67 m. ago 2 killed in Russia while Ukraine's energy infrastructure is targeted as peace talks press on

A drone attack in Russia's Saratov region has killed at least two people and damaged a residential building

Events

2 h. ago Starmer to pick new US ambassador as relations with Trump tested

Exclusive: A trio of candidates have been interviewed by the PM, but he could still decide to directly appoint someone elseKeir Starmer is poised to choose a new ambassador to Washington from a shortlist of three as relations with the US are tested over Ukraine and Donald Trump’s attacks on European leaders.The prime minister held interviews with three finalists for the role this week, the Guardian has learned, with Downing Street preparing to make an appointment before the end of the year. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago Kremlin official says Russian police and National Guard to stay in Ukraine's Donbas even after peace

A senior Kremlin official says Russian police and the National Guard will remain in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas even if a peace settlement ends the war

Politics

37 h. ago Hundreds of furious landlords are barring Keir Starmer & Labour MPs from their boozers in protest at Budget tax

HUNDREDS of furious landlords are barring PM Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour MPs from their boozers in protest at a sly Budget tax-grab. They fear they will have to call last orders on pubs in the wake of the punishing Budget. Scores have joined the Taxed Out campaign and back banning Labour MPs from...

Economics

38 h. ago Keir Starmer and allies say Ukraine at ‘pivotal moment’ in coalition call

Ukraine has pushed back against a US-drafted plan and submitted its own 20-point document to Washington as part of negotiations.

Politics

38 h. ago ‘Superflu’ mayhem will drag into New Year as mutant bug’s ‘longtail fuels post

THE NHS has been plunged into its worst-case winter scenario as an “unprecedented wave of superflu” pushed hospital cases up 55 per cent in a week.  Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged Britons to “be careful” and blasted doctors plotting a mid-crisis strike next week as “irresponsible”.  NHS officials said there are now enough virus...

Science

38 h. ago Downing Street issues statement on urgent Russia meeting after 'ready for war' comments

Sir Keir Starmer hosted a coalition of the willing meeting

Events

41 h. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s new peerages: another boost for the ermine arms race | Editorial

Sir Keir Starmer promised to bring meaningful reform to the House of Lords. He is failing to introduce itIn opposition, Sir Keir Starmer called the unelected House of Lords “indefensible”. This week, barely 18 months into his prime ministership, Sir Keir took the total of unelected peers he has appointed since July 2024 to 96. Remarkably, Wednesday’s 34 new life peerages, mainly Labour supporters, take his appointment total above those of each of his four most recent Conservative predecessors. You must go back to David Cameron to find a prime minister who did more to stuff the Lords than Sir Keir.At the last election, Labour presented itself to the voters as a party of Lords reform. The party manifesto promised to remove the remaining hereditary peers, to reform the appointments process, to impose a peers’ retirement age, and to consult on proposals for replacing the Lords with an alternative second chamber. The House of Lords, the manifesto flatly declared, was “too big”....

Politics

42 h. ago Trump and Europe want ‘same thing’ for Ukraine, insists Starmer

The Prime Minister said there were a ‘number of issues still to be resolved’ but dismissed suggestions his optimism had been frayed

Politics

43 h. ago US pushing Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas and create ‘free economic zone’, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian leader says Washington has suggested that Russian troops would stay in region, but not advance furtherNato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Economics

44 h. ago Keir Starmer blasted for stuffing 'bloated' House of Lords with even more members

PM Sir Keir Starmer is under fire for creating even more unelected peers. It means he's now overseen 96 new members of the House of Lords since entering Number 10

Politics

46 h. ago ‘We are Russia’s next target’, warns Nato chief on Berlin visit – Europe live

Mark Rutte says ‘we are already in harm’s way’Nato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Events

46 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer clarifies 'wear a mask' advice in 'be careful' warning as flu cases soar

The Prime Minister has urged 'common sense' amid a rise in flu cases

Events

46 h. ago Trump and Europe want ‘same thing’ for Ukraine, Starmer says

The Prime Minister said there were a ‘number of issues still to be resolved’ but dismissed suggestions his optimism had been frayed.

Politics

47 h. ago Merz says European leaders had ‘constructive’ call with Trump as he plays down tensions with US – Europe live

German chancellor says conversation focused on ‘what territorial concessions Ukraine is prepared to make’Nato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago ‘I am hopeful Venezuela will be free’: Nobel peace prize winner speaks after secret journey to Oslo – Europe live

Opposition politician María Corina Machado thanks people who ‘risked their lives’ to get her to Norwegian capitalNato’s Rutte largely sticks to usual pleasantries, but says the clear political signal from Germany and other European partners is that “Europe is ready to take on more responsibility,” and “a signal that burden sharing is not just a slogan.”In his opening remarks, Merz says that Nato plays “a key role in a time of great geopolitical upheaval,” as he recalls his numerous meetings with Rutte in recent months. Continue reading...

Society

50 h. ago Keir Starmer to chair coalition of the willing call after Trump talks on Ukraine

The Prime Minister is expected to co-chair a call with leaders and officials from around 30 nations on Thursday.

Politics

64 h. ago Ukraine war: Trump criticises European leaders on eve of crunch coalition meeting

President says there were ‘strong words’ in latest call, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join other European leaders to discuss peace plan on ThursdayLeaders of the “coalition of the willing” group of nations will hold a video call about the Ukraine war on Thursday as Donald Trump voiced impatience with European allies and put US involvement in further talks in doubt, saying they risked “wasting time”.Amid chaotic American efforts to push through a peace deal, the US president said on Wednesday night: “We discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words”, when asked about an earlier phone call with British prime minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Iceland boss and top Downing Street aide among Starmer’s new Labour peers

Sir Keir Starmer is introducing new Labour peers as he aims to rebalance the Tory majority in the Lords, and see off further challenges to his plans.

Politics

65 h. ago Brit soldier George Hooley killed in Ukraine had 'rare gift' and 'open heart'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has joined British commanders in paying tribute to Lance Corporal George Hooley, who died in a 'tragic accident' in Ukraine watching a weapon test

Events