Syria: President Sharaa vows to pursue criminals

Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to “pursue the criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres and crimes” in his first address to the nation since the fall…

UK: Schools bill is an act of vandalism, says Kemi Badenoch

Deprived children in England will “pay the price” of the government’s changes to schools, Kemi Badenoch has said as she accused ministers of “an act of vandalism”. At Prime Minister’s…

UK: Priti Patel clarifies defence of party’s immigration record

Priti Patel has put out a statement insisting she “was not happy” about the levels of immigration under the previous Conservative government, after earlier defending her party’s record. In the…

UK: Farage hails Trump ‘inspiration’ at Reform UK rally

Nigel Farage has told a rally of Reform UK supporters that Donald Trump’s election as US president should “serve as an inspiration”. Speaking in the North West Essex constituency of…

UK: Blow for Reeves as AstraZeneca ditches £450m investment

AstraZeneca has scrapped plans to invest £450m in expanding a vaccine manufacturing plant in Merseyside, blaming a reduction in government support. The pharmaceutical giant announced its decision just two days…

UK: Barclays customers face second day of issues after IT outage

Barclays customers are experiencing intermittent errors with payments and transfers for a second day after serious IT problems that also affected the bank’s app and online banking. Customers have told…

UK: Aston Villa closing in on Rashford loan deal

Aston Villa are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before Monday’s transfer deadline. Sources have told BBC Sport talks are at an advanced stage,…

UK: Wine and spirits duty to rise but tax on a pint to fall

The price of wine and spirits is set to rise from Saturday after an increase in tax and duties comes into effect. Taxes will rise in line with inflation, and…

UK: MPs, mayor and residents object to Heathrow plans

Residents and MPs have criticised a government announcement that it would be backing plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that expanding Heathrow was…

UK: Rachel Reeves Reeves backs third Heathrow runway in growth push

Rachel Reeves has backed a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport as part of a fresh plan to get the UK’s sluggish economy growing. In a speech to business leaders,…