Sir Keir Starmer is close to striking a major trade deal with the EU that would allow British arms companies to sell billions of pounds of weapons to European allies. British firms will be able to bid for the new €150 billion EU defence fund as part of Starmer’s reset with the bloc after the UK made significant concessions to Brussels on fishing rights. The prime minister will host an EU-UK summit on May 19 in London as he seeks to ease trade barriers with Brussels. Sir Keir Starmer visited BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, earlier this month DANNY LAWSON/PAStarmer is also expected to announce a deal worth £30 million for drones produced by Syos Aerospace, a New Zealand company with a factory in Hampshire. On a visit to a military base with Christopher Luxon, his New Zealand

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The European Commission had earlier proposed the use of return hubs in March as part of its plans for a new Common European System for Returns. [3] The note further discusses the potential role of return hubs as a policy response, in accordance with human rights norms and principles. Location of and support to return hubsThe location of return hubs would need to be determined in discussions between States. As in all return proceedings, returnees in return hubs should be provided with counseling on alternatives to involuntary return, including assisted voluntary return. [4] See, on the specific human rights considerations and principles relating to return hubs, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Planned return hubs in third countries: EU fundamental rights law issues, 6 February 2024, https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2025/return-hubs .

Still, it made me wonder whether I should try to be a bit more positive and not sweat the small stuff. I wonder if any of these resonate with others - or is it just me? Driving to Llanidloes for work last week, I was stuck behind a slow-moving tractor. Some considerate farmers do pull over at the nearest lay-by, but others ‘plough’ on regardless. Or those who lick their thumb to turn every page of their book on the train - far too theatrical.

The purseweb spider is Britain’s only tarantula and a member of the family that contains these 'tropical giants'. What is the purseweb spider? Are purseweb spiders dangerous? "But purseweb spider bites do not pose a danger to people, except for the rare cases of people who are highly sensitive to spider bites." The body of a purseweb ranges from 1 to 3.8cmWhat parts of the UK does the purseweb spider inhabit?

Here’s a look at April 20, 2025, results for each game:Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 20 drawing04-05-07-14-20Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 20 drawingMidday: 9-1-6, FB: 1Evening: 7-2-9, FB: 1Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 20 drawingMidday: 4-1-7-9, FB: 1Evening: 9-3-8-7, FB: 1Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 20 drawingMidday: 07Evening: 05Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here. Here’s how to claim your lottery prizeWinnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Billboards in Tottenham Court Road underground station in London have become the unlikely centre of a public relations war between the Church of Scientology and its defectors. In mid-January three adverts were installed on the Central Line platform promoting the church. Curious?” The adverts were controversial, not least with those who have left the church. On Monday, three new adverts are set to be unveiled in the same spots with a near-identical design. However, they feature three ex-Scientologists — Alex Barnes-Ross, Claire Headley and Mike Rinder — and promote the Michael J Rinder Aftermath Foundation, a nonprofit group founded by Headley to support people who have left the church.

President Trump has told The Times he hopes to visit Scotland as part of his trip to Britain this year. Trump said last week that his second state visit to the UK, an unprecedented invitation for a US president, was likely to take place in September. The visit is thought to be focused on Windsor Castle in Berkshire but Scotland is also being discussed as a potential part of his visit. Asked by The Times on Monday if he would visit Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire on the Menie estate, which is just over an hour’s drive east of Balmoral, the royal family’s Highland estate, Trump said: “I will be there — I hope to be there.”He suggested his visit could coincide

A record three British cardinals will have a vote in deciding the next pope but none is expected to be more than an outsider for the job itself, with two ruling themselves out on Monday. Mourners gathered at Westminster Cathedral in central London on Monday, where a smiling image of Pope Francis flanked by flowers and candles stood in the open doorway before a requiem mass in the evening. • Pope Francis death: latest from VaticanSpeaking hours after the Pope’s death, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Merseyside-born Archbishop of Westminster, appeared alongside Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, a London-born Dominican friar who was appointed as a cardinal by Francis last year. Nichols said: “I was utterly surprised. [Someone] rang me and

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sarah Palin testified Monday at a defamation trial that an editorial about gun control in The New York Times in 2017 was devastating and “kicked the oomph” out of her. The former Republican candidate for vice president answered questions in Manhattan federal court at a trial of her libel claims against the newspaper. “This was the gamechanger,” Palin said of the effect on her life after the newspaper in June 2017 published an editorial about gun control. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan last year revived the case, citing errors made by the trial judge.

A "magic" island on the Northumberland coast is one of the must-visit destinations for 2025 after being named among the "most beautiful" places to see in England. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne was ranked by The Times as one of the country's top beauty spots, described as a "mystical place" where there is "a real sense of peace". While there are arguably plenty more places across Northumberland and the North East that deserve to make the list, there's little question that Holy Island ranks among the most beautiful destinations in the country. As Visit Northumberland puts it: "Words cannot describe the magic of The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, particularly as you cross the causeway, admiring staggering views as you go, and feel as though you are entering a secret world as you approach the island." Options for a traditional cosy cottage stay on Holy Island itself include Curlew Cottage that sleeps up to six guests, Tidal Cottage that sleeps four, and St Coombs Farmhouse that also sleeps six and is packed full of character.

So you don’t always have friends when you do that,” Mr Trump said. White House officials first learned of the second Signal chat from news reports on Sunday, according to an official. “They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations,” Mr Hegseth said. The Times said the second chat had the same warplane launch times as the first chat. The senior Democratic member, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, urged the watchdog to look into the reported second chat as well.

It was raucous, rowdy, and historic belts were on the line. Nine of 11 bouts, which included two world-title contests, ended in knockouts. Bare Knuckle Boxing (known as BKB) has gone from being the dark underbelly of the fighting scene to a legitimate sport with the sell-out event at Vale Sports Centre in Cardiff on Saturday night being the organisation’s 40th event. Not any more, however, insists BKB, who hold the moniker of being the oldest bare-knuckle boxing league, harking back to the Victorian-era world champion John L Sullivan. Nonetheless, it is still blood and guts and fury with a 90 per cent stoppage ratio in the smallest combat arena in the world – a triangular ‘Trigon’ – and unrelenting action.

Outside the landmark twin-spired cathedral, flags of the Vatican City flew at half-mast as people arrived to pay their respects. Barry O’Neill, Clara O’Neill, Claire O’Neill, Ben Og O’Neill and Conan McGerr at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh (David Young/PA). He travelled to the Knock Shrine in Co Mayo in 2018 to see Pope Francis just as he had journeyed to Galway in 1979 when Pope John Paul II had visited Ireland. “Just to light a candle and say a prayer.”Patrick Douglas paid his respects at St Patrick’s Cathedral (David Young/PA). “Everybody’s here to pay their respects to a really nice man,” she added.

THE SUNVictor Osimhen has already signed an agreement to join Manchester United in the summer transfer window, reports claim. THE ATHLETICKevin De Bruyne has refused to rule out staying in the Premier League once he leaves Manchester City at the end of the season, saying he is "open for anything". Manchester City are reportedly set to intensify their pursuit of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa following another injury blow for current No 1 Ederson. EVENING STANDARDSporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is keeping his cards close to his chest as he courts interest from a crop of Premier League sides. Image: Viktor Gyokeres celebrates a goalManchester United's summer transfer freedom will hinge on whether the club qualifies for the Champions League, according to reports.