Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew detained by US immigration agents
Bruna Ferreira, who has a child with the White House press secretary’s brother, is now in custody at an ICE facilityUS politics live – latest updatesKaroline Leavitt’s nephew’s mother has been detained by US immigration agents in Revere, Massachusetts, as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.Bruna Ferreira, a Boston-area resident who migrated with her family to the US from Brazil as a child, is now in custody at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana, according to the Boston radio station WBUR, which first reported the arrest. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Children in Gaza find peace in music lessons
Gaza music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha helps children in Deir Al Balah find calm through simple lessons in guitar, violin and drums inside a crowded camp. [Continue Reading]
Departing Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘the canary in the coal mine’ for Republicans, says former House speaker – US politics live
Kevin McCarthy says exit of the Trump loyalist turned critic is a sign of broader trouble for RepublicansAs Donald Trump heads to his golf course in Palm Beach – his 29th day on this particular green since he returned to office – he has also been firing off posts on Truth Social.“There is a new word for a TRUMP REPUBLICAN, which is almost everyone (GREAT POLICY IS THE KEY!),” he wrote. “It is, TEPUBLICAN??? Or, TPUBLICAN???” Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘Our concern is for those working in difficult spaces’: president of George Soros’ non-profit on Trump’s attacks
Binaifer Nowrojee, Open Society Foundations president, said the organization would pursue legal action if necessaryAs Donald Trump menaces the Open Society Foundations (OSF), which funds a long list of progressive causes, Binaifer Nowrojee, the OSF president, says the global grant-making network will pursue legal action against the federal government if it must.“Open Society Foundation supports the right of free speech, supports the constitutional rights of organizations to be able to organize themselves, including through peaceful protest and is willing to actually ensure that those rights are upheld, including by going to court if need be,” she said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Computer maker HP to cut up to 6,000 jobs by 2028 as it turns to AI
US firm says plan to speed up product development and improve customer satisfaction would save $1bn a yearBusiness live – latest updatesUp to 6,000 jobs are to go at HP worldwide in the next three years as the US computer and printer maker increasingly adopts AI to speed up product development.Announcing a lower-than-expected profit outlook for the coming year, HP said it would cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs by the end of October 2028. It has about 56,000 employees. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Who leaked Witkoff’s call advising Kremlin on how to get Trump on side?
Bloomberg publishes extraordinary transcripts of secret discussions, but their provenance remains unclearBloomberg’s scoop showing how Trump aide Steve Witkoff coached the Kremlin on the best way to get into Trump’s good graces is extraordinary for what it tells us about Witkoff’s dubious loyalties and the Kremlin’s potential influence over US negotiation efforts. But equally interesting is the leaked material itself and where it may have come from.The story covers two intercepted phone calls: one between Witkoff and top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, and another between Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, who has been deeply involved in negotiations with the Trump White... [Continue Reading]
Reeves freezes fuel duty for now as she confirms 3p-a-mile electric vehicle charge
Rishi Sunak’s ‘temporary’ 5p-a-litre cut to be reversed in stages from next September in effort to keep EVs attractiveBudget 2025 – live updatesFuel duty will be frozen again, but only for five months until September 2026, the chancellor has announced, as she confirmed a new 3p-a-mile charge for electric cars from 2028.Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty in April at 52.95p a litre for petrol and diesel, a 16th successive year without a rise, but the so-called “temporary” 5p cut introduced by Rishi Sunak will be reversed in stages from September. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Rachel Reeves says budget will cut living costs after shock OBR leak
Chancellor unveils action on energy bills, rail fares and two-child benefit cap as OBR reveals £26bn tax risesBudget 2025 – follow liveHow freezing tax thresholds affects your tax bill?Budget 2025: key points at a glanceRachel Reeves has declared her budget will slash living costs for millions after a highly embarrassing leak revealed she would increase taxes by £26bn to plug a gaping shortfall in the public finances.In a shock release triggering an instant bond market reaction, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published the full details of the chancellor’s plans an hour before her make-or-break speech to the Commons. Continue... [Continue Reading]
British army halts Ajax vehicle training as noise and vibrations make soldiers ill
Deployment paused after about 30 troops became sick while training to use heavily delayed £10m vehiclesThe British army has paused the use of its Ajax armoured vehicles after troops became unwell from noise and vibration.About 30 soldiers had become ill when training to use the vehicle over the weekend and the deployment had been halted for two weeks for an investigation, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
At least 13 dead after fire engulfs residential tower blocks in Hong Kong
Several people reportedly trapped inside burning towers as firefighters tackle huge blaze in Tai Po districtAt least 13 people have been killed and dozens injured in a fire that engulfed several residential tower blocks in Hong Kong.Police said several people remained trapped inside on Wednesday night, as the fire continued to burn in more than half a dozen 31-storey towers. Authorities declared the incident a five-alarm fire, the highest emergency rating, and at least 128 fire engines and almost 800 firefighters were dispatched to fight the blaze. Roads including major highways near the towers have been closed. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Heavy Snow Forecast Across Wisconsin and Minnesota
Forecasters said the storm was expected to be unusually intense, even for areas used to heavy snow. [Continue Reading]
Trump Vowed Fewer Regulations and Lots More Oil. He’s Delivered on One.
