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Rishi Sunak has confidently backed himself to remain prime minister for another term as he insisted the Conservatives were on track to win the next general election, despite an absolute drubbing in the local elections.

Asked whether he would still be prime minister after the next general election, Mr Sunak replied: “Yes. I’m working really hard to deliver for the British people.

“That’s my priority, that’s what I am thinking about. I’m confident we can deliver for people. I know that things are tough right now, but I think we have made good progress in the six months that I’ve been in the job. I’ll just keep at it.”

The prime minister also explicitly ruled out doing any sort of deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after a general election and told reporters he was “not particularly interested in any chat or anything about coalitions”.

“I have been clear and I will be clear. I’m not interested in coalition,” he added as he explicitly ruled out any deal with the DUP, which propped up the Theresa May government in 2017.

Mr Sunak’s optimism about his election prospects flies in the face of recent polls showing the Conservatives trailing Labour by 17 points.

It also ignores what happened at the ballot box in this month’s local elections, as the Conservatives haemorrhaged councillors in the wake of a Labour, Lib Dem and Green wave, losing more than 1,000 seats.

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If the performance is extrapolated out to projected vote share in a general election, Labour would be the largest party just shy of a majority, with the Tories losing dozens of seats.

Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has equivocated on whether he will do a deal, telling me last week that he would not be going into any arrangement whatsoever with the SNP while refusing seven times to rule out a deal with the Lib Dems.

This is a change of position from a year ago when the Labour leader clearly ruled out any sort of deal with any political party and explicitly said that included the Lib Dems.

The position reflects the reality that Labour may well find itself needing to do a deal with the Lib Dems after the election, expected in the autumn of next year.

Sir Keir doesn’t want to rule out a deal only to then u-turn should he win the election – but fall short of an outright majority.

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Five survivors rescued day after tourist boat sank in Red Sea – as search for missing ‘intensifies’

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Five survivors rescued day after tourist boat sank in Red Sea - as search for missing 'intensifies'

Five survivors have been rescued and four bodies recovered in efforts to find people missing after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea, a local official has said.

Two British people are believed to have been among the missing.

Egyptian military forces, which are co-ordinating operations, have now rescued 37 people out of the 44 on board – including five the day after it capsized. It means seven people are still missing and rescue teams have been “intensifying efforts” to find them.

Governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi said that two Belgians, one Swiss, one Finnish and one Egyptian national were rescued on Tuesday, and four bodies had been recovered – although their nationalities are unknown.

“Survivors are being provided with necessary medical care,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

The 34-metre-long tourist boat Sea Story sank on Monday south of the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam.

Among the foreign nationals on board were those from the UK, Ireland, US, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia and Spain.

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Pic: Egyptian Armed Forces
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Pic: Egyptian Armed Forces

According to those on board, a “high sea wave” hit the vessel and caused it to capsize in “about five or seven minutes”, Mr Hanafi said.

Some passengers were inside the cabins, “which is why they couldn’t get out of the boat,” his statement added.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office spokesperson said on Monday: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Egypt map

The Sea Story left Port Ghalib, 40 miles (63km) north of Marsa Alam, on Sunday and was scheduled to reach its destination of Hurghada Marina on 29 November.

Officials said a distress call was received at 5.30am local time on Monday.

The boat sank 46 nautical miles off the coast of Marsa Alam.

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The Sea Story was carrying 45 people according to a statement by the Red Sea Governorate.
Pic: Dive Pro Liveaboard
Image:
The Sea Story set sail on Sunday for a five-day trip. Pic: Dive Pro Liveaboard

The incident comes after the Egyptian Meteorological Authority issued a warning on Saturday about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea.

The firm that operates the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, said it has no information on the matter.

The Chamber of Diving and Water Sports (CDWS), a group founded by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, praised rescue teams for their “tireless efforts”.

“The CDWS team and board members are praying that the missing passengers are found safely and hoping that they will reunite with their families and loved ones soon,” the statement on Facebook added.

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Donald Trump threatens sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office

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Donald Trump threatens sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office

Donald Trump has threatened sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office.

