Author: News Desk

Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0: No stopping Slot’s Reds Liverpool beat Newcastle 2-0 yesterday, sending them 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table – and on course to win the title. Arsenal drew with Notts Forest putting their hopes of the top four at risk, Manchester City beat Spurs thanks to an early goal from Haaland and Manchester United fought back to beat Ipswich.

Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs on EU goods heightens fears over trade war The FT reports Donald Trump has threatened to slap 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the EU, as he lashed out at the bloc, saying it “was formed to screw the United States”. The remarks came during the first cabinet meeting of Trump’s second term on Wednesday, which featured an appearance by Elon Musk, the billionaire whom the US president has charged with slashing government spending.  

Defence pledge triggers tough choices on tax CITY AM reports Keir Starmer’s commitment to increase the defence budget to three per cent of GDP in the next parliament will require difficult choices on tax and spending, analysts have warned.

Europe’s worst nightmare This week’s The Economist ponders how Europe should deal with Trump and Putin. It says the region has had its bleakest week since the fall of the Iron Curtain but the implications have yet to sink in.

The protesters had blocked the Sulaimaniyah-Arbat Road, a vital route for oil transport, since Sunday, accusing Kurdish authorities of exporting fuel illegally to Iran. [Dana Taib Menmy/TNA]Security forces in Sulaimaniyah, within Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, dispersed a protest on Monday night as teachers demanding unpaid salaries clashed with truck drivers accused of smuggling fuel to Iran, a nation under stringent US sanctions. The protesters had blocked the Sulaimaniyah-Arbat Road, a vital route for oil transport, since Sunday, accusing Kurdish authorities of exporting fuel illegally to Iran and other countries. They alleged that revenues from the smuggled oil were being siphoned off…

Starmer warning to Trump – He’ll strike again The Daily Mirror reports the prime minister is set to warn Donald Trump that Putin will strike Ukraine again unless the West remains united. PM Keir Starmer is on his way to Washington for talks with Trump. An exclusive on Michael Jackson and his Netherland ranch also makes the front splash.

Claudia cops to search hidden loft Police are planning to search a loft in the former home of Claudia Lawrence, who went missing almost 16 years ago, according to the Daily Express. The paper claims a “hidden loft” was never scoured by investigators. William and Kate are pictured on the front page visiting Wales.

Starmer to press Trump on security guarantees in critical Ukraine talks The Guardian says PM Starmer is facing a major diplomatic effort to get the US president on board after he said there are no plans for a US backstop. A still image from a bizarre AI video – shared by Donald Trump – showing Gaza as a beach resort makes the front splash. The paper notes the president is facing major backlash over the video – which shows a gold statue of the US president.

Starmer faces up to Trump over Ukraine role in peace talks The Independent says the prime minister is heading to the US for a critical one-on-one meeting with Donald Trump. Starmer has doubled down on his declaration there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine’s involvement. The paper sums up Starmer’s approach as him banking on the so-called UK-US ‘special relationship’ to safeguard $400bn in trade. Trump’s Bizarre vision for Gaza – created with AI – makes the front page.

Hopes of peace in Ukraine – Deal or no deal? The front page of the Metro reports on the latest from the Ukraine deal. The paper claims it rests on a knife edge. Ukraine president Zelensky said the mineral deal will fade if Trump doesn’t agree to protect his nation from Russia.