Former IMF chief and German president Horst Kohler dies at 81 February 1, 2025 Horst Kohler, a former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who became a popular German president, has died aged 81. Kohler, who was head of state from 2004 to 2010, died on Saturday morning in Berlin after a short illness, surrounded by his family, the office of current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in [...]
Trump says he and Putin could do something ‘significant’ in Ukraine February 1, 2025 US President Donald Trump said his administration has already had “very serious” discussions with Russia about its war in Ukraine and that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon take “significant” action towards ending the grinding conflict. “We will be speaking, and I think will perhaps do something that’ll be significant,” Trump said in [...]
Starmer accused of ‘fudging the facts’ of his schooling by education expert February 1, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has faced accusations of “fudging the facts” about his education, from the founder of a social mobility charity. Sutton Trust founder Sir Peter Lampl, who went to the same school as the Prime Minister, Reigate Grammar, made the claim as he attacked the government’s plans to charge VAT on private school fees. [...]
Barclays customers ‘unable to make payments’ as bank outage continues February 1, 2025 A major IT glitch is still affecting Barclays customers, with some locked out of their accounts throughout the night and almost 24 hours on from the bank’s initial outage. The bank has apologised to customers, saying they are facing “ongoing technical issues that are impacting our customers’ accounts”. They warned some people may see an [...]
UK’s last fracking wells to be filled with cement despite dwindling gas stocks January 29, 2025 The UK’s last fracking wells are set to be closed and filled with cement despite warnings that Britain’s gas stockpiles are dwindling. In an open letter, the North Sea Transition Authority regulator told the energy firm Cuadrilla to plug the two wells at Preston New Road in Lancashire before decommissioning them by 30th June 2025. [...]
UK economy: Firms prepare to cut staff as they brace for slowdown, CBI says January 27, 2025 A persistent slowdown in activity among private sector firms could weigh on economic growth over the coming months, with businesses set to cut staff and raise prices, according to a survey. The upcoming increase to national insurance contributions has prompted firms to assess their budgets urgently, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. Output across [...]
Reeves all but confirms backing for third Heathrow runway January 26, 2025 Rachel Reeves suggested the full Cabinet must back any potential expansion of Heathrow Airport despite previous opposition from senior Government figures, as she all but confirmed plans to endorse a third runway. The Chancellor refused to be drawn on “speculation” over an upcoming announcement she is expected to make about the project but said decisions [...]
Shell to post lower 2024 profit after year of faltering oil demand January 26, 2025 Shell is expected to post lower annual profit than the previous year next week, after the energy giant was hit by weak oil prices and faltering demand for the fossil fuel. The London-listed company is scheduled to announce its financial results for the calendar year 2024 on Thursday. Analysts have forecast that it will post [...]
Streeting heckled as he urged progressives to fight ‘populist right’ January 25, 2025 Health Secretary Wes Streeting was interrupted by climate protesters on Saturday as he gave a speech urging progressives to fight the “populist right” in a battle of ideas. Two women shouted over him as he used an address to the Fabian Society to call for the centre-left to take on the “miserablist, declinist vision” he [...]
British Council could ‘disappear’ in a decade without financial help, boss warns January 25, 2025 The British Council could “disappear” within the next decade without urgent government intervention, the organisation’s chief executive has said. Scott McDonald, the boss of the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations, warned the council’s presence in up to 40 countries was in jeopardy without financial guarantees from the government. “I think we would be in [...]
