Top World News
No 10 claims Starmer did not know Mandelson failed security vetting until this week – as it happened
Apr 16, 2026 - World 
The prime minister was not aware that the former US ambassador had failed the vetting process, according to Downing StreetSwinney says this is a manifesto for the whole of Scotland.He confirms that the SNP would argue for the Scottish power to have more control over energy policy (still largely reserved to Westminter). He says:The problem is not that we do not have the energy. The problem is that Westminster has the power. This election is our opportunity to take those powers and put them into Scotland’s hands. Continue reading...
Orbán’s defeat threatens to halt Hungarian support of populist right
Apr 16, 2026 - World 
Individuals such as Matt Goodwin and Lord Frost benefited from largesse of self-styled ‘illiberal democracy’UK politics live – latest updatesThe last 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule have been kind to a number of British political figures – from the Tory peer David Frost to Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin and James Orr.All benefited from largesse extended by the self-styled “illiberal democracy” established by the Hungarian leader’s ruling Fidesz party, which took a particular liking for those on the harder right of British conservatism. Continue reading...
Condé Nast will close its women’s health magazine, Self, after 47 years
Apr 16, 2026 - World 
The magazine company is also shuttering some editions of Allure, Glamour and Wired deemed to be unprofitableCondé Nast is planning to shutter Self, its women’s health magazine, after 47 years.In a memo published on the magazine giant’s website on Thursday, the CEO Roger Lynch explained the decision by saying: “As audience behaviors shift, we have not seen a path for Self to continue in its current form as a digital publication.” Continue reading...
Sharp fall in number of children entering reception classes in London
Apr 16, 2026 - World 
Capital’s schools hardest hit in England and Wales by rising housing costs and falling birthrate, with further falls predicted in coming yearsSchools in London continue to be hardest hit by housing costs and the falling birthrate. Further closures and mergers of primary schools are expected after a sharp fall in the number of children entering reception classes in the capital.London’s boroughs will have nearly 3,000 fewer infants aged four enrolling at the start of the next school year in September, according to school place offers announced by local authorities across England. Continue reading...
Trump officials urge other countries to join new ‘trade over aid’ push
Apr 16, 2026 - World 
US calls free-market capitalism ‘surest path to prosperity’ and seeks to forgo direct aid to developing countriesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Trump administration has moved to formally enlist foreign governments in a sweeping reorientation of global development policy, directing American diplomats worldwide to seek official support for a “trade over aid” declaration before its introduction at the United Nations later this month. This would mean a move away from direct aid to poor nations in favor of increased trade, led by private companies.Principal deputy spokesperson at the state department Tommy Pigott confirmed the initiative on Wednesday, framing it as a rejection of what he called a failed aid model. “The idea that trade and free market capitalism is the surest path to prosperity has been proven by the facts and by history,” Pigott said, adding that those calling for “aid not trade” were “really arguing for lining the pockets of a corrupt NGO industrial complex”. Continue reading...
