Europe

Andy Burnham admits he would have liked more radical first budget

Prime minister says room for manoeuvre was limited by geopolitical crises and Labour’s 2024 manifesto Andy Burnham has admitted his first budget as prime minister was not as radical as he would have liked because of the economic uncertainty facing the country. He said he would have liked to have gon Excerpt, The Guardian Business

Source The Guardian Business

Europe’s central bank chief Christine Lagarde to step down nine months early

According to the Korea Times, ECB President Christine Lagarde will resign on February 7, nine months ahead of the end of her eight-year term, the ECB said Thursday. Al Jazeera English and Punch also reported the February departure, and The Guardian said she is stepping down to speak her mind about world affairs. The New York Times reported that the plan sets in motion a selection process among European leaders for a new central bank president. DW News reported that European Council President Antonio Costa said the process to find a successor is underway. The story is developing. Summary from 9 sources

Sources differ: Punch gives the departure date as February 7, 2027, while other outlets say only February.

Summary from 9 sources The Guardian Business first also Al Jazeera English, The New York Times, DW News, CNBC World and 2 more

Britain’s blighted high streets will improve by next election, says Rayner

According to The Guardian, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has said voters will begin to see a difference on their high streets before the next general election. The Guardian reported that Labour is prioritising investment in struggling local communities, with the aim of reversing the fortunes of towns plagued by boarded-up shops and rogue businesses. The sources supplied are excerpts only, so further detail on specific measures, timing or funding is not available from them. The three Guardian entries carry the same headline and opening text, and no conflicting figures or outcomes appear in them. Summary from 3 sources

Summary from 3 sources The Guardian Business first

Spain transport minister says he won't resign over high-speed rail disaster

Óscar Puente has been facing calls to resign after two high-speed trains collided earlier in the week, killing at least 69 people. Excerpt, BBC News

Source BBC News

Families in the US are opting for earlier measles vaccinations amid outbreak

The Guardian reported in two of its feeds that families in the US are opting for earlier measles vaccinations amid an outbreak. Parents are giving a second MMR vaccine dose sooner, in line with guidance in Germany, the UK and France. The Guardian also reported that measles cases are accelerating in the US, with twice as many confirmed cases as last year. The excerpts provided are truncated, so further details are not available. Both Guardian feeds carry the same wording, and no other outlets are cited. Summary from 2 sources

Summary from 2 sources The Guardian Health first

At least 10 people killed after high-speed trains collide in central Spain

According to Arise News, DW News and ABC News, at least 10 people have been killed after high-speed trains collided in central Spain, with two carriages derailed. The South China Morning Post quoted Esther Padilla of the Castilla-La Mancha region saying the toll would likely rise. CBS News reported at least 68 deaths, and the Financial Times reported at least 30. Rail services between Madrid and Seville have been suspended, according to DW News. El País English reported that an AVE train hit another train that was stopped on the tracks, and that the government points to human error. Summary from 8 sources

Sources differ: CBS News reported at least 68 killed, the Financial Times reported at least 30, while most other outlets reported at least 10.

Summary from 8 sources DW News first also South China Morning Post, El País English, DW News (all), Financial Times World and 3 more