The Guardian

Competing domestic priorities, Treasury borrowing limits and already nervous lenders are among the many obstaclesKeir Starmer has few options if he wants to increase annual defence spending by up to £14bn before the end of this parliament.In last summer’s spending review, the government set out plans to increase defence spending from 2.3% of national income, or gross domestic product (GDP), in 2024-25 – about £66bn, to 2.6% in 2028-29. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/16/keir-starmer-limited-options-further-defence-spending-rise Author : Phillip Inman Publish date : 2026-02-16 17:21:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The government was warned by its lawyers that such a move could be illegalIn his Q&A with journalists, Keir Starmer was also asked to respond to a report by the BBC’s James Landale saying he is looking at plans to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament. In the past Starmer has just said that he would like to do this at some point in the next parliament.In his reply, Starmer said that at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend he was arguing that the UK, and Europe as a whole, needs to

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Japan misses growth forecasts for the final three months of 2025UK consumer sentiment continued to sink this month, as households grow more worried about debt levels.A poll of consumer confidence from data firm S&P Global has found that morale continued to drop in February, although not as quickly as in January.Consumers signal stronger rise in debt alongside a quicker deterioration in loan availabilityAppetite for major spending recedes to weakest in ten monthsSentiment regarding labour market conditions at lowest since last June“The mood among UK households matches the dismal weather seen

Rubio visits Orbán, who has a warm relationship with the Trump administration, ahead of Hungarian elections in April with the two countries expected to sign civilian nuclear deal later todayWe have some images come through from the newswires of Marco Rubio in Budapest:Hungary’s 12 April election is set to be one of the year’s most consequential in the EU. Voters will choose a new 199-seat national assembly under the country’s mixed electoral system, with Viktor Orbán facing his biggest electoral challenge after 16 years of uninterrupted power. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/16/marco-rubio-viktor-orban-hungary-ukraine-europe-france-germany-europe-live-news-updates Author : Yohannes Lowe Publish date :

ACCC alleges the supermarket breached the law by offering ‘illusory’ discounts on many products with ‘Down Down’ promotionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColes disguised price increases on at least 245 products by offering discounts that were “literally true” but also “utterly misleading”, the competition regulator has argued at the beginning of a high-profile court case.A federal court battle between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Coles began on Monday, testing allegations the supermarket breached the law by offering “illusory” discounts on many everyday products. Continue

Leader vows to repay the ‘young martyrs’ who died as North Korea intensifies propaganda glorifying troops deployed to fight for RussiaNorth Korea has said it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, the latest effort by leader Kim Jong-un to honour the war dead.State media photos showed Kim walking through the new street – called Saeppyol Street – and visiting the homes of some of the families with his increasingly prominent daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju-ae, as he pledged to repay the “young martyrs”

Police decided there was ‘no tangible benefit’ to conducting disciplinary action against the officer and opted not to investigateFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland police service refused to pursue disciplinary action against an officer accused of multiple acts of serious domestic violence against his heavily pregnant partner and “interfering with the course of justice” to weaken the terms of her protection order.The circumstances of the case, revealed in a Queensland tribunal judgment this month, prompted a legal challenge by state’s Crime and Corruption Commission. Continue reading...

Chris Baghsarian was alone in his North Ryde home on Friday when he was taken and bundled into an SUV allegedly by underworld figuresThe search continues for an 85-year-old Sydney man who police say was abducted by mistake in a botched underworld kidnapping.Chris Baghsarian was alone in his North Ryde home when he was taken and bundled into a dark-coloured SUV on Friday morning. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/16/chris-baghsarian-search-sydney-man-abducted-nsw-police Author : Australian Associated Press Publish date : 2026-02-15 23:45:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Retailers face penalties if they profited from promotions that breached consumer law. Follow today’s news liveIMF finds Australia managing ‘soft-landing’ on economic recoveryThe International Monetary Fund released a report on Sunday saying the Australian economy was managing a “soft landing” but said inflationary pressures had “re-emerged” in recent months.Executive directors welcomed Australia’s progress toward a soft landing and internal balance, notwithstanding uncertainties regarding residual excess demand and supply capacity in the context of weak productivity growth.It was a very positive report about Australia and about the government’s economic plan, it was a powerful endorsement. … It described our budget management

