Starmer slashes aid to fund major increase in defence spending

25/02/2025 19:21 The Guardian

Announcement prompts concerns that PM is pandering to US president and warnings over consequences of aid cutsKeir Starmer has announced that Britain will “fight for peace in Europe” with a generational increase in defence spending paid for by slashing the foreign aid budget.The move, just two days before the prime minister is due to meet Donald Trump, raised immediate concerns that he was pandering to the US president, and fury from aid groups that say it could cost lives in countries that rely on UK support. Continue reading...

Continua a leggere su "The Guardian"

Altre notizie da "The Guardian"

Australia news live: Hastie warns ADF is ‘going to get weaker’ as China tests US allies with ‘gunboat diplomacy’

Shadow defence minister told ABC RN China is testing US allies as Trump ‘resets relationships in Europe’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastABC pays tribute to Antony Green as he announces upcoming election will be his last on-airContinuing from...

25/02/2025 22:08 The Guardian

Newsom threatens to pull funds unless California cities crack down on homelessness

‘We’re not going to fund failure,’ says governor, who warned local authorities they could lose out on millions of dollarsCalifornia’s governor warned cities and counties that they could lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding if they do not make progress in clearing out...

25/02/2025 21:20 The Guardian

House Republicans to vote on spending deal that could slash Medicaid funding

Budget central to Trump’s agenda might get stalled before 14 March deadline as lawmakers warn of nearly $1tn in cutsHouse Republicans are planning to vote on Tuesday on a spending blueprint central to Donald Trump’s agenda, but the package faces potential derailment over nearly $1tn in Medicaid...

25/02/2025 19:36 The Guardian

Scottish government ‘firmly’ backs single-sex spaces amid equality watchdog warning

EHRC raises issues from tribunal brought by nurse who objected to sharing women’s changing room with trans doctorThe Scottish government “stands firmly behind” the provision of single-sex spaces, a minister has said after the UK equality watchdog addressed issues raised by an employment tribun...

25/02/2025 18:39 The Guardian

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

Israel ready to resume fighting if there is no progress in crucial talks this week, reports sayIsrael is seeking to extend the first stage of the ceasefire agreement in the war with Hamas in Gaza and is prepared to resume fighting if there is no progress in crucial talks this week, according to repo...

25/02/2025 18:37 The Guardian

German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defence fund

Friedrich Merz, expected to be next chancellor, has spoken of urgent need for ramped-up defence, but ‘blocking minority’ could form in future BundestagGermany’s outgoing parliament could be asked to sign off on a new defence fund in its final weeks as the conservative winners of Sunday’s ele...

25/02/2025 18:11 The Guardian

Ukraine reconstruction and recovery will cost $524bn over next decade, says report – as it happened

Cost of damages over three years is almost three times estimated GDP of Ukraine for 2024, says report by Ukraine government, World Bank, European Commission and UNUkraine’s presidential press service has issued a photograph showing president Volodymyr Zelenskyy introducing the world leaders visiti...

25/02/2025 17:41 The Guardian

Starmer’s cuts to UK aid budget are ‘cruel and shameful’, say experts

Reduction to 0.3% of gross national income in order to fund defence spending has been decried as a ‘move to appease Trump’The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has “taken from the mouths of the hungriest people in the world” by cutting aid spending, campaigners have warned.The announcement th...

25/02/2025 16:54 The Guardian

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

Index reflects consumer optimism, which is shaky as inflation seems to be stuck and a trade war over tariffs loomsUS consumer confidence plummeted in February, the biggest monthly decline in more than four years, a business research group said on Tuesday, with inflation seemingly stuck and a trade w...

25/02/2025 15:59 The Guardian

Kremlin casts doubt on Trump claim Russia would accept European troops in Ukraine

Spokesperson reiterates position as sources say Putin is committed to Russian control of Ukraine’s political futureRussia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesThe Kremlin has appeared to reject Donald Trump’s claim that Vladimir Putin is open to European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, underscorin...

