Markus Andrews

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorNigel Farage has said he will “never go to the pub again” if Labour’s mulled outdoor smoking ban comes to pass. Writing in The Telegraph, the Reform UK leader claimed “the Puritans are on the march” after details emerged of the leaked plans, which suggest the government is considering banning smoking in outdoor areas including pub gardens.Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday that he is considering tougher rules on smoking, telling reporters on a trip to Paris: “yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed.”The proposed ban would see smoking banned in some outdoor spaces, extending to nightclubs, sports venues and small parks. Perhaps most controversially, the new rules would also ban smoking outside of pubs, even if they have private gardens.This aspect has drawn particular criticism from Mr Farage, who says the plans shows Labour’s “authoritarian socialist state control instincts and mentality.” He accused the government of ignoring drug abuse, instead implementing policies that will “kill off the traditional pub forever.”Reform leader Nigel Farage has often been pictured enjoying pub culture (James Manning/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorMinisters are considering a ban on outdoor smoking as part of a way to end the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products for future generations, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.The ban would also extend to small parks, outside nightclubs and sports venues according to “secret Whitehall papers”.This morning, the prime minister confirmed with journalists in Paris that he is looking at changes to smoking laws.He said: “My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking.Former PM Rishi Sunak previously announced plans to crack down on smoking through his flagship Tobacco and Vapes Bill last year More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditor Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Thursday appointed six new ministers in a major reshuffle of her three-party centrist government, bringing the number of ministers to 25 — the largest ever in 30 years. One of the ministers will head a new government office of emergency preparedness, climate change and cyber crimes. “The world has become more troubled,” Frederiksen said as she announced that Torsten Schack Pedersen will be in charge of the new ministry, after the reshuffled cabinet was formally presented to King Frederik X. Denmark now joins Sweden to have such a department. Besides the new emergency office, the government now has two other new ministries, bringing the total to 25, the largest since the 1993-1994 Cabinet of Social Democratic Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen who had 24 ministers. Marie Bjerre left her job as minister for digitalization and gender equality, to become in charge of the European Union affairs, ahead of Denmark’s rotating EU presidency in the second half of 2025.Jeppe Bruus, the outgoing taxation minister, was brought in to head a brand new ministry, which will be coordinating Denmark’s green policy. The Scandinavian country has a goal of 70% emissions reductions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.Bruus was replaced by Rasmus Stoklund while Bjerre’s previous job was given to Caroline Stage Olsen, who became the digitalization minister. The gender equality portfolio was handed over to Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke.In one of the major surprises, Copenhagen mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen was appointed as minister in charge of social affairs instead of Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, who left the government. Frederiksen, who is the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced Wednesday that she was doing a government reshuffle and creating three new ministries. In 2022, she presented the current majority government, consisting of her center-left Social Democrats, the center-right Liberal Party and the newly created centrist Moderates party. More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorWatch as Sir Keir Starmer meets French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday 29 August.The prime minister has travelled from Berlin, Germany to France as he undertakes two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to “reset” its relationship with the European Union following years of Brexit troubles.Sir Keir and Mr Macron were among the audience at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.A breakfast meeting with French business leaders has been scheduled, as well as a summit with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace.On the first leg of his trip, Sir Keir said he was not “reversing Brexit” as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany – including “deeper links” in several areas.He agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, and also noted it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.The two countries also agreed to develop a “joint action plan to tackle illegal migration”.“I’m absolutely clear that we do want a reset,” Sir Keir said.“That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union, but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts.”An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations. More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorMotorists could be hit by the first fuel duty rise in 15 years as Labour tries to balance the books.Sir Keir Starmer was unable to say if fuel duty would be frozen again when questioned by journalists on a whistlestop tour of Germany and France as his government seeks to fill a £22 billion budget black hole it claims the Tories left behind.It comes amid speculation that there will also be a series of wealth taxes including a hike in rates for capital gains and inheritance after the prime minister warned earlier this week of “a really painful Budget” on 30 October.Labour have insisted there will be no increases in income tax, VAT or national insurance but ruled nothing else out.Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Justin Tallis/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe UK has backed the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine in Russia, but will not support it publicly over fears it could trigger a row with the US, according to reports.Ukraine has repeatedly asked to use the Franco-British-developed weapons to strike inside Russian borders, saying it would “turn the tide of war”. The missiles can hit targets up to 190 miles away and avoid enemy radar systems.While the UK is yet to publicly support Ukraine’s use of the weapons in Russia, The Telegraph reported that Downing Street privately supports it.But the missiles are typically used alongside classified US systems, meaning they require permission from Washington – something the UK has not formally requested from the US.The US government has expressed concerns that, even without their approval, use of the weapons could trigger an escalation and lead to their own troops being drawn into the conflict, a White House source told The Telegraph.Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly trying to avoid a row over the issue, instead taking a “consultative approach” to talks with the US.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly asked to use the weapons to strike inside Russian borders More