12 h. ago Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal: Trump wants $1 trillion for defense but slashes domestic spending

The White House unveiled President Donald Trump's 2026 budget proposal on Friday, which aims to drastically reduce or even eliminate funding for numerous government programmes

Economics

21 h. ago Trump live: President’s unprecedented budget proposal alarms some key Republicans

Despite steep cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, huge military parade still being planned for president’s birthday in June

Politics

24 h. ago Trump budget plan includes massive cuts to punish ‘woke’ and ‘weaponized’ agencies

Congress has until September 30 to enact Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation

Politics

24 h. ago Trump live: President’s unprecedented budget proposal slashes $163 billion in federal spending

Despite steep cuts to non-defense discretionary spending, huge military parade still being planned for president’s birthday in June

Economics

25 h. ago Trump unveils 2026 budget blueprint that includes deep cuts to non

Proposed budget would raise defense spending by 13% and homeland security spending by nearly 65% compared to 2025 levelsThe seeds were sown for yesterday’s ousting of Mike Waltz as national security adviser long before “Signalgate”, notes Politco.The outlet reports that his approach to the job was unpopular and Waltz was seen as too cocky. One person close to the White House said:He’s a staff, but he was acting like a principal.Waltz has been on thin ice for a while. [Signalgate] made the ice thinner but at the same time may actually save him for now because they don’t want to give [Jeffrey] Goldberg a scalp. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Trump live: White House proposes huge federal cuts but still plans massive parade for president’s birthday

President Trump also closed a major shipping loophole that allowed Americans to purchase cheap goods from China without paying tariffs

Politics

66 h. ago Sleaze watchdog launches investigation into Rachel Reeves over Christmas theatre ticket freebie worth £276

It follows criticism of Rachel Reeves - including by fellow Labour MPs - for accepting free VIP seats at a pop concert while planning massive cuts to benefits and public spending.

Economics

3 d. ago We are witnessing slow constitutional collapse in the US | Moira Donegan

The vestiges of the US’s democracy are crumpling to the ground. We don’t yet know what will be erected in its placeIt’s possible that later, when we know more about how the Trump regime reshapes the US and about how it ultimately comes to an end, we will look back at this moment in 2025 and conclude that we were already living under an autocracy. Checks on executive power seem to have all but vanished; the Trump administration is not acting like either the courts, the judiciary or the people have any prerogatives that they must respect.Science is suffering: massive cuts to federal funding of research into medicine, climate change or anything that might include a word on a long list of banned ones – like “transition” – has decimated research, made the US a global laughingstock, and set the cause of human thriving back by years. The economy is in chaos, and the bribery is all but out in the open; it no longer seems to occur to many Americans that their politicians should not be on the...

Politics

3 d. ago Spanish PM calls on private energy firms to help find cause of massive power cut

Pedro Sánchez says changes needed to guarantee ‘supply and future competitiveness’ of electricity after blackout Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called on private energy operators to help his government establish the cause of Monday’s unprecedented power cut across the Iberian peninsula, and said changes and improvements must be made to guarantee “the supply and future competitiveness” of the country’s electrical system.Spain and Portugal suffered a massive power loss that began just after 12.30pm on Monday and lasted into the night. At least five people are thought to have died in Spain as a result of the blackout, which left people trapped on paralysed trains and in the static lifts of apartment blocks and offices. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Trump administration’s budget cuts endanger Meals on Wheels: ‘life and death implications’

Trump team’s slashes to US health department threaten popular program that combats elder hunger and isolationThe Trump administration’s slashes to the Department of Health and Human Services is threatening Meals on Wheels, the popular program dedicated to combatting senior hunger and isolation. Despite decades of bipartisan support, Meals on Wheels now faces attacks from Republicans whose budget blueprint paves the way for deep cuts to nutrition and other social safety-net programs as a way to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.It’s a move anti-hunger advocates and policy experts warn could have disastrous ramifications for the millions of older Americans who rely on the program to eat each day. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Spanish travellers warned to check with airlines following major power outage

Airports, shops, restaurants and schools were plunged into darkness at around midday on Monday after a massive power cut.

Events

5 d. ago Watch: Live view of Valencia train station as huge power cut causes massive blackout across Spain and Portugal

Watch a live view of Valencia train station on Monday (28 April) as a huge power cut causes massive blackouts across Spain and Portugal.

Politics

5 d. ago BREAKING Power cuts in Spain and Portugal as countries hit by massive blackouts

This is a breaking news story and is constantly being updated as the story develops

Events

5 d. ago Power cuts in Spain and Portugal as countries hit by massive blackouts

France, Spain and Portugal have been hit by huge blackouts as major cities including Madrid, Seville and Lisbon are left without power, causing thousands to be stranded

Events

5 d. ago LIVE: Power cuts hit Spain and Portugal as countries hit by massive blackouts

Widespread power outages are currently affecting Spain and Portugal

Events

6 d. ago Better transport links in north could 'turbocharge' national economy says Andy Burnahm as he lays out vision for 'Northern Arc'

The Greater Manchester Mayor is to meet government officials to discuss the vision plan - which includes a new Manchester to Liverpool rain line

Events

7 d. ago Republican unity to be tested in talks over Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

Party eyes dramatic spending cuts to turn president’s promises into reality – but not all lawmakers are on boardDonald Trump has made a simple request of Congress’s Republican leaders: deliver “one big, beautiful bill” that will turn his campaign promises into reality. By all indications, there will be little beautiful about the negotiations to come when Congress returns to session on Monday.The bill envisioned by the president will extend tax cuts enacted during his first term, fund more border defenses and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and potentially include the president’s vow to end the taxation of tips, overtime and social security payments. To pay for it, the GOP is eyeing dramatic reductions in government spending, and has targeted social safety net programs relied on by tens of millions of Americans. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Zelenskyy to cut South Africa trip short after ‘massive’ attack on Kyiv – Europe live

Children among nine dead and at least 70 wounded by Russian attack, Ukraine saysWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Trump wants to slash suicide lifeline for LGBT+ kids – despite it being the second biggest cause of death for American youth

The 988 crisis line connects thousands of young LGBT+ people to counseling every month

Events

1 week ago Sarah, Duchess of York calls for national cancer plan to include teenagers

The late Queen’s former daughter-in-law has signed an open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Politics