27 m. ago Farage says Starmer ‘learning a great deal from Reform’ as PM defends immigration speech – UK politics live

Reform leader asks PM to declare a national emergency at the bordersHere is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs, which starts at noon.In March Reform UK reported Rupert Lowe (at the time one of their five MPs) to the police, claiming he had threatened the party chair, Zia Yusuf, with violence. Reform UK announced the news shortly after Lowe gave a newspaper interview criticising Nigel Farage, the party leader,Following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence in relation to an allegation of threats, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought against a sitting MP.Having considered a number of witness statements, we have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.If Farage were ever to control the vast power of the British state, I believe he would not hesitate to do to his adversaries what they have tried to do to me. With real power, I fear he would wield that immense responsibility to crush dissent - ...

Politics

50 m. ago How memories of clean water, frogs and fresh air could help save Rio’s favelas from future climate disaster

A new exhibition in the Brazilian city looks at how water, the environment and extreme weather is interwoven with personal stories from 10 marginalised communitiesLeticia Pinheiro grew up hearing stories about the Acari River. Her grandmother bathed in its clean waters; her father caught frogs on its margins; and many in the community made a living from fishing there.Now, Pinheiro, 28, and her peers do not even call it a river; it’s become known as a valão – an open canal for sewage and rubbish. It borders the Acari favela, which spread over swampy terrain in northern Rio de Janeiro from the 1920s. Continue reading...

Society

70 m. ago Defiant Starmer swipes that critics of his 'island of strangers' immigration crackdown are 'talking rubbish' as Labour backlash mounts... despite poll suggesting Brits agree

Keir Starmer gave short shrift to a rebuke over the his policy shift as he took PMQs this lunchtime.

Politics

80 m. ago Martin Lewis says millions could get money off future bills if they 'check today'

The financial expert urged Good Morning Britain viewers that this specific day was very important if you pay for gas and electricity

Economics

89 m. ago PMQs live: Starmer defends immigration speech as Farage claims Labour ‘learning from Reform’

Reform leader asks PM to declare a national emergency at the bordersHere is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs, which starts at noon.In March Reform UK reported Rupert Lowe (at the time one of their five MPs) to the police, claiming he had threatened the party chair, Zia Yusuf, with violence. Reform UK announced the news shortly after Lowe gave a newspaper interview criticising Nigel Farage, the party leader,Following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence in relation to an allegation of threats, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought against a sitting MP.Having considered a number of witness statements, we have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.If Farage were ever to control the vast power of the British state, I believe he would not hesitate to do to his adversaries what they have tried to do to me. With real power, I fear he would wield that immense responsibility to crush dissent - ...

Politics

92 m. ago Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T snapped up by US firm for £297m; Goldman Sachs lifts UK and eurozone growth forecasts – business live

China issues warning to UK over terms of US trade deal, saying it is a ‘basic principle’ that bilateral agreements should not target other nationsHere’s our full story on the Co-op saying that that stock availability in its stores will not improve until this weekend, as it struggles to recover from a cyber-attack two weeks ago.And our full take on Burberry’s planned 1,700 job cuts. Continue reading...

Economics

1 hour ago The future of Frieze: will its $200 million sale transform the art fair?

The sale of Frieze to new owner Ari Emanuel marks a huge moment for the art fair but brings up questions around what the future looks like for what is now a glamorous, global brand

Economics

1 hour ago The Independent’s Food and Drink Editor to swap pen for pan at charity dinner in aid of Action Against Hunger

Critics become the critiqued as Hannah Twiggs joins a lineup of food writers heading into the kitchen for a one-night-only dinner at Roe in support of Action Against Hunger

Politics

2 h. ago Watch live: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs after immigration crackdown backlash

Watch live as Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs on Wednesday (14 May), as he continues to face criticism for his “island of stranger speech”.

Politics

2 h. ago Israeli bombing wave kills dozens in Gaza including at least 22 children, say reports

Bombardment signals new escalation after Netanyahu said Israel would ‘go in with full force to complete the operation’Middle East crisis – live updatesAn intense wave of Israeli bombing has reportedly killed dozens of people in Gaza, including many children, signalling a new escalation at a critical moment in regional politics.The exact number of deaths from the attacks was unclear, with estimates ranging from about 30 to more than 50, making it one of the highest tolls in a single morning for many weeks. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Hungary targets critics with bill that would blacklist critical media and NGOs

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party is introducing a bill that would allow the government to monitor, restrict, and penalize organizations it deems a threat to national sovereignty

Events

2 h. ago Rupert Lowe: Threats investigation against ex Reform MP dropped

Rupert Lowe insisted the accusations, and his suspension from Reform, were a politically motivated retaliation for his criticism of leader Nigel Farage

Events

2 h. ago Critic of Covid boosters set to enact tough agenda as top US vaccines official

Vinay Prasad, outspoken critic of pharmaceutical industry and of his peers in public health, to take over CBERVinay Prasad, an oncologist and hematologist who has called for more regulatory scrutiny of pharmaceuticals, including Covid vaccines, was named the top US vaccines official earlier this month.Marty Makary, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced in a 6 May email obtained by the Guardian that Prasad would now lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), which oversees biological products like blood, vaccines, and cellular and gene therapies. Biotech stocks plunged at the news. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Donald Trump declares he's invented 'new word' but critics point out big problem

President Donald Trump isn't shy when it comes to boasting about his "talents" – and now he considers himself to be somewhat of a wordsmith. However, there's a big issue

Politics

3 h. ago ‘I terribly wanted to be liked. Still do’: Status Quo’s Francis Rossi on money worries, his deepest neuroses – and sounding like Nellie the Elephant

Lampooned by critics but loved by fans, Quo turned boogie into blockbuster rock. As a live album captures their 70s peak, their frontman remembers late friend Rick Parfitt – and reconsiders his whole sense of selfIf you want to contemplate quite how far back Status Quo’s roots go, consider this: the band’s founders came together before the Beatles had released their first single, before the idea of “the band” was even a thing in pop music. They’re often dismissed as one-song wonders, or as proponents of brutally simplistic music – but as much as the Stones or the Who, Status Quo are carved into British rock.Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster formed the Spectres in 1962, when the guitarist and bassist were still at school. Drummer John Coghlan signed up a year later and Rick Parfitt completed the “Frantic Four” when he joined after sharing a bill with the Spectres at Minehead Butlin’s in 1966. The Beatles showed Rossi not just what he could do with his life, but touched something very ...

Events

3 h. ago Jeremy Clarkson addresses Kaleb Cooper’s future after he was 'replaced' by new farmhand Harriet

Fans were left stunned last week when the trailer for Clarkson’s Farm season four dropped, introducing Harriet Cowan while Cooper was noticeably absent

Culture

3 h. ago BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington addresses 'changes' after show 'snub' and hails new partner

The professional dancer has offeredd a positive update on his Strictly Come Dancing future having been without a partner last year

Culture

3 h. ago Jeremy Clarkson confirms Kaleb Cooper’s future on Clarkson’s Farm

Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed the future of his Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper.

Politics

3 h. ago Jeremy Clarkson addresses Kaleb Cooper’s future on Clarkson’s Farm after concern

‘Grand Tour’ host admitted he ‘made a mess of everything’

Culture

3 h. ago Backlash to Starmer’s immigration speech ‘overblown’ – minister

Sir Keir’s comments have been likened to Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘rivers of blood’ speech.

Politics