Author: Darren Smith

American and Iranian envoys are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday for the first direct negotiations since military strikes devastated Tehran’s nuclear facilities last summer, as US warships steam towards the Gulf. Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, and Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, will be joined by representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt at the Turkish city talks, according to US administration officials cited by Axios. The discussions come as Trump has deployed what he described as a “massive armada” including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, guided missile destroyers and dozens of…

Scottish whisky producers will gain enhanced access to China’s growing premium spirits market after the Asian nation agreed to halve import tariffs on Scotch during UK trade negotiations. The tariff reduction from 10 per cent to 5 per cent will enable Scottish distillers to compete more effectively in China, currently the 10th largest market by value for Scotch whisky. The agreement is projected to deliver £250 million in economic benefits to the UK over five years. Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, described China as a priority growth market that has evolved into a knowledgeable and premium-focused…

President Trump has announced a week-long ceasefire for Ukrainian cities after securing an agreement from Vladimir Putin to suspend bombardment of urban areas. The US President revealed the arrangement during a cabinet meeting, stating he had asked the Russian leader “not to fire into Kyiv and various towns for a week, and he agreed to do that”. Trump praised Putin for making what he described as a “very nice” decision to halt the strikes. The ceasefire specifically covers attacks on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, along with various other towns across the country. The announcement comes as millions of Ukrainians remain…

British pubs will save an average of £1,650 annually under a business rates relief package announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, as the government moves to address declining numbers across the sector. The Treasury confirmed that approximately 75% of pubs will see their business rates bills either fall or remain unchanged in the coming year. The sector as a whole is expected to pay 8% less in business rates by 2029 compared to current levels. From April, eligible pubs will receive a 15% reduction on their business rates bills, followed by a two-year freeze in real terms. The measures come as…

An academic who spent years researching populist movements across Europe has been chosen to contest a crucial Greater Manchester by-election for Reform UK. Matthew Goodwin, 44, brings credentials as an author of two books examining shifting political trends and currently holds the position of honorary president of Students for Reform. He studied contemporary history at the University of Salford, located near the constituency. The announcement was made during a campaign launch event in Greater Manchester, where Mr Goodwin appeared alongside Reform UK MP Lee Anderson. He becomes the first major party candidate confirmed for the contest, although Shahbaz Sarwar from…

A major offshore wind project capable of generating enough electricity to power more than half the homes in Wales has taken a significant step forward after securing a contract in the UK Government’s record-breaking renewable energy auction. The Awel y Môr development, located in the Irish Sea off the North Wales coast, was among the successful projects in the auction announced on 14 January, which delivered the largest single procurement of offshore wind energy in British and European history. Developer RWE is now working towards a final investment decision on the project, which will see up to 50 turbines constructed…

A wave of high-profile defections from the Conservative Party to Reform UK has intensified in early 2026, raising questions about the future direction of Britain’s traditional party of the right. The most recent departure came on January 26, 2026, when Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary and MP for Fareham, announced her defection at a Reform rally in London. Speaking at the event, Ms Braverman said she felt “like I’ve come home” after 30 years as a Conservative, and accused the Tories of “betrayal” on border control and what she described as lies about the European Convention on Human Rights.…

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, declaring that joining Nigel Farage’s party “feels like I have come home.” Ms Braverman was unveiled by Mr Farage at a Veterans for Reform event in London today, confirming months of speculation about her political future. The former Cabinet minister, who served as Home Secretary under both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, had long been regarded as a likely candidate to cross the floor. She sat on the right wing of the Conservative Party and had repeatedly urged the Tories to pursue an electoral pact with…

Andy Burnham has criticised Sir Keir Starmer and his allies after being denied permission to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, warning he is “concerned” about the impact the decision may have on upcoming elections. The Greater Manchester Mayor was blocked from contesting the seat by Labour’s 10-strong National Executive Committee, which ruled that allowing his candidacy would trigger an unnecessary mayoral by-election. In a statement released this afternoon, Mr Burnham expressed his disappointment and took aim at those in control of the party’s ruling body. Writing on X, he said he had put himself forward to prevent “the…

Hungary’s corporate tax rate of 7.5 per cent has placed it ahead of traditional tax havens including Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, according to findings from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance. The committee identified Hungary as one of seven European countries displaying characteristics of a tax haven, with its low multinational tax rate raising concerns about aggressive tax planning structures being exploited by international corporations. Co-rapporteur Jeppe Kofod stated: “Europe has a serious money laundering and tax fraud problem. We have the world’s largest, richest and most integrated single market with free movement…