54 m. ago Rachel Reeves is all about growth. So why won’t she admit that Brexit is its worst enemy? | Polly Toynbee

Our exit from the EU won’t be a focus of the spring statement, but it should be. Most now accept the need for closer ties As the chancellor ekes out every last billion this week, it’s worth stepping back and remembering one key reason why Britain fares worse than its neighbours: Brexit. On Monday, MPs debated whether to rejoin the EU following the success of a public petition that gained 134,000 signatures. Don’t hold your breath. The government replied by quoting its not-until-hell-freezes-over manifesto pledge: “there will be no return to EU membership”. But the global Trumpquake has shaken all certainties, upended all that seemed solid. The European defence emergency has made talk of Brexit and its future less taboo on both sides of the Channel. Close observers note the ice breaking. “Things are moving in the right direction,” says Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform (CER).Nonetheless, Labour is so paralysed by Brexit that despite its hunt for growth, it has said noth...

Politics

54 m. ago UK experts urge prioritising research into 24 types of deadly pathogen families

UK Health Security Agency’s tool highlights viruses and bacteria, many not yet seen in the country, that could pose biosecurity riskDeadly disease-causing organisms from pathogen families that include bird flu, plague and Ebola pose a threat to health in the UK and should be prioritised for research, government experts have said.The first tool of its kind from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) lists 24 types of viruses and bacteria where a lack of vaccines, tests and treatment, changes due to the climate crisis or growing drug resistance pose a biosecurity risk. Continue reading...

Events

54 m. ago 'I weighed 28 stone – now I'm unrecognisable thanks to doctor's shock warning'

A woman who weighed more than 28 stone in her 20s has opened up about how one change allowed her to transform her body and her life after a doctor issued an urgent warning

Events

54 m. ago Sarah Jessica Parker's huge life milestone with famous husband after Kim Cattrall feud

Iconic Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker turns 60 today - and it's been 25 years since Carrie Bradshaw first hit out screens.

Politics

54 m. ago BBC doctor says it is possible to lower dementia risk even if it runs in family

Almost half of dementia cases can be prevented by making certain lifestyle changes, according to research.

Society

54 m. ago Outlander fans fume bosses 'did Roger dirty' in seasons three and four

Fans had a lengthy discussion about Roger's life in the early seasons.

Politics

64 m. ago New Greggs store targeted in arson attack as fire becomes huge inferno

Warwickshire Police have confirmed the fire, which damaged the Greggs store in the village of Exhall, is being treated as an arson investigation - but no one has been arrested

Events

79 m. ago ‘No consent’: Australian authors ‘livid’ that Meta may have used their books to train AI

A searchable database showed titles from former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard, as well as journalist Tracey SpicerFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian authors say they are “livid” and feel violated that their work was included in an allegedly pirated dataset of books Meta used to train its AI.The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is being sued by authors in the United States, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and the comedian Sarah Silverman, for copyright infringement.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Culture

1 hour ago Sydney erotic novel author charged after outrage over ‘child abuse material’ in book

Erotic novel ‘Daddy’s Little Toy’ called out as disgusting for ‘featuring pedophilia’

Culture

1 hour ago DWP PIP changes may see claimants who score 'lots of twos' lose £5,600 a year

The qualifying criteria are tightening at the Department for Work and Pensions

Economics

1 hour ago Outlander boss explains why Frank stayed with Claire after brutal baby bombshell

Claire reunited with first husband Frank in season two

Events

1 hour ago Iron age hoard found in North Yorkshire could change Britain’s history

More than 800 objects unearthed near Melsonby show the north was ‘definitely not a backwater’ 2,000 years agoOne of the biggest and most important iron age hoards ever found in the UK has been revealed, potentially altering our understanding of life in Britain 2,000 years ago.More than 800 objects were unearthed in a field near the village of Melsonby, North Yorkshire. They date back to the first century, around the time of the Roman conquest of Britain under Emperor Claudius, and are almost certainly associated with a tribe called the Brigantes who controlled most of northern England. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Thomas Tuchel makes Jude Bellingham admission after England win over Latvia

England followed up their 2-0 win over Albania with a 3-0 victory over Latvia at Wembley on Monday night, as new boss Thomas Tuchel made it back-to-back wins in his first two matches

Events

1 hour ago Liverpool news: Reds should 'bend rules' to keep Mo Salah as teammate decides on future

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be hoping to get his side's Premier League title bid back on track after the international break, with the Reds closing in on a famous triumph after going 15 points clear at the top of the table

Politics

1 hour ago UK weather: Snow maps reveal one area could be blasted for 68 hours

This coming week could see snowfall and rain hit parts of the UK, according to latest weather maps, while the Met Office hints at 'changeable weather patterns' in its long-range forecast

Politics

2 h. ago Adolescence star Stephen Graham left in tears after text from Bruce Springsteen

Stephen Graham said Bruce Springsteen, known as "the Boss", is his hero so the actor, from Kirkby, Merseyside, was overwhelmed when the music legend messaged him

Politics

2 h. ago Ninja's 'powerhouse' air fryer is now £130 off in the Amazon Spring Sale

The Ninja Foodi has been described as a 'game changer' and now it's on sale for £169

Economics

2 h. ago Transgender Americans aim to block Trump's passport policy change

A federal judge will consider whether to block a Trump administration policy that bans the use of “X” marker used by many nonbinary people on passports as well as the changing of gender markers

Politics

2 h. ago International students weigh new risks of pursuing higher education in the US under Trump

As colleges and universities respond to Trump administration directives to change how they operate, educators worry that fewer international students will want to study in the U.S.

Politics

5 h. ago Huge Iron Age hoard is discovered in North Yorkshire: Archaeologists uncover over 800 ancient cauldrons, spears, chariots and horse harnesses thought to be worth £254,000

A discovery in rural North Yorkshire provides an archaeological time capsule from around 2,000 years ago - and experts say the find is 'exceptional' for Europe.

Economics