3 d. ago One part of the UK might escape Starmer’s smoking ban, minister admits

Prime minister was warned his flagship plans could see him end up in court over key agreement with the European Union, designed to deal with major issues caused by Britain’s exit from the bloc

Politics

3 d. ago Muir ‘fast losing patience’ with Infrastructure Department over water pollution

The Agriculture Minister also warned that Belfast Lough ‘has the potential to become the next Lough Neagh’.

Politics

3 d. ago Russia could strike ‘deep into Europe’, Poland’s foreign minister warns

Radoslaw Sikorski urged European leaders to invest in a drone wall to defend the continent’s eastern flank

Events

4 d. ago Health minister hails ‘remarkable success’ of drive to tackle waiting lists

However Health Minister Mike Nesbitt warned of the impact a nurses strike could have this winter if they do not receive pay parity.

Politics

4 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Poland minister shows Shahed drone and warns of ‘deep’ Russian threat

Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking in London, urges drone wall and three-year plan to back Ukraine; Odesa mayor’s ‘citizenship suspended’. What we know on day 1,330 Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago South Africa's health minister hails new HIV prevention jab but warns of limited supply

South Africa's health minister has called lenacapavir, the first twice-yearly HIV prevention jab, a "groundbreaking" tool against the disease

Events

5 d. ago Furious Speaker hits out at ministers over China spying scandal and warns parliament is not getting protection

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle accused the Government of failing to protect MPs after Parliament was 'spied on' by China.

Events

6 d. ago Russia's chilling 'nuclear' Tomahawk warning as 'tensions escalate on all sides'

Donald Trump has said that he may give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine which would allow it to strike deep into Russia, leading to the Kremlin saying it is "of extreme concern"

Events

7 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Latest refinery strike shows ‘no safe places in Russia’s deep rear’

Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa is 1,400km from Ukrainian border; Zelenskyy says Trump can repeat Middle East peace success in Ukraine. What we know on day 1,327Ukrainian drones have struck Russia’s Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa, 1,400km from Ukraine, causing explosions and a fire, a source in Ukraine’s SBU security service told Reuters on Saturday. “This is the third SBU deep strike in Bashkortostan in the last month Such strikes demonstrate that there are no safe places in the deep rear of the Russian Federation.”Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine “[like in] the Middle East” during a phone call on Saturday. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well, including the Russian war,” Zelenskyy said, hailing Trump’s “outstanding” Gaza ceasefire plan and calling for the US president to pressure the Kremlin into negotiations.Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least five people on Saturday and cut power to parts of Ukra...

Events

7 d. ago Keir Starmer's security adviser Jonathan Powell is 'too close to China', Labour cabinet ministers warn

Jonathan Powell is facing scrutiny across the political divide after he reportedly refused to call Beijing an 'enemy' of the UK in evidence for the case.

Events

1 week ago No more bailouts to fund public sector pay rises, cabinet ministers warned

Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves tightens purse strings ahead of difficult Autumn Budget

Events

1 week ago Scots households would be £10,000 better off with independence, paper claims

First Minister John Swinney warned of a ‘rightward shift’ in the UK.

Economics

1 week ago Canadian marine park threatens to euthanize 30 whales if government does not provide funding

Marineland’s warning comes after Canadian official blocked the transfer of the beluga whales to a theme park in ChinaMarineland has threatened to euthanize 30 beluga whales if Canada’s federal government does not provide financial support for the embattled Niagara Falls amusement park. The warning comes after the country’s fisheries minister blocked the transfer of the captive whales to a theme park in China.Marineland, an amusement park, zoo, aquarium and forest occupying nearly 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of land in Ontario, has endured mounting scrutiny over allegations the animals are living in poor conditions. The park, which once saw millions of visitors, did not open for the summer season and is winding down its operations in anticipation of a sale. In February, a lawyer for the park said it was planning to “expeditiously” remove the remaining animals still on the grounds. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Marine park threatens to euthanize 30 whales if Canada does not provide funding

Marineland’s warning comes after Canadian official blocked the transfer of the beluga whales to a theme park in ChinaMarineland has threatened to euthanize 30 beluga whales if Canada’s federal government does not provide financial support for the embattled Niagara Falls amusement park. The warning comes after the country’s fisheries minister blocked the transfer of the captive whales to a theme park in China.Marineland, an amusement park, zoo, aquarium and forest occupying nearly 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of land in Ontario, has endured mounting scrutiny over allegations the animals are living in poor conditions. The park, which once saw millions of visitors, did not open for the summer season and is winding down its operations in anticipation of a sale. In February, a lawyer for the park said it was planning to “expeditiously” remove the remaining animals still on the grounds. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Chilling World War 3 warning as 'hybrid war already underway' in Europe

Denmark's Prime Minister has warned of a possible 'hybrid war' unfolding across Europe - following a series of drone incursions, cyber attacks and sabotage operations targeting key infrastructure

Events

2 w. ago Europe needs to ‘get serious’ about threat posed to it by Russia, Ukraine minister says

Sergiy Kyslytsia says Kremlin already at war with Europe and predicts that Vladimir Putin will ‘escalate escalating’Europe needs to “get serious” about the existential threat posed to it by Russia, Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister has said, warning that Vladimir Putin will “escalate escalating”.In an interview with the Guardian, Sergiy Kyslytsia – Kyiv’s former ambassador to the UN – said the Kremlin was already at war with Europe. He said Russia’s recent drone incursions against several EU countries were well-calculated and an attempt to “move the red lines”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Theresa May hits out at Badenoch pledge to ditch flagship UK climate change law

Former prime minister warns Tory leader’s move would be ‘catastrophic mistake’

Society

2 w. ago May hits out at Badenoch’s pledge to ditch flagship UK climate change law

Former prime minister warned Tory leader’s move would be ‘catastrophic mistake’

Society

2 w. ago Health minister with incurable cancer warns: ‘None of us know what’s around the corner’

The MP for West Lancashire, who is working on Labour’s ‘ten-year cancer plan’, was diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer diagnosed last summer

Events

2 w. ago Israel says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to leave

Defence minister issues warning, while Hamas reportedly considers seeking amendments to Trump plan The Israeli military has issued what it said was its final warning for Gaza City residents to flee as it intensified its bombardment and offensive on Wednesday, while Hamas was reportedly considering requesting amendments to Donald Trump’s ceasefire ultimatum.Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the warning was the last opportunity for people to move to southern Gaza as the military encircled the city. Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had killed at least 46 people, including 36 in Gaza City. Continue reading...

Politics