'Prince of Darkness' returns as Starmer's new US ambassador

Keir Starmer sets out plans for new transport system

Sir Keir Starmer slammed the previous government's "empty promises" as he set out his plans for improvements to the North of England rail system. "The last government made so many promises, none of which they followed through on. I'm only making promises where we're putting the money on the table right now," Mr Starmer said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM pledges to fix 'Victorian Era' northern transport system

The Prime Minister has vowed to upgrade struggling rail services between Manchester and Yorkshire as he announced £415 million in transport funding. It comes after delays to the electrification of the TransPennine route upgrade between Manchester and York following the dropping of the Phase 2 HS2 extension. Sir Keir Starmer said he hopes to complete the project by 2030. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer calls for deadline to stop Putin’s ‘games’

Vladimir Putin must be given a deadline to make progress on a Ukraine ceasefire, Sir Keir Starmer said as European allies step up plans to deploy troops and secure a peace deal. The Prime Minister said the Russian president was “playing games” and attempting to drag the Donald Trump-initiated process out to allow his forces time to continue their assaults on Ukraine. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister: Mandelson wrong on Ukraine ceasefire

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard says Lord Mandelson was “not right” when the British Ambassador to the US suggested Ukraine should commit to a ceasefire before Russia. The ambassador used an interview with American network ABC to say that Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky should give "unequivocal backing" to US President Donald Trump's peace initiative. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mandelson hails Trump as a ‘very consequential president’

Lord Mandelson hails Donald Trump as a "very consequential president" as the UK seeks to avoid battles on tariffs with the White House. The newly installed UK ambassador to the US says it is a "very significant moment for our lives, between our two countries and indeed for all the freedom-loving democracies in the world". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer jokes during speech at Ambassador’s reception

Sir Keir Starmer says “taking a chainsaw isn’t my style” as he addresses “stripping away red tape” during a speech at a reception hosted by new UK ambassador Lord Mandelson in Washington DC. The prime minister also jokes about new the “new leader in town”, saying "he's a true one-off, a pioneer in business, in politics. Many people love him. Others love to hate him. But to us, he' s just.... Peter." Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn