The United Kingdom has provided Ukraine with advice on negotiating with the United States ahead of this week's meeting between Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement:The Times writes that Starmer is also working to convince Trump to restore intelligence sharing with Ukraine after its unexpected suspension last week. On Sunday, 9 March, Trump stated that his administration was "just about" done with the pause in intelligence sharing. Over the weekend, Starmer spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the need to resume intelligence sharing with Kyiv. The talks in Saudi Arabia follow Trump’s remark on Sunday that Ukraine might "not survive" even with US support.

Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, The row over so-called two-tier sentencing misses the point (“Minority and trans criminals could avoid jail under new rules”, Mar 6; leading article, Mar 7; comment and letter, Mar 8). According to government statistics, we already have a two-tier system. This is because people from ethnic minorities are more likely to be arrested, charged and convicted than their white counterparts. They also receive higher sentences than white people convicted of a similar offence. The guidelines from the Sentencing Council are an attempt not to favour ethnic minorities but to check whether suspects have been subject to racism (deliberate or not) in the criminal justice system and, where relevant, take that into account.

The UK is working to convince US President Donald Trump to resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The United Kingdom is seeking to convince Donald Trump to resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine, even if Elon Musk threatens to cut off the Starlink satellite connection. Britain is seeking to prevent a repeat of diplomatic scandals in dealing with Trump and strengthen support for Ukraine. The British Prime Minister is also holding talks with European leaders on the need to resume intelligence cooperation with Ukraine. Pause of intelligence sharing between the US and UkraineThe United States has suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, as confirmed by the CIA Director.

The UK is advising Ukraine on how to conduct peace negotiations with the United States to prevent a repeat of past diplomatic conflicts. That's according to The Times, Ukrinform reports. The article notes that the UK will not participate in the negotiations, and its officials will only travel to Saudi Arabia at Ukraine's request. Powell also pushed for this during discussions with Trump's National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz. According to Reuters, U.S. officials at the talks in Saudi Arabia aim to assess whether Ukraine is willing to make concessions to Russia in order to end the war.

Police and rescue services are searching for a Yorkshire man who has gone missing in Malta. Michael Clarkson, 74, from Todmorden, was last seen leaving the Victoria Hotel in Sliema, a town on the northeast coast, at around 4pm on Friday. Michael and his wife Barbara are on holiday to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary which is today, Sunday. Steven said his dad going missing was 'completely out of character'. Steven said the police on Malta had been informed that he was missing at 11pm that day.

A record number of US students have applied to study undergraduate degrees in the UK next year, figures reveal. Experts had previously suggested that UK institutions might benefit from international students being put off by Donald Trump’s new administration. This was a 12 per cent increase on the year before, and the most since comparable records began in 2006. This was a 5 per cent increase on 2023 and also the highest level since at least 2009 – despite total visa numbers from around the world falling. ADVERTISEMENTUniversities UK said the increase in demand to study in the UK is positive, following a turbulent period for international student recruitment.

The Swan Inn, in Fittleworth, earned the title having been praised by the judges following its latest revamp. It was named on the list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK. 5 Perfect Spots for a Summer StaycationThe Swan Inn named the best place to stay in the southeastThe Swan Inn in West Sussex was named The Times and The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2025 winner in the southeastThe judges praised the latest revamp of the “snug pub”, which The Times says has been a favourite with “everyone from Rudyard Kipling to John Constable”. A full map is belowOther places highlighted in the southeast were the New Park Manor in Hampshire which was named the Best Family-Friendly Hotel, Beaverbrook in Surrey named Best Blow-the-Budget Hotel and The Rose in Kent awarded Best Boutique Hotel. The pub area of The Swan Inn (Image: Zanna Westgae/The Swan Inn) “Hotel teams appreciate that there's a lot of choice out there and they're really going the extra mile to deliver friendly and knowledgeable service.

