
UK negotiators are working "flat out" to get a trade deal with the US, Chancellor Rachel Reeves says.
The comments came after Kyiv rejected suggestions it could recognise Russian control of Crimea.
Nerys Lloyd is sentenced to 10 years and six months for gross negligence manslaughter.
The body of the pontiff, who died on Monday, has been moved into the church for a period of public mourning.
Updated guidance is expected following last week's Supreme Court ruling that sex is biological.
Experts say the discovery provides the first physical evidence of gladiatorial combat with animals.
While Meta says the AI chatbot is a "good thing", some users have shared their frustrations.
Visas held by some Pakistanis are also cancelled after gunmen killed tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty to sex crimes, returns to court after a conviction was overturned.
Boeing's boss says it's looking to sell 50 more planes China has on order to other countries.
Hélène Perlant alleges that a priest at Notre-Dame de Bétharram beat her at a summer camp when she was 14.
Pope Francis' funeral will take place outside St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday.
Several names are prominent as cardinals prepare to gather in the Vatican to elect Pope Francis' successor.
Tasked with reducing government spending and cutting jobs, the agency has faced legal challenges.
Negotiations are gathering pace but the proposals being put forward by Trump's team still have major gaps
The four artists in the running for this year's prestigious art award are revealed.
BBC Verify finds that three quarters of British driving test centres have a 24-week wait to book a practical test.
The former England striker says her career in broadcasting has been damaged by her ongoing legal case with the ex-Newcastle player.
Face-scanning apps, social media influencers and toxic beauty standards are fuelling China's cosmetic surgery boom.
Everything you need to know about the 2025 London Marathon including the route, elite fields, record attempts, celebrity runners, weather forecast and how to watch on the BBC.
New analysis of a letter suggests that the couple's relationship was closer than previously thought.
Many people have prepared to spend the night outside to safeguard against another strong tremor.
The Tory leader thinks the shadow justice secretary is a "team player," her spokesman tells reporters.
Joanna Lumley and Steve Buscemi are seen in a new trailer for the hit show's second season.
Unite agreed to mediation after talks with the city council broke up within 45 minutes on Wednesday.
Palestinian Authority president says that Hamas has given Israel "excuses" to continue the Gaza war.
Charli XCX, Ghetts and Jade are among the other stars in contention for songwriting prizes.
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests
And will Trump try to influence the election of the next Pope?
And, Adam and Chris answer listeners political questions on Radio 2.
Reports of interest first surfaced earlier this year but the Ibrox club has now confirmed "productive conversations" are ongoing.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey's future remains unclear but recently appointed sporting director Andrea Berta may have the key to unlocking the uncertainty surrounding the player's contractual impasse.
Emma Raducanu's return to the WTA Tour begins with a hard-fought win over Dutch opponent Suzan Lamens in the Madrid Open first round.
Reports of interest first surfaced earlier this year but the Ibrox club has now confirmed "productive conversations" are ongoing.
Emergency consultants in Glasgow have been raising concerns about serious safety risks since May 2023.
Edward Feelie hit Robert Shirra-Gibb after failing to stop at a red light while driving his flatbed truck in December 2023.
The four artists in the running for this year's prestigious art award are revealed.
Drivers across southern and western Scotland will take industrial action on a series of dates in May.
Adele Rennie breached a non-harassment order banning her from contacting a previous victim for five years.
New R&A chief executive Mark Darbon says he "would love" Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course to host the Open Championship.
Alana Brownie's jaw stopped growing when she fell off a bike as a child.
Police Scotland officers were called to Calton Court, in the Laurieston area of Glasgow.
Scotland's Home of the Year is back and judge Anna Campbell-Jones knows exactly what she is looking for.
Fraser Penman embraced his rare condition and used it to forge a new career as successful performer.
Emergency services were called to reports of trouble in Glasgow's St Enoch Square on Saturday evening
More than 900 riders, many in fancy dress, took part in the annual parade in Glasgow.
Get in touch with BBC News journalists in the west of Scotland with your story ideas.
