Author: News Desk

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, stated this Sunday that “Spain is going from strength to strength” in employment and social and territorial cohesion and has promised a new increase in the interprofessional minimum wage (SMI) this year. At the closing of the 15th congress of the PSOE of Extremadura, in which Miguel Ángel Gallardo revalidated his position as general secretary, Sánchez focused his speech on boosting the economy in the face of an opposition that only makes noise, which if it goes out will remains “in absolute nothingness.” “When the opposition gives up, it means we are doing…

The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has come into force after a delay of nearly three hours, and thousands of Gazans are beginning to return home. The first three Israeli female hostages are expected to be freed later – Hamas has named them as 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, dual British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen.

Several thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters have taken part in a demonstration in central London. The rally – the latest UK protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) since the war in Gaza began in 2023 – comes as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

TikTok has gone offline in the US, hours before a new law banning the platform was due to come into effect. A message appearing on the app for US users said a law banning TikTok had been enacted, meaning “you can’t use TikTok for now”.

A roundup of last night’s Premier League matches dominates the UK news. Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead at home to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa, potentially throwing away any chances of winning the title. Liverpool beat Brentford 2-0 yesterday, going six points clear at the top of the table.

World-first urine test ‘detects lung cancer’ Scientists have created a first-of-its-kind urine test which they say catches lung cancer early, potentially improving outcomes for the millions of people who will go on to develop the disease. Created by the University of Cambridge, England, the test identifies ‘zombie’ cell proteins in urine. These proteins can be markers of tissue changes that occur long before lung cancer becomes visible through scans or physical symptoms. Researchers developed an injectable sensor that interacts with the ‘zombie’ cell proteins and releases an easily detectable compound into urine, signalling their presence. Traditional techniques used for early…

UK economy: Interest rate cut a ‘certainty’ in February after weak data A February interest rate cut is a “certainty” after new data suggests that inflationary pressures are weaker than previously thought, but the path beyond remains unclear. Economists expect the Bank of England to back a third rate cut next month after two important pieces of economic data were published this week. Figures out on Wednesday showed that the headline rate of inflation fell to 2.5 per cent in December, down from 2.6 per cent previously and below expectations. Rate-setters will likely have been paying particular attention to services…

‘Student Tax’ to hit graduates on minimum wage by April Thousands of graduates will find themselves stranded in their home town, unable to root out professional opportunities, when April’s hike in the minimum wage drags them into the threshold of student loan repayments, a top financial services firm has warned. The government announced an above inflation rise in the National Living Wage of 5.6 per cent as part of October’s Budget, prompting warnings of price rises and hiring freezes from business lobby groups. But according to Blick Rothenberg recent graduates will bear much of the brunt, with those earning as…

Millionaires leave Britain in record numbers since Labour took power Millionaires have left Britain in record numbers since the new Labour government took power amid a crackdown on non-dom residents and sweeping tax hikes. The Treasury is facing fresh calls to reverse plans to abolish the non-dom tax status in April and replace it with a residence-based regime that also ropes in non-doms’ overseas assets into UK inheritance tax (IHT). Tax advisers are also reporting that a growing number of UK-based entrepreneurs are preparing to leave following the tax rises announced in Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget. The UK lost a…

A mostly cloudy day, with a risk of drizzle and snow grains in the south where cloud is thick enough. Some brighter spells possible in in the north and west, although patchy rain in the far west later. Chilly. Tonight: Cloudy for most with patchy rain across western Scotland and Northern Ireland easing by dawn. Turning chilly with some mist and fog, especially under any clear spells.

Pep’s revolution The back page of the Daily Mirror leads with Manchester City’s plans to spend £1 billion on rebuilding the squad. Liverpool’s win over Brentford leads the back page.

Last night’s Premier League matches dominate the back page of The Sun. Liverpool’s Nunez scored two late goals to secure a 6-point lead in the Premier League. Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead at home to Aston Villa to earn a 2-2 draw and a point. The paper notes the title race is slipping away from the Gunners.

The back page of The Sunday Telegraph reports on last night’s Premier League match that saw Arsenal throw away a 2-0 lead to draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates. The paper suggests that Arsenal has thrown away the chance of winning the league.