-
Merz vows to remain chancellor after CDU election defeats
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected calls to resign after the CDU suffered significant defeats in regional elections, calling the results a “disaster” but insisting he would remain in office. He pledged to press ahead with economic, tax and welfare reforms, despite weak approval ratings and growing speculation that he could be replaced. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,…
-
Chancellor given Budget warning as Iran war borrowing costs slash headroom by billions
Chancellor John Healey faces mounting pressure to raise taxes or cut spending, after soaring borrowing costs linked to the Iran war and weaker economic growth have eroded the Government’s fiscal headroom by almost £12 billion. This dramatic squeeze significantly constrains the Chancellor’s ability to provide support for growth or cost of living pressures when he…
-
US and China agree formal dialogue on AI safeguards ahead of summit
US and Chinese officials have agreed to establish a formal dialogue on artificial-intelligence safeguards after “constructive” talks in New York. The agreement, reached ahead of a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, signals potential cooperation on managing AI risks despite wider trade and technology tensions, and helped improve investor confidence. The discussions involved US…
-
UK urged to ‘team up’ with EU and Canada in economic partnership
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has called for the United Kingdom to form a closer economic partnership with Canada and the European Union, arguing that the three nations share similar values and are “stronger together”. This proposal follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent suggestion that Canada join the EU as an “associate…
-
Italy plans school face-covering ban and cap on foreign pupils
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to ban face coverings such as burqas and niqabs in schools and to impose a cap on the number of foreign students per class, with these measures set to be presented to cabinet shortly. This policy reflects Italy’s ongoing challenges with migrant integration, particularly given its central…
-
Trump and Iran to clash at UN; shooting row deepens at home
President Trump and Iran’s leader will deliver duelling addresses at the UN this week in what observers call a dramatic showdown. A Democratic congressman demands answers over an alleged ICE shooting, whilst the music world mourns pop-punk pioneer Chad Gilbert.
-
Burnham braces for Trump turbulence in first meeting tomorrow – with president set to swipe at allies who are not helping with Iran war in UN speech
Andy Burnham is preparing for a potentially tense first meeting with Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York. Their talks may touch on disagreements over Iran, the Middle East, Russia, the Falkland Islands, Irish unification, online safety and artificial intelligence, while Downing Street reportedly wants to keep the encounter brief to reduce…
-
Asian shares rise amid optimism around US-Chinese talks on trade and AI; oil prices fall – business live
Asian share markets rose as investors welcomed constructive US–China discussions on trade and artificial intelligence ahead of a Trump–Xi summit in Washington on Thursday. Technology stocks led gains, while oil prices fell on hopes that Saudi Arabia could restore disrupted crude shipments quickly. Markets remain cautious, however, with analysts looking for signs that both sides…
-
League B return, no Bradley and Kvaratskhelia test – NI talking points
Northern Ireland return to League B of the Nations League for the first time since 2020, entering a campaign that represents a significant step up in quality. The build-up has been dominated by Arsenal forward Ceadach O’Neill’s eligibility, with the 18-year-old’s inclusion in manager Michael O’Neill’s squad appearing to settle his international future with Northern…
-
US and China weigh AI incident alerts before Trump–Xi summit
US and Chinese officials have discussed creating a notification system for artificial-intelligence incidents that could affect national security. The proposal was raised by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after “successful” talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, ahead of a planned Trump–Xi summit, and reflects concerns about the risks of rapid AI development. The discussions…