A selection of photographs submitted to BBC Scotland News from around the country this week.
Scottish professional wrestler Ravie Davie left gang life to teach kids how to wrestle.
A feud between rival gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh has escalated with firebomb attacks and physical violence in recent weeks.
A first phase of demolition is about to start on the derelict Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow
Jessie Stephen spent her life committed to activism for trade unions and women's rights.
Sally Magnusson on juggling her career and being a mum-of-five as she steps down from presenting Reporting Scotland after 27 years.
Ageing steel towers are being replaced by smaller wooden pylons in parts of the west of Scotland.
The BBC was given exclusive access to the controversial facility in the east end of Glasgow.
imagine... profiles the career of one of the great satirists of our age, Armando Iannucci.
A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.
1. How to be successful. Leadership isn’t just about vision and charisma - it’s about habits, mindset, and how you show up every day. Whether you’re leading a team, a project, or simply yourself, success leaves clues. Here are 10 timeless essentials that drive success - not just in leadership, but in life, too. READ MORE 2. Tariffs, Turmoil, and Trump. US stock markets rose after Donald Trump hinted that electronics, including smartphones and semiconductors, could be temporarily exempt from new tariffs on Chinese goods - easing fears of price hikes. However, Trump quickly backtracked, warning fresh levies may still come. The reversal followed a sharp sell-off in US government bonds, likened by commentators to Liz Truss’s market crash in the UK. Critics say Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies are destabilising and being dictated by financial markets rather than strategy. While his base still largely supports him, consumer confidence is falling. Analysts warn tariffs remain near century-high levels, with growing risks of a US recession. Editorials argue his trade war could accelerate America’s decline and benefit other countries embracing global trade. Still, the UK may gain from Trump’s apparent fondness for Britain, with a potential trade deal and a possible pause in 25% car tariffs. For now, uncertainty looms over US policy and global markets. Editor 3. Defence in decline. Britain’s Armed Forces are facing a crisis after years of underfunding, with concerns intensifying since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the uncertain future of US support under a Trump presidency. The Army is set to fall below 70,000 personnel - its smallest size since 1793 - while the total force has shrunk to 136,000, down from over 500,000 in 1960. Equipment shortages are severe: the RAF lacks jets and pilots, the Army is low on tanks and ammunition, and the Royal Navy [in which I served for almost 30 years] has too few operational warships. Though Britain retains advanced capabilities and a sizeable defence budget, its ability to sustain military operations is in doubt. Recruitment has consistently missed targets, with poor housing and low morale blamed. Procurement is also plagued by waste and delays. While Labour plans to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, experts warn this may only cover current shortfalls. A forthcoming Strategic Defence Review aims to address these mounting challenges. Editor 4. The price of a posh postcode. Postcode snobbery isn’t just alive and well - it’s thriving and hiking your house price. Once merely a middle-class parlour game (“L postcode? Oh, you poor thing”), it’s now serious business. Just ask those Wirral residents who petitioned the Royal Mail to swap their shameful Liverpool ‘L’ for the swanky Cheshire ‘CH’. Turns out, they were onto something. According to new research from Savills, 28 of the top 30 postcode districts have house prices at least double those of their less fortunate postal siblings. Same house, same street, but if your postcode screams “budget bin” instead of “boutique wine bar,” you’re losing thousands. It’s not about where you live, but what your letters and numbers say about where you live. When the postcode is doing more heavy lifting than your kitchen extension, you know it’s time to start eyeing your neighbour’s mail for clues. Financial Times 5. In times of global uncertainty, what’s the most important role a business leader should play? During these periods, strong and steady leadership becomes more important than ever. Business leaders are expected to guide their teams through rapid change, make tough strategic decisions, maintain clear communication, and inspire trust and resilience. But which leadership role truly matters most when the stakes are high? Please share your thoughts in this week’s poll. VOTE HERE |
