How does freezing 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 RepublicansDonald Trump has no public events scheduled today. On Tuesday he left Washington to spend the Thanksgiving break at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.On Air Force One yesterday, he spoke with reporters briefly about a number of issues, including reports that the president would reveal a new healthcare proposal soon. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves scraps two-child benefit cap and confirms council tax changes 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]
Two London councils enact emergency plans after being hit by cyber-attack
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster city council investigate whether data has been compromisedAt least two London councils have been hit by a cyber-attack and have invoked emergency plans as they investigate whether any data has been compromised.The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City council, which share some IT infrastructure, said a number of systems had been affected across both authorities, including phone lines. The councils, which provide services for 360,000 residents, shut down several computerised systems as a precaution to limit further possible damage. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Putin trying to negotiate an end to Ukraine war as he cannot win it on battlefield, says EU’s Kallas – Europe live
EU’s foreign policy chief says ‘there’s one aggressor and one victim’ in conflict amid US push to end the warIn case you missed it, US president Donald Trump defended his peace envoy Steve Witkoff overnight after Bloomberg reported that he allegedly advised Putin’s aide Ushakov on how to speak with Trump and conduct the talks.Trump did not appear too bothered by it, though. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
‘I didn’t even know this type of attack existed’: more than 200 women allege drugging by senior French civil servant
In a case echoing the Pelicot trial, dozens of women allege they were given hot drinks mixed with a diuretic to make them urinate. Three of them speak out hereWhen Sylvie Delezenne, a marketing expert from Lille, was job-hunting in 2015, she was delighted to be contacted on LinkedIn by a human resources manager at the French culture ministry, inviting her to Paris for an interview.“It was my dream to work at the culture ministry,” she said. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Europe reimagines rearmament at sea, learning from Russia’s war on Ukraine
Zelenskyy’s co-production agreements across the continent are kindling the fires of the naval defence industry. [Continue Reading]
India-China in new spat over Arunachal Pradesh: What’s it all about?
Tensions are reignited after Arunachal-born Prema Wangjom Thongdok is detained at a Chinese airport. [Continue Reading]
Thief caught on camera stealing 8ft tall Christmas decoration
The masked cyclist is shown taking the nutcracker soldier from outside a bar in the capital. [Continue Reading]
Twenty-four Nigerian schoolgirls released over a week after abduction
Nigerian officials dispute reports that some 250 children remain missing after another mass school kidnap. [Continue Reading]
What we know about the Hong Kong apartment fires
At least 13 people have been killed in the huge blaze, but what caused it is still unclear. [Continue Reading]
Henry Zeffman: Early release of OBR documents is totally surreal
The Budget is already out there, thanks to the Office for Budget Responsibility, which has published the details in error. [Continue Reading]
Paul Doyle pleads guilty to Liverpool parade crash that injured more than 130
Paul Doyle broke down in tears as he admitted seriously injuring fans at Liverpool's victory parade. [Continue Reading]
Isas, cars and pensions: How the Budget affects you
The Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will affect you and your finances. Here's how. [Continue Reading]
Women are pretending to be men on LinkedIn for more visibility
'Visibility is only one piece of the puzzle.' [Continue Reading]
Take it from a disabled person – Motability isn’t about free cars
A WAV has been fundamental to my freedom and independence, enabling me to go to work and pursue my hobbies. [Continue Reading]
13 killed as fire engulfs Hong Kong towers
The death toll from a massive fire at high-rise towers in Hong Kong has risen to 13, while an unknown number of people are still trapped inside. [Continue Reading]
HSE apology over 'failings' at inquest into girl's death
An inquest has opened into the death of a 16-year-old girl at University Hospital Limerick. [Continue Reading]
High-rise fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district kills four, injures three
A high-rise fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district killed four people and injured three, with residents trapped as the blaze spread along bamboo scaffolding. [Continue Reading]
Trump backs Witkoff after leaked call appears to show envoy advised Putin aide on Ukraine peace plan
The US president reacted to the leaked transcript aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, stating that Witkoff "got to sell" the deal to both Russia and Ukraine, adding, "That's what a dealmaker does." [Continue Reading]
Strikes in Belgium disrupt public transport and flights over new 2026 measures
Belgium held a nationwide strike as unions protested the 2026 budget, halting public transport and grounding flights while demanding changes to pension and welfare plans. [Continue Reading]
Rightwing influencers spin anti-Muslim rage in Michigan for social media reach
In Dearborn, provocateurs have held anti-Islam rallies, attempted to burn the Qur’an and rile residents for clickbaitWhite nationalist and rightwing agitators recently descended on Dearborn, Michigan, to hold an anti-Islam rally at which they attempted to burn a Qur’an and manufacture controversy over the city’s large Arab-American population. But the protest has been dismissed by local leaders as a cheap publicity stunt aimed at generating money and clicks for far-right influencers.But there is little doubt the Michigan city has become a repeated target for the publicity-hungry far-right because it holds the US’s highest percentage of Arab-American residents. Similar provocateurs have... [Continue Reading]
Starmer calls on Farage to apologise to his alleged victims of racial abuse at school