The president-elect, who takes office on 20 January next year, said he would introduce a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico.

Posting on his Truth Social platform he also threatened an additional 10% tariff on goods from China on top of any he might impose as one of his first executive orders.

What Trump’s tariffs could mean for UK, EU, China and the world

If implemented, the tariffs could raise prices for ordinary American consumers on everything from petrol to cars and agricultural products.

The US is the largest importer of goods worldwide and Mexico, China and Canada are its top three suppliers according to the country’s census data.

More than 83% of exports from Mexico went to the US in 2023 and 75% of Canadian exports go to the country.

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“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Mr Trump said.

He also spoke against an influx of illegal immigrants heading into the country.

While migrant arrests reached a record high during President Joe Biden’s administration, illegal crossings fell dramatically this year as new border restrictions were introduced and Mexico stepped up enforcement.

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Mr Trump added: “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power… and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”

After issuing his tariff threat, Mr Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and they were said to have discussed trade and border security.

“It was a good discussion and they will stay in touch,” a Canadian source said.

Turning to China, the president-elect said he “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail”.

“Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” he wrote.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said there would be losers on all sides if there is a trade war.

“China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu posted on X. “No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

It is not clear if Mr Trump will actually go through with the threats.

He won the recent election in part due to voter frustration over inflation and high prices.

Mr Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary Scott Bessent – who if confirmed, would be one of a number of officials responsible for tariffs – has said previously that tariffs are a means of negotiation.

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Conor McGregor speaks after losing civil rape case as feminist march held in Dublin

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Conor McGregor speaks after losing civil rape case as feminist march held in Dublin

Conor McGregor has spoken out after losing a civil rape case as a feminist march was held in Dublin.

The MMA fighter was accused of raping Nikita Hand, who was awarded €248,603 (£206,000) in damages on Friday after a jury at Dublin’s High Court found McGregor assaulted her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, leaving the High Court in Dublin, where she is claiming civil damages against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and another man, alleging she was sexually assaulted in December 2018. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024.
Image:
Nikita Hand.
Pic: PA

Posting on social media, the 36-year-old said: “I know I made mistakes”.

It comes as hundreds of people in Dublin staged a demonstration in “utter solidarity” with Ms Hand.

Posting on X, McGregor said: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.

“As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.

“I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.

“That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!”

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him. Nikita Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, alleges she was raped by McGregor in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. After deliberating for six hours and 10 minutes, the jury returned with their verdicts in the civil trial against Conor McGregor. The total amount of damages awarded to Nikita Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH McGregor. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
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Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after he lost a civil case.
Pic: PA

Speaking outside court after the decision, an emotional Ms Hand said the two-week-long civil case had been a “nightmare” but that “justice has been served”.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” she added.

In Dublin on Monday night, a march in support of Ms Hand was organised by the socialist feminist movement group Rosa to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The demonstration in Dublin called for increased action on violence. 
Pic: PA
Image:
The demonstration in Dublin.
Pic: PA

Ruth Coppinger and Natasha O'Brien at the solidarity march.
Pic: PA
Image:
Ruth Coppinger (left) and Natasha O’Brien at the solidarity march.
Pic: PA

Participants chanted “stand with Nikita” and “no more fear, no more shaming, we reject your victim blaming” as they carried signs and banners through the capital’s streets.

Ruth Coppinger, a councillor and general election candidate, and Natasha O’Brien, who became a public figure after a soldier received a suspended sentence for assaulting her, both spoke at the event.

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Ms Coppinger said Ms Hand was “an incredibly brave woman” and that she was watching the event via a live stream.

Ms O’Brien was cheered as she said she’d been “in awe” of Ms Hand’s courage and that Ireland had let out a collective “sigh of relief” after the jury found in Ms Hand’s favour.

McGregor was accused of having “brutally raped and battered” Ms Hand.

She was taken in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital the following day where the paramedic who assessed her told the court she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.

Following eight days of evidence, and three days of closing speeches and the judge’s instructions to the jury, the jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and ten minutes deliberating before returning their verdict.

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