National News

The UK economy is set for the second-slowest growth of the world’s G7 advanced economies, according to new forecasts. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has reduced its forecast UK growth rate for 2024. Growth across the global economy has been stronger than expected but is beginning to slow as higher interest rates, weaker trade and lower business and consumer confidence take a toll, economists for the globally

Halfords has cautioned over a slowdown in sales growth as demand for big-ticket products weakened in recent months. It came as the motoring and cycling retailer revealed a rise in sales and profits for the past half year in an otherwise positive update to shareholders. However, the company said on Wednesday it has seen “volatile” trading patterns so far this financial year amid uncertainty in the wider economy. “In the

Phil Foden created two and scored another as holders Manchester City came from 2-0 down to preserve their unbeaten Champions League run with a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig. Erling Haaland also broke another record as City produced an emphatic response to Lois Openda’s first-half double at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Substitute Julian Alvarez came off the bench to wrap up the fightback and secure top spot in Group

Hamas released 12 hostages and Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, the fifth day of a fragile ceasefire that has enabled humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and that mediators hope to extend even as Israel pledges to resume the war. Israel said 10 of its citizens and two Thai nationals freed by Hamas returned to Israel. Soon after, Israel released the Palestinian prisoners. The truce is due to

Social media platforms suffer from significant, fundamental system failings in handling self-harm and suicide content, according to a new report. Suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation said it had found harmful content at scale and prevalent on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. It said on TikTok, some of the most viewed posts that reference suicide, self-harm and highly depressive content have been viewed and liked over one million times. The

Public transport commuting levels in Britain’s large cities outside London lag well behind European counterparts, new research shows. A report by think tank Centre for Cities said the number of people travelling to work on buses, trains or trams in Britain’s major urban areas would need to double to catch up with those on the continent. The analysis found that the proportion of residents of Manchester and Birmingham who commute

The majority of English adults back Government plans to phase out smoking, a new poll suggests. Proposed legislation for England will make it an offence for anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, to be sold tobacco products. Two thirds (67%) of adults in England back the plans, according to a poll of 3,500 English adults. Some 14% said that they oppose the measure, according to the survey, conducted

Michael Gove has apologised to victims and bereaved families for Government “errors” during the pandemic as he listed what he believed were the failings, including locking down too late. But the senior Tory, who was Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the pandemic began in 2020, also defended Boris Johnson’s “gladiatorial” decision-making and his No 10 against claims of dysfunctionality. Giving evidence to the UK

Kylian Mbappe snatched a famous Champions League victory from Newcastle’s grasp with a controversial penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage-time to earn Paris St Germain a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes. Defender Tino Livramento was harshly adjudged to have handled Ousmane Dembele’s cross to allow the France superstar to finally beat goalkeeper Nick Pope from the spot on a night when Eddie Howe’s men came within seconds