US Senate passes government funding bill to avoid shutdown December 21, 2024 The US Senate has rushed through the final passage of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid. Facing a government shutdown deadline, the restructured bill dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. House Speaker Mike Johnson had insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” [...]
Lord Peter Mandelson expected to be named next ambassador to US December 20, 2024 Labour grandee Lord Peter Mandelson is expected to be the next UK ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson, who served in the cabinets of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is poised to be the UK’s next top diplomat in Washington, in a political appointment as President-elect Donald Trump returns to office. The tenure of [...]
Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April December 19, 2024 Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has announced.
UK becomes first European nation to join CPTPP trade bloc December 14, 2024 Britain will become a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Sunday.
Power returned to all homes after Storm Darragh December 14, 2024 As of Thursday, more than 2,000 homes in South Wales and the South West region were still without power.
Porsche holding company warns of £17bn writedown in Volkswagen stake December 14, 2024 Volkswagen is suffering from high costs, fierce Asian competition and a prolonged bitter conflict with unions over plant closures.
Trump hosts Apple chief at Mar-a-Lago as big tech leaders reach out December 14, 2024 Trump has said he has spoken with Apple chief Tim Cook about the company’s long-running tax battles with the European Union.
Spy-accused Chinese businessman ‘was invited to Buckingham Palace by duke’ December 14, 2024 The businessman accused of being a Chinese spy was invited to Buckingham Palace by the Duke of York, it has been reported. The man – who was banned from Britain by the Government on national security grounds – visited Buckingham Palace twice, and also entered St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle at the invitation of [...]
Thames Water reports surge in pollution incidents as debts swell December 10, 2024 Thames Water saw a 40 per cent increase in pollution incidents in the first half of its financial year as its debts continued to spiral. The company reported 359 so-called category one to three pollution incidents in the six months to September 30, blaming an especially wet spring and summer. Debt levels were £15.8bn at [...]
‘I’m not going to apologise’: Emotional Hamilton braces for Mercedes farewell December 5, 2024 Lewis Hamilton admits he has struggled to control his emotions this season as he prepares to bring the curtain down on a glittering 12-year stay at Mercedes. The 39-year-old, who signed a deal to join Ferrari from 2025 ahead of the season, has won six of his seven world championships with the Silver Arrows but [...]
