24 m. ago Pakistan and India agree ‘immediate ceasefire’ – Kashmir crisis live

Both Pakistan and India have confirmed the news after it was announced on social media by Donald TrumpWho is Asim Munir, the army chief leading Pakistan’s military amid the crisis with India?The general once fell foul of Imran Khan, but since taking the top spot has been quietly amassing power over the government and supreme court, as our profile here says.Yet even now that the country is out of the clutches of martial law, it is still widely understood that the most powerful man in Pakistan is not the head of the government but instead the chief of the army.Since Gen Munir took over as Pakistan’s army chief more than two years ago, he has been accused of quietly consolidating greater power without even having to topple the country’s civilian rulers. As he kept himself largely out of the limelight, he consolidated an iron grip over the army’s ranks and bent government policy and even the supreme court to his will. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Myammar's military government chief has first meeting with China's leader since taking power in 2021

The chief of Myanmar's military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, has for the first time since seizing power four years ago met with President Xi Jinping of China, a top ally of his military government

Politics

4 h. ago Kashmir crisis live: Pakistan and India accuse each other of striking military bases in major escalation

‘Multiple locations’ in India being targeted in retaliatory attacks, says state-run media, after Pakistan says three air bases attacked by Indian missilesFull report: Pakistan says it has hit back after India strikes military basesWho is Asim Munir, the army chief leading Pakistan’s military amid the crisis with India?The general once fell foul of Imran Khan, but since taking the top spot has been quietly amassing power over the government and supreme court, as our profile here says.Yet even now that the country is out of the clutches of martial law, it is still widely understood that the most powerful man in Pakistan is not the head of the government but instead the chief of the army.Since Gen Munir took over as Pakistan’s army chief more than two years ago, he has been accused of quietly consolidating greater power without even having to topple the country’s civilian rulers. As he kept himself largely out of the limelight, he consolidated an iron grip over the army’s ranks and ben...

Events

24 h. ago Trump floats cutting Chinese tariffs from 145% to 80% before weekend talks

Meeting aimed at de-escalating trade war after Chinese exports beat expectations despite slump in tradeDonald Trump has floated cutting tariffs on China from 145% to 80% before a weekend meeting as he looks to de-escalate the trade war.Top US officials are set to meet a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland in the first significant talks between the two nations since Trump sparked a trade war with stiff tariffs on imports. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago China chides US over ‘serious negative impact’ of Trump tariffs as trade talks set to begin

China’s vice-premier He Lifeng will meet US treasury secretary Scott Bessent in Switzerland between 9 and 12 MayChina has vowed to “safeguard international fairness and justice” in upcoming talks with the United States in Switzerland, the first meeting between the two countries to discuss trade war that has roiled the global economy since US president Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs last month.China’s vice-premier He Lifeng will meet US treasury secretary Scott Bessent on the sidelines of meetings in Switzerland between 9 and 12 May. US trade representative Jamieson Greer will also attend. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Humiliation for Germany’s Merz in vote to be chancellor as he falls short in first ballot – Europe live

Further vote not expected today in process that had been expected to anoint CDU/CSU leader to replace outgoing Olaf ScholzScholz to hand over power to sound of feminist anthemFor what it’s worth, multiple German media are now suggesting that there won’t be another round of voting today – exactly because Merz and his team worry about the risk of another hugely embarrassing defeat.Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Bild and Stern’s Julias Betschka all say the second vote is unlikely to take place today. Let’s wait for the official confirmation, though. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Germany’s Merz falls short of votes needed to be chancellor in shock first ballot – Europe live

Session adjourned so parties can consult over process that had been expected to anoint CDU/CSU leader to replace outgoing Olaf ScholzScholz to hand over power to sound of feminist anthemHere’s a procedural explanation on what’s next, via the Bundestag’s website:To be elected, the candidate must secure the votes of an absolute majority of the Members of the Bundestag, that is half of the Members plus at least one additional vote. This is sometimes called the “chancellor majority”.If the candidate fails to secure an absolute majority in the first round of voting, a second round is held. The Bundestag then has 14 days to elect another candidate to be Chancellor. There is no limit to the number of possible ballots, although an absolute majority is always required (Article 63.3 of the Basic Law). Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN Elon Musk is a hypocrite as he does the one thing he labelled 'morally wrong'

The world's richest man has quietly quit his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, with the chief of staff saying Elon Musk has become a 'ghost in Washington'

Politics

8 d. ago Tories brace for hundreds of losses as local election voting closes

Millions cast their votes on Thursday in the first major electoral test for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Keir Starmer since the PM won power last year

