News – World and UK

The ringleader of a plot to smuggle £76 million of cocaine into Britain from Ecuador in consignments of bananas has been jailed for 20 years. James Stevenson, 59, known as The Iceman, pleaded guilty mid-trial at the High Court in Glasgow to two charges – directing a serious criminal offence of importation of cocaine, and being involved in organised crime through production and supply of etizolam, known as street valium. […]

Sir Keir Starmer promised a “pragmatic, sensible” approach to the UK-EU relationship in order to “make Brexit work” as he held talks in Brussels. The Prime Minister met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, saying he was determined to put the relationship with Brussels on a “stable, positive footing”. Sir Keir is pushing for a better trading relationship and greater co-operation on defence and security measures as part of […]

Conservative leadership candidates looked to voters who turned away from them at the general election in their final speeches at the party’s conference. Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are all pitching to members in Birmingham, in their bid to replace Rishi Sunak. Mr Tugendhat told delegates that the party needs to “face the truth” that many people with conservative values “did not vote for us”. Mr […]

Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from the front-line eastern town of Vuhledar, after more than two years of grinding battle, military officials said. Kyiv’s military had fought hard to keep Vuhledar, which is perched on top of a tactically significant hill in the east and becomes the latest urban settlement to fall to the Russians. It follows a vicious summer campaign along the eastern front that saw Kyiv cede several thousand […]

Defence Secretary John Healey is in Cyprus as the Government steps up efforts for a potential evacuation of Lebanon with the Middle East teetering on the brink of wider war. Mr Healey confirmed British forces were involved in efforts to defend Israel from Iran’s ballistic missile barrage as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned of the risk of a “miscalculation” after the escalation of violence in the region. It is […]

JD Sports has said it is doing better than other struggling sportswear labels after reporting rising sales this year, as the group continues to cash in on demand for trainers around the world. The group reported total revenues of £5 billion in the 26 weeks to August, which it said was a record amount. This was 6.8% higher than the same period last year, at constant currency rates. Compared like-for-like, […]

Sir Keir Starmer heads to Brussels on Wednesday promising to “put the Brexit years behind us” as he seeks a closer relationship with the European Union. The Prime Minister will push for a better trading relationship and greater co-operation on defence and security measures. But he is under pressure to agree to Brussels’ calls for a deal on youth mobility to allow young EU citizens greater freedom to come to […]

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged his players to “keep the belief” as they bid to bounce back from Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat against Tottenham. United face a Europa League tie away to Porto on Thursday before tackling Aston Villa at Villa Park in the league on Sunday. After losing three of their opening six league matches, form which has ramped up the pressure on Ten Hag, […]

Sir Elton John treated an audience at New York Film Festival (NYFF) to a rendition of several of his hit tracks, including Tiny Dancer, following the screening of his new documentary. Directed by RJ Cutler and Sir Elton’s husband, David Furnish, the documentary titled Elton John: Never Too Late looks back over the musician’s decades-long career and captures him preparing for his final concert in North America – at Dodger […]