Starmer said he had full confidence in Tulip, and a No 10 spokesman said it was “completely untrue” to suggest the party had drawn up a shortlist. However, The Times reported that some of the close aides to the prime minister were at least informally considering who could succeed her. A spokesman for Tulip said it was “categorically wrong” to suggest the properties were linked to her support for the Awami League. Tulip says she raised the issue with the Foreign Office in the UK, who said they would raise the case with the High Commission in Dhaka. A spokesman for Tulip said, "No evidence has been presented for these allegations.

File photo: Britain's chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves (Picture credit: AP)LONDON: Britain's treasury chief is travelling to China this weekend to discuss economic and financial cooperation between the countries, as the UK's Labour government seeks to reset strained ties with Beijing.The Treasury said Friday that Rachel Reeves will travel to Beijing and Shanghai and will meet with her Chinese government counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng.Reeves' trip is expected to revive the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, annual bilateral talks that have been suspended since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations in recent years.A series of spying allegations from both sides, China's support for Russia in the Ukraine war and a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony, have soured ties.Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and the UK Financial Conduct Authority's chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, are also in the delegation, according to the Treasury. Representatives from some of Britain's biggest financial services firms will join the trip.Officials did not provide details, but media reports have said senior executives from HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered were included.Reeves' visit comes after foreign secretary David Lammy travelled to China in October and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November.The meetings form part of a bid by Starmer, who was elected as leader in July, to strengthen political and economic ties with China, the UK's fifth-largest trading partner.Officials said Starmer wanted a "pragmatic" approach to working with Beijing on global stability, climate change and the transition to clean energy.But some in the opposition Conservative Party have criticised his stance and said trade ties should not come at the expense of national security and human rights concerns.British political leaders and intelligence chiefs have warned repeatedly of the security threats that China poses. Calls to tackle the challenge grew louder last month when it emerged that an alleged Chinese spy had cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and carried out "covert and deceptive activity" for China's ruling Communist Party, according to officials.Nevertheless, Lammy told reporters in London on Thursday that "there are many areas of trade that don't impact on national security. "He said Reeves "will repeat many of the messages that I took to China. ""What we've said is in this complex relationship with a global superpower, we are guided by three Cs": challenge, compete and cooperate, for example in areas including health and climate challenges, Lammy added.

You are trying to defend your country against wildly exaggerated slanders from people who know nothing much about it. You may even be trying to work out in clear historical terms who was responsible for which mistakes. Nothing that you write or think will make any difference to the narrative already established in the minds of your enemies. But they can also do, without effort, something that successful newspapers really had to work at: they can make some kinds of news unimaginable. On the internet, no human needs to keep the readers ignorant of the things that they don’t want to know.

Jimmy Carter state funeral service: How to watch liveWhat time is Jimmy Carter's funeral? Where is Jimmy Carter's funeral? Where to watch Jimmy Carter's funeral on TVWhere to stream Jimmy Carter's funeral onlineWhat is Jimmy Carter's funeral schedule? (You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelFormer US President Jimmy Carter died aged 100 last year. His private funeral service will be in Plains, Georgia, his hometown.Carter's funeral will be broadcast on "TODAY" and NBC News.

What Is the BRUV Party? Tate’s Media Mastery“Andrew Tate For PM?” - Musk & Tommy Robinson BATTLE Grooming Gangs To Save The U.KIs the BRUV Party a Serious Threat? While the sentiment may appeal to some, the policy’s feasibility—let alone its popularity—remains questionable.The BRUV Party advocates for stringent immigration controls, promising a zero-tolerance approach to illegal migration. Much like Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign, Tate has used his mastery of social media to amplify his message. The BRUV Party is, for now, more a reflection of Tate’s personal brand than a serious political endeavour.The prospect of Andrew Tate’s BRUV Party reshaping British politics is, let’s face it, about as likely as tea being replaced by energy drinks as the UK’s national beverage.