Politics

9 d. ago I worked with Tony Blair when he put climate at the heart of UK policy. He must not now undermine that | David King

I support the Climate Paradox report from the Tony Blair Institute, but his foreword risks compromising what must be achievedDavid King was chief scientific adviser to the UK government under Tony Blair, and is founder and chair of the global Climate Crisis Advisory GroupI have always been proud of the progress the UK made between 2003 and 2007 in formulating a credible response to the climate change. Under Tony Blair’s leadership, the UK placed climate at the heart of global diplomacy. At the time, our understanding was based largely on scientific projections and models. Today, the crisis is in full view – faster and more devastating than many imagined. The world is now experiencing the daily impacts of climate breakdown, and our responses must reflect this escalating emergency. We need measured, strategic, sustained and, above all, urgent interventions to ensure a manageable future for humanity.That is why I support much of the thrust of The Climate Paradox report from the Tony Bl...

Society

2 w. ago Chaos continues at the Pentagon as Hegseth’s chief of staff leaves post after just months on the job

Former chief of staff will take on a ‘special government employee’ role within the Department of Defense

Events

2 w. ago Xi announces plan for Chinese economy to counter impact of US trade war

Beijing will ‘strengthen bottom-line thinking’ as reports say it could drop tariffs on some US products Business live – latest updatesXi Jinping has announced a plan to counter China’s continuing economic problems and the impact of the US trade war, as reports swirl that it could drop tariffs on some US products, including semiconductors.Friday’s meeting of the politburo was convened to discuss China’s economic situation, which since the pandemic has faced difficulties fuelled by a housing sector crisis, youth unemployment, and Donald Trump’s tariffs on all Chinese exports. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Xi contrasts China’s clean energy promises with Trump turmoil

Virtual meeting of leaders also hears UN’s António Guterres proclaim ‘no group or government’ can stop green revolutionChina will continue to push forward on the climate crisis, Xi Jinping has said while appearing to criticise the “protectionism” of Donald Trump’s tariff policies.The Chinese president was attending a closed-door virtual meeting with the UN secretary general, António Guterres, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and about a dozen other heads of state and government to discuss the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago UN chief: no group or government can stop clean energy future

Remarks by António Guterres follow virtual meeting with world leaders including China’s Xi JinpingNo government or fossil fuel interest can hold the world back from pursuing a clean energy future, the the UN secretary general has said, after a key meeting with the president of China.António Guterres held a closed-door virtual meeting with Xi Jinping of China on Wednesday, along with Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and about a dozen other heads of state and government, to discuss the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago R&A ‘would love’ the Open to return to Donald Trump’s Turnberry course

Scottish course last hosted event in 2009R&A says logistics, not politics, are a concernThe R&A would like to see Donald Trump’s Turnberry course in Scotland return as host of the Open but will first need to assess the feasibility of the venue, the governing body’s chief executive, Mark Darbon, said.Turnberry, a seaside course in South Ayrshire, has staged the Open four times – most recently in 2009 when American Stewart Cink edged past his compatriot Tom Watson to claim the title in a thrilling victory. Trump bought the property in 2014 and has spent £200m upgrading the resort’s courses. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago HS2 boss on £235k salary claimed £5.40 Tube journeys on taxpayer

Emma Head, HS2's chief railway officer and one of the highest-paid officials in government, filed the small claims for travel on the London Underground to attend external meetings last year

Economics

2 w. ago Miliband in blistering attack on Farage’s UK net zero ‘nonsense and lies’

The energy secretary has accused Reform UK’s leader of peddling dangerous falsehoods about renewable power• Tories and Reform use the steel crisis to knock clean energy. They’re wrong: it will secure all our futuresEd Miliband has torn into Nigel Farage and the Tories for peddling dangerous “nonsense and lies” by suggesting the UK’s net zero target is responsible for destroying Britain’s businesses, including its steel industry.Cabinet ministers are determined to fight back against the way Reform UK and the Conservatives have unceremoniously lambasted the climate crisis agenda for what they believe are nakedly political reasons before important local elections next month. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Teaching union votes to ballot for action if pay offer not fully funded

The NASUWT could be ‘left with no choice’ but to ballot members if the Government does not fully fund a pay award, a union chief says.

Politics

3 w. ago Trump and Musk row grows as US President asks 'what the f*** is Elon doing here?'

Trump reportedly flew into a fit of rage and dropped the 'F-bomb' when he learned that Elon Musk had been invited to a highly classified government meeting about China

Politics