The president’s energy strategy is projected to generate more pollution, but so far production has not risen significantly and price drops have been modest, analysts say. [Continue Reading]
10 wins from 11 - the Premier League 'domination' of La Liga
BBC Sport examines the reasons behind a period of dominance by Premier League teams over their La Liga rivals. [Continue Reading]
Second arrest after boy, 16, shot in Sheffield city centre
Two boys, 15 and 16, are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. [Continue Reading]
Sudanese family's home daubed with racist graffiti
The North West Migrants' Forum has condemned the incident in the Fountain area of Londonderry. [Continue Reading]
Nicolas Sarkozy illegal campaign financing conviction upheld
The former French president will have to serve a six-month term with an electronic bracelet, plus another six months suspended. [Continue Reading]
More North Sea drilling to be allowed in new Labour plan
The chancellor will unveil the North Sea Strategy in her Budget speech, the BBC understands. [Continue Reading]
Salary sacrifice tax break cut on workplace pensions
Some pension savers face a hit to the amount of money they can put into their pension without paying national insurance. [Continue Reading]
No real intent in Moscow to engage in peace talks, says von der Leyen
The European Commission chief said the EU would stand with Ukraine and support it "in every way". [Continue Reading]
Properties worth more than £2m in England face new tax
The surcharge begins at £2,500, rising to £7,500 for properties valued at more than £5m. [Continue Reading]
Jessie J takes savage swipe at ‘beast’ ex Channing Tatum on new song
He's getting the West End Girl treatment. [Continue Reading]
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey’s ‘passionate’ kiss cut from Wicked: For Good
'It was romantic and beautiful, but a little too passionate.' [Continue Reading]
How much it costs to run an EV compared to a combustion engine car
From tax and insurance to charging and maintenance. [Continue Reading]
Coronation Street fans ‘crying’ as Carla dumps Lisa in early ITVX release
This is NOT what we wanted! [Continue Reading]
Students restoring vintage tractor in first for Ireland
Transition years students at a school in the midlands have become the first in the country to take part in an initiative which will see them restore a vintage Porsche tractor. [Continue Reading]
At least 14 killed as fire engulfs Hong Kong towers
The death toll from a massive fire at high-rise towers in Hong Kong has risen to at least 14, while an unknown number of people are still trapped inside. [Continue Reading]
Family of five rescued from roof amid severe flooding in Hat Yai, Thailand
A family of five was rescued from the roof of their flooded home in Hat Yai, Thailand, as the city faced severe flooding. Drone footage captured the event. [Continue Reading]
How does freezing income tax thresholds affect your own tax bill?
Rachel Reeves is freezing tax thresholds in an attempt to plug the hole in the public accounts. Find out how it affects your tax billBudget 2025 – live updatesThe chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced that income tax thresholds will be frozen until the 2030-31 tax year.Freezing tax thresholds results in “fiscal drag” – a phenomenon where people are dragged into higher tax bands when they get pay rises. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Departing Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘the canary in the coal mine’ for Republicans, says former House speaker – US politics live
Kevin McCarthy says exit of the Trump loyalist turned critic is a sign of broader trouble for RepublicansCertain Republicans are moving to criticize Steve Witkoff and his relationship with Moscow, after Bloomberg published the transcript of a call between Trump’s envoy and a senior Kremlin official yesterday.“It is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired,” said outgoing Republican congressman Don Bacon, of Nebraska. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Reeves scraps two-child benefit cap and confirms mansion tax as OBR apologises for leaking details
Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were published ahead of budgetAt a glance: the key points from the budgetHow does freezing income tax thresholds affect you?Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, has rejected the concerns raised by the Resolution Foundation (see 9.54am) about the rise in the minimum wage rates. Asked about the thinktank’s comments, Nowak told Times Radio:I don’t accept those concerns ...First of all, that recommendation is based on the Low Pay Commission, which brings together employers, unions, independent experts, they’re tasked with making a recommendation on the minimum wage, which balances getting money into... [Continue Reading]
Ministers approve £750m Marlow Film Studios development after review
Planning permission granted for Buckinghamshire project seen as test of Labour’s drive for economic growthBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters have approved a development to build a £750m Hollywood-style film and TV studios in Marlow, west of London, a project that has faced local opposition and been seen as a test of Labour’s appetite to prioritise economic growth.The Marlow Film Studios project has received high-profile backing from film-makers including the director of 1917, Sam Mendes, the director of Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron, and the Captain Phillips director, Paul Greengrass. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Americans helping Ukrainian war effort decry US peace plan as a ‘betrayal by Trump’
US volunteers who have poured into Ukraine to help amid war are dismayed by Trump’s continuing pressures on KyivAmericans involved in the Ukrainian war effort are embarrassed and dismayed by Donald Trump’s continuing pressures on Kyiv and think his administration’s latest peace plan is tantamount to backstabbing and another catastrophic failure of US foreign policy.“Complete bullshit and a betrayal by Trump,” said an American special forces veteran who has helped train and advise the Ukrainian military since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. “But are you even surprised?”This article was amended on 26 November 2025 to correct that... [Continue Reading]
Maduro vows to defend ‘every inch’ of Venezuela as Trump cranks up pressure
US president says he is prepared to do things ‘the easy way … or the hard way’ amid military buildup in CaribbeanA visual guide to the US military presence in the CaribbeanDonald Trump has warned Nicolás Maduro he can “do things the easy way … or the hard way” as Venezuela’s authoritarian leader responded to the growing US pressure campaign by urging followers to prepare to defend “every inch” of the South American country.Clad in woodland camouflage fatigues, Maduro told a rally in the capital, Caracas, it was their historic duty to fight foreign aggressors, just as the Venezuelan liberation... [Continue Reading]
What’s the legacy of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?
