1 hour ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

13 h. ago What are the legal issues around Britain helping Trump bomb Iran?

Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to back the US and – as a lawyer – will be aware of the legal landscapeMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer considers whether Britain should support the US if Donald Trump decides to bomb Iran, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly warned him that UK involvement could be illegal. The prime minister was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war when he was a human rights lawyer in 2003 and will be well aware of the thorny legal issues around engagement in strikes against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago Fed keeps rates unchanged after Trump knocks chairman Jerome Powell – live

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady and policymakers signal borrowing costs are still likely to fall this yearRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago Justice Sotomayor dissents US supreme court decision that ‘authorizes untold harm to transgender children’ – live

Justice Sonia Sotomayor says decision ‘does irrevocable damage to the Equal Protection Clause’ and ‘invites legislatures to engage in discrimination’US supreme court upholds ban on youth gender-affirming careRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Israel warns Iran that 'Tehran will burn' if it fires more missiles

Defence Minister Israel Katz has chillingly warned 'Tehran will burn' if more missiles are fired at Israel, following a barrage of ballistic weapons fired by Iran on Friday night.

Events

6 d. ago John Swinney describes Iran situation as 'horrendously dangerous' after Israel air strikes rock region

The First Minister warned "this is a profoundly serious moment for us all" amid fears the fragile region could be tipped into war.

Politics

7 d. ago Sadiq Khan warns ministers not to ‘pit our towns and cities against each other’

Sadiq Khan warns ministers not to ‘pit our towns and cities against each other’  The Guardian

Events

8 d. ago Don't forget who real enemy is, U.S. warns Lammy over sanctions of two Israeli ministers over 'egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza

The White House has criticised Britain's decision to sanction two Israeli ministers over 'egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza.

Events

8 d. ago 'British mothers must accept their sons have to die to defend Finland, or there is no NATO': Chilling warning as Putin looks to test if Europe will stand up to his forces

Ukraine's former foreign minister has starkly warned that British mothers must accept their sons have to die defending Europe, otherwise there is no NATO.   

Events

1 week ago Mail's shocking 'cash for visas' scam expose shows the UK is an 'immigration free for all', Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick warns

The senior Tory MP hailed our 'crucial' undercover probe which revealed firms charge up to £22,000 to provide 'skilled' jobs in the UK for underqualified foreign workers.

Events

1 week ago Ministers accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ over UK’s soft power around the world

Government’s own advisers warn of funding crisis for BBC World Service, British Council and universitiesAs US retreats, is there a ‘soft power’ opportunity for UK?Ministers have been accused of being “asleep at the wheel” over threats to the UK’s soft power around the world, as some of their own advisers warned a funding crisis is undermining key institutions promoting British influence.Members of the government’s new soft power council, set up by ministers earlier this year, warned the BBC World Service, the British Council and universities – regarded as the bodies at the forefront of the UK’s soft power efforts – all face major financial pressures. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Police warn Starmer of ‘stark choices’ on investigating crimes if faced with cuts under spending review

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley among senior police officers who reportedly issued direct warning in letter to prime minister ahead of spending review

Events

2 w. ago Opioid ‘hundred times stronger than heroin’ linked to UK clubbing deaths for first time

Nightclubs such as Ministry of Sound and Fabric have issued warnings over the new blue-green pill being sold in London

Events

2 w. ago PM Sir Keir Starmer calls on nation to be ready for war with Mad Vlad's Russia

The prime minister warned the 'threat of Russia cannot be ignored' and said the UK must prepare for battle as he announced £15bn spending on nuclear weapons programmes

Events

2 w. ago John Swinney takes aim at 'real threat' of Nigel Farage's 'far

The First Minister has warned voters not to give Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party a foothold in Scottish politics.

Events

2 w. ago Minister warns UK faces 'new threats in very dangerous world' and 'is not in peace'

Defence minister Luke Pollard warned that Brits are now living in a "very dangerous world" and that "new threats" are facing the country as our military lingers from a "lack of investment"

Events

2 w. ago Britain faces attacks from Russia ‘daily’, minister warns ahead of Starmer’s defence review

Defence secretary John Healey admits the size of the army will not start to grow until at least 2029 as he appears to confirm Labour want to buy fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons

Events

2 w. ago Israel’s ‘violations’ in Gaza make world more dangerous, Norway warns

Low respect for international law and human rights set worrying precedent, international development minister saysIsrael is setting a dangerous precedent for international human rights law violations in Gaza that is making the whole world more dangerous, Norway’s international development minister has warned.Norway has played a historical role in the region, including by facilitating the Oslo peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians that led to a celebrated breakthrough deal in 1993. Last year it recognised the Palestinian state, one of a minority of European countries to do so. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Drones, AI and new technology will dramatically change nature of war, UK defence review to warn

MoD document expected to highlight dangers posed by Russia and China, and shortfall in UK troop numbersBritain is facing “a new era of threat” with drones, artificial intelligence and other technologies changing the nature of warfare more fundamentally than at any other point in history, the government’s strategic defence review is expected to conclude on Monday.The 130-page document written by three advisers to the prime minister, Keir Starmer, will warn of the “immediate and pressing” danger posed by Russia and is expected to try to draw heavily on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ‘New era of threat’ amid changing face of war, UK defence review to warn

MoD document expected to highlight dangers posed by Russia and China, and shortfall in UK troop numbersBritain is facing “a new era of threat” with drones, artificial intelligence and other technologies changing the nature of warfare more fundamentally than at any other point in history, the government’s strategic defence review is expected to conclude on Monday.The 130-page document written by three advisers to the prime minister, Keir Starmer, will warn of the “immediate and pressing” danger posed by Russia and is expected to try to draw heavily on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Events