Starmer says Reform’s pledge to restore two-child benefit cap in full is ‘shameful’ – UK politics live
Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick has announced party’s plans to cut welfare spendingRobert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesperson, is giving his speech now.He has announced, or confirmed, three measures to cut welfare spending.The number claiming disability benefits for an attention disorder has more than doubled since Covid. We all know a significant number of these claims are spurious … We will stop those with mild anxiety, depression, and similar conditions from claiming disability benefits and instead encourage them into the dignity of work.We will end the abuse of the Motability scheme, where expensive cars are handed out for conditions like tennis elbow, and paid for by working people who can’t afford them themselves. Continue reading...
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Trump and Maryland governor feud over Potomac River sewage spill disaster
President accused Wes Moore of ‘gross mismanagement’ after a massive sewer line ruptured last monthA month after one of the largest sewage spills in US history began soiling the Potomac River, Donald Trump and Maryland governor Wes Moore are fighting over who bears responsibility for a disaster involving a federally regulated pipeline that Moore does not control.The president used his social media platform on Monday to accuse Moore of “gross mismanagement” after a massive sewer line ruptured last month, causing what researchers describe as one of the largest sewage spills in US history. Continue reading...
Hundred-year reveal: Catalonian chalet confirmed as Gaudí work in centenary year
Xalet del Catllaràs contains elements of architect’s naturalistic style, expressed in works such as Park Güell and Sagrada FamíliaAn elegant modernist building in the mountains north of Barcelona, originally constructed to house engineers establishing a nearby mine, has been confirmed as a work of Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s most celebrated and distinctive architect.The Xalet del Catllaràs, about 80 miles from Barcelona in the county of Berguedà, was built in 1905 and commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s lifelong patron. Güell was the owner of a cement company with mines in the region and he needed somewhere to house the engineers, many of them British, who would help extract the coal for his factories. Continue reading...
'Let them shower in hotels': Johannesburg Premier faces backlash amid water crisis
In South Africa, as taps run dry in Johannesburg, Africa's richest city, a tone deaf remark by a senior politician there unleashes fury.
CBS accused of ‘corporate capitulation’ amid row over Colbert interview with Democrat – US politics live
Stephen Colbert said the network told him not to air an interview with a Texas Democrat running for SenateOn a recent morning Eric Taylor, city manager for a small Georgia town of about 5,000 residents called Social Circle, was contacted by a staffer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.“They asked me to turn on the water,” he said of a 1m sq ft warehouse nearby that the federal government recently purchased for $128m, with plans to use it for locking up as many as 10,000 detainees as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plan. Continue reading...
Trump’s Stinging Attack on Israel’s President Touches a Nerve
President Trump called President Isaac Herzog of Israel “disgraceful” because he has not yet pardoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial.
Zelenskyy says no agreement on key issues in peace talks as he accuses Russia of ‘dragging out negotiations’ – Europe live
Unresolved ‘sensitive’ issues in peace talks are fate of occupied territories in east Ukraine and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plantThe peace talks ended abruptly today after about two hours, according to reports, in contrast with yesterday’s negotiations that apparently took place over six hours.Neither side have offered any public sign of progress, but instead said the talks were “difficult” with Russian news agencies quoting sources describing the negotiations as “very tense”. Continue reading...
Belgian investigation into three Jewish men sparks diplomatic row with US
US ambassador accused of interference after labelling inquiry into suspected illegal circumcisions ‘antisemitic’A diplomatic row is escalating between Belgium and the US, with Donald Trump’s ambassador refusing to apologise for accusing his host country of antisemitism and reportedly threatening to bar a socialist politician from travelling to the US.Bill White, a staunch ally of the president like many US ambassadors, on Monday demanded Belgium drop a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” investigation into three Jewish men suspected of performing circumcisions without medical qualifications. Continue reading...
Turmoil at US constitution museum as leader exits ahead of 250th anniversary
Leadership disputes claim of political motive for ousting Jeffrey Rosen, who was praised for non-partisan approachThe first and only museum dedicated to the US constitution has been plunged into turmoil over the sudden departure of its president, a legal scholar widely respected for his commitment to non-partisanship.The National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia announced last month that Jeffrey Rosen would step down after 12 years to be replaced by Vince Stango on an interim basis. Continue reading...
Labour to be ‘annihilated’ in Lancashire after local elections U-turn, party fears
County has highest number of reinstated elections following decision not to delay them for 30 English councils Labour figures in the county with the highest number of reinstated council elections, following the government’s recent U-turn, have said they fear the party will be “annihilated” when voters go to the polls in May.The polls had expected to be postponed pending a reorganisation of local government in the county and a move to unitary authorities, but earlier this week the local government secretary, Steve Reed, scrapped plans to delay the elections, after Reform UK threatened a legal challenge. Continue reading...