Starmer and Reeves promised honesty about public finances. Can they stay the course? | Tax and spending

During the first televised debate in the run-up to last summer’s general election, Keir Starmer used a phrase that received enthusiastic – and unanticipated – applause from the Salford audience. “I don’t... Read more »

Father given £1,173 refund from nursery in England after ‘top-up’ fees investigation | Childcare

A nursery has refunded a father almost £1,200 after an investigation found he had been charged mandatory “top-up” fees for hours of childcare that should have been free. Tiago Gomes’s daughter was... Read more »

For third straight night, Russia launches missile, drone attacks striking Ukrainian cities far from front line

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia continued its attacks on western Ukrainian cities overnight on July 12, striking communities far from the front line with drone... Read more »

Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian goods

US President Donald Trump has said he will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting on 1 August, even as the two countries were days away from a self-imposed deadline to... Read more »

Cahill shoots the lights out as Birr make impressive start

THE first priority for Birr was to make no slip ups and collect the points but they did much more than that as they made an impressive start to the Senior Hurling... Read more »

Rayner in deepening row with union over Birmingham bin strikes

Paul Seddon Political reporter Iain Watson Political correspondent Getty Images Angela Rayner is embroiled in an escalating row with Unite over her role in the long-running bin strikes in Birmingham. The union... Read more »

South Belfast bonfire set alight despite concerns over asbestos

Rebekah Wilson and Jayne McCormack BBC News NI BBC Controversy has surrounded the bonfire at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road A bonfire on a site that contains asbestos was set alight... Read more »

Kyiv behind new pipeline explosion in Siberia, drone strikes reported at Russian aircraft plant

Key developments on July 11: Ukraine behind new pipeline explosion in Siberia that supplies Russian military-industrial complex, source claimsRussian troops tasked to create 10-kilometer buffer zone in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine’s spy chief... Read more »

‘Don’t tell me my baby wasn’t meant to be’

Siobhan Gorman Siobhan was 16-weeks pregnant and home alone when she gave birth to her baby Archie “There was probably something wrong with your baby”, “you could always try again”, “it wasn’t... Read more »

Laois nursing responds to HIQA inspection report

Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally has issued a statement following a recent HIQA report which found non compliance in eight of nine categories.  The purpose-built nursing home, which can accommodate 70 adult... Read more »