46 m. ago The three financial ghosts haunting Rachel Reeves’ crucial Budget

Three issues have fundamentally shaped the UK’s money woes, writes Renaud Foucart of The Conversation

Economics

67 m. ago Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr

Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament? Rachel Reeves has approached this week’s budget like a reluctant swimmer inching into freezing water, trying to ease the unpleasantness by incremental exposure. The chancellor started paddling delicately around the problem of insufficient revenue at the end of the summer. First, she refused to stand by former insistence that tax rises in last year’s budget would be the last. “The world has changed,” she said.Then, earlier this month, she took a bigger stride into the icy waves. There was a speech promising to “do what is necessary” to fund public services and keep borrowing costs down. Downing Street did not discourage speculation that this meant reneging on Labour’s 2024 manifesto promise not to raise income tax. Too deep! Within 10 days the Treasury had retracted the hint. The manifesto commitment still stood after all. As any cold-water sw...

Politics

67 m. ago New Robbie Burns play tours some of Scotland's finest historic sites this winter

The bard’s personal history and “kaleidoscopic personality” are to be explored in The Burns Project.

Events

2 h. ago Stranger Things takeover of Netflix charts suggests fans are all doing the same thing ahead of Season 5

Hit science fiction series climbing charts as anticipation grows for final season

Politics

2 h. ago Heartbroken mum of young Stirling footballer praises community over memorial fundraiser

Lauchlan Thomson, 11, passed away earlier this month while undergoing treatment for leukaemia - with his club and others helping to raise more than £11,000 for the hospital which cared for him.

Politics

3 h. ago £14,000 handouts to 18,000 families: Rachel Reeves's Budget will raise taxes to fund benefits windfall

Official figures show the Chancellor's Budget plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap will be worth more than £14,000 a year each to 18,000 low-income families with six or more children.

Economics

7 h. ago Being a famous singer raises risk of early death, researchers say

Lead singers in bands fare better than solo artists, but fame – rather than lifestyle or job itself – seems to be major factorFor those who hanker for the limelight, be careful what you wish for: shooting to stardom as a lead singer really does raise the risk of an early death, researchers say.Their analysis of singers from Europe and the US found that those who rose to fame died on average nearly five years sooner than less well-known singers, suggesting fame itself, rather than the lifestyle and demands of the job, was a major driver. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago Nauru president accused in parliament of corruptly siphoning off millions of Australian funding

Senator uses parliament to accuse Albanese government of knowing David Adeang was ‘seriously corrupt’ yet still signing $2.5bn deportation dealFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNauru’s President David Adeang, a predecessor and other individuals have been accused in the Senate of corruptly siphoning off millions of dollars of Australian taxpayer money intended for the island’s arcane offshore processing regime.A previously unreleased report by Australia’s financial intelligence agency, Austrac, suspected Adeang of “corruption and money laundering” after detecting a “rapid movement of large volume and value of funds”, the Senate has been told. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Dark matter is seen for the first time: Eerie image shows first direct evidence of the elusive substance that makes up 25% of the universe

Scientists have captured the first-ever direct evidence for dark matter, the elusive substance that makes up more than a quarter of the universe.

Politics

8 h. ago Study claims to provide first direct evidence of dark matter

Astrophysicist Prof Tomonori Totani says research could be crucial breakthrough in search for elusive substanceNearly a century ago, scientists proposed that a mysterious invisible substance they named dark matter clumped around galaxies and formed a cosmic web across the universe.What dark matter is made from, and whether it is even real, are still open questions, but according to a study, the first direct evidence of the substance may finally have been glimpsed. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Amazon users urged to follow 5 rules this week as company shares urgent warning

Shoppers are being urged to beware of scammers impersonating the retail giant as it holds its Black Friday sale.

Events

8 h. ago Republicans want to cut funding designed to help expand the nation’s energy grid

The cuts come as Republicans are facing pressure to lower household costs like energy bills

Politics

8 h. ago 20 states sue Trump over his plans to cut homeless funding and put thousands on the street

Thousands of Americans are at risk of losing shelter under planned cuts and new conditions on funds, lawsuit says

Politics

9 h. ago I'm a Celebrity star Jack Osbourne sparks 'stress' amongst viewers in 'scary' mission

ITV viewers praised the star for his impressive Bushtucker trial

Events

9 h. ago Christmas concert will raise funds for Linlithgow Day Care Centre

Linlithgow RFC Male Voice Choir will be performing alongside the Linlithgow Primary School choir, a group from the Linlithgow Ladies Choir, and singers from Linlithgow Amateur Musical Productions (LAMP).

Politics

10 h. ago Religious leader issues doomsday warning for the end of 2025: 'The last day of this world'

A mysterious prophet who hasn't been seen in decades left a dire warning for humanity of a coming cataclysm sent by God.

Events

10 h. ago Adolescence lasts into your 30s, major new study on brain development finds

New analysis has found that the human brain goes through five ‘major epochs’ ages during lifetime

Politics

11 h. ago Rush Hour 4 in development after Trump reportedly pushed for sequel

Brett Ratner is reportedly attached to return to the project

Politics

12 h. ago Expert urges caution after DIY impotence remedies go viral: 'Baking soda and apple cider vinegar will not cure erectile dysfunction'

It's estimated that 4.3 million men in Britain suffer with erectile dysfunction-and their reluctance to speak to their GP about the issue is driving them to try potentially dangerous home cures.

Events

13 h. ago The countries where melting Antarctic ice could raise sea levels by up to 10ft

The extent to which the Antarctic ice sheet melts will depend on how much the Earth warms

Politics