21 h. ago Kemi Badenoch accuses Labour of lacking 'political courage' to carry out grooming gangs probe that looks at role of 'Asian and Pakistani' men in crimes

The Tory leader called for the inquiry to examine the ethnicity and religion of offenders who targeted mainly teenage girls in English towns.

Events

24 h. ago Labour 'has done nothing on grooming gangs': Kemi Badenoch heaps pressure on government over 'stalled' inquiry

The Tory leader called for the inquiry to examine the ethnicity and religion of offenders, ahead of a press conference unveiling draft terms of reference drawn up with the help of victims.

Events

2 d. ago Mum 'in tears' after son's Christmas school play leads to dramatic police call

The youngster was left distraught after being forced to take part in his school's Christmas play - and things escalated when he was given a bigger role in the performance

Events

3 d. ago Republicans insist Johnson is safe as speaker despite growing complaints and calls for a new leader

Various House Republicans have expressed confidence in Mike Johnson amid a turbulent moment for the speaker, whose leadership is being questioned

Politics

4 d. ago Thomas Frank calls on new Tottenham leaders to emerge ahead of Heung

The Spurs legend will be back in north London for a proper goodbye next week

Politics

4 d. ago Macron risks row with Trump after saying US will ‘betray Ukraine’ in leaked call with EU leaders

The phone call leaked in the German media has revealed a rift between Europe and Washington

Politics

4 d. ago Macron reportedly warned Zelenskyy US may ‘betray Ukraine on territory’

Der Spiegel quotes leaked call in which European leaders voice doubts about Washington’s approach to peace talksEmmanuel Macron has reportedly warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy that “there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees”, the German magazine Der Spiegel reported, quoting a leaked note from a recent call with several European leaders.Der Spiegel said it had obtained an English summary of Monday’s call, featuring what it said were direct quotations from European heads of government in which they expressed fundamental doubts about Washington’s approach to the talks. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Macron reportedly warned European leaders ‘there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine’ – Europe live

German magazine Der Spiegel has reported the warning, quoting a leaked note from a recent call between the European leadersBut on a more serious note, we are hearing that German chancellor Friedrich Merz has postponed his planned visit to Norway scheduled for Friday and will travel to Brussels instead.Merz will travel to Belgium for a private dinner with Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, his spokesperson said in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Kim Jong Un says snipers 'embarrassed themselves' fighting for Russia and must be better

Russia's Vladimir Putin has previously thanked Kim Jong Un for the courage of his troops who have been fighting in Ukraine, but the North Korean leader has called for his snipers to be better trained

Politics

6 d. ago Republican Matt Van Epps wins closely watched Tennessee special election

Race called with Van Epps holding a 52% lead over Aftyn Behn’s 46% in normally reliable Republican territoryRepublican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a congressional special election in the western Nashville suburbs, which was being closely watched for signs of Republican weakness going into congressional midterms next year.The Associated Press called the race at 9.47 EST with Van Epps holding a 52% to 46% lead. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago More than 200 leading cultural figures call for release of jailed Palestinian leader

Group including Margaret Atwood, Ian McKellen and Richard Branson sign open letter to free Marwan BarghoutiMore than 200 leading cultural figures have come together to call for the release of Marwan Barghouti, the jailed Palestinian leader seen as capable of uniting factions and bringing the best hope to the stalled mission of creating a Palestinian state.The prestigious and diverse group calling for his release in an open letter includes a variety of prominent names, including the writers Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith and Annie Ernaux; actors Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Josh O’Connor and Mark Ruffalo, and the broadcaster and former footballer Gary Lineker. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago ‘Lives are at stake’: Predators like Wayne Couzens ‘still being given police jobs’ after murder of Sarah Everard

Elish Angiolini has called for leaders to ‘get a move on’ to protect women in public spaces, as Sarah Everard’s mother Susan, says she is still tormented by the horrors of her daughter’s final hours

Events

6 d. ago ‘Lives are at stake’: Ministers warned predators ‘continue to roam freely’ since murder of Sarah Everard

Lady Elish Angiolini has called for leaders to ‘get a move on’ to protect women in public spaces

Events

6 d. ago Global leaders launch panel to accelerate action to end gender

New report calls for coordinated leadership, sustained financing, and system-wide prevention to confront a global crisis affecting over one billion women and girls.

Politics

7 d. ago ‘We didn’t think Back to the Future sounded plausible – or good’: Huey Lewis and the News on The Power of Love

‘I told the producers I didn’t know how to do a song for a film – and added that, frankly, I didn’t fancy writing one called Back to the Future. They said, “No problem, just give us one of your songs”’Steven Spielberg and Bob Zemeckis asked to meet us, along with Bob Gale and Neil Canton. They said they’d just written this film whose lead character was a guy called Marty McFly, and whose favourite band would be Huey Lewis and the News. They asked: “How about writing a song for the film?” I said: “I’m flattered but I don’t know how to write for film necessarily. And frankly, I don’t fancy writing a song called Back to the Future.” They said: “No problem. We just want one of your songs.” I said: “Tell you what, we’ll send you the next one we work on.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump reportedly gave Maduro ultimatum to relinquish power in Venezuela

US president sent a ‘blunt message’ to his South American counterpart, sources sayHow US campaign against Venezuela has unfoldedUS politics – live updatesDonald Trump reportedly gave Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum to relinquish power immediately during their recent call – but Venezuela’s authoritarian leader declined, demanding a “global amnesty” for himself and allies.On Sunday, the US president confirmed the call had taken place, telling reporters: “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly, it was a phone call.” Continue reading...

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9 d. ago Pressure mounts on Labour Government to call for release of two British businessmen 'forgotten' for 17 years in a UAE jail

Two leading human rights lawyers have written to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper calling on her to personally intervene in the cases of Ryan Cornelius, 71, and Charles Ridley 66.

Events

9 d. ago Radical Reeves? The chancellor’s mansion tax is a small but brave step forward | Phillip Inman

The high-value council tax surcharge may only raise £400m but it’s the best opportunity for a bigger, fairer tax on wealthRachel Reeves won little credit last week for lifting the lid on one of the most heated tax debates of the past three decades.Who in their right mind would consider engaging in the fight that would inevitably lead to some of the richest people in the land calling for your head? Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Details of Trump's secret phone call with Venezuelan leader emerge as Pentagon hits back at chilling 'kill everybody' message

New reporting has revealed that Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro spoke on the phone last week, as Pete Hegseth doubles down on lethal force against potential drug traffickers.

Events

1 week ago UK MPs push for extra aid and visas as Jamaica reels from Hurricane Melissa

Dawn Butler leads calls for humanitarian visas and fee waivers for vulnerable relatives of UK nationals affected by stormBritish MPs have joined campaigners calling for more aid and humanitarian visas for Jamaicans to enter the UK after Hurricane Melissa demolished parts of the country, plunging hundreds of thousands of people into a humanitarian crisis.The UK has pledged £7.5m emergency funds to Jamaica and other islands affected by the hurricane, but many argue that the country has a moral obligation to do more for former Caribbean colonies. Continue reading...

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