UNITED KINGDOM

Conservative leader calls ‘pronouns, diversity policies and climate activism’ a ‘poison’ in speech at rightwing eventKemi Badenoch has said “our country and all of western civilisation will be lost” if efforts to renew the Conservative party and drive forward rightwing ideas globally fail.Likening her own leadership to Donald Trump’s second term, she used a gathering of fellow conservatives to attack Keir Starmer for taking the knee in a nod to Black Lives Matter and described “pronouns, diversity policies and climate activism” as a “poison”. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/17/kemi-badenoch-western-civilisation-will-be-lost-tory-party-fails Author : Ben Quinn Publish date : 2025-02-17 17:53:00 Copyright

Value of imports and exports is now about €32bn, with chemical sector among those hit by Brexit red tapeTrade between Great Britain and Ireland dropped more than €6bn in 2024 as post-Brexit frictions hit shipments across the Irish Sea.The value of imports and exports between the nations fell to around €32bn last year, down from €38bn in 2023, according to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/irish-figures-show-6bn-drop-in-trade-with-great-britain Author : Lisa O'Carroll in Dublin Publish date : 2025-02-17 16:23:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Spokesperson says Keir Starmer’s previously stated view that military action needs consent of MPs has not changedUK politics live – latest updatesEurope live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has not ruled out holding a parliamentary vote on committing UK troops to a peacekeeping role in Ukraine after a ceasefire, after calls from some within Labour and the Lib Dems.On Monday, Downing Street hinted that a US-backed guarantee would be needed in order for the UK to send ground troops, saying it was an “essential” part of any ceasefire deal with Russia. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/17/pm-does-not-rule-out-vote-on-ukraine-peacekeeping-role-for-uk-troops Author : Jessica Elgot

Discovery of pest in UK raises fears for Sitka spruce, which accounts for half of country’s commercial plantationsA beetle that has previously devastated Norway spruce populations across continental Europe has been found to be equally attracted to the Sitka spruce, a finding experts say could have significant implications for commercial forestry.The eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle has now been found in the UK, raising fears for the Sitka, which accounts for a quarter of Britain’s forest cover and half its commercial forestry plantations. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/17/tree-killing-beetle-found-to-be-attracted-to-britain-most-common-spruce Author : Rachel Keenan Publish date : 2025-02-17 13:39:00 Copyright for