25/02/2025 15:31 The Guardian

Farmers worried if they will make it to 2026 amid ‘cashflow crisis’, says NFU

Union conference dominated by row over planned inheritance tax changes as farmers battle the bad weather and turbulent geopoliticsFarmers are warning of a “cashflow crisis” that has left many in the agricultural sector wondering how they will make it to the end of the year.At the annual meeting...

25/02/2025 14:59 The Guardian

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

Appeal from officials, including two senior figures from Trump’s first term, comes amid reports National Science Foundation’s budget will be slashedUS politics live – latest updatesChuck Hagel, the former US defense secretary, and other former US national security officials, including two seni...

25/02/2025 14:40 The Guardian

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

UK and France need to convince US to align with them over Ukraine, while at the UN Trump openly sides with RussiaKeir Starmer, when he visits the White House on Thursday, will have to pick up the many loose threads left by another chaotic day of diplomacy in the US in which America voted with Russia...

25/02/2025 14:26 The Guardian

XL bullies are like loaded guns, UK police say after attack on man, 84

Officers had to fire 19 rounds into two dogs to stop incident in Warrington that left victim fighting for his lifeHaving an XL bully is “like owning a loaded firearm”, police have said after officers had to unload 19 rounds into two dogs to stop a “ferocious” attack on an 84-year-old man.The...

25/02/2025 14:01 The Guardian

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

US office for personal management, which manages federal workforce, says that responding to Musk is not mandatoryThe Kremlin appeared to contradict Donald Trump’s assertion that Russia was open to European peacekeepers being deployed in Ukraine, and referred reporters to an earlier statement that...

25/02/2025 13:29 The Guardian

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

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 attemp...

25/02/2025 13:00 The Guardian

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

Exclusive: The ‘deeply troubling’ move comes amid concerns US ignoring international climate ramificationsUS officials have missed recent international climate forums sparking concerns about a potentially significant shift from Donald Trump’s first term, a review of meeting records and intervi...

25/02/2025 13:00 The Guardian

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

Speakers at Principles First summit warned of peril Trump and allies posed, urging people ‘to be in the streets’Michael Fanone, the former police officer who defended the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, looked out at the attendees of the Principles First summit and denounced Donald Trump in the st...

25/02/2025 12:00 The Guardian

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

US and French presidents disagree over aid and efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. Plus, are airships the future again?Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.The meeting was cordial, at times even warm, but the fracture lines in the transatlantic partnershi...

25/02/2025 11:12 The Guardian

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

French president to speak to European leaders after White House visit EU’s António Costa is in Warsaw today, where he just held a press conference with the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.He said that the European Commission “is coming with a package of proposals to strengthen defence capabil...

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

Mike Amesbury was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail for assault but is still being paid his Commons salaryKemi Badenoch will be giving a speech shortly on foreign policy. CCHQ released a chunk of extracts overnight, and here are the key points.Badenoch will says she is a “conservative realist” on fo...

25/02/2025 10:21 The Guardian

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

Moscow praises Washington for siding with it at UN, as European countries abstain in sign of deepening rift with USRussia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesThe Kremlin has welcomed what it said was a “much more balanced” US stance on Ukraine after the Trump administration pushed through a UN se...

25/02/2025 10:19 The Guardian

Labour losing support fastest among voters worried over finances, study finds

Poverty charity urges Keir Starmer to focus on living standards instead of culture wars and immigrationLabour is losing support fastest among voters who feel economically insecure, according to a report urging Keir Starmer to focus on boosting living standards, rather than on culture wars and immigr...

25/02/2025 07:00 The Guardian

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

In today’s newsletter: The government is refusing to back down over its changes to inheritance tax breaks for farmers – here’s why the issue is still rumbling onGood morning. It’s a time-honoured tradition: the minister arriving to speak to a conference hall full of people who absolutely hat...

25/02/2025 06:53 The Guardian

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

Airservices Australia notified Australian defence force about drills 10 minutes after initial contact with pilot, estimates hearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian officials did not know Chinese warships were co...

