A cross-party group of MPs has written to Keir Starmer expressing “deep concern” about cuts to the UK’s aid budget, as ministers brace for a potentially stormy debate on Foreign Office spending on Wednesday. The international development committee warned of the damage the cuts may cause in a letter to the prime minister written by … Read more
The Edinburgh festival fringe should be given the same status as major sporting events like the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games, its outgoing chief executive has said. Shona McCarthy, who stands down this week after nine years running the fringe, said its needs were routinely ignored by public authorities, who expected it to fend for … Read more
The attorney general of Florida has opened a criminal investigation of Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan after the pair were able to fly into the state last week despite facing trial in Romania on charges of rape, sex with a minor, people trafficking and money laundering. James Uthmeier, appointed to be the state attorney … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature The theme of Donald Trump’s address to Congress will be the “renewal of the American dream”, the White House said. House speaker Mike Johnson formally invited Trump to speak to Congress in January. In his letter, Johnson invited the president to … Read more
For the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day the Cenotaph will be draped in union flags and there will be a military procession and flypast as well as a new installation of about 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, it has been announced. Four days of commemorations will begin on the bank … Read more
The largest theme park in Wales has closed with immediate effect, its owner has confirmed. Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, announced on Tuesday that it will shut immediately after nearly 40 years. Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park, said it reached the “difficult decision” due to financial challenges caused … Read more
The Associated Press amended its complaint against the Trump administration on Monday, including in its epigraph a punchy quote from an anonymous White House adviser: “The AP and the White House Correspondents Association wanted to f–k around. Now it’s finding out time.” The unnamed White House adviser’s quote came about during an exchange on 25 … Read more
A slow convoy of a dozen ambulances and buses brought 25 wounded and sick Palestinian children from Gaza and across Israel on Tuesday, past the heavily armed forces that bombarded the territory for 15 months, and that may be about to start again. The patients were among the 4,500 people in Gaza believed by the … Read more
A 16-year-old boy has died after being shot in south London on Tuesday afternoon, the Metropolitan police have said. Police were called at 3.21pm to reports of a shooting on Paradise Road near Stockwell tube station. Paramedics from the London ambulance service and the air ambulance travelled to the scene but the boy was pronounced … Read more
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature A string of surprisingly strong economic figures have prompted forecasters to increase their expectations for growth in Australia’s gross domestic product, Australian Associated Press reports. The nation’s economy is still expected to record one of the weakest calendar years for economic … Read more