Trump triggers global meltdown while Starmer scrambles
As fears of a global recession continue in the wake of Donald Trump's tariffs, Keir Starmer insists the UK should keep a cool head. But with markets in turmoil and a looming economic crisis, does the prime minister need to be bolder? John Harris asks the Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff.
Plus, he speaks to Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, about whether people should 'buy British' to combat the tariffs.
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Listen to John discuss how music helped him connect with his autistic son on the Today in Focus podcast here: https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2025/apr/04/how-the-beatles-helped-my-autistic-son-find-his-voice-podcast
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South Wales Argus
15 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Royal Mint rare 20p sells for 622 times face value on eBay
The coin carries an error as a result of a weak strike during the minting process that makes it extremely valuable for collectors. Described as 'very nice and interesting' coin, the 20p piece inspired a mini bidding war amid collectors, prior to selling for almost £125. The description of the listing on eBay said: 'Striking machines are set so that the dies have a limited travel, this is done to stop the dies crashing into each other in the absence of a coin. 'It's my understanding that this coin was struck on a badly set machine, or a trial piece used in set up. 'Only the higher raised detail of the dies connected, which make the lower details of the coin. Therefore, lower fields are shiny and well formed, but raised detail is absent. 'These higher unstruck areas show the correct dull and marked finish of a pre struck coin as a result of the polishing process. 'The coin clearly shows the round nature of 20p blanks prior to being struck. A very nice and interesting error coin indeed.' The coin collected 13 bids, before selling for 622 times its face value for £124.48. Five incredibly rare and valuable British coins What makes a coin valuable? The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas. Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history. The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors. Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design. The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin's value - while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.
Glasgow Times
16 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
UK to take ‘every diplomatic step' to stop Iran building nuclear weapons
This could include reinstating sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran by triggering the 'snap back' mechanism. The UK's priority is to prevent further escalation after the strikes and 'press for a diplomatic solution', and officials have urged Iran to keep nuclear talks going with Donald Trump, Downing Street said. The US president called for Tehran to make a deal 'before it is too late' in a post on Friday. Sir Keir Starmer had urged 'all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently' after Israel launched strikes on Tehran overnight, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and it was reported on Friday morning that drones had been launched. No 10 said the UK did not participate in Israeli strikes overnight and would not say whether Israel had requested help. A Downing Street spokesman also refused to say whether Sir Keir had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the strikes or whether Israel had informed the UK of its plans beforehand. 'Our priority is to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, that's in no-one's interest … we're working closely with all our allies to press for that diplomatic solution,' a No 10 spokesman said. The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint,… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 13, 2025 Iran's nuclear programme is 'more advanced than ever, and it is a clear threat to international peace and security', he said. 'We've urged Iran to continue engaging with President Trump's offer of a negotiated solution and we continue to liaise closely with our partners on this. 'We remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution but are prepared to take every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback, if necessary.' Sir Keir earlier said it is time for 'restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy'. 'The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no-one in the region.' The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said stability in the Middle East is 'vital' for global security. Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security. I'm concerned to see reports of strikes overnight. Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no one's interest. This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 13, 2025 'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X. 'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.' It is understood that Mr Lammy had been due to travel to the US on Friday, but is now remaining in London. Mr Netanyahu said on Friday morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'. In a clip posted on social media, he said Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'. Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri. The aftermath of Israeli attacks on Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally. In a post on X, Mr Rubio said 'we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region'. Mr Trump said he 'gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal' and warned that Israel has 'a lot of' US military equipment, and they 'know how to use it'. 'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left … JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,' he posted on Truth Social. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the UK 'must use our influence and diplomacy' to deliver 'stability in the Middle East'. In a post on X, she wrote: 'We are watching closely developments in the Middle East and urge all sides to work towards a de-escalation of tensions. 'The world is an increasingly dangerous place with significant threats to our national interests, security and defence. 'We must use our influence and diplomacy to work closely with all of our allies in the region and beyond to resolve conflicts, and deliver peace and stability in the Middle East.'
South Wales Argus
16 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
UK to take ‘every diplomatic step' to stop Iran building nuclear weapons
This could include reinstating sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran by triggering the 'snap back' mechanism. The UK's priority is to prevent further escalation after the strikes and 'press for a diplomatic solution', and officials have urged Iran to keep nuclear talks going with Donald Trump, Downing Street said. The US president called for Tehran to make a deal 'before it is too late' in a post on Friday. Sir Keir Starmer had urged 'all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently' after Israel launched strikes on Tehran overnight, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and it was reported on Friday morning that drones had been launched. No 10 said the UK did not participate in Israeli strikes overnight and would not say whether Israel had requested help. A Downing Street spokesman also refused to say whether Sir Keir had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the strikes or whether Israel had informed the UK of its plans beforehand. 'Our priority is to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, that's in no-one's interest … we're working closely with all our allies to press for that diplomatic solution,' a No 10 spokesman said. The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint,… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 13, 2025 Iran's nuclear programme is 'more advanced than ever, and it is a clear threat to international peace and security', he said. 'We've urged Iran to continue engaging with President Trump's offer of a negotiated solution and we continue to liaise closely with our partners on this. 'We remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution but are prepared to take every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback, if necessary.' Sir Keir earlier said it is time for 'restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy'. 'The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no-one in the region.' The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said stability in the Middle East is 'vital' for global security. Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security. I'm concerned to see reports of strikes overnight. Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no one's interest. This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 13, 2025 'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X. 'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.' It is understood that Mr Lammy had been due to travel to the US on Friday, but is now remaining in London. Mr Netanyahu said on Friday morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'. In a clip posted on social media, he said Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'. Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri. The aftermath of Israeli attacks on Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP) US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally. In a post on X, Mr Rubio said 'we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region'. Mr Trump said he 'gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal' and warned that Israel has 'a lot of' US military equipment, and they 'know how to use it'. 'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left … JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,' he posted on Truth Social. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the UK 'must use our influence and diplomacy' to deliver 'stability in the Middle East'. In a post on X, she wrote: 'We are watching closely developments in the Middle East and urge all sides to work towards a de-escalation of tensions. 'The world is an increasingly dangerous place with significant threats to our national interests, security and defence. 'We must use our influence and diplomacy to work closely with all of our allies in the region and beyond to resolve conflicts, and deliver peace and stability in the Middle East.'