25/02/2025 06:43 The Guardian

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

Mixing flattery and firmness, the French president sought to heal the transatlantic schism over Ukraine, giving Keir Starmer a tough act to followIt was a delicate balancing act for the man once considered Europe’s “Trump whisperer”.Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was seated in the Oval...

25/02/2025 04:43 The Guardian

Macron warns against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine as Trump claims Putin will accept peacekeeper deal

Macron and Trump disagree over aid and securing a lasting peace after US president says Russian counterpart has ‘no problem’ with European forces in UkraineEmmanuel Macron, the French president, has warned Donald Trump against a “surrender” of Ukraine as the US president said Russia’s lead...

25/02/2025 04:26 The Guardian

From Creative Australia to Sydney writers’ festival, the direct threat facing the arts is coming from within | Louise Adler

In this adapted extract from What’s the Big Idea? Louise Adler looks at the failure of Australian cultural leaders shying from risk and artistic vision – and letting the tail wag the dogGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailAll around the world, a succession of arts organisations across all...

25/02/2025 02:41 The Guardian

Sydney writers’ festival chair resigns amid debate over Israel-Palestine programming

Outgoing chair Kathy Shand says ‘freedom of expression cannot and should not be used as a justification to accept language and conversations that compromise the festival’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe chair of...

25/02/2025 01:52 The Guardian

G7 nations still discussing joint statement on third anniversary of Ukraine war – as it happened

This blog has now closed. In the meantime you can read our full report on French President Emmanuel Macron’s talks with Donald Trump here and all our coverage of the war in Ukraine here.The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas earlier said that she would be travelling to the US tomorrow to meet with US...

