3 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession’, Putin minister tells economic showcase

Drone attacks on Kharkiv and Odesa; don’t forget about Ukraine because of Iran-Israel fighting, say Kyiv officials. What we know on day 1,213 Vladimir Putin’s economy minister has warned that Russia is “on the verge” of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on “current business sentiment and indicators” pointing to a slowdown. “Everything else depends on our decisions,” Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a “little love for the economy”.Russia’s central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia’s economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending ...

Politics

4 h. ago Thai PM apologises over leaked call with Hun Sen as crisis threatens to topple government

In the phone call, Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra discusses a border dispute with former Cambodian leader and calls him ‘uncle’Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, apologised on Thursday for a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that provoked widespread anger and threatened to break up her ruling coalition.As pressure grew on Thursday, Paetongtarn apologised at a news conference alongside military chiefs and senior figures from her Pheu Thai party. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago Government pledges £900m of sport investment in boost to Euro 2028 and Tour de France plans

Investment will also be made to upgrade grassroots facilities

Economics

6 h. ago Major sporting events and grassroots sport to receive £900 million funding

At least £400 million will also be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities.

Economics

6 h. ago DCMS announces £900m funding for grassroots sport and major events including Euros and Tour de France

The government has promised to make significant investment in hosting global sporting competitions over the next four years

Economics

7 h. ago Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigns over plans to cut £5bn from the benefits bill

Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a Government whip over the party's welfare proposals.

Economics

7 h. ago Blow for Keir Starmer as Labour frontbencher quits over disability benefit cuts

Vicky Foxcroft said "with a heavy heart" she would be giving up her role as a government whip, saying changes she'd wanted to see made to the welfare reform had not happened.

Politics

7 h. ago London MP resigns from the government in protest over proposed welfare cuts

The resignation follows a backlash from MPs over Sir Keir Starmer’s planned welfare reforms

Politics

8 h. ago First Minister criticised by Labour Senedd members over 'scattergun' Welsh Government policy

Eluned Morgan faced tough questions over her government's international strategy

Politics

10 h. ago Keir Starmer must refuse to follow Donald Trump into war on Iran

Editorial: Should the US decide to join the Israeli attacks on Iran, there are strong moral and practical reasons why Britain should refuse to help its closest ally and stand aside

Politics

10 h. ago Spanish court rejects Airbnb appeal and keeps order to block nearly 66,000 listings

A Spanish court has rejected an appeal by Airbnb and left in place an order to block almost 66,000 rental listings that the government says violated local rules

Events

11 h. ago Rachel Reeves made us a promise last week, but we still don't know what it means

The Chancellor said the government will 'take forward' Northern Powerhouse Rail - but she's not set out exactly what that means

Politics

11 h. ago Rosebank and other North Sea oil and gas fields could be given green light under new guidelines

The oil and gas industry has welcomed the consent process being restarted by the UK government.

Politics

11 h. ago Mayor will ‘come up with plan C’ if police try to impose ban on Budapest Pride

Leader says LGBTQ+ march in Hungarian capital will go ahead despite Viktor Orbán’s government’s rulingThe mayor of Budapest has vowed to go ahead with the city’s Pride march next weekend, declaring he will “come up with a plan C” even if the police try to impose a government-backed ban.Hungarian police said on Thursday they were banning the country’s main Pride march from taking place in the capital, citing recent legislation passed by Viktor Orbán’s government that prohibits the promotion of same-sex relationships to under-18s. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Viktor Orbán’s crackdown won’t stop Pride march, says Budapest mayor

Leader says LGBTQ+ gathering in Hungarian capital will go ahead even if police try to impose a government-backed banThe mayor of Budapest has vowed to go ahead with the city’s Pride march next weekend, declaring he will “come up with a plan C” even if the police try to impose a government-backed ban.Hungarian police said on Thursday they were banning the country’s main Pride march from taking place in the capital, citing recent legislation passed by Viktor Orbán’s government that prohibits the promotion of same-sex relationships to under-18s. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Student, 22, could have been saved from an overdose if police had left a voicemail for her parents during desperate search for her address

Amy Levy, 22, deliberately took an overdose of prescription pills at her student digs in Bristol while on the phone to a friend, who alerted the police as her condition deteriorated.

Society

12 h. ago Inside Iran's Islamic Republic government with elite troops and Putin agreement

Salvos of missiles and drones have been flying between Israel and Iran, but the make up of the Islamic Republic is a complex one of power struggles of its own, lethal fighting forces and desperate opposition

Politics

12 h. ago University principal resigns after criticism in report into financial crisis

The University of Dundee announced last year it was wrestling with a £35 million black hole.

Politics

12 h. ago 'The Welsh people have had to suffer' over lack of action on M4

People in Wales have had to suffer because of the Welsh Government's decision to scrap the M4 relief road, Senedd members said.

Politics

12 h. ago Ministers set out plans to spend £725bn on UK infrastructure over 10 years

Government strategy includes spending £9bn a year on fixing schools, hospitals, courts and prisonsMinisters have pledged to spend £9bn a year on fixing crumbling schools, hospitals, courts and prisons over the next decade as part of the government’s infrastructure strategy.Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, set out plans on Thursday to spend a minimum of £725bn over 10 years to boost UK-wide infrastructure and achieve a “national renewal”. Continue reading...

Politics