Prime minister says Reform leader’s explanations about alleged comments are ‘unconvincing to say the least’Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to apologise to his school contemporaries who claim the Reform leader racially abused them while at Dulwich College.The Guardian reported last week the testimony of Peter Ettedgui, who said a 13-year-old Farage “would sidle up to me and growl: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘gas them’, sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers”. 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 RepublicansCNN is reporting that the mother of Karoline Leavitt’s 11-year-old nephew is in ICE custody after having been arrested earlier this month.Bruna Caroline Ferreira, a Brazilian native, was arrested near Boston on 12 November as she was on her way to pick up her son, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, told CNN.“[They] did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite.“There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens... [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves sets out budget tax rises as OBR apologises for leaking details
Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were published before chancellor gave her statementAt 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... [Continue Reading]
Junta hails end to US protected status for Myanmar nationals
Human rights monitors say it is not safe to return, citing reports of ‘serious crimes in the run-up to elections’Myanmar’s junta applauded the Trump administration on Wednesday for halting a scheme that protected its citizens from deportation from the US back to their war-racked homeland.About 4,000 Myanmar citizens are living in the US with temporary protected status (TPS), which shields foreign nationals from deportation to disaster zones and allows them the right to work. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Nicolas Sarkozy convicted of illegal campaign financing in failed 2012 re-election bid
Former French president only released from prison earlier 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]
Russia welcomes ‘aspects’ of new US plan to end Ukraine war – Europe live
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov says other parts of plan, which has not been published, ‘require special discussions among experts’In case you missed it, US president Donald Trump defended his peace envoy Steve Witkoff overnight after Bloomberg reported that he allegedly advised Putin’s aide Ushakov on how to speak with Trump and conduct the talks.Trump did not appear too bothered by it, though. 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 died after fire engulfed several high-rise towers of a residential complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, with thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services tackled the blaze.Police said several people remained trapped inside the burning towers, while two people were in a critical condition with severe burns. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Palestine Action’s legal challenge against UK government ban begins
Cofounder Huda Ammori calls into question the pro-Palestine group’s ban under ‘antiterrorism’ laws. [Continue Reading]
Trump Administration Will Raise Prices for Foreign Tourists at National Parks
The price increases come as more and more international travelers are choosing to stay away from the United States and amid turmoil at the National Park Service. [Continue Reading]
Britain Raises Taxes by More Than $30 Billion in Tougher Economic Outlook
Rachel Reeves, the top economic official in an increasingly unpopular government, announced a series of measures intended to put the country’s finances on a stronger footing. [Continue Reading]
From chess to Champions League - in-form Eze and Olise reunite on big stage
Former Crystal Palace team-mates Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze reunite when Arsenal host Bayern Munich in the Champions League. [Continue Reading]
Rosalía inspiring the next generation in classical music
The singer's latest, Lux, has got us talking about classical music. Its popularity might surprise you. [Continue Reading]
Army halts use of Ajax vehicles after soldiers left vomiting
The UK government previously said they were ready for deployment with interest from Nato allies. [Continue Reading]
Key points at a glance
Rachel Reeves is delivering her second Budget since Labour’s return to power – here’s what you need to know. [Continue Reading]
Electric vehicle owners to face pay-per-mile tax
Drivers of electric cars will pay a road charge of 3p per mile, while plug-in hybrid drivers will pay 1.5p per mile from April 2028. [Continue Reading]
Isas, cars and pensions: How the Budget affects you
The Budget being delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will affect you and your finances. [Continue Reading]
Martin Lewis reveals how long you should keep bills, receipts and paperwork
'A small folder (or a few digital scans) may just be worth £1,000s to you down the line.' [Continue Reading]
Jessie J pulls a Lily Allen with dig at ‘beast’ ex Channing Tatum on new song
He's getting the West End Girl treatment. [Continue Reading]
‘Rogue’ surgeon with more than 200 victims to face public inquiry
Sam Eljamel is understood to have more than 200 victims [Continue Reading]
Map reveals the most affordable town for homebuyers in each UK region
The research is based on house price to earnings ratio. [Continue Reading]
Five-year wait for citizenship among migration changes
Refugees seeking full citizenship here will be given preferential treatment if they are working, the Minister for Justice has said. [Continue Reading]
13 killed as fire engulfs Hong Kong high-rise
The death toll from a massive fire at high-rise towers in Hong Kong has risen to 13. [Continue Reading]
Autopsy report suggests family of four killed by pesticide in Istanbul hotel
A Turkish-German family of four died in Istanbul from phosphine gas poisoning, likely from a pesticide used in their hotel. An investigation is ongoing. [Continue Reading]
Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves delivers budget as OBR apologises for leaking details
Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were accidentally published before chancellor gave her statementAt 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... [Continue Reading]