Former Brexit negotiator Oliver Robbins appointed top civil servant in Foreign Office

08/01/2025 18:30 The Guardian

Exclusive: Role as permanent undersecretary comes amid return of Donald Trump and wars in Ukraine and Middle EastThe former Brexit negotiator Oliver Robbins has been appointed as the UK Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant, taking over from Sir Philip Barton.Robbins, who was on the shortlist last year but failed to get the civil service’s top job, was believed to be David Lammy’s favoured candidate for the role of permanent undersecretary. Continue reading...

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UK weather: warnings remain in force across country as temperatures to fall as low as -20C

Snow, ice and fog yellow weather warnings remain in force across the UK as snow and sleet cause disruption to transportTell us how you have been affected by snow, ice and rain in the UKManchester airport said it has closed both its runways “due to significant levels of snow”.In an update posted...

09/01/2025 09:44 The Guardian

Two lynx captured after being illegally released in Scottish Highlands

The wild cats were humanely trapped using cameras near baited traps and are in quarantineTwo lynx that were illegally released into the Scottish Highlands have been captured overnight and are said to be in good health.Police issued a warning to the public on Wednesday evening not to approach the wil...

09/01/2025 09:25 The Guardian

Pound falls to 14-month low as bond sell-off piles pressure on Rachel Reeves

UK borrowing costs rise again, with analyst warning ‘things are also getting rather ugly’Business live – latest updatesThe pound has fallen to a 14-month low against the US dollar as the sell-off in the bond market fuelled investors’ anxiety over UK assets and piled further pressure on the c...

09/01/2025 09:23 The Guardian

David Lammy says Trump’s rhetoric can be ‘destabilising’ but threat to invade Greenland won’t happen – UK politics live

Foreign secretary says Trump’s comments should be understood as reflection of his concerns about Arctic securityGood morning. For the first time in six months, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, was put up by No 10 to do the morning broadcast interview round – ahead of a speech he is giving lat...

09/01/2025 09:13 The Guardian

Trump shares inflammatory video with crude reference to Netanyahu

President-elect’s post featuring economist Jeffrey Sachs comes weeks after Israeli PM claims two had a ‘warm’ chatDonald Trump has shared inflammatory video content calling Benjamin Netanyahu a “deep, dark son of a bitch” just weeks after the Israeli leader claimed the two had a “very fr...

09/01/2025 09:04 The Guardian

M&S reports strong festive sales but says UK firms will take hit from tax rises

Sales at food halls rise 8.9% over Christmas, with 23 December its biggest ever day of food tradingMarks & Spencer has hailed a “good Christmas” with strong sales of food but warned that British businesses face higher costs from the government’s tax increases.The UK retailer said sales at...

09/01/2025 08:34 The Guardian

Retailers warn of higher prices in 2025 and urge ministers to ease tax burden

Companies grappling with higher employment costs say price of food may rise by 4.2% in latter half of yearUK retailers have urged ministers to ease their tax burden as they said that the cost of food and other items will rise sharply throughout the year as companies grapple with higher employment co...

09/01/2025 05:00 The Guardian

‘We’re done’: owner of Walter White’s house in Breaking Bad puts it on market – for $4m

Modest family home in Albuquerque has a price tag fit for a meth kingpin – but owner Joanne Quintana warns buyers to prepare for hundreds of visitors a dayThe modest suburban home used as Walter White’s family abode in Breaking Bad is officially on the market for US$4m – almost 10 times the me...

09/01/2025 04:18 The Guardian

IDF restricts media coverage of soldiers to protect them from risk of legal action

Israeli military’s new rules intended to protect reservists travelling overseas from facing allegations of war crimesThe Israeli military has placed new restrictions on media coverage of soldiers on active combat duty because of growing concern about the risk of legal action against reservists tra...

08/01/2025 23:15 The Guardian

Post-cold war peace ‘well and truly over’, warns David Lammy

Foreign secretary says keeping the British people safe means standing up to RussiaThe post-cold war era is “well and truly over” and keeping the British people safe means standing up to Russia, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has warned.Writing in the Guardian before a meeting likely to b...

08/01/2025 22:30 The Guardian

California wildfires: deadly blazes continue to grow as officials warn of shortage of firefighters – latest updates

Tens of thousands of homes affected by ‘unprecedented’ fires in Los Angeles area; aircraft return to dropping water after winds grounded themVisual explainer: why are the LA wildfires so bad?Californians: have you been affected by the wildfires?Minutes after the J Paul Getty Trust issued a state...

