55 m. ago Donald Trump praises Keir Starmer’s ‘beautiful’ accent as he makes special pledge

Donald Trump praised Sir Keir Starmer’s “beautiful” accent as he pledged to continue the “special” relationship between the US and UK.

Politics

9 h. ago How previous prime ministers handled the ‘special relationship’

Winston Churchill coined the phrase to describe what has become an enduring diplomatic priority, but relationships between leaders have varied.

Politics

26 h. ago Donald Trump says Europe must guarantee Ukraine security not US in blow to Keir Starmer before Washington talks

Prime Minister hopes to convince US president to provide security ‘backstop’ at crunch meeting in Washington - as Trump says Ukraine can ‘forget about joining Nato’

Politics

26 h. ago Donald Trump says Europe must provide Ukraine security not US in blow to Keir Starmer before Washington talks

Prime Minister hopes to convince US president to provide security ‘backstop’ at crunch meeting in Washington

Politics

28 h. ago Budapest Pride should be held in closed venue for ‘child protection’, says government official

Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his right-wing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Budapest Pride should be held in closed venue for ‘child protection’, says Orbán official

Prime minister’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister, Viktor Orbán’s, chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his rightwing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Budapest Pride should be held indoors for ‘child protection’, says Orbán official

Prime minister’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister, Viktor Orbán’s, chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his rightwing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

67 h. ago Can the ‘special relationship’ survive Donald Trump? – podcast

Keir Starmer is travelling to the White House for a high-stakes meeting. But will he have any influence over the US president? Patrick Wintour reportsIt’s the most important international relationship the UK has, and for decades has been referred to as “special”. Since the second world war, the UK and the US have considered themselves the closest allies, working together for shared values, with any resentments, differences of opinion or cross words kept to private channels.But now Donald Trump is back and he seems keen to throw the usual world order of alliances and enmities into chaos. Keir Starmer’s first meeting with the US president comes at a crucial juncture for Europe, with the future of Ukraine in the balance. “The stakes at the moment could not be higher,” says the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago MAFS UK Reunion Special: MAFS UK's Ella Morgan relationship update after cringey reunion declaration

Ella Morgan made a big declaration in the latest Married at First Sight UK reunion but it's all gone a bit downhill since the show was filmed

Politics

3 d. ago Cousin of reigning Miss Scotland 'overcome with emotion' after inspiring MS charity awareness

As Amy Scott prepares to represent Scotland at the Miss World competition final in India on May 31, the cousins have spoken about their special relationship, the impact of Rhyiza’s MS, and the importance of raising awareness of the condition.

Events

3 d. ago Zoe Ball has ‘best relationship’ with special person after quitting BBC Radio 2 breakfast show

Zoe Ball has had a tough time since the loss of her mother last year but her ex Fatboy Slim. who she's been helping out at his coffee shop, has been a constant source of support

Politics

4 d. ago Trump set to address parliament for the first time after first

This is expected to involve Mr Trump formally addressing MPs and Lords - ahead of his first state visit he had been controversially blocked by former speaker John Bercow .

Politics

4 d. ago What can Keir Starmer say at the White House that Donald Trump might listen to? | Andrew Rawnsley

The stakes couldn’t be higher and the risks couldn’t be greater when the prime minister visits Washington this weekFor British prime ministers, with their ideas about the world shaped by the histories of Churchill and Roosevelt, Maggie and Ronnie, and the rest of the folklore about the transatlantic alliance, the prospect of a visit to the White House usually causes tingles of excitement. One of our senior diplomats once offered me an explanation of the allure: “The red carpet is laid out, the national anthems are played, all that stuff is very seductive.” This will be customarily accompanied by ritualistic words about the importance and invincibility of the “special relationship”.Number 10 lobbied hard to get Sir Keir Starmer across the Atlantic early in the second term of Donald Trump and, until recently, Downing Street people were telling themselves that an encounter between the two men needn’t be a disaster and might even turn out to be a success. In the weeks since Trump’s re-e...

Politics

5 d. ago Fewer than one in five voters think Starmer will be able to build a relationship with Trump following their meeting this week

Exclusive polling data, published after the special relationship between the UK and US was rocked by the President's attack on Volodymyr Zelensky , reveals 19 per cent think the leaders will hit it off.

Politics

6 d. ago UK must not respond to every Donald Trump 'twist and turn', says key Sir Keir Starmer ally

Pat McFadden said the special relationship is ‘vital’ and ‘in our interests’

Politics

6 d. ago UK must handle Trump relationship ‘correctly’, says senior minister

Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet Donald Trump in Washington next week amid growing concern about US support for Ukraine.

Politics

6 d. ago Macron beats Starmer in race to meet Trump at White House despite 'Special Relationship' and US

The French leader has warned Trump not to be ‘weak’ in talks with Putin

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer’s tough stance on Ukraine is necessary for dealing with bullying Trump

Editorial: Trump and Starmer each seems to think that the other is a man he can do business with. In the most unpromising of circumstances, there is at least some hope that the ‘special relationship’ could be reborn

Politics

9 d. ago This Morning's Josie Gibson downs Champagne amid unlikely 'special relationship'

This Morning star Josie Gibson has spoken out about how sampling first class travel for her new series was a far cry from the more down to earth holidays she is used to

Politics

1 week ago Elon Musk’s efficiency department pushes to access taxpayer data from IRS, says report

The Washington Post reports ‘Doge’ is requesting access to the system that contains the personal financial records of millions of AmericansWe have a little more on next week’s meeting between UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Donald Trump.PA reports that when asked about comments made by US vice-president JD Vance on free speech in the UK, the prime minister’s spokesman said:There’s going to be a wide range of issues that we’ll be working with the new US administration on.The prime minister looks forward to meeting president Trump shortly to discuss how we can deepen the special relationship across trade, investment and security. Continue reading...

Economics