40 m. ago Zelenskyy joins EU leaders’ meeting over €800bn defence plan after Macron’s stark Russia warning – Europe live

Leaders gather to discuss €800bn plan to boost military capacity and help Ukraine as French president says Europe has to be ready to defend itself without US helpSee all our Ukraine war coverageFrance is offering intelligence to Ukraine, French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Thursday, with Paris stepping in to help and fill the void left after the US suspended its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.Speaking to France Inter radio, he also said that president Macron asked him to accelerate the French aid packages “to compensate” for the suspended US aid.In a famously cautious political culture, Mr Merz’s bid to bypass legal restrictions on government debt represents a seismic shift. It would permit a step-change in defence spending for years to come, putting Germany in a leadership position as Europe seeks strategic autonomy from the United States.Mr Merz, a former investment banker, has been a deficit hawk and economic liberal throughout his career. It is an irony of fate tha...

Events

78 m. ago Wales v Scotland team announcement LIVE: Matt Sherratt names side

The interim Wales head coach is expected to stick with the side that impressed against Ireland in the last round

Politics

7 h. ago Simple £100 microwave change that could save money as energy bills rise

Experts say there are a number of small changes people can make to cut their gas and electricity bills, with one involving the use of a microwave

Economics

7 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih hotel kills two; EU leaders to gather for summit

Two killed and 28 injured in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s home city; Ukrainian president to join EU leaders in Brussels, with shared nuclear deterrence on the agendaSee all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago UK and Ireland to announce closer collaboration on energy at summit

Officials hope the new deal will speed up investments and developments in infrastructure.

Politics

11 h. ago Prime Minister and Taoiseach pledge to work together ahead of inaugural summit

Sir Keir Starmer and Micheal Martin spoke at a reception at the Museum of Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

Politics

12 h. ago Ireland will not be part of any ‘deterrent’ deployment in Ukraine – Taoiseach

Micheal Martin said the country would be willing to be engaged in a peacekeeping mission if a ceasefire is reached.

Politics

12 h. ago Home nations to make joint bid to host 2035 Women's World Cup

The competition has never been held on British soil

Politics

12 h. ago UK plans joint bid to host 2035 Women’s World Cup in ‘monumental moment’

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland involvedKeir Starmer promises ‘government’s full support’The home nations are to join together in a bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035, a move which, if successful, would mark a “monumental moment in our nation’s sporting history”, according to Keir Starmer, the prime minister.A formal expression of interest in staging the tournament, which could be comprised of as many as 48 teams, is to be submitted to Fifa this month on behalf of the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the governing bodies have confirmed. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Palestine Action deface Cambridge University in act of 'absolutely appalling vandalism' as Grade I listed building targeted

The group said it collaborated with students to mark the office which manages the university's Endowment Fund, The Old Schools on Trinity Lane yesterday.

Events

13 h. ago Phil Taylor tips Luke Littler for astonishing darts feat as he puts his energy into new role

On the House of Commons terrace, 16-times king of darts Phil Taylor explored his new incarnation as a consumer champion - with a warning that Luke Littler's rampage through the record books may only be getting started

Politics

13 h. ago Home Nations to submit joint expression of interest in hosting 2035 Women’s World Cup

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will submit a bid to host the tournament later this year

Politics

13 h. ago Final sum to tackle health waiting lists ‘still to be determined’ – Nesbitt

Finance Minister John O’Dowd said he will work with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to tackle the waiting lists.

Science

13 h. ago The View’s Sunny Hostin slams Democrats for not walking out in solidarity with Al Green during Trump speech

‘Because alone you can survive but together you thrive,’ Sunny Hostin declared. ‘That is the energy that we need’

Politics

14 h. ago NI Secretary and Stormont Communities minister to meet over Casement Park

Hilary Benn did not comment on how much the UK Government will contribute to the redevelopment.

Politics

14 h. ago East Lothian brother and sister selected for same Scotland side

Craigielaw pair Fraser and Stella Walters both picked for tri-nations event in Ireland

Politics

15 h. ago Labour to scrap windfall tax on oil firms to help 'unleash North Sea's clean energy future'

The UK Government has confirmed the levy on oil megaprofits will end in 2030.

Economics

16 h. ago The untold stories of female climbers summiting the world’s tallest peaks

In 1970, Grace Hoeman led the first all- female team in an attempt to climb North America’s highest peak, DenaliIn 1970, Alaskan doctor and mountaineer Grace Hoeman led a team of six women in the first all-female attempt to summit Denali – which was the first all-women’s ascent of any of the world’s big peaks.At the time, people thought that women were incapable of climbing mountains without men’s help. We had sent men to the moon, and women still hadn’t stood on the highest points on Earth. Which made Hoeman’s bold idea all the more audacious. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Golf history in making as brother and sister selected for same Scotland side

Craigielaw pair Fraser and Stella Walters both picked for tri-nations event in Ireland

Politics

16 h. ago Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper edges closer to major money milestone

The TV favourite is seeing the money roll in thanks to the hit Amazon show, his tour and book

Politics