Starmer says government remains ‘open-minded’ about social media ban for under-16s – UK politics live
Prime minister says outcomes of consultation on social media ban should be implemented quickly as technology minister says Australia-style ban is not inevitableIn 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 “step up”.We want a just and lasting peace, but that will not extinguish the Russian threat, and we need to be alert to that, because that’s going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up.That means, on defence spending, we need to go faster. Continue reading...
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Rubio says that relationship with Orbán is ‘vital for US national interests’ – Europe live
Trump is ‘deeply committed to your success’, US secretary of state tells Orbán ahead of Hungarian electionsBack to Budapest now. Marco Rubio and the Hungarian foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, appear to be signing an agreement to facilitate cooperation on a civilian nuclear programme.We’ll give you any key lines from the press conference. In the meantime, our European community affairs correspondent, Ashifa Kassam, has reported on the EU’s proposed deportation law that rights groups warn could intensify already widespread racial profiling across the continent. Here is an extract from her story:More than 70 rights organisations have called on the EU to reject a proposal aimed at increasing the deportation of undocumented people, warning that it risks turning everyday spaces, public services and community interactions into tools of ICE-style immigration enforcement.Last March, the European Commission laid out its proposal to increase deportations of people with no legal right to stay in the EU, including potentially sending them to offshore centres in non-EU countries. Continue reading...
UK consumer sentiment falls as households worry about debt; Japan and Switzerland avoid recession – business live
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 so far this year across the country. Although the overall degree of gloom has lifted slightly since January, consumer confidence continues to run at one of the lowest levels seen over the past two years.A period of prolonged rain and a dearth of sunshine have no doubt not helped to lift the low spirits seen among households, but there’s more going on here than just bad weather. Households are growing increasingly worried about debt in particular, especially as a rising need for credit was met with the steepest decline in availability of loans since August 2024. Continue reading...
‘Baby boxes’ for surrendering newborns on rise in US
Anti-abortion groups are promoting ‘baby boxes’ in the US, where vulnerable mothers can surrender their newborns.
Epstein ties cast shadow over legacy of Oslo’s Palestine peace efforts
New US court documents reveal ties between a key figure behind the Oslo Accords and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Israeli police clash with ultra-Orthodox protesters over army enlistment
Two Israeli female soldiers were chased by an angry crowd of ultra-Orthodox men protesting military enlistment on Sunday
Gus Lamont: South Australia police search home for new evidence as 75-year-old arrested on unrelated gun charges
Gus went missing on 27 September from Oak Park Station, where South Australia police have begun a two-day search for evidenceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSouth Australian police have arrested a 75-year-old on unrelated firearm offences as they launch a new search for evidence during the investigation into missing four-year-old Gus Lamont.Gus, short for “August”, went missing on 27 September 2025 from his family’s remote sheep station, sparking one of the biggest and most intense searches in South Australia’s history. Continue reading...
Manchester’s Muslim voters pivotal in UK election showdown
The Manchester suburbs of Gorton and Denton have been thrust to the centre of the fight for Britain’s political future.
Giant robot tribute to Brazil's President Lula leads start of Rio Carnival
Rio de Janeiro's iconic Carnival parades begin with a tribute to Brazil's President Lula, illustrating his rise from poverty to power.
Republicans and Democrats unite to condemn Trump’s attacks on allies
American politicians break rank at Munich Security Conference to hit out at ‘destructive’ president and urge Europe to stand up to TrumpDonald Trump’s most unbridled critics at this weekend’s Munich Security Conference have not been Europeans but Americans – and not just Democrat politicians.A few Republicans, out of earshot of the US president’s favoured Fox News, have had the courage to challenge Trump’s diet of tariffs and unpredictability. Continue reading...