59 m. ago World leaders arriving for Pope’s funeral as 150,000 mourners pay respects

The coffin will be closed on Friday evening ahead of Saturday’s requiem mass.

Politics

75 m. ago O’Neill praises Pope’s commitment to peace as she confirms funeral attendance

The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.

Culture

84 m. ago Pope Francis funeral LIVE: World leaders and thousands of mourners gather in Rome for historic service

World leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be in attendance

Politics

2 h. ago Reform UK on course to win in two mayoral contests – UK politics live

Polling predicts victory for party in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull/East Yorkshire with the Greens possibly taking West of EnglandThere are six mayoral elections next week. Two of them are for single-authority mayors (Doncaster and North Tyneside), but the others are for combined-authority mayors (or regional mayors – like metro mayors, but not just covering city regions). Today YouGov has released polling covering all four of these contests and it suggests Reform UK is on course to win two of them easily. And the Green party is narrowly ahead in a third, the poll suggests.Here are the polling figures.In theory the Tories should be winning in Lincolnshire as they hold most of the parliamentary seats in the area and have dominated local politics forever. But it’s also the most Reform-friendly part of the country. It contains Richard Tice’s constituency and numerous seats in which they came second. Plus their candidate is a former Tory MP – Andrea Jenkyns, famous for her Boris Johnson...

Politics

2 h. ago All options ‘remain on the table’ for Ukraine – Downing Street

Downing Street has said that all options “remain on the table” when it comes to support for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.A Number 10 spokesman said on Friday that “advanced coalition of the willing planning is developing at pace” and “all options remain on the table” when it comes to supporting Kyiv.The Times newspaper reported on Friday that the UK is likely to abandon plans to send troops to Ukraine as risks are considered to be too high, however Number 10 said that it does not recognise that report.A Number 10 spokesman said on Friday: “All options remain on the table and advanced coalition of the willing planning is developing at pace.”The spokesman also pointed to the Operation Interflex programme training Ukrainian troops as one of the ways the country is being supported.Asked whether troops being deployed would be dependent on the US offering a “backstop” to a peace deal, the spokesman said he would not give a running commentary on talks, but added: “As the Prime Mini...

Politics

5 h. ago Reeves hints at priority as she says ‘trading relationship with Europe arguably more important’ than US – UK politics live

Chancellor said she understood the focus on possible deal with US, but added the EU remained ‘our nearest neighbours and trading partners’Water company bosses face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills under new laws coming into force, PA Media reports. PA says:The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said no prison sentences have been handed to water company executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges, and the tougher penalties were essential because some firms have obstructed investigations.Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places.”I’m now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.In the end, I think everybody understands that this is about our security in Europe. It requires cooperation between democracies, friends, allies, countries with the same values.The...

Politics

6 h. ago ‘All options remain on the table’ for Ukraine support, minister says

Environment Secretary Steve Reed called for a ‘strong alliance of countries’ to help guarantee any peace deal will hold.

Politics

7 h. ago World's biggest investor BlackRock on asset buying spree in "undervalued" UK

Larry Fink gives Keir Starmer credit for prioritising economic growth

Economics

9 h. ago Mourners file through St Peter’s Basilica overnight as lying

Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Politics

13 h. ago 'Ukraine must decide': Starmer stands by Zelensky in a challenge to proposals by Trump just hours after taking thinly veiled swipe at US President

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has challenged US president Donald Trump by explicitly stating that Ukraine must be allowed to decide the terms of a peace deal with Russia. 

Politics

13 h. ago JAN MOIR: Why our huffy and intransigent PM is still stuck in sanctimonious lockstep with the BBC on trans rights

At PMQs on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer stood up to give the House and the nation his thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex.

Politics

15 h. ago UK cardinal says Pope’s funeral to be ‘masterpiece’ in managing ‘big egos’

Leaders and dignitaries from all over the world will attend the late pontiff’s requiem mass.

Politics

15 h. ago Thousands expected to line streets of London as Government reveals VE Day plans

A flypast by the Red Arrows is among the plans outlined to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Politics

15 h. ago King and Queen to host palace tea party to celebrate VE Day anniversary

Charles and Camilla will also watch a military procession and flypast with veterans and attend a celebratory concert.

Politics

18 h. ago If the EU coalition is truly willing, Ukraine has a chance of defying the odds

Editorial: Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, ad hoc leaders of this ad hoc alliance, must inspire their allies as Volodymyr Zelensky has. Ukraine’s success – and survival – depends on it

Politics

21 h. ago William and PM’s attendance at Pope’s funeral shows ‘respect for Catholic faith’

Sir Keir Starmer will be there on behalf of the British Government while the Prince of Wales will represent the King.

Culture

21 h. ago PM backs ‘homegrown clean energy’ as Government pushes back on net zero critics

Sir Keir Starmer said clean energy is the only way to ensure energy security and drive down bills.

Politics

22 h. ago Francis: How will pontiff’s funeral differ from those held for predecessors?

Pope Francis introduced changes to the papal funeral rites in 2024 which were aimed at simplifying the ceremonies.

Politics

23 h. ago Starmer pushes for his Brexit 'reset' but at what price? PM hosts EU's von der Leyen in No10 amid fears he will cave on 'youth free movement', fishing rights and Brussels rules

Keir Starmer has welcomed Ursula von der Leyen to Downing Street amid intense negotiations over a new package.

Politics

23 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer unveils £2bn carbon capture deal creating 2,000 jobs

Sir Keir promised to make Britain’s energy a ‘source not of vulnerability but of strength’

Economics