DEATH TOLL SET TO RISE AMID GRIM SEARCH FOR GRENFELL TOWER BLAZE VICTIMS

The death toll from the devastating tower block fire in west London is expected to rise as investigators trawl through the wreckage in the search for other victims.

At least 12 people have died after the huge fire destroyed Grenfell Tower in north Kensington, where flames could still be seen burning more than a day on from the disaster.

Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building

More than £1 million has been raised to help those affected as fire tore through the 24-storey building while volunteers and charities helped to feed and shelter people who could not return to their homes overnight.

THERESA MAY TO MEET N IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES AMID CONCERNS OVER DEAL WITH DUP

Theresa May is to hold talks with the Northern Ireland political parties amid warnings that an expected deal with the Democratic Unionists (DUP) to prop up her minority government will undermine the peace process.

The Prime Minister will meet separately with representatives of Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and the Alliance Party - as well as the DUP - in Downing Street in an attempt to allay growing concerns.

It follows warnings - including from former prime minister Sir John Major - that the Government will compromise its stated impartiality in the province if it enters a confidence and supply deal with the DUP at Westminster.

LIB DEMS FACE SECOND HUNT FOR LEADER IN TWO YEARS AFTER TIM FARRON RESIGNATION

The Liberal Democrats face their second hunt for a new leader in two years following the dramatic resignation of Tim Farron.

Mr Farron announced on Wednesday that he was standing down as party leader because he could not endure continued questioning over his Christian faith.

Former business minister Jo Swinson, who regained her East Dunbartonshire seat from the SNP in the General Election, was immediately installed as the bookies' favourite to succeed him and become the party's first female leader.

PHILIP HAMMOND BIDS TO REASSURE CITY OVER INVESTMENT FUNDING IN RUN-UP TO BREXIT

Chancellor Philip Hammond will seek to reassure businesses they will still be able to get access to investment funding as Britain withdraws from the European Union.

In his annual Mansion House address to City leaders, Mr Hammond will say ministers are in discussion with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to ensure UK projects can access its funds during the remaining period of Britain's EU membership.

Current EIB lending to the UK is worth around 48 billion euros (£42 billion) and has supported projects such as new Intercity and London Underground trains and new tram networks in Manchester and Nottingham.

CASUALTIES REPORTED AFTER INCIDENT AT PEMBROKESHIRE MILITARY TRAINING BASE

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investigating after a number of people are believed to have been injured at a military training base in Wales.

Police were called to an incident at Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire on Wednesday afternoon - an area of land used for tank training exercises by the Royal Armoured Corps.

An MoD spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an incident at Castlemartin Ranges. This is still being investigated and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."

POLICE CHIEF WARNS AGAINST CUTS TO FORCE PROTECTING NUCLEAR ARSENAL

Plans for further cuts to the police force that guards Britain's nuclear arsenal could be "catastrophic", a leading officer will warn.

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), which has responsibility for guarding key MoD assets including Trident, is to make the cuts to achieve a £12.5 million saving, a move which will "harm national security", Eamon Keating will say.

Mr Keating, the national chairman of the Defence Police Federation (DPF) - the staff association representing MoD police officers, will say the decision prioritises financial savings over the protection of critical assets such as the nuclear deterrent.

LORD MAYOR OF LONDON TO JOIN GROWING CHORUS URGING MAY TO STRIKE BREXIT DEAL

The Lord Mayor of the City of London will add his voice to a growing chorus of business leaders urging Theresa May to strike a Brexit deal with the EU before negotiations draw to a close.

In a speech prepared for the Bankers and Merchants Dinner at Mansion House on Thursday evening, Andrew Parmley will stress that a Brexit deal which ensures access to the EU single market is "vital" for City businesses.

"The City Corporation remains firm that access to the single market is a priority. For the firms I represent, and the millions they support, a deal is vital."

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR TEENAGE COUPLE KILLED IN MANCHESTER ATROCITY

A funeral will be held for a "perfect" young couple who were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing.

The service for Liam Curry, 19, and Chloe Rutherford, 17, will take place at St Hilda's Church in South Shields, South Tyneside.

The couple's families have asked people attending to wear pink and blue for the funeral.

SOMALIA RESTAURANT GUNMEN TAKE HOSTAGES AS ATTACK KILLS 17

Gunmen posing as soldiers are holding an unknown number of hostages inside a popular restaurant in Somalia's capital in a deadly attack that began when a car bomb exploded at the gate.

Extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in which at least 17 people, including foreigners, died, police and an ambulance driver said.

Two of the gunmen were shot dead and 10 hostages were rescued, but five other attackers were thought to still be inside, cutting off electricity to complicate security forces' efforts to end the siege, Captain Mohamed Hussein said.

UPS GUNMAN HAD OVERTIME GRIEVANCE AGAINST FIRM - UNION

The man who shot three people dead at a UPS warehouse in San Francisco filed a grievance complaining that he was working excessive overtime, a union member has said.

Joseph Cilia, a Teamsters Union official, said Jimmy Lam's complaint, filed in March, requested that United Parcel Service relieve him of working overtime.

But Mr Cilia said Lam was not angry and he could not understand why he would open fire on his colleagues at a morning meeting on Wednesday.