60 m. ago China ‘may exempt some US goods’ from tariffs; British retail sales beat forecasts – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsRachel Reeves used a brief speech to US investors at the British ambassador’s lavish residence in Washington last night, to acknowledge some of the downsides of globalisation, in a nod to Donald Trump’s stance.As she prepares to meet Treasury secretary Scott Bessent today, Reeves said China’s entry into the global trading system 25 years ago had created “huge benefits in terms of cheaper goods, more innovation and more opportunities to trade”.“They voted for change because they didn’t think that the economy worked well enough for them and their families. They saw the erosion of good jobs that paid a decent wage. They saw industries that once powered their towns disappear. And as elected politicians we have to respond to that”.“Some may say that under this very consequential president we have at the moment, this is a rollercoaster period and therefore a challenge to us all. But we would say that a rollercoaster is fine, as lon...

Economics

61 m. ago What would you put on your financial bucket list? LEE BOYCE on trying to prepare for his 40s in good time

I have two years until I turn 40 - and my attention has turned to creating a bucket list, which includes a financial category.

Politics

85 m. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Vatican makes final preparations for pontiff’s burial

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday with world leaders in attendance

Politics

1 hour ago Celebrity Big Brother's Jack P Shepherd's fianceé responds to claims he 'doesn't show emotion'

Jack received a letter from Hanni Treweek in the latest episode of the ITV show

Politics

2 h. ago Bad Friend by Tiffany Watt Smith review – refreshingly frank portraits of female friendship

A social and personal history that refuses to gloss over the rage, envy and hurt that form part of every close bondFalling out with a friend can feel oddly shameful. Romantic relationships are meant to have passionate highs and lows, but by the time you reach adulthood, you expect your friendships to have reached some kind of equilibrium. I have this image in my head of myself as an affectionate, devoted friend – but sometimes I examine my true feelings towards the women who are closest to me and feel shocked by my own pettiness. It is embarrassing to be a grownup but still capable of such intense flashes of rage, and envy. When my friendships become distant or strained, I wonder why I still struggle to do this basic thing.Bad Friend represents a kind of love letter to female friendship, but doesn’t gloss over how difficult it can be. Tiffany Watt Smith is a historian, and this book is a deeply researched study of 20th-century women’s relationships, but the reason for writing i...

Politics

2 h. ago Pope Francis funeral latest: Vatican turns into fortress for world leaders set to fly in to bid farewell

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday with world leaders in attendance

Politics

3 h. ago HMRC confirms that new income tax rule change will start from next year

HMRC is encouraging people to sign up to a testing programme to prepare for the changed requirements to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from April 6, 2026

Economics

4 h. ago Vatican readies for Pope Francis’s funeral as world leaders set to fly in to Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners have queued for hours to pay their last respects to pontiff, whose coffin will be closed on Friday eveningThe Vatican will make final preparations on Friday for Pope Francis’s funeral as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica to view his open coffin.Many of the 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs attending Saturday’s ceremony in St Peter’s Square, who include US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are expected to arrive in Rome on Friday. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Six Scottish Labour MPs sign letter calling for young Scots to be able to work in Europe

Graeme Downie, Gregor Poynton, Kenneth Stevenson, Irene Campbell, Lillian Jones and Maureen Burke have signed a letter calling for the European Union to have a similar scheme to Australia and Canada.

Politics

6 h. ago Running can help bridge Westminster divide, say MPs ahead of London Marathon

Sixteen MPs and one peer will be taking on the challenge of the London Marathon on Sunday.

Politics

8 h. ago Girl or boy? Peppa Pig and her family prepare for a huge gender reveal party as they count down to the birth of new baby

Gender reveal parties have become hugely fashionable in recent years, and now the most famous animated family on the planet have joined the trend.

Society

11 h. ago Celebrity Big Brother's Jack P Shepherd left speechless over emotional letter from fiancée

The David Platt actor got down on one knee to propose last summer

Politics

11 h. ago CBB fans work out JoJo Siwa's partner's hidden message as blunt letter read out

Celebrity Big Brother fans were left heartbroken during Thursday's episode as JoJo Siwa received a message from her partner Kath Ebbs following her 'close relationship' with Chris Hughes

Politics

12 h. ago Council seeks partner to provide management services as preparations to demolish Cumbernauld Town Centre

The council has major plans to redevelop the area and took ownership of most of the town centre in 2023.

Politics

12 h. ago What to know as US prepares to require REAL ID for many air travelers next month

The U.S. will require enhanced identification for many air travelers starting May 7

Politics

13 h. ago 'I hunt Birmingham's rats with a giant rifle – we've won the battle but war isn't over'

EXCLUSIVE: In a bid to help solve Brum's rodent crisis, the Daily Star has hung out with the Pied Piper of Birmingham who showed us the massive rifle that's so good at killing rats it rendered our services redundant

Events

14 h. ago Donald Trump's arrival 'confirmed to Scots airport as staff told to prepare for visit'

Aberdeen Airport has been told to expect the US president's arrival, and to be ready at short notice.

Politics

14 h. ago Pep Guardiola and Cristina Serra 'are giving each other a second chance' and 'not all is lost in their marriage', claim reports in Spain after Man City boss 'spent three days in Barcelona'

According to Catalan newspaper El Nacional, Guardiola and Serra are reportedly prepared to 'give each other another chance' and state that 'all is not lost in their marriage.'

Economics

14 h. ago Trump team may have violated another judge’s order by moving Venezuelan to Texas for deportation

Administration appears to have bucked yet another court order as officials prepare for more removals under the Alien Enemies Act

Politics

14 h. ago John Higgins warned unique Crucible factor that counts against bid for a fifth World Snooker Championship

A packed field features a host of young guns, but veteran Higgins remains one of the favourites for glory in Sheffield

Events