17 h. ago Starmer says closer ties with EU single market preferable to a customs union

Prime minister gives clearest sign yet that government is seeking to further deepen Britain’s links with BrusselsCloser ties with the EU single market are preferable to a customs union, Keir Starmer has said, in his clearest sign yet that the government is seeking to further deepen links with Brussels.The prime minister said the UK should consider “even closer alignment” with the single market. “If it’s in our national interest then we should consider that, we should go that far,” he told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago Yemeni separatists plan to hold independence vote within two years

Seven killed in strikes on south as Saudi-backed government moves to recapture key region from STCYemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north in two years, after their seizure of swathes of the country last month triggered a major feud between Gulf powers.The Southern Transitional Council leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, called on the international community to sponsor talks between concerned parties in the south and north on a path and mechanisms that “guarantee rights of the people of the south”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Ministers considered holding independence referendum on same day as 2011 election, papers reveal

Documents also show confused response to swine flu pandemic and lack of leadership after severe snowstorm

Politics

4 d. ago Ministers considered holding indyref on same day as 2011 election, papers reveal

The matter was considered – but ultimately rejected – by then first minister Alex Salmond’s cabinet in 2010.

Politics

5 d. ago You’ll never defeat us in Iran, President Trump: but with real talks, we can both win | Seyed Abbas Araghchi

The US president has been fooled into seeing Israel as a reliable ally and Tehran as the enemy. We say he should consider the evidence and rethinkSeyed Abbas Araghchi is the Iranian foreign ministerReport: Trump should defy Netanyahu over nuclear talks with Iran, says its foreign ministerWhile Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year achieved his dream of dragging the US into a military confrontation with Iran, it came at a steep and unprecedented cost for Israel. Seeing Netanyahu beg Donald Trump to be bailed out from a quagmire, a rising number of Americans openly acknowledge that Israel is not an ally but a liability. In September, the US’s Arab allies also reached the conclusion that we Iranians have always underscored: Israel’s recklessness is a threat to all.This reality is paving the way for whole new relationships that may transform our region. The US administration now faces a dilemma: it can continue writing blank cheques for Israel with American taxpayer dollars and credibili...

Politics

5 d. ago You’ll never defeat us in Iran, President Trump: but with real talks, we can both win | Abbas Araghchi

The US president has been fooled into seeing Israel as a reliable ally and Tehran as the enemy. We say he should consider the evidence and rethinkAbbas Araghchi is the Iranian foreign ministerReport: Trump should defy Netanyahu over nuclear talks with Iran, says its foreign ministerWhile Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year achieved his dream of dragging the US into a military confrontation with Iran, it came at a steep and unprecedented cost for Israel. Seeing Netanyahu beg Donald Trump to be bailed out from a quagmire, a rising number of Americans openly acknowledge that Israel is not an ally but a liability. In September, the US’s Arab allies also reached the conclusion that we Iranians have always underscored: Israel’s recklessness is a threat to all.This reality is paving the way for whole new relationships that may transform our region. The US administration now faces a dilemma: it can continue writing blank cheques for Israel with American taxpayer dollars and credibility, or...

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer’s callous answers on farm tax show why his government is failing

The Prime Minister’s response on being told farmers with terminal illnesses were considering end their lives early to avoid Labour’s new inheritance tax on farms showed a startling lack of empathy

Politics

2 w. ago Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track owes Josh Kerr $218,000, court papers reveal

Athletics stars including Kerr, Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are among Grand Slam Track’s top 20 creditors

Politics

2 w. ago UK ministers consider ads and subscriptions for BBC as part of funding rethink

Broadcaster enters negotiations over new 10-year charter amid intensifying competition from online rivals

Politics

4 w. ago Terrifying day Margaret Thatcher nearly died in missile attack as her plane flew over Mozambique: Newly released papers reveal how officials covered up bombardment

Lady Thatcher was was visiting Africa on a six-day diplomatic mission, flying in a RAF Vickers VC-10 across the civil war-torn region when several missiles were launched towards the aircraft

Events