FAQs:What significant risks are being faced by the US bond market in 2025? What is being assigned by Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok regarding the Federal Reserve? (You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelUS bond markets are actually facing some significant risks in the year 2025 with potential for a ‘Liz Truss moment’ triggered by the fiscal policies of the incoming US President- elect Donald Trump administration, reported Business Insider. Adding onto that, Torsten Slok actually highlights an unusual phenomenon where bond yields are rising as the Federal Reserve cuts rates while suggesting severely underlying economic tensions.The proposed combined spending and tax cut bill of US President- elect Donald Trump could actually dramatically increase the deficit spending while potentially sparking a bond market rebellion, asserted Business Insider. At the same time, the market is already grappling with quantitative tightening unsustainable fiscal deficits and high Treasury issuances.Torsten Slok gradually assigns a 40% probability of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in the year 2025, which would be actually a shocking development for investors expecting rate cuts.

The UK government has announced a new sanctions regime aimed at disrupting networks responsible for smuggling tens of thousands of migrants into Britain each year. Lammy previously stated that Britain would be pursuing the manufacturers of the boats that were used by the migrant smugglers.Speaking to Times Radio, he pointed out that many of the boats and their engines are manufactured in China.When asked by the BBC if the UK would sanction these Chinese businesses, he further confirmed: “Absolutely, because when you look at those boats, where do the engines come from? Where does the rubber come from?”Lammy also highlighted that the UK would be “the first country in the world to develop legislation for a new sanctions regime specifically targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime.”The proposed sanctions, expected to take effect by the end of the year, will include banning individuals linked to people-smuggling from entering the UK, freezing their assets, and penalising those conducting business with them. However, questions remain over the policy’s effectiveness, as many smugglers operate outside British jurisdiction, limiting the reach of asset freezes.This year, over 36,800 people crossed the Channel to reach Britain, marking a quarter uptick against 2023. Government figures also show that dozens have died attempting the dangerous journey.Labour leader Keir Starmer is set to discuss migration and other issues with French President Emmanuel Macron at a summit near London on Thursday, underscoring the international dimension of the crisis.

A happy child from a loving family, Christina was 14 when she fell into the clutches of an evil child sex ring. Ironically, I thought I was the one in the wrong.”If Christina ever tried to refuse the gang, her family and their home were targeted. I turned my life around.”Two years after her release, her police statement was found at the back of a filing cabinet, and Operation Tendersea, the investigation into the grooming gang was launched. “If the government won’t speak out and help young girls, then I will.”But Christina remains haunted by the ghosts of her younger years and says support for the abuse victims isn't good enough. We were just left to swim – or sink.”Read Christina’s full story in her book Groomed By A Gang (£8.99, Mirror Books).

The best places to live in the UK (in 2025) have been revealed by The Times, based on data this year rather than the usual panel of experts. Where are the UK’s best places to live – according to data? So The Times has developed a list of the best places to live in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The best places to live in Wales (2025)The best places to live in Wales in 2025, according to The Times, are:Ceredigion Powys Monmouthshire Carmarthenshire Pembrokeshire Swansea Gwynedd Neath Port Talbot Flintshire Caerphilly Conwy Wrexham The Vale of Glamorgan Torfaen Cardiff Bridgend Newport Denbighshire Merthyr Tydfil Blaenau Gwent Rhondda Cynon TafFlintshire was named the ninth best places to live in Wales in 2025. (Image: Getty Images)Gwynedd and Flintshire among top 10 best places to live in WalesTwo North Wales counties featured inside the top 10 for the best places to live in Wales in 2025 - Gwynedd (7th) and Flintshire (9th).

Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, If there is to be an inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal (“Line of Inquiry”, leading article, Jan 7) it must examine the causes of child sexual exploitation. I have represented, over many years, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and have been struck by the lack of insight into the reasons behind what they endured. Profiling offenders, tougher sentences and exposing those who failed the victims may well be very necessary, but we already know enough about what has been happening to very vulnerable young people in our country, and we owe it to them to fully understand how it came about. Only by understanding why child abuse occurs may we stand a chance on turning the

EATING, exercising and even having sex at specific times of the day could help you clock up health benefits. We revealed yesterday how research has shown your morning coffee could slash the risk of a heart attack or stroke. 10 The optimal time to have breakfast is 7:11am, though anytime between 6am and 9:45am is good Credit: Getty7.11am: Breakfast time. Eating within 30 minutes of waking is best to boost metabolism and provide energy for the day ahead. 10 Bedtime sex can reduce stress and boost heart health Credit: Getty10.20pm: Have sex.

