices

Economics

5 h. ago Scottish Government dodges defence investment reform despite war in Ukraine

Scottish Labour MP Gregor Poynton’s call for the Scottish National Investment Bank to support Scotland’s defence industry has been stonewalled by the SNP Government, sparking fresh criticism over its lack of support for national and allied security.

Politics

6 h. ago Barclays sees profits surge as tariffs turmoil boosts trading activity

The banking group reported a better-than-expected 19% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.72 billion, despite setting aside more cash for bad debts.

Economics

17 h. ago War over 6ft fence goes to government and prompts drastic decision

A Scottish couple claimed their 6ft wooden fence was needed to protect their privacy but they were ordered to cut it in half following a battle with government officials

Politics

31 h. ago I used to run Israel’s security agency – now I’m sounding the alarm about our extremist government | Ami Ayalon

Israel’s genuine friends abroad, from governments to Jewish communities, must mobilise to help us end this terrible war• Ami Ayalon is a former director of Shin Bet and a former commander-in-chief of Israel’s navyI spent close to 40 years working as a public servant for the state of Israel, including as commander of the navy and head of the Shin Bet, protecting Israel and defending it from external and internal threats. Several weeks ago, along with 17 other colleagues who have also dedicated their lives to Israel’s security and welfare, I made a decision that the future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state is so under threat that it is not just my responsibility, but obligation, to sound the alarm.The 18 of us took out a full-page advert in two major Israeli broadsheet papers. In it, we made clear that the very fabric of the state of Israel and the values on which it was founded are being eroded. The truth is that our hostages in Gaza have been abandoned in favour of the gove...

Politics

35 h. ago Canada election results see Mark Carney's Liberals storm to fourth term in power

Mark Carney's Liberal Party will form Canada's next government after a rollercoaster year in politics, after Trump's trade war and Trudeau's resignation

Politics

40 h. ago Congress returns as Trump’s domestic agenda hangs by a thread

Between the debt limit, tax cuts and Medicaid, the House and Senate remain far apart. And the clock is ticking

Politics

44 h. ago In Madrid, electricity outages can’t hold a candle to people power

The lights may be out, but life goes on for families and businesses across the Spanish capitalFour long hours after the power went out across Spain, bringing trains to a halt in Madrid’s metro stations and sending people scurrying for light and taxis, the denizens of the Spanish capital were swinging between pragmatism and polite, almost jocular, panic.Behind the counter of his neighbourhood bazaar in a quiet corner of the city, a shop owner reeled off a list of the afternoon’s most popular purchases: radios, batteries, torches and candles. As he finished, yet another optimistic customer entered the shop. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Bookies reveal fresh new Pope odds but punters in one country are banned from betting

Bookies are getting their odds in order for the cardinals hoping to step up following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, which the secretive conclave process beginning

Events

6 d. ago IMF warns that trade tensions could test stability of world economy; Reeves ‘confident’ about US trade deal – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Events

6 d. ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

6 d. ago US trade war will hurt UK growth, Bank of England governor warns; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsACEA’s latest European car sales report shows a continued decline in demand for fossil fuel-powered vehicles.While new battery-electric car sales grew by 23.9% in the first three months of 2025, to 412,997 units, petrol car registrations saw a significant decline of 20.6%, with all major markets showing decreases. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Kneecap say ‘statements aren’t aggressive’ after denouncing Israel at Coachella

Belfast rappers criticised by US conservatives and Sharon Osbourne for the pro-Palestine and anti-Israel content of their set Irish-language rap group Kneecap have responded to criticism of statements they made about Israel during their Coachella performance on the weekend, saying that statements are “not aggressive” in comparison to Israel’s attacks on Gaza.During their second set at the Coachella music festival in California on 18 April, the rap group, known for their political performances and support of Palestine, led the crowd in chants of “free, free Palestine”. Messages displayed on the stage’s screens during their set read: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people” and “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.” Another read: “Fuck Israel. Free Palestine.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How war, money and the quest for discovery entwined the US government and universities

The showdown between the Trump administration and Harvard University is spotlighting bare-knuckled politics and big dollar figures

Politics

2 w. ago JD Vance lashes back at Zelensky after Ukraine's president claimed VP is siding with Putin

Vice President JD Vance said it was 'absurd' for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to claim that the US government has sided with Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Politics

2 w. ago Haiti's government announces 'war budget' as town after town falls to gangs

Haiti’s government says it has approved what it called a “war budget” of $275,000 aimed at alleviating the country’s crisis as gang violence surges

Events

2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US ‘very surprised’ after Chinese fighters captured on frontline

Ukraine president says more than 150 Chinese involved in fighting for Russia; US lawmakers criticise reports of planned troop pullbacks in Europe. What we know on day 1,142See all our Ukraine war coverageVolodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to the recruitment of Chinese nationals to fight for Russia, adding he believed the US was “very surprised” by the revelation. The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv has obtained passport details of at least 155 fighters from China in the war. While Zelenskyy said Beijing knew its citizens were there, he didn’t believe the country had given “some kind of command” they join the fight.Zelenskyy added he believes Russia is using social media, including TikTok, to recruit. He said he was prepared to exchange captured Chinese soldiers with Ukrainian servicemen in detention.China called those claims “groundless”, saying they are contrary to an effort to find a political solution to the ongoing war. “The Chinese government always asks Chin...

Events

3 w. ago China vows to fight tariffs to end, saying trade with US is already balanced

China again vowed to “fight to the end” against Donald Trump’s tariffs in a lengthy policy statement published Wednesday, while arguing that trade between the two countries is in balance as a 104% tax on the country’s exports to the U.S. came into effect

Economics

3 w. ago As China and the US spar, countries brainstorm over how to cope with the trade war

As President Donald Trump and China spar over tariff hikes and other retaliatory moves, governments elsewhere are brainstorming over strategies for coping with the trade war between the world’s top two economies

Events

3 w. ago Millions of Brits to get major DWP cash boost from today – exact amount explained

The increases to the State Pension is guaranteed under the triple lock promise and comes into effect on the first Monday of the new tax year as some Brits will be £472 better off

Economics