This estate was originally home of Lord Beaverbrook, but was transformed into one of the UK's most prestigious hotels. In 2024, the hotel was awarded two Michelin Keys for it's excellence in hospitality. With an intricate spa complex with first rate treatments, and exquisite restaurants, The Times and The Sunday Times has listed Beaverbrook in it's Best Places to Stay Guide for 2025. They added: "The grounds are stunning, complete with beautiful views from the terrace that add to the charm of the estate. The Swan Inn in West Sussex, not far from Surrey, has also been named the best place to stay in the Southeast by The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Times and The Sunday Times has revealed its definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK, with a local spot named on that list. The Cuan in Strangford, Co Down was named the best place to stay in Northern Ireland by The Times and The Sunday Times. The guide is split into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. There are also winners in thirteen different categories; Affordable, Beach, Blow-the-Budget, Boutique, City, Countryside, Disruptor, Family-Friendly, Foodie, One-to-Watch, Pub Stay, Romantic, and Sports. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter

More infoA Northumberland inn with "snug" bedrooms has been recognised by The Sunday Times as on of the best places to stay in the UK. The Times and The Sunday Times has revealed its definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK. The guide, which will be published as a supplement within the newspaper on Sunday, March 16, has singled out the Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsmans Rest in Slaggyford as the 'best pub stay'. The judges praised the 15th-century inn, nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, for combining award-winning food, upmarket bedrooms, and "the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes". There are also winners in 13 different categories in the guide; Affordable, Beach, Blow-the-Budget, Boutique, City, Countryside, Disruptor, Family-Friendly, Foodie, One-to-Watch, Pub Stay, Romantic, and Sports.

More infoA Cotswolds hotel has been named the best of its kind in the prestigious ‘100 Best Places to Stay’ national awards. THE PIG-in the Cotswolds has been praised as an ideal retreat offering a restful getaway from the city. It’s been named the best in one of the 13 different categories in The Times and The Sunday Times guide. The Times’ guide is split into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Take a look at the full list of the 100 best places to stay in the UK here

The TV gardening expert told The Times his issue with avocados stems from their environmental impact. “There’s a lot to be said for Cornflakes, Weetabix and Shreddies.”Alan Titchmarsh has urged the public to forgo avocados (PA/Yui Mok)It comes as the United States braces for a rise in avocado prices. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Mexico, one of the world’s largest avocado producers, are expected to drive up costs. Worldwide, there are growing concerns about the impact of climate change on the largest avocado-producing countries. “It is very likely that the impacts of climate change on water availability will further exacerbate water scarcity issues in these areas,” she said.

The shock set in the moment they found the GP’s letter, left open in the kitchen beside the kettle. It was an autumn morning in 2018 when Caroline Litman’s husband, Peter, rushed upstairs to confess to his wife that he’d glimpsed the letter to their 16-year-old. It raised the possibility that the anxiety their child had been suffering might stem from “gender dysphoria”. Over the past four years, their teenager — who had been born a boy — had retreated inwards and no longer seemed happy and carefree. Frantic with worry, the Litmans had asked whether bullying or sexuality were the cause, but they’d never thought to raise the subject of gender identity.

The King will call for unity during his annual Commonwealth Day address amid the monarch's 'concerns' over Canada's trade war with Donald Trump. On Monday, he met the outgoing Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who has repeatedly clashed with the US president, at his private estate in Norfolk estate. Meanwhile, Trump continues to mock Trudeau and had his doubts that the prime minister was stepping down for good. This year's Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the 'enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family'. Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth secretary-general, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday and hear a commemorative song by Lord Lloyd-Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the day of the European leaders' summit to discuss European security and Ukraine, at Lancaster House in London, Britain, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool/File PhotoUK's Starmer gets poll boost as he steps up Ukraine diplomacyLONDON - The number of Britons who think Prime Minister Keir Starmer is doing a good job has risen as he steps up his role in diplomacy over the war in Ukraine, an opinion poll showed. Starmer met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on February 27 and hosted talks involving Ukraine's president and European leaders on March 2. Starmer met Trump in Washington one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed in the Oval Office with the U.S. president, who has upended U.S. policy on Ukraine. European leaders agreed at their talks in London last Sunday to draw up a peace plan to present to Washington, and European Union leaders on Thursday backed plans to spend more on defence.