6. The Easter recycling dilemma. Most Britons (65%) are shaking their heads at the “excessive” packaging on Easter eggs, with over a third (34%) completely baffled about which bits can actually be recycled. A survey of 2,000 adults by packaging company DS Smith found that while 89% dutifully recycle the cardboard outer box (because who doesn’t love a good cardboard box?), 36% simply toss the shiny foil into the trash, and 17% do the same with the plastic mould. The kicker? Both the foil and the plastic are often recyclable - so basically, we’re all turning Easter egg packaging into an unsolvable puzzle. The lesson here: just because it’s shiny and complicated doesn’t mean it’s not good for the planet! Editor 7. Weekend warriors win big. Packing all your weekly exercise into one or two weekend sessions may be just as beneficial as spreading it out, according to a new study. Researchers analysed data from 93,409 UK adults aged 37 to 73, who wore accelerometers for a week to track activity. Participants were grouped as “active regulars” (150+ minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise across the week), “weekend warriors” (same amount in one or two days), and “inactives” (less than 150 minutes). Over eight years, 3,965 participants died — including 667 from heart disease and 1,780 from cancer. The weekend warriors were 32% less likely to die from any cause, 31% less likely to die from heart disease, and 21% less likely to die from cancer compared to inactive individuals. Crucially, regular exercisers saw no greater benefit than weekend warriors, suggesting that total exercise time matters more than how it’s distributed. Journal of the American Heart Association 8. A pet equals a happy marriage. Owning a pet brings as much happiness as being married or earning an extra £70,000 annually, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Kent analysed data from a national survey of 2,500 British households, measuring overall life satisfaction. They found that pet ownership - whether a cat or a dog - added three to four points on a satisfaction scale from one (completely dissatisfied) to seven (completely satisfied). Using an economic model that assigns cash values to life factors like green space, researchers calculated the uplift as equivalent to a £70,000 salary increase. Though the figure sounds high, it aligns with previous studies showing similar emotional value from regular social interactions, like seeing friends weekly. So, in terms of emotional wellbeing, a furry companion might be one of life’s most rewarding investments. The Times 9. When my tennis racket knew when to quit. Last week, while playing tennis, I had an unexpected leadership lesson. During a particularly tough match, my racket seemed determined to sabotage me. Every time I tried for a perfect shot, it bounced awkwardly or missed the mark entirely. Frustrated, I couldn’t help but think, “Why can’t this racket just cooperate?” And then it clicked - sometimes in leadership, it’s not about forcing things to work, just like it’s not about trying to perfect every shot. Sometimes, it’s better to recognise when something’s not working and adjust your approach. Whether it’s in tennis or leadership, knowing when to recalibrate can make all the difference. Moral of the story? Just like in tennis, it’s okay to let go of what’s not working and focus on finding your winning strategy. Editor 10. The bottom line. Inflation fell more than expected to 2.6% in March, down from 2.8% in February, driven in part by a drop in the prices of petrol, toys, games and hobbies. Petrol prices fell 1.6p to 137.5p a litre. But inflation could rise again in April due to higher taxes, a rise in energy bills and the impact of US tariffs, analysts warn. BBC |
We have yet to hear of the ‘Silver Curtain’ two stage armistice solution to the Ukrainian conflict. It is very simple and non-violent and can be applied at any stage of any war.
Stage one:. When a violent incursion occurs a silver curtain of total predetermined economic, sporting and political sanctions drops down between the aggressor nation and the rest of the law abiding world.
Stage two: When the aggressor retreats to the previously defined border the curtain is raised. The lifting of the Silver curtain could also be subject to the full payment of reparations and any outstand war crime cases being heard in The Hague
Crucially the sanctions are applied unilaterally by the free world and would not be linked to any peace negotiations which may or may not be equitably to either party.
What is different from the present sanctions? Putin does not know that the Silver Curtain sanctions would continue into the peace and last until he retreats. Potentially this could go on decades or until the Russian people weary of him or them.
Surely war must never be allowed to pay. Aggressive expansionist nations such a Russia and China have to know that they cannot win a war in the long term.
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