Ofelia Torres, 16, spotlighted her dad Ruben’s illegal detention last fall during Trump’s crackdown in ChicagoA Chicago teenager, whose father was detained by immigration authorities while she navigated cancer, died on Friday, a family spokesperson said.Ofelia Torres, a 16-year-old in Chicago, had been undergoing treatment for an aggressive and rare form of cancer since late 2024. As she and her family struggled with the medical procedures, her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was detained by immigration authorities while at a Home Depot in October, leading to a contentious and public case that highlighted the human effects of the Trump administration’s aggressive

Cabinet Office minister commissioned report that made ‘baseless claims’ about reporters who were investigating Labour TogetherKeir Starmer is facing calls by MPs for an inquiry into the commissioning of a report that made “baseless claims” about journalists who were investigating a thinktank linked to the prime minister.The calls add to pressure on the Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, who commissioned a report in 2023 on journalists investigating Labour Together, the thinktank that would help propel Starmer to power. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/15/labour-together-thinktank-inquiry-calls-journalists-investigation-keir-starmer Author : Ben Quinn and Henry Dyer Publish date : 2026-02-15 15:48:00 Copyright for syndicated content

Military official says Israel’s attack came in response to violations by Hamas of US-brokered ceasefire agreementAt least 12 Palestinians were killed and several more injured across the Gaza Strip on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes that the military said were carried out in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas.The Gaza civil defence agency said five people were killed and several others hurt when an airstrike targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in the northern city of Jabalia. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/15/palestinians-killed-injured-gaza-israeli-airstrikes-hamas Author : Sam Jones Publish date : 2026-02-15 13:24:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Mohan Karki – one of many people ICE has deported to countries with which they have little connection – leaves behind his wife and seven-month-old baby he has yet to holdTika Basnet sat facing the glow of her iPhone, a red tika pressed into the center of her forehead. Seven-month-old Briana slept on her lap, her breathing soft and uneven. On the other side of the screen was Mohan Karki, Basnet’s husband, who had yet to hold his daughter.For Karki, nearly 9,000 miles (14,500km) away, it was already morning. He was in hiding in south Asia, his exact location withheld

Acquisition by Premier Group Recruitment boss Andrew Woosnam appears to be example of ‘phoenixism’A recruitment business that went bust owing the tax authorities and other creditors almost £3m has promised to send its staff on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas after being repurchased by its former owner for an initial £10,000.Premier Group Recruitment went into administration in September with debts of £2.9m – including £647,000 owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which had commenced enforcement proceedings against the company. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/15/bust-premier-group-recruitment-hmrc-las-vegas-staff-trip-andrew-woosnam Author : Simon Goodley Publish date : 2026-02-15 08:00:00 Copyright for syndicated

Prime minister commits $3.9bn as ‘down payment’ for Adelaide facility to eventually build nuclear-powered vesselsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least $30bn will be spent building a construction yard to eventually build nuclear submarines for Australia under the Aukus agreement, despite doubts over the deal.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Sunday the federal government had pledged $3.9bn as a “down payment” to secure the future of the submarine construction yard in the northern Adelaide suburb of Osborne. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/15/albanese-dismisses-aukus-concerns-as-submarine-shipyard-cost-revealed-to-be-30bn Author : Australian Associated Press Publish date : 2026-02-15 05:13:00 Copyright

Residents who escaped violence tell of bandits riding in on motorbikes and shooting indiscriminatelyArmed assailants on motorbikes killed at least 32 people and burned houses and shops during raids on three villages in north-west Nigeria’s Niger state early on Saturday, local officials and residents who escaped the violence said.The dawn raids targeted the communities of Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso, and Pissa. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/14/assailants-kill-raids-northwest-nigeria-villages-residents-say Author : Guardian staff and agencies Publish date : 2026-02-15 03:14:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Meanwhile Jane Hume says opposition would resist any CGT increase. Follow the latest updates liveCharlotte Mortlock, the high profile former Coalition staffer and leader of grassroots organisation Hilma’s Network, has left the Liberal party, days after Sussan Ley was ousted by Angus Taylor.Hilma’s Network was formed by Mortlock to bring “Liberal-minded” women together and push the party to preselect more women. Mortlock has been a vocal advocate for modernisation in the Liberal party, including pushing for the party to support net zero targets, and was part of a small team who designed a plan for gender quotas in New South

