34 h. ago Tony Blair left out of Gaza ‘board of peace’ due to Iraq war history

Former UK Prime Minister had eyed a leading role on Trump’s council after working on the Israel-Hamas peace process

Events

37 h. ago Tony Blair 'is DROPPED' from Trump's Gaza 'peace board' after complaints from Arab states... but will get lower

Tony Blair was touted for a top role overseeing the territory as part of the ceasefire deal unveiled by Donald Trump in September.

Politics

41 h. ago UK households cut spending at fastest pace in almost five years, says Barclays

Bank reports 1.1% drop in card spending despite Black Friday boost for retailersUK households cut back on spending at the fastest pace in almost five years last month as consumers put Christmas shopping on hold, according to a leading survey.Adding to concerns that uncertainty surrounding the budget has helped dampen consumer confidence, Barclays said card spending fell 1.1% year on year in November – the largest fall since February 2021. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Tony Blair reportedly dropped from Trump’s Gaza ‘board of peace’ shortlist

Former UK leader loses out on key role in transitional authority after objections from Arab and Muslim nationsTony Blair will not occupy a key position on Donald Trump’s Gaza “peace council” after Arab and Muslim nations were reported to have objected to the involvement of the former UK prime minister.According to the Financial Times (FT), Blair has been quietly dropped from consideration for Trump’s “board of peace”, which Trump has said he would chair himself. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Israeli surveillance targets US and allies at joint base planning Gaza aid and security, say sources

Concerns over recording of meetings at coordination centre excluding Palestinians that was set up to provide support for Trump’s Gaza planIsraeli operatives are conducting widespread surveillance of US forces and allies stationed at a new US base in the country’s south, according to sources briefed on disputes about open and covert recordings of meetings and discussions.The scale of intelligence gathering at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) prompted the US commander of the base, Lt Gen Patrick Frank, to summon an Israeli counterpart for a meeting to tell him that “recording has to stop here”. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago First phase of Gaza ceasefire plan nearly complete, says Netanyahu

Israeli PM to discuss next steps with Donald Trump this month but timetable for lasting peace remains unclearBenjamin Netanyahu has said that the first phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is close to completion, and that the second phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas.The Israeli prime minister said he would discuss the next steps later this month in Washington with Donald Trump, whose Gaza proposals were codified in a UN security council resolution on 17 November. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Tony Blair ‘planning major intervention’ over Labour’s future

The former Labour leader is reported to be ‘looking closely’ at leadership candidates

Politics

7 d. ago Israel says it will reopen the Rafah border crossing. Here's what it means for Palestinians in Gaza

Israel has announced plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing in the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza

Politics

9 d. ago STEPHEN GLOVER: We have the most deceitful leaders of modern times. Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell seem like novices in comparison

What shall we do about a Chancellor who misrepresented her professional achievements before entering Parliament, and in office has broken promise after promise?

Politics

9 d. ago STEPHEN GLOVER: We have the most deceitful leaders of modern times. Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell seem like novices in comparison

What shall we do about a Chancellor who misrepresented her professional achievements before entering Parliament, and in office has broken promise after promise?

Politics

1 week ago Number of complaints about BBC to watchdog decreased in year to March – report

The report comes at a time of ‘significant crisis’ for the BBC, Ofcom said.

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Never mind the backbenchers – this Budget will squeeze working people until it hurts

Editorial: Make no mistake, this was a traditional Labour ‘tax and spend’ budget of the kind not seen since before the days of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – and while it will please the party, for many it will feel like a kick in the teeth

Economics

2 w. ago Leaked transcript reveals how US envoy coached Russian official on how Putin should flatter Trump and praise his peace deal in Gaza in bid to achieve Ukraine ceasefire

A leaked transcript has revealed how the U.S. Special Envoy coached a Kremlin aide on how Putin should flatter Trump and praise his peace deal in Gaza , in a bid to achieve the Ukraine ceasefire.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump and Patel issue instant response after report claiming the president was going to fire FBI director drops during meeting

‘I read the headline to the President and he laughed,’ a White House spokesperson said.

Politics

2 w. ago Claims of systemic problems with BBC news coverage disputed by former adviser

Caroline Daniel tells MPs leaked memo by Michael Prescott that sparked resignations at BBC did not provide full pictureClaims of “serious and systemic problems” in the corporation’s coverage of issues including Donald Trump, Gaza and trans issues, which led to the resignation of its director general, Tim Davie, have been disputed by a former adviser to the corporation.Deborah Turness, the head of BBC News, also resigned after the allegations by Michael Prescott, a PR executive and former independent external adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC). Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago How a slump in trainer sales shows the UK has run into a youth jobs crisis

JD Sports has reported a drop in business, saying youth joblessness is to blame for a decline in trainer sales.

Events

2 w. ago Any Ukraine peace plan needs Kyiv and Europe ‘on board’, says EU – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas leads reaction as reports circulate about a secret plan between Moscow and Washington to end the warUkrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko has met with US army secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, saying the pair had a chance “to assess the situation on the ground and to witness first-hand the consequences of Russian aggression.”“While Russia continues killing innocent civilians, destroying homes, and targeting critical infrastructure, the strategy of pressure on Russia is proving effective. It is crucial to further strengthen energy and financial sanctions against the aggressor state,” she said. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago The infidelity saga of RFK Jr, Nuzzi and her ex is unspooling in real time: ‘It’s like they’ve opened all their trench coats’

The rollout of reporter Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir has led to Ryan Lizza airing out her alleged affairs – and is fueling a dangerous stereotype about journalistsThis week, Olivia Nuzzi – the US star political reporter known for her cozy access to top Republican figures – dropped an excerpt of her memoir, American Canto. In it, she detailed what she describes as an emotional affair with Robert F Kennedy Jr, who she calls “the politician”.Not to be outdone, Nuzzi’s ex-fiance and former Politico correspondent Ryan Lizza self-published an essay dishing on the day he found out Nuzzi was cheating on him, he claims – not with RFK Jr, as one might have expected, but with another former presidential candidate, Mark Sanford. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago The infidelity saga of RFK Jr, Nuzzi and her ex is unspooling: ‘It’s like they’ve opened all their trench coats’

The rollout of reporter Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir has led to Ryan Lizza airing out her alleged affairs – and is fueling a dangerous stereotype about journalistsThis week, Olivia Nuzzi – the US star political reporter known for her cozy access to top Republican figures – dropped an excerpt of her memoir, American Canto. In it, she detailed what she describes as an emotional affair with Robert F Kennedy Jr, who she calls “the politician”.Not to be outdone, Nuzzi’s ex-fiance and former Politico correspondent Ryan Lizza self-published an essay dishing on the day he found out Nuzzi was cheating on him, he claims – not with RFK Jr, as one might have expected, but with another former presidential candidate, Mark Sanford. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Nominee for US deputy ambassador to UN calls for reforms at 'ineffective' global body

President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations has urged “bold reform” of what she calls the “bloated, unfocused and ineffective” global organization

Politics