Trump-Starmer meeting: Five things to look out for February 27, 2025 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Donald Trump this evening for the first time since the US President re-entered the White House in January. Thanks to the US-UK so-called ‘special relationship’, meetings between the two nations’ leaders always have resonance. But amid the current international context, including Trump’s own comments about Russia’s [...]
Chelsea: Stamford Bridge to get Wetherspoons as MPs call for Abramovich raid February 27, 2025 Chelsea fans may be protesting about the price of tickets at Stamford Bridge but they’re set to see a cut in the price of a pint with JD Wetherspoon to open a boozer in the summer. Walham Green has been given a summer opening date and will sit on Fulham Road, just around the corner [...]
Olympics recognises World Boxing after ditching Russia-led IBA February 26, 2025 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally recognised World Boxing after disassociating with the Russian-led and funded IBA. The IBA – International Boxing Association – has been the governing body behind boxing at the Olympic Games but has made controversial calls and has Russian ties. The IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA in 2023 [...]
The West has been free riding on US defence spending February 25, 2025 The West has been free riding on US defence spending for decades. It's no surprise Trump is now calling us to account, writes Paul Ormerod.
Kenyon lauds ‘passionate’ Abramovich and appears to aim barb at Glazers February 25, 2025 Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has hailed the Stamford Bridge tenure of Roman Abramovich and appeared to draw unflattering comparisons with current Old Trafford owners the Glazers. Kenyon helped turn United into champions of Europe and football’s first commercial powerhouse during a six-year spell that ended in 2003, when Abramovich hired [...]
Defence spending to rise to 2.5 per cent by 2027 via aid cuts, Starmer confirms February 25, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer has announced the “biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War” as he confirmed the UK would spend 2.5 per cent of GDP [gross domestic product] by 2027. The Prime Minister unveiled the policy in a statement to the House of Commons after reports he was set [...]
Sanctions: Kremlin-linked oligarchs hit by UK regime on ‘grim milestone’ of war February 24, 2025 The UK is extending its sanctions regime against Russia as it marks the “grim milestone” of the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Ministers have unveiled the largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022, with 107 new sanctions targeting Russian military supply chains, third-country supporters and revenue and profits fuelling the war chest and [...]
Ukraine: Russia ‘does not hold all the cards’, Starmer tells Kyiv conference February 24, 2025 Keir Starmer has insisted “Russia does not hold all the cards in this war” to a conference in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister has promised further “sweeping sanctions” to push the Russian president towards concessions in peace talks and called for a US backstop [...]
Defence spending: 2.5 per cent of GDP is ‘ambitious,’ minister says February 23, 2025 Raising UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income is “ambitious”, a cabinet minister has insisted as the government faces pressure to increase investment. It comes amid uncertainty over the future of the war in Ukraine, as the US began negotiations with Russia, excluding Kyiv from talks. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson sought to [...]
Starmer to set date to increase defence spending during Trump visit – report February 23, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer is expected to confirm a timeline to raise defence spending and give Donald Trump an invitation for a state visit when he visits Washington next week, per a report. The Prime Minister will have to walk a tricky line when he meets President Trump, balancing the UK’s support for Ukraine with the [...]