Cases reported in seven schools and a nursery in Enfield amid concern over low levels of MMR vaccination in capitalMore than 60 children have been infected by a measles outbreak in north London, it has been reported.Seven schools and a nursery in Enfield reported the cases, with some children treated in hospital, according to the Sunday Times. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/14/more-than-60-children-infected-in-north-london-measles-outbreak Author : Nadeem Badshah Publish date : 2026-02-14 22:33:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Family pay tribute to Demi Edmunds, from Caldicot, saying she ‘loved her friends, and she was loved by all’A 17-year-old girl who died in a collision involving three cars in Wales was “funny, kind and caring”, her brother said. Demi Edmunds was the sole pedestrian in the incident on the A4042 in Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wales, which occurred at about 12.25pm on Thursday, Gwent police said. The teenager from Caldicot was pronounced dead at the scene. Her brother Jake said in a tribute published by the force on Saturday: “Demi was the best sister I could’ve ever asked for. She was

At his official installation, Archbishop Richard Moth recognised the Catholic church’s failures but insists it’s a time of ‘opportunity’The new leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales has said that the church has failed vulnerable people, urging more work to be done to address the struggle of refugees and learn from victims of abuse.At a ceremony where he was officially installed in his new role as archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth said: “Here, I am most aware of every occasion on which members of the church, or the church as a whole, have failed – most especially when the

13% of federal civilian workforce is affected, although DHS – which spurred budget standoff – remains fundedA limited US government shutdown came into effect on Saturday – the third of Donald Trump’s second term – after negotiations between the White House and Democrats in Congress failed to agree on new restrictions for federal immigration agents.The shutdown affects about 13% of the federal civilian workforce and is confined to agencies under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which screens airline passengers. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/14/limited-government-shutdown-congress Author : Edward Helmore Publish

The UK prime minister said stronger security relied on greater cooperation and integration across the continentMunich Security Conference – live updatesKeir Starmer said there was an urgent need for a closer UK defence relationship with Europe, covering procurement and manufacturing, so that the UK is at the centre of a stronger European defence setup.In a rare visit to the Munich Security Conference, the British prime minister told the audience, to applause, “we are 10 years on from Brexit. We are not the Britain of the Brexit years.” Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/14/keir-starmer-munich-conference-closer-europe-defence-ties Author : Patrick Wintour in Munich Publish

Russia has shown ‘appetite for aggression’ and possible path for Europe’s future, UK prime minister saysRubio insists that the US “do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship.”He says “we do not want allies to rationalise the broken status quo rather than reckon with what is necessary to fix it.”“We do not want our allies to be weak, because that makes us weaker. We want allies who can defend themselves, so that no adversary will ever be tempted to test our collective strength. This is why we do not want our allies to be shackled by guilt

Rachel Reeves’s inheritance tax changes encourage more people to invest in previously unloved product The government’s “inheritance tax raid” on pensions has helped drive sales of retirement annuities to new highs.Industry data this week revealed they enjoyed a “record-breaking” 2025, with sales growing by 4% to £7.4bn and the average amount invested in an annuity surpassing £80,000 for the first time. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/feb/14/uk-pension-annuities-sales-rachel-reeves-inheritance-tax-invest Author : Rupert Jones Publish date : 2026-02-14 07:00:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The Canadian prime minister told residents of Tumbler Ridge that the country is ‘with you’Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has told residents of Tumbler Ridge that the country is “with you, and we will always be with you”, during a candlelight vigil for the eight victims of a mass shooting that has shattered the small mining town.The prime minister, holding hands with opposition leader Pierre Poilievre while flanked by First Nations chiefs and local officials, paid tribute to the families enduring the loss of loved ones, after the shooting at a local school that has become one of the most