08/01/2025 21:48 The Guardian

Blinken and top Democrats push back against Trump bid for US to take over Greenland – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. You can see our latest full report here:Germany and France warn Trump against use of force over GreenlandGreenland is an autonomous part of Denmark, and the Danish foreign minister said they would be open to discussing security concerns over the island with Donald Trump...

08/01/2025 21:00 The Guardian

Temperatures forecast to plummet to -20C in parts of the UK

A new amber warning for snow has also been issued for the south-west of England, joining those for northern Scotland and Northern IrelandA new amber warning for snow has been issued in the south-west of England as temperatures are expected to plummet as low as -20C in parts of the UK in the coming n...

08/01/2025 18:25 The Guardian

Two power station owners to get more than £12m for three hours of electricity

Uniper and a subsidiary of Vitol able to charge 50 times recent market price to ensure supply during evening peakTwo gas power station owners will be paid more than £12m to supply just three hours of electricity on Wednesday evening after freezing weather led to some of the highest market prices si...

08/01/2025 18:19 The Guardian

UK weather live: new amber weather warning for snow issued for south-west England

Met Office warns of travel disruption as sub-zero temperatures expected nationwide, with lows of -16CMore than 60 schools in northern Scotland are closed as snow and ice warnings remain in force across much of the country.According to the PA news agency, forecasters also predict that further rain, s...

08/01/2025 18:09 The Guardian

Germany and France warn Trump against use of force over Greenland

Olaf Scholz says borders are inviolable after president-elect talks of using US military or tariffs to take control of islandGermany and France have warned Donald Trump against any attempt to “move borders by force” after the incoming US president said he was prepared to use economic tariffs or...

08/01/2025 17:07 The Guardian

Biden says he warned Trump not to ‘settle scores’ with political adversaries

President is considering whether to grant pre-emptive presidential pardons to Liz Cheney and Anthony FauciJoe Biden said he told Donald Trump not to follow through on his campaign vows to pursue retribution against his political adversaries once he returns to the White House.Talking to USA Today, Bi...

08/01/2025 17:04 The Guardian

RSPB stops selling flat bird feeders owing to deadly finch disease

Feeding birds from flat surfaces such as tables could be contributing to spread of finch trichomonosis, says charityThe RSPB has withdrawn flat bird feeders from sale on its website amid warnings they could be spreading deadly diseases to finches.The charity has said feeding birds from flat surfaces...

08/01/2025 14:00 The Guardian

More LA residents flee wildfires amid warning of stronger winds in morning

Hillside homes abandoned and 30,000 evacuated as infernos rip into north and west areas of Californian citySouthern California wildfire – liveResidents of Los Angeles have fled wildfires engulfing the suburbs of the US’s second city, as firefighters struggled to contain the flames overnight amid...

08/01/2025 13:17 The Guardian

Malawi sees influx of refugees from post-election violence in Mozambique

Marauding gangs and political unrest since October’s polls have driven thousands of Mozambicans across the border into Malawi, despite its drought, food and fuel shortagesOn a sunny Saturday afternoon, Manase Madia, 50, shows his Mozambican identity card. Once a sign of pride, he does not know wha...

08/01/2025 11:02 The Guardian

Wednesday briefing: What Elon Musk’s focus on grooming gangs reveals about alt-right online discourse

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08/01/2025 06:52 The Guardian

Communist spies and assassination attempts: how the cold war still shapes South Korean politics

Attitudes to North Korea are key to understanding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law and its aftermathAs South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol remains barricaded in his residence facing arrest, his descent from star prosecutor to isolated leader reveals a deeper story about a c...

08/01/2025 05:42 The Guardian

The UN wants to influence a pluralist Syria – but will the country listen?

Syrians are suspicious after allegations of complicity with the brutal Assad regime during 14 years of civil war The UN special envoy for Syria will urge the security council to back a transition to a pluralist democratic Syria, but faces resistance within the country. The interim government fears t...

08/01/2025 05:00 The Guardian

Meta ending factchecking will create misinformation and trolling ‘free-for-all’, Sarah Hanson-Young warns

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07/01/2025 23:51 The Guardian

A tree is just for Christmas, not for dinner, Belgian food agency warns

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07/01/2025 19:42 The Guardian

Rise in UK borrowing costs could push Reeves to new public spending cuts

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07/01/2025 19:31 The Guardian

US declares Sudan’s paramilitary forces have committed genocide during civil war

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07/01/2025 18:57 The Guardian

Party time at Damascus airport as international flights resume

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07/01/2025 17:15 The Guardian

Austria’s far-right leader to invite centre right for coalition talks

Herbert Kickl’s move could pave way for anti-immigration, pro-Kremlin Freedom party to govern countryThe leader of Austria’s anti-immigration, pro-Kremlin Freedom party has said he intends to invite the mainstream centre-right party for coalition talks, potentially paving the way for the far rig...