25/02/2025 00:36 The Guardian

BREAKING NEWS

25/02 22:11 - Ukraine Agrees to Minerals Deal With U.S., Officials Say 25/02 22:09 - Is Putin Playing Trump or Is Trump Playing Us? 25/02 22:08 - Australia news live: Hastie warns ADF is ‘going to get weaker’ as China tests US allies with ‘gunboat diplomacy’ 25/02 22:02 - Some Republicans Sharply Criticize Trump’s Embrace of Russia at the U.N. 25/02 22:00 - America’s Most Shameful Vote Ever at the U.N. 25/02 21:20 - Newsom threatens to pull funds unless California cities crack down on homelessness 25/02 20:43 - Ukraine will need more than $500bn to recover, World Bank estimates 25/02 20:42 - Ukraine and U.S. agree to framework for minerals deal, Ukrainian official says 25/02 20:28 - Russia reaffirms opposition to European troops in Ukraine 25/02 20:28 - Russia reaffirms opposition to European troops in Ukraine 25/02 20:26 - Ukraine 'agrees terms with US on minerals deal' - with no security guarantee for Kyiv 25/02 19:36 - House Republicans to vote on spending deal that could slash Medicaid funding 25/02 19:21 - Starmer slashes aid to fund major increase in defence spending 25/02 19:19 - Kiev agrees to Trump’s minerals deal – media 25/02 18:57 - More than 20 staffers quit Musk’s DOGE, refusing to ‘dismantle critical public services’ 25/02 18:52 - ICC called on to investigate Biden 25/02 18:39 - Scottish government ‘firmly’ backs single-sex spaces amid equality watchdog warning 25/02 18:37 - Israel ‘wants to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal’ as talks stall 25/02 18:13 - Iran rules out direct talks with US while Trump exerts ‘maximum pressure’ 25/02 18:13 - Iran rules out direct talks with US while Trump exerts ‘maximum pressure’ 25/02 18:11 - How a dramatic day at the UN deepened cracks between Europe and US 25/02 18:11 - German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defence fund 25/02 17:44 - Trump open to Moscow visit 25/02 17:41 - Ukraine reconstruction and recovery will cost $524bn over next decade, says report – as it happened 25/02 17:40 - BBC Verify: How much has the US spent on aid to Ukraine? 25/02 17:05 - Can Europe confront Vladimir Putin’s Russia on its own? 25/02 16:56 - Russia praises US votes in UN siding with Russia 25/02 16:56 - Russia praises US votes in UN siding with Russia 25/02 16:54 - Starmer’s cuts to UK aid budget are ‘cruel and shameful’, say experts 25/02 16:48 - EU state should demand money back from Ukraine – MP 25/02 16:30 - Maps show Sudan conflict's shifting frontlines as SAF regains territory 25/02 16:20 - France could deploy nukes in Germany – Telegraph 25/02 15:59 - US consumer confidence plunges in February in its biggest decline in four years 25/02 15:53 - How Can Europe Talk to Trump? Macron Tries Flattery, and Gentle Resistance. 25/02 15:50 - Ukraine’s Artists: Protest & Resilience 25/02 15:50 - Ukraine’s Artists: Protest & Resilience 25/02 15:46 - Witches of Bucha: Ukraine’s women protecting the skies 25/02 15:46 - Witches of Bucha: Ukraine’s women protecting the skies 25/02 15:31 - Kremlin casts doubt on Trump claim Russia would accept European troops in Ukraine 25/02 14:59 - Farmers worried if they will make it to 2026 amid ‘cashflow crisis’, says NFU 25/02 14:57 - EU touts Ukraine minerals deal to rival US 25/02 14:54 - Kremlin comments on Serbia’s UN ‘mistake’ 25/02 14:42 - Trump’s Ukraine resources demand is ‘extortionate’ – Johnson 25/02 14:40 - Ex-US security officials urge funding for science research to keep up with China 25/02 14:29 - Taiwan Watches Trump Undercut Ukraine, Hoping It Won’t Be Next 25/02 14:26 - Starmer must take baton from Macron in effort to sway Trump on Ukraine 25/02 14:26 - What minerals does Ukraine have – and why does Trump want them? 25/02 14:19 - US votes with Russia in UN session on Ukraine war 25/02 14:19 - US votes with Russia in UN session on Ukraine war 25/02 14:01 - XL bullies are like loaded guns, UK police say after attack on man, 84 25/02 13:55 - Russia-Ukraine war: How the US position has changed on UN resolutions 25/02 13:55 - Russia-Ukraine war: How the US position has changed on UN resolutions 25/02 13:29 - Musk says failure to respond to achievements email will result in sacking – US politics live 25/02 13:25 - UK minister breaks ranks with govt on Russian G7 return 25/02 13:15 - Media report estimates 95,000 Russian troop deaths so far in Ukraine 25/02 13:09 - Children in Gaza go back to school 25/02 13:09 - Children in Gaza go back to school 25/02 13:08 - Serbia voted for anti-Russian UN resolution ‘by mistake’ – president 25/02 13:08 - Sudan army allies intentionally targeting civilians: HRW 25/02 13:08 - Sudan army allies intentionally targeting civilians: HRW 25/02 13:00 - Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending 25/02 13:00 - US officials have been absent from global climate forums during Trump 2.0 25/02 12:43 - UK's Starmer announces rise in defence spending ahead of visit to 'bridge' Trump-Europe divide 25/02 12:39 - US sides with Russia in UN resolutions on Ukraine 25/02 12:32 - Trump Refocuses on Tariffs and Trade Deals With Russia and Ukraine 25/02 12:22 - Police could search homes for stolen phones without warrant under new law 25/02 12:13 - Ukraine reconstruction costs cross half-trillion-dollar mark: Study 25/02 12:13 - Ukraine reconstruction costs cross half-trillion-dollar mark: Study 25/02 12:00 - ‘He believes he is the law’: anti-Maga conservatives view Trump as threat to constitution 25/02 11:20 - Putin offers Russian and Ukrainian rare minerals to US 25/02 11:12 - US scraps order linking arms sales to international law 25/02 11:12 - US scraps order linking arms sales to international law 25/02 11:12 - First Thing: Macron warns Trump against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine 25/02 11:09 - Facing Trump’s Hostility, Ukraine Weighs Its Options. 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 reaffirms opposition to European peacekeepers in Ukraine 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