The controversial US-Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is closing operations, after five months of massacres. [Continue Reading]
Europe’s regions converge on Lanzarote to accelerate sustainable tourism and climate action
As Europe’s destination management organisations (DMOs) grapple with unprecedented climatic, socio-economic and political pressures, the need for credible climate action and coordinated governance has become ever more urgent. [Continue Reading]
Man Utd told they made the ‘signing of the season’ ahead of Liverpool and Newcastle
Louis Saha has shared his thoughts. [Continue Reading]
The unexpected age you ‘become an adult’ now — and 9 signs to prove it
Turns out, I'm just a baby. [Continue Reading]
What does the Autumn Budget mean for your money? Metro’s money expert explains what you need to know
Banned horror game Horses is on Epic Games Store but not Steam
A controversial Italian horror game has been banned from Steam over explicit content, prompting a wider discussion about censorship on Valve's storefront. [Continue Reading]
UK's Reeves comes back for more tax to bolster finances
British finance minister Rachel Reeves delivered a budget today that will take more tax from workers, people saving for a pension and from investors to give herself more room for meeting her borrowing targets. [Continue Reading]
€24bn Government plan for transport announced
The Government has published its €24bn plan for roads, rail, aviation, maritime and active travel projects it intends to begin over the next four years. [Continue Reading]
France's top court upholds ex-President Sarkozy's conviction for illegal campaign financing
This decision is another blow to the former president's reputation and legacy, just two weeks after his release from prison pending an appeal in another campaign financing case. [Continue Reading]
Departing Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘the canary in the coal mine’ for Republicans, says former House speaker – US politics live
Kevin McCarthy says exit of the Trump loyalist turned critic is a sign of broader trouble for RepublicansCertain Republicans are moving to criticize Steve Witkoff and his relationship with Moscow, after the transcript of a call between Trump’s envoy and a senior Kremlin official was leaked yesterday.“It is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired,” said outgoing Republican congressman Don Bacon, of Nebraska. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Karoline Leavitt’s nephew’s mother detained by US immigration agents
Bruna Ferreira, who has a child with the White House press secretary’s brother, is now in custody at an ICE facilityUS politics live – latest updatesKaroline Leavitt’s nephew’s mother has been detained by US immigration agents in Revere, Massachusetts, as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.Bruna Ferreira, a Boston-area resident who migrated with her family to the US from Brazil as a child, is now in custody at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana, according to Boston radio station WBUR, which first reported the arrest. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Trump envoy Witkoff reportedly advised Kremlin official on Ukraine peace deal | First Thing
Witkoff also offered tactical guidance on how Putin should raise subject with Trump, audio recording suggests. Plus, the female pilots on Ukraine’s frontlineGood morning.Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange, according to a recording of their conversation.What did Witkoff say? “Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Witkoff told Ushakov during the five-minute conversation, according to a transcript of... [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Reeves scraps two-child benefit cap and confirms mansion tax as OBR apologises for leaking details
Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were published ahead of budgetAt a glance: the key points from the budgetPaul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, has rejected the concerns raised by the Resolution Foundation (see 9.54am) about the rise in the minimum wage rates. Asked about the thinktank’s comments, Nowak told Times Radio:I don’t accept those concerns ...First of all, that recommendation is based on the Low Pay Commission, which brings together employers, unions, independent experts, they’re tasked with making a recommendation on the minimum wage, which balances getting money into people’s pockets and the impact on unemployment.... [Continue Reading]
Nicolas Sarkozy convicted of illegal campaign financing in failed 2012 re-election bid
Former French president released from prison only this month in connection with separate convictionThe former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been convicted of illegal campaign financing in his failed 2012 re-election bid, after the country’s highest court rejected his final appeal.Sarkozy, who was the country’s rightwing president between 2007 and 2012, was convicted of hiding illegal overspending for his unsuccessful re-election campaign that was shaped by vast American-style rallies. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘Progress is happening’: gender pay gap narrows but Australian women still earn $28,000 less than men
Western Australian employers reported the biggest pay gap and Tasmanian employers the smallest, but all states reported an improvement, study finds Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s gender pay gap narrowed further in 2025, but women still earn on average about $28,000 a year less than men, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s latest equality scorecard has revealed.Women earn, on average, 78.9 cents for every $1 men earn, according to the analysis of 5.4 million Australian workers across more than 8,200 employers. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]