07/01/2025 16:48 The Guardian

Bitter cold envelops US south as central states recover from freeze

Polar vortex chilled central US, downing trees, blasting snow, shuttering schools and causing traffic pile-upsThe next round of bitter cold enveloped the southern US on Tuesday, after the first significant winter storm of the year blasted a huge swath of the country with ice, snow and wind as far so...

07/01/2025 16:34 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

09/01 10:27 - Pound falls further as UK borrowing costs soar 09/01 09:52 - England seamers struggle before Ashes warm-up abandoned 09/01 09:52 - Lebanon meets to finally elect president after two-year vacancy 09/01 09:44 - UK weather: warnings remain in force across country as temperatures to fall as low as -20C 09/01 09:25 - Two lynx captured after being illegally released in Scottish Highlands 09/01 09:23 - Pound falls to 14-month low as bond sell-off piles pressure on Rachel Reeves 09/01 09:17 - Commuters warned of icy roads as cold snap continues to freeze UK 09/01 09:13 - David Lammy says Trump’s rhetoric can be ‘destabilising’ but threat to invade Greenland won’t happen – UK politics live 09/01 09:04 - Trump shares inflammatory video with crude reference to Netanyahu 09/01 08:44 - ‘For Ethiopia’s heritage’: War hero’s family fights to reclaim stolen medal 09/01 08:44 - ‘For Ethiopia’s heritage’: War hero’s family fights to reclaim stolen medal 09/01 08:34 - M&S reports strong festive sales but says UK firms will take hit from tax rises 09/01 07:49 - Syrians mark a month since al-Assad’s overthrow with concert in capital 09/01 07:49 - Syrians mark a month since al-Assad’s overthrow with concert in capital 09/01 07:00 - As Russia seeks influence in Africa, former students play central role 09/01 05:21 - Ukraine allies plan final defence meeting ahead of Trump inauguration 09/01 05:00 - Retailers warn of higher prices in 2025 and urge ministers to ease tax burden 09/01 04:32 - The Papers: 'Apocalypse' LA and 'Reeves faces extra tax rises' 09/01 04:18 - ‘We’re done’: owner of Walter White’s house in Breaking Bad puts it on market – for $4m 09/01 02:52 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,050 09/01 02:52 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,050 09/01 00:35 - Trump’s Ukraine aide sets 100-day timeline to end conflict 09/01 00:08 - As Trump talks up trade war with China, fears rise for rare earths supply 09/01 00:08 - As Trump talks up trade war with China, fears rise for rare earths supply 09/01 00:06 - Israel's Defense Industry Booms on Foreign Demand and War at Home 08/01 23:15 - IDF restricts media coverage of soldiers to protect them from risk of legal action 08/01 22:50 - Israel-Hamas war: Israeli troops recover body of hostage from Gaza 08/01 22:30 - Post-cold war peace ‘well and truly over’, warns David Lammy 08/01 22:25 - US accuses RSF paramilitary of Sudan genocide and sanctions its leader 08/01 22:00 - Cold snap grips UK with amber snow warning and -20C possible overnight 08/01 21:50 - Russian Strike Kills 13 in Southeastern Ukraine 08/01 21:48 - California wildfires: deadly blazes continue to grow as officials warn of shortage of firefighters – latest updates 08/01 21:00 - Blinken and top Democrats push back against Trump bid for US to take over Greenland – as it happened 08/01 20:42 - ‘We must stand together’: European leaders warn Trump over Greenland threat 08/01 20:42 - ‘We must stand together’: European leaders warn Trump over Greenland threat 08/01 20:10 - Russian strike kills 13 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia 08/01 20:10 - Russian strike kills 13 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia 08/01 19:22 - Is he serious? Allies wary as Trump threatens Greenland, Panama, Canada 08/01 19:15 - News24 | 'Uneasy' Europe warns Trump over Greenland ambitions 08/01 18:30 - Former Brexit negotiator Oliver Robbins appointed top civil servant in Foreign Office 08/01 18:25 - Temperatures forecast to plummet to -20C in parts of the UK 08/01 18:19 - Two power station owners to get more than £12m for three hours of electricity 08/01 18:09 - UK weather live: new amber weather warning for snow issued for south-west England 08/01 17:42 - Russian strike on southeastern Ukrainian city kills at least 13 08/01 17:27 - Belgium’s Food Agency Advises Against Eating Your Christmas Tree 08/01 17:26 - Several killed in Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia 