Day: September 2, 2025
Scott Bessent says ‘all options on the table’ and condemns ‘despicable’ increase in attacks as Russian leader receives warm welcome in China
Europe looks on with growing frustration as the US-led peace efforts in Ukraine show little tangible progress amid continuing attacks, even as Russia – the aggressor – receives a warm and increasingly public embrace from China.
Europe ministers of EU countries are meeting in Copenhagen this morning, so we should get the latest EU line on this.
Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside to continue operating until March 2028
The lifespan of two UK nuclear power stations that power more than 4m homes a year has been extended by France’s EDF and British Gas owner Centrica.
Heysham 1 in Lancashire and Hartlepool in Teesside will continue generating until March 2028, a year longer than planned.
Chancellor will face more limited fiscal headroom at budget after yield on 30-year bond increases to 5.68%
Britain’s long-term borrowing costs have hit their highest level in 27 years, intensifying the pressure on chancellor Rachel Reeves before the autumn budget.
The yield, or interest rate, on 30-year UK government debt hit 5.680% on Tuesday morning. That is its highest level since 1998, indicating that it will cost the UK more to borrow from the markets, above the previous 27-year high of 5.649% set in April.
Foreign minister says move is not aimed at Israeli people but ‘ensuring their government respects international and humanitarian law’
The Guardian’s political correspondent Eleni Courea has done an explainer in July with a section looking at what recognising Palestine would look in practice. Here is an extract:
Recognition is a symbolic step but one that would infuriate the Israeli government, which argues that it would encourage Hamas and reward terrorism.
It is in effect a formal, political acknowledgment of Palestinian self-determination – without the need to engage in thorny practicalities such as the location of its borders or capital city.
In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists.
This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground.