Sir Keir Starmer has backed his safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to continue leading the government’s inquiry into grooming gangs, despite calls for her resignation from survivors. Four members of the inquiry’s survivor panel quit this week, demanding Ms Phillips step down, saying they’d consider returning only if she resigned. But five other survivors have written to the Prime Minister saying they’ll only stay if she remains. Sir Keir said Ms […]

The United States has imposed sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to tighten economic pressure on Moscow and push for peace in Ukraine. President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office after talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, said, “I just felt it was time. We waited a long time.” The move follows confirmation that Trump’s planned meeting with Vladimir Putin in Budapest […]

A police van has been set on fire and missiles have been thrown at officers during violent protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin. It’s the second night of demonstrations at the Citywest Hotel, following an alleged sexual assault in the area early on Monday morning. Footage from the scene shows a Garda vehicle engulfed in flames, while several protesters could be seen waving Irish flags. […]