Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending

25/02/2025 13:00 The Guardian

PM confirms rise in military spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has confirmed drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending as European nations attempt to fill the gap left by Donald Trump on Ukraine.The prime minister confirmed the UK government’s timeline to increase defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – as he prepares for what is likely to be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC. Continue reading...

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US consumer confidence plunges in February in its biggest decline in four years

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25/02/2025 15:59 The Guardian

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25/02/2025 14:59 The Guardian

Ex-US security officials urge funding for science research to keep up with China

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Starmer must take baton from Macron in effort to sway Trump on Ukraine

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25/02/2025 14:26 The Guardian

Israel ‘wants to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal’ as talks stall

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25/02/2025 14:01 The Guardian

Musk says failure to respond to achievements email will result in sacking – US politics live

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US officials have been absent from global climate forums during Trump 2.0

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‘He believes he is the law’: anti-Maga conservatives view Trump as threat to constitution

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First Thing: Macron warns Trump against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine

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25/02/2025 11:12 The Guardian

Macron to brief European leaders after Trump meeting with bloc set to propose strengthening defence – Europe live

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25/02/2025 10:50 The Guardian

Yvette Cooper says it’s ‘unacceptable’ jailed ex-Labour MP still qualifies for parliamentary salary – UK politics live

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Kremlin welcomes ‘more balanced’ US stance on Ukraine after UN vote

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Tuesday briefing: Farmers prepare to give minister chilly reception as Labour seeks to mend fences over inheritance tax

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Australian aviation authorities first informed about Chinese live firing drill by Virgin pilot

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25/02/2025 06:43 The Guardian

Macron the ‘Trump whisperer’ works his magic but US and Europe remain an ocean apart

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24/02/2025 19:43 The Guardian

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BREAKING NEWS

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But They Are Few. 25/02 11:00 - A Showdown on Ukraine, and a Judge Says DOGE Might Be Unconstitutional 25/02 10:53 - Macron attempts to avert trade war at Trump meeting as EU prepares tariff response 25/02 10:50 - Macron to brief European leaders after Trump meeting with bloc set to propose strengthening defence – Europe live 25/02 10:30 - News24 | 'The camp has become uninhabitable': Fears of displacement as Israel flattens Jenin refugee camp 25/02 10:23 - Western ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine not on agenda – German election winner 25/02 10:21 - Yvette Cooper says it’s ‘unacceptable’ jailed ex-Labour MP still qualifies for parliamentary salary – UK politics live 25/02 10:19 - Kremlin welcomes ‘more balanced’ US stance on Ukraine after UN vote 25/02 10:00 - China, anxious about Trump and Putin, tells Russia it is a ‘true friend’ 25/02 09:48 - Will Macron visit to White House bring transatlantic relationship 'back from the brink'? 25/02 09:24 - France arrests two after arson attack on Russian consulate in Marseille 25/02 09:15 - France’s Macron and Donald Trump meet in Washington: Four key takeaways 25/02 09:15 - France’s Macron and Donald Trump meet in Washington: Four key takeaways 25/02 09:12 - US rejects UN resolution condemning Russia’s war: How your country voted 25/02 09:12 - US rejects UN resolution condemning Russia’s war: How your country voted 25/02 08:04 - US aligns with Russia in UN vote on Ukraine 25/02 08:04 - US aligns with Russia in UN vote on Ukraine 25/02 08:00 - News24 | 'He's a smart customer': Macron and Trump rekindle bromance, disagree on Ukraine war 25/02 07:32 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,097 25/02 07:32 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,097 25/02 07:00 - Labour losing support fastest among voters worried over finances, study finds 25/02 06:53 - Tuesday briefing: Farmers prepare to give minister chilly reception as Labour seeks to mend fences over inheritance tax 25/02 06:43 - Australian aviation authorities first informed about Chinese live firing drill by Virgin pilot 25/02 06:08 - Live: Kremlin hails US refusal to blame Russia for Ukraine war in UN vote 25/02 06:00 - America and Russia Are on the Same Side Now 25/02 05:15 - Macron suggests Ukraine truce could be weeks away after talks with Trump 25/02 05:14 - Trump, Meeting With Macron, Says He Might Visit Russia 25/02 04:43 - Macron the ‘Trump whisperer’ works his magic but US and Europe remain an ocean apart 25/02 04:26 - Macron warns against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine as Trump claims Putin will accept peacekeeper deal 25/02 04:11 - ‘Rational’ Trump, ‘toxic’ Zelensky, and ‘shackled’ EU: Key points from latest Putin interview 25/02 03:23 - Russia has a new game plan for South Asia 25/02 02:49 - Macron pushes for US-EU cooperation on Ukraine during White House visit 25/02 02:41 - From Creative Australia to Sydney writers’ festival, the direct threat facing the arts is coming from within | Louise Adler 25/02 02:09 - Trump says Putin treated him with ‘great respect’ 25/02 01:52 - Sydney writers’ festival chair resigns amid debate over Israel-Palestine programming 25/02 01:47 - Macron walks tightrope with Trump as he makes Europe's case on Ukraine 25/02 01:46 - Trump wants Ukraine’s rare metals. 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Resolution Demanding Russian Withdrawal from Ukraine 24/02 22:18 - Raiders’ Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies apologise for Las Vegas altercation before NRL opener 24/02 22:17 - Ukraine Nears a Deal to Give U.S. a Share of Its Mineral Wealth 24/02 22:13 - Only thing that can spark war in Europe: WikiLeaks reports on US approach to Ukraine and NATO