13 h. ago U2 to make history as first Irish songwriters awarded Ivors Academy fellowship

They follow in the footsteps of artists including Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen.

Events

17 h. ago Sir John Curtice: Operation Branchform could hit SNP's election spending and stop 'effective ground war'

With a pro-independence majority sitting on a knife edge, Professor Sir John Curtice says the lack of trust in the SNP could make a big difference

Events

3 d. ago Sir Elton John's health woes in full as he struggles to sign autographs for fans

Sir Elton John has been open about his health conditions over the years, with the star revealing his deteriorating eye health last year

Politics

3 d. ago Sir Elton John struggling to sign autographs in latest health battle

The 77-year-old star is reported to have had to simplify his autograph

Events

4 d. ago Sir Elton John's health is 'deteriorating as the singer, 77, is unable to sign autographs properly on new album'

The legendary musician, 77, contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with 'limited vision' in his left.

Culture

8 d. ago Starmer: Home Office to examine case of couple fined over immigrant in bike rack

Conservative former minister Sir John Whittingdale, who raised the case in the Commons, said the couple should be ‘thanked rather than punished’.

Events

9 d. ago Sir John Nott who led the recapture of the Falkland Islands as Margaret Thatcher's Defence Secretary left a fortune to his family after his death at 92

Sir John Nott, the former Defence Secretary who played a key role in Britain's response to the Falklands War, left an estate valued at £2 million to his family following his death at the age of 92.

Society

9 d. ago Woman, 31, who halved her body weight with Ozempic is 'spending thousands' fixing 'awful' side effect she didn't predict

Alexandra Collett, 31, from Wandsworth, began taking Ozempic after being advised she would have to lose weight if she was to undergo surgery to ease her endometriosis symptoms.

Politics

2 w. ago European markets soar as Germany moves to lift ‘debt brake’ and raise defence spending

Berlin’s ‘big bazooka’ proposal sends industrial stocks surging but fiscal sea change also hikes borrowing costsBusiness live – German debt ‘bazooka’ rallies stocks and euroEuropean financial markets have rallied sharply and German borrowing costs have soared after the country’s prospective leaders announced a historic deal to loosen its “debt brake” rule to boost spending on defence.The yield – in effect the interest rate – on 30-year German government bonds rose by about 25 basis points to 3.08% in its biggest daily increase since October 1998. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago European markets soar as Germany lifts ‘debt brake’ to raise defence spending

Berlin’s ‘big bazooka’ move sends industrial stocks surging but fiscal sea change also hikes borrowing costsBusiness live – German debt ‘bazooka’ rallies stocks and euroEuropean financial markets have rallied sharply and German borrowing costs have soared after the country’s prospective leaders announced a historic deal to loosen its “debt brake” rule to boost spending on defence.The yield – in effect the interest rate – on 30-year German government bonds rose by 16 basis points, after having earlier jumped by as much as 25 basis points to 3.07% in its biggest increase since October 1998. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Arab leaders endorse Gaza rebuild scheme as alternative to Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ region – Middle East crisis live

Egyptian-devised $53bn proposal follows outrage at US president’s suggestion to force Palestinians to relocate from territoryAmnesty International said on Wednesday that Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics and health facilities during its recent war with Hezbollah should be investigated as war crimes, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).A 27 November truce agreement largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops. During the conflict, the Israeli military accused the group of using ambulances belonging to the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee for transporting fighters and weapons, accusations the group denied.Many of us have repeatedly raised objections over the continued sale of F-35 components. We have repeatedly asked for the truth regarding the role of British military bases. And we have repeatedly requested the publication of legal advice behind the govern...

Politics

2 w. ago Sir Elton John praises Irish band Kneecap for being ‘political’ with their music

Sir Elton spoke to Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration may exclude government spending from GDP, obscuring effect of Doge cuts

Howard Lutnick’s remarks echo Elon Musk, who says government spending doesn’t create value for US economyUS politics live – latest updatesHoward Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, said on Sunday that government spending could be separated from gross domestic product reports, in response to questions about whether the spending cuts pushed by billionaire businessman Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) could possibly cause an economic downturn.“You know that governments historically have messed with GDP,” Lutnick said on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures. “They count government spending as part of GDP. So I’m going to separate those two and make it transparent.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago US may exclude government spending from GDP, obscuring effect of Doge cuts

Howard Lutnick’s remarks echo Elon Musk, who says government spending doesn’t create value for US economyUS politics live – latest updatesHoward Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, said on Sunday that government spending could be separated from gross domestic product reports, in response to questions about whether the spending cuts pushed by the billionaire businessman Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) could possibly cause an economic downturn.“You know that governments historically have messed with GDP,” Lutnick said on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures. “They count government spending as part of GDP. So I’m going to separate those two and make it transparent.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Sir Elton John shares rare family moment with sons at Oscars party amid health concerns

Elton John and his husband David Furnish are parents to sons Zachary and Elijah, who the music icon rarely shares snaps of, but the family were recently seen all together at an Oscars party.

Society

2 w. ago Oscars 2025: Behind the scenes red carpet secret as stars flock to Elton John party

Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish will host dozens of famous faces at his annual Oscars event tonight but those on the red carpet are given a special trick to recognise people

Society

2 w. ago Sir Keir Starmer responds to 'prospect of UK war with Russia' after 'boots on the ground' pledge

Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit in London today

Events

2 w. ago Starmer wants ‘creatives to thrive’ after musicians lead backlash to AI plans

Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and Kate Bush are among artists who have protested about proposals around copyright and artificial intelligence.

Politics

2 w. ago SNP accused of trying to split unionist vote ahead of Scottish elections after Swinney demands alliance to 'lock out' Nigel Farage's 'far right' Reform Party

Professor Sir John Curtice hit out at Mr Swinney after he used a conference to demand the threat of the far-right - which he said included Reform - be blocked in Scotland.

Politics

3 w. ago John Swinney makes Trident nuclear deterrent declaration after Sir Keir Starmer defence spending decision

It came as the First Minister backed an increase in defence spending announced by Sir Keir Starmer

Events