08/01 17:07 - Germany and France warn Trump against use of force over Greenland 08/01 17:04 - Biden says he warned Trump not to ‘settle scores’ with political adversaries 08/01 16:57 - Spain’s Sanchez says Musk incites hatred, warns against fascism in Europe 08/01 16:57 - Spain’s Sanchez says Musk incites hatred, warns against fascism in Europe 08/01 16:31 - United States sanctions Sudan's Rapid Support Forces' leader 08/01 16:23 - How Australia's beach cabana drama sparked a turf war 08/01 16:21 - Germany and France warn Trump over threat to take over Greenland 08/01 16:13 - 19 Wholesome Tweets I Found On The Internet Recently That Actually Managed To Warm My Cold, Dead-Of-Winter Heart 08/01 16:06 - Syria: One month after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime 08/01 15:45 - Europe’s leaders have had enough of Musk’s meddling, but can they stop him? 08/01 15:40 - Elon Musk brands British PM ‘evil’ 08/01 14:39 - Zelensky accuses US firms of corruption 08/01 14:00 - RSPB stops selling flat bird feeders owing to deadly finch disease 08/01 13:41 - Ukraine says ready to replace Hungary in EU and NATO 08/01 13:41 - Ukraine says ready to replace Hungary in EU and NATO 08/01 13:35 - Scholz’s party members confuse German and Russian submarines 08/01 13:20 - Israeli officials warn of potential war with Türkiye 08/01 13:18 - Dutch cut flower industry in hot water over pesticides 08/01 13:17 - More LA residents flee wildfires amid warning of stronger winds in morning 08/01 13:11 - Why has the US accused Sudanese militias of genocide – but not Israel? 08/01 13:11 - Why has the US accused Sudanese militias of genocide – but not Israel? 08/01 12:39 - Italian journalist Cecilia Sala released from Iran jail, returns home 08/01 12:39 - Italian journalist Cecilia Sala released from Iran jail, returns home 08/01 12:37 - Trump's threat to turn Canada into part of the US represents most serious threat since War of 1812 08/01 11:44 - Can Syria’s new leaders fix the broken economy? 08/01 11:44 - Can Syria’s new leaders fix the broken economy? 08/01 11:31 - California Fires: Thousands Face Evacuation Across LA Area 08/01 11:12 - ‘Mercenaries from Ukraine conflict’ captured in Venezuela – Maduro 08/01 11:02 - Malawi sees influx of refugees from post-election violence in Mozambique 08/01 10:37 - War in Ukraine: Commander admits 'problems' in army unit 08/01 10:30 - NATO, Gaza and Greenland: Key takeaways from Trump’s news conference 08/01 10:30 - NATO, Gaza and Greenland: Key takeaways from Trump’s news conference 08/01 10:17 - Papers react to death of French far-right figurehead Jean-Marie Le Pen 08/01 10:06 - Ukrainian drones attack oil depot in Russia used by Moscow's air force 08/01 10:01 - ‘Trump Is at His Absolute Worst in a Crisis’: Three Columnists Imagine the World Ahead 08/01 10:01 - The Surgeon General’s Warnings About Alcohol Hit Restaurants at a Tricky Time 08/01 09:03 - France warns Trump against threatening EU ‘sovereign borders’ after Greenland comments 08/01 08:49 - Was Yoon's declaration of martial law an 'act of treason'? 08/01 08:30 - EU blasts Russia for weaponising gas in Moldova 08/01 08:30 - EU blasts Russia for weaponising gas in Moldova 08/01 08:05 - Russia gained 4,000sq km of Ukraine in 2024. How many soldiers did it lose? 08/01 08:05 - Russia gained 4,000sq km of Ukraine in 2024. How many soldiers did it lose? 08/01 07:52 - Rebuilding Syria’s economy: Can stability return after war? 08/01 07:52 - Rebuilding Syria’s economy: Can stability return after war? 08/01 07:21 - Yoon supporters gather in South Korea as impeached president faces new arrest warrant 08/01 06:52 - Wednesday briefing: What Elon Musk’s focus on grooming gangs reveals about alt-right online discourse 08/01 06:47 - U.S. declares genocide in Sudan, sanctions paramilitary leader 08/01 05:42 - Communist spies and assassination attempts: how the cold war still shapes South Korean politics 08/01 05:00 - The UN wants to influence a pluralist Syria – but will the country listen? 08/01 04:14 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,049 08/01 04:14 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,049 08/01 00:55 - Trump Warns ‘All Hell Will Break Out’ if Hostages in Gaza Are Not Freed 07/01 23:51 - Meta ending factchecking will create misinformation and trolling ‘free-for-all’, Sarah Hanson-Young warns 07/01 23:47 - From Holocaust denial to homophobia: Jean-Marie Le Pen’s controversies