President Donald Trump has offered buyout packages to almost all federal employees, a major move designed to shrink and reform the US government. In an email sent on Tuesday, his administration told workers they had to decide by 6 February whether they wanted to be part of a “deferred resignation” programme. If they agree by…
PA Media United Utilities supplies millions of households in the north-west of England Household water bills for millions of customers will rise by 32% over the next five years, United Utilities (UU) has announced. The water company, which supplies Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, most of Cheshire and parts of Derbyshire, said the increase had…
Princess Beatrice has given birth to her second child, named Athena, Buckingham Palace has announced. Athena was born several weeks prematurely and weighed 4lb 5oz, but is said to be healthy and doing well. The new baby, the second child of Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, was born a week ago on 22…
The UK’s choice for the next ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, has described his previous criticism of Donald Trump as “ill-judged and wrong”. Speaking in an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, he said the new US president had won “fresh respect” from him, adding he was “quite confident” Trump would approve of…
Lloyds Banking Group is to shut another 136 branches by March next year, arguing that customers are increasingly using digital channels for their day-to-day banking. It is the latest in a string of branch closures, with the bank – and its rivals – already working through previously announced closure plans. The latest announcement will see…
João da Silva & Graham Fraser Business & technology reporters Getty Images The maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI, has complained that rivals, including those in China, are using its work to make rapid advances in developing their own artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The status of OpenAI – and other US firms – as the world leaders…
PA Media Rachel Reeves has set out a series of major announcements on infrastructure projects, including backing plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. She promised to go “further and faster” than previous governments after years of sluggish growth in the UK. So what did she announce? Heathrow expansion Reeves confirmed the government is…
Former Love Island winner Jack Fincham has been jailed after his dog bit a runner. The 32-year-old’s black cane corso attacked Robert Sudell in September 2022 in Swanley in Kent. He was charged over a second incident where his dog was out of control in Grays in Essex in June. Fincham, of Swanley, pleaded guilty…
Former grand prix driver Johnny Herbert has been dropped from his role as a steward in Formula 1. Governing body the FIA said that Herbert’s “duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible”. The statement added that the decision was made “with regret” and that the three-time race winner was…
Millions of people across Asia and the world are welcoming the Lunar New Year which coincides with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Widely considered to be the most important event in the year for many in Asia and some Asian communities worldwide, the Lunar New Year represents a fresh start for those…