Merton named as one of England’s best places to liveMerton has been named as one of the best places to live in England (Image: Google)A south London borough, known for hosting one of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments, has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK. The Times has named Merton as number four on a list of the UK’s best places to live, with Richmond and Sutton as number one and number eight respectively. According to data gathered by The Times, 26 per cent of Merton schools are outstanding. Merton is one of south London’s more expensive places to live, with the average house price costing £579,000. Merton was named one of the best places to live by The Times and one of the best places to retire by The Telegraph.

'Safeguarding'LONDON: UK lawmakers on Wednesday backed better safeguards for home-schooled children following the brutal murder of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl, in a vote overshadowed by the recent row over grooming gangs .MPs progressed the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to the next stage of the parliamentary process without the need for a further formal vote.That came after MPs rejected an amendment that threatened to derail the legislation.The opposition Conservative party had sought to use the debate to force the establishment of a new national inquiry into sex offences dating back decades against children in northern England.Controversy has swirled around the issue over the past week after US tech billionaire Elon Musk made repeated incendiary attacks against Britain's Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer about it on his X platform.Starmer has rejected calls for a new inquiry, arguing it is time for "action" to implement the almost two dozen recommendations made in an earlier seven-year-long inquiry with a broader focus.He said Wednesday that the children's bill, which would require all local authorities to hold a register of children who are not in school, forms part of wider efforts to protect vulnerable youngsters.Sharif was found dead in her home outside London in August 2023 with extensive injuries including broken bones, burns and even bite marks after being subjected to years of abuse.Her father Urfan Sharif and step-mother Beinash Batool were convicted of her murder last month and given life sentences in prison.Months before Sara's death, Sharif had taken his daughter out of school to be taught at home, after the girl's teacher reported her bruises to child services.At the time, child services had probed the incident but did not take any action.Once enacted into law, the legislation would remove a parent's right to take children out of school for home education if the child is suspected of being at risk of significant harm.The law would require a unique number for children -- similar to how adults are required to have a national insurance number to work and receive benefits -- to better monitor at-risk cases.The bill represents "the single biggest piece of children safeguarding legislation in a generation", Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC.Lawmakers rejected the Conservatives' amendment by 364 votes to 111 in a widely expected defeat owing to the Labour party's massive parliamentary majority.Demands for a new national inquiry into widespread sexual abuse of primarily white British girls by men of mostly Pakistani origin in various northern English towns, spanning several decades, has long come from far-right UK figures including the notorious agitator Tommy Robinson.But Musk, who has called for Robinson to be released from prison, as well as the Conservatives and Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage's Reform UK party have joined the calls for a probe in recent days.The row has piled pressure on Starmer, who was chief state prosecutor at the time of the scandals. He hit out this week at "lies and misinformation" around the issue.On Monday, his government announced new curbs including that legally require professionals to report claims of sexual abuse against children.

London Business School continually reviews its communications channels and decides which to use based on levels of effective audience engagement," LBS told Reuters.It last posted to its 182,000 followers on X in September. It is one of the top-ranked business schools in the world.Reuters was first to report in October that several British police forces had quit X or cut their usage. The university survey points to a broader withdrawal among public institutions, even though many universities still post regularly to X.At least seven of the University of Cambridge's 31 colleges have stopped posting to X. "We know this platform is becoming increasingly toxic, so we will continue to assess our presence on X and monitor emerging alternatives," said Homerton College, the university's largest in terms of student numbers.The University of Cambridge told Reuters it continued to use X alongside other channels.At Oxford, Merton College - the university's top-ranked college academically - has deleted its X account. It did not respond to a request for comment.Harris Manchester - another Oxford college - last posted on Nov. 15 and asked followers to find it on other platforms.The University of East Anglia said its audience engagement on X had plunged by 80%.X did not respond to a request for comment.Falmouth University last posted to X in September, while Plymouth Marjon University said it will no longer use it.

✕ Close Lammy declares ‘post Cold War peace is well and truly over’ as he takes aim at PutinSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policySir Keir Starmer has been dealt a further blow with a new poll predicting Labour would lose its overall majority if an election was held now. The poll by FindOutNowUK has put Reform level pegging with Labour on 25 per cent and the Tories five points behind on 20 per cent. According to the calculations, if the result was repeated in a general election Labour would lose 173 seats but remain the largest party on 238. And with government borrowing costs also increasing, Treasury minister Darren Jones has warned that “public services will have to live within their means”.