41 h. ago Government can hit NHS waiting times targets despite scepticism, says Reeves

The NHS has received a 3% increase in real terms per year in the Government spending review.

Events

58 h. ago Irish fury over asylum crisis: How resentment is boiling over nationwide, with thousands attending latest anti

Thousands took to the streets of Cork over the weekend for two very different demonstrations - one a pro-Palestine march and the other described as a 'national protest for Ireland'.

Events

58 h. ago Israel's fury over British sanctions on ministers: Pair accused of inciting violence against Palestinians hit back against government bars

Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich will be subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. Foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said it was 'outrageous'.

Politics

3 d. ago Government hasn't hit its own EV fleet targets despite pushing motorists to electric cars

The Government pledged to have 25% of its fleet electric by 2022, but still hasn't achieved more than 15%, despite hiking taxes on fuel cars and hybrids to push EV uptake.

Events

3 d. ago Macron must lead the EU push to end Israel’s war on Gaza | Jo

The Israeli government is assailing the French president – but visible economic and political action is the only hope for peaceEmmanuel Macron has become enemy No 1 for the Netanyahu government. That’s because the French president aims to create momentum for a Palestinian state beside Israel encompassing the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and the Gaza Strip, reviving what is fast becoming an out-of-reach possibility – a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.That’s why Macron has earned the fury of an increasingly unhinged Israeli prime minister. France is expected to co-chair an organizing conference at the United Nations in New York in mid-June, taking advantage of heads of state already in North America for the Canadian-based G7 summit a few days earlier. He hopes this conference will include the all-important Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Mega update on free bus travel for over 60s as petition shows how English are shafted

A petition calling for over 60s in England to get the same travel help as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has hit a milestone - but what does the government say

Transport

2 w. ago A biblical hatred is engulfing both sides in the Gaza conflict – and blinding them to reason | Jonathan Freedland

Israel starving Palestinians, two killings at a Jewish museum: both are atrocities. But vanishingly few can see itI sat this week with Hussein Agha, a man who has given his working life to seeking peace between Israelis and Palestinians, negotiating from the Palestinian side of the table. He was gloomier than I have ever seen him, adamant that peace between the two sides can never, ever come. Because, Agha explained, this conflict was not about mere lines on a map or forms of words, the goods in which diplomats trade. This was about emotions, and specifically hatreds. Hatreds that, he feared, are becoming too murderous to contain. “It’s biblical,” he said.What he had in mind was the fury that drove Hamas to slaughter around 1,200 Israelis on a sleepy Saturday morning nearly 20 months ago and the fury that has driven the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to bombard Gaza ever since, killing more than 50,000, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, and, over the last 80 days,...

Events

2 w. ago Reform UK promises to reverse ban on new North Sea oil drilling if elected

Party spokesperson says policy has ‘clear benefits for securing jobs and energy independence’Reform UK has promised to reverse the government’s ban on fresh North Sea oil and gas drilling as a “day one” priority if elected to power, with the taxpayer taking a stake in the projects.Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader, has met with senior UK oil executives in recent weeks to pledge the party’s support for the industry, which has been hit hard by the government’s windfall tax and moves to block fresh North Sea exploration licences. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago AP PHOTOS: Palestinians report Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank

Palestinians in the village of Bruqin in the northern West Bank said that Israeli settlers attacked them, burning cars and damaging houses.

Events

3 w. ago Republicans are dodging fired federal staff: ‘They will not even look in our direction’

Members of Congress are accused of hiding out when workers have sought answers on why their jobs were axedWorkers hit by the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts of federal government jobs, programs and services turned to congressional Republicans for help. But Republicans don’t want to talk about it, according to people who have tried to reach the politicians.Sabrina Valenti, a former budget analyst for the Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), was fired in February, then reinstated, and fired again weeks later. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago There is no excuse for the killing of two Israeli embassy workers | Kenneth Roth

Critics of Israel’s atrocious conduct in Gaza should be clear that their focus is the authors of that violence – not Israeli civiliansIsrael’s campaign of bombing and starving Palestinian civilians in Gaza is inexcusable. It reflects a massive war crime, as the international criminal court has already charged, and arguably genocide. But it in no sense justifies the murder of two young Israeli embassy workers in Washington by a man who then chanted: “Free, free Palestine”. Nothing justifies violence against civilians.The killing of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim occurred on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting a reception for young diplomats. The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was detained shortly after the shooting. His social media accounts indicated that he had been involved in pro-Palestinian activism.Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch (1993-2022), is a visiting prof...

Events

3 w. ago Harvard says Trump administration’s block on international student enrollment ‘unlawful’ – US politics live

In a major escalation between Trump and Harvard, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says move to halt enrollment should ‘serve as a warning’Trump administration halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international studentsIsrael’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has accused unnamed European officials of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place, Reuters reports.Israel has faced a blizzard of criticism from Europe of late as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Trump administration halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international students – live

In a major escalation between Trump and Harvard, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says move should ‘serve as a warning’Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has accused unnamed European officials of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place, Reuters reports.Israel has faced a blizzard of criticism from Europe of late as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago More than 9,000 children treated for malnutrition in Gaza, says Unicef – Middle East crisis live

Figures come as Palestinian health minister says there have been 29 ‘starvation-related’ deaths in the last few daysIsraeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC took place.Israel has faced criticism from Europe as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine.There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder.This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Israeli army issues evacuation warning for 14 areas in northern Gaza – Middle East crisis live

AFP says army released statement in Arabic claiming it was ‘operating with intense force’ in a number of areasIsraeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC took place.Israel has faced criticism from Europe as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine.There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder.This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago More blows for Rachel Reeves as government borrowing hit highest outside Covid in April despite huge NICs raid... with signs the economy is still stalling

Embattled Rachel Reeves saw the public sector rack up £20.2billion of borrowing last month, far more than the £17.6billion analysts had expected.

Politics

3 w. ago If aid doesn’t enter Gaza now, 14,000 babies may die. UN peacekeepers must step in | Michael Fakhri

As a UN special rapporteur on the right to food, I have watched for 19 months as Israel starves children. The world must act nowOn Monday, Israel launched an intensive ground offensive named Operation Gideon’s Chariots as part of its plan to cause as much pain and damage as possible to everyone in Gaza. Israel has announced its intent to gain full indefinite control over Gaza, in effect aiming for annexation. This was after the international court of justice found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and demanded it end its occupation as rapidly as possible and provide full reparations to Palestinians.Israel’s increased violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory also comes after it denied all food, water and supplies from entering Gaza for over 75 days. In March, child acute malnutrition increased by more than 80%. The price of wheat flour has increased by 3,000% since February. The World Food Programme ran out of food for kitchens in Gaza on 25 April and the Wor...

Events

3 w. ago Only strong action on emissions can restore economic stability, UN climate chief says

Simon Stiell says investors ‘ready to hit the go button’ if they have the right signals from governmentsThe climate crisis has raised the price of commodities and exacerbated famine – and only strong action on greenhouse gas emissions can restore economic stability, the UN’s climate chief has said.Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, was speaking in Panama, where recent years of drought drove the water to perilous lows that disrupted international trade. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Britain halts trade talks with Israel and summons ambassador for Foreign Office dressing down amid growing fury over aid blockade on Gaza

David Lammy told MPs Tzipi Hotovely would be told by Middle East minister Hamish Falconer that 'the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible'.

Politics

3 w. ago Israel's UK ambassador summoned to the Foreign Office amid growing fury over aid blockade on Gaza

David Lammy told MPs Tzipi Hotovely would be told by Middle East minister Hamish Falconer that 'the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible'.

Politics