US lifts naval blockade as Iran’s supreme leader says Trump made deal ‘out of desperation’
Iran's supreme leader says he disagrees with the deal and Donald Trump signed it "out of desperation".
Reform UK gloomy about prospects in Makerfield, as one party source says Labour ahead by 2,500 votes – UK politics live
Result expected around 3am as Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step aside
Polls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10
Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run
David Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.
In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses.
Continue reading...Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South, ousting SNP
Tories’ Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ‘loud and clear’ in support of the North Sea oil and gas industry
The Scottish National party (SNP) has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.
The Scottish Conservatives’ Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP’s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, with a 14.69% swing away from the SNP. The Tories vote share was 49.51%. Lumsden’s vote tally was 14,308, with Thomson on 8,258.
Continue reading...US military kills three people in boat strike in Pacific Ocean
Attack brings to at least 211 number of people killed as Trump administration targets alleged ‘narcoterrorists’
The US military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, killing three people, as the Trump administration wages a months-long campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America.
The latest attack brings the number of people the US military has killed in boat strikes to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting people it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September.
Continue reading...EU won’t lift key Iran sanctions until formal nuclear deal reached
EU won't lift key Iran sanctions until formal nuclear deal reached
Zimbabwe bill to scrap presidential elections sparks backlash
Supporters call the bill a governance reform, while opponents see a turning point for Zimbabwe's political future.
Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden attended, but Donald Trump was not invited.
Iran war live: JD Vance defends Iran deal as US says naval blockade lifted
US vice president says 60-day negotiating period between Washington and Tehran has begun after deal to end war signed.
JD Vance tells Iran deal critics in Israel: Trump is your only ally left in the world
In a sharp rebuke to critics of Trump’s deal with Iran, the vice-president referenced the billions in defence aid Israel recieves from the US
News: Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
Analysis: Iran peace deal makes clear how far US has been forced to retreat since 2025
US vice-president JD Vance has lashed out at Israeli critics of the Iran deal, saying Donald Trump is Israel’s only ally left in the world, in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in defence aid the country receives from America.
Vance was defending the deal reached this week to end the war with Iran that critics in the US and Israel have slammed for failing to curb Iran’s missile program and providing no clear path to dismantling its nuclear facilities, while constraining Israel in its war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Continue reading...Vote counting begins in high-stakes UK by-election
Ballots are being counted in the UK’s closely watched Makerfield by-election.
Star-studded opening for Obama library in Chicago delivers implied rebuke to Trump
Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawn
The Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.
Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn.
Continue reading...Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow – The Washington Post
- Ukraine pummels Russian capital with what may be largest drone strike yet on Moscow The Washington Post
- Massive blasts in Moscow shatter even Putin’s protective shell CNN
- Ukraine Strikes Moscow Refinery in Large-Scale Drone Attack The New York Times
- Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery BBC
- Zelenskiy says 'Moscow will burn' if Russian strikes continue Reuters
US judge orders release of Palestinian rights advocate detained by ICE
Mosque leader says he was arrested and detained by immigration authorities for his Palestine advocacy.
Mangione lawyers abandon psychiatric defense over health CEO’s killing
Legal team of alleged gunman, 28, reverses position on ‘extreme emotional disturbance’ defense after one day
In a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione’s legal team said on Thursday they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defense in his upcoming state trial over the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Just one day earlier, Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Gregory Carro they would pursue a defense claiming the 28-year-old was suffering an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of Thompson’s killing on 4 December 2024.
Continue reading...Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, top Group B in World Cup
All five goals were scored in the final 30 minutes as the match in Los Angeles erupted to life in the closing stages.
Mamdani gives New York Knicks keys to city after NBA title
The New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA title in 53 years with a frenzied ticker-tape parade through Manhattan.
Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
As US lifts its blockade, Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation period
Iran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. The US on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the critical channel.
Continue reading...Thirty-five killed as gunmen attack Niger’s biggest airport
Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.
Trump from ‘hunted’ to ‘hunter’: New book details Trump’s push to test the limits of executive power – AP News
Are prices really dropping in the US, as Trump claims?
Donald Trump boasts on social media that since signing of MoU for peace deal, oil is flowing and prices are dropping.