Hostages released as ceasefire holds

‘Condition of hostages uncertain and will be in hospital,’ says The Times.The Times describes how British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24, was handed over to Red Cross officials amidst a throng of television cameras. The paper says there is lingering uncertainty about the freed hostages’ health after their 15-month ordeal. Israeli health authorities have prepared for “all possibilities,” the paper says, noting that while the three appeared in relatively stable condition, they are scheduled to undergo at least four days of medical evaluation. ‘Emily shot in the had and dog killed in front of her,’ says the Metro.The Metro leads with the headline “Home at last,” recounting the “chaotic scenes” surrounding the trio’s release. The paper says Emily “was shot in the hand, injured by shrapnel in her leg, and saw her dog Choocha killed before she was blindfolded and bundled into a car that took her to Gaza.” ‘Emily’s defiant smile after 471 days in captivity,’ reports the Mail.The Daily Mail quotes Emily’s mother, Mrs Damari, saying, “Thank you for bringing Emily home.” The paper notes Emily’s “defiant smile” upon being freed after 471 days in captivity. ‘Emily’s mum calls for all hostages to be released,’ notes the Mirror.The Daily Mirror also features Emily’s reunion with her mother Mandy, quoting Mrs Damari’s call to action: “Every hostage must be released.” ‘After 15 months of hell, Emily is home at last,’ says the Express.The Daily Express reports after 15 months of unimaginable torment, Emily Damari’s return home is a beacon of hope amid a sea of despair in the Middle East. Her mother’s tears of joy tell a story of love and resilience. 'Brave Brit hostage Emily Damari gives defiant salute,' says The SunBRITISH hostage Emily Damari gave a defiant salute with a bullet-ravaged hand after running a terrifying gauntlet of hate as she was freed by Hamas, says The Sun.

‘Trump played role in ceasefire negotiations,’ says the i.The i highlights Trump’s claimed role in mediating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. ‘Some Trump supporters disappointed after travelling to watch inauguration.’ says The Times.The Times captures the disappointment of supporters who travelled to witness the inauguration in person, only to find themselves unable to access the National Mall, with some expressing regret over not watching the event on television instead. 'Starmer races for trade deal with Trump,' says TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph reports on Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to secure a trade deal with Trump, with the prime minister assembling a “mini-cabinet” to strategise an agreement. The paper says having the “architect” of the Chagos Islands deal in the PM’s new “mini-cabinet” could complicate efforts to “woo the new US president.” ‘Trump’s swearing-in to be held indoors due to freezing weather,’ reports the Mail.Trump’s swearing-in, held indoors in Washington’s Rotunda due to freezing weather, is described as “a ceremony like no other” by the Daily Mail.

British hostage released, United and Spurs lose again

Monday’s news briefing

The release of three Israeli hostages in Gaza dominates the UK news today. Israeli-British citizen Emily Damari was among those released. She lost two fingers during her 15-month ordeal. The ceasefire will also see much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as well as the return of 90 Palestinian prisoners (mostly women and teenage boys).

The weekend’s Premier League action leads the social media trending stories for the UK as Manchester United and Spurs lose again and discussions of what keeps going wrong has begun amongst pundits and fans.

January 19, 2025 11:37 am

‘Student Tax’ to hit graduates on minimum wage by April

Thousands of graduates will find themselves stranded in their home town, unable to root out professional opportunities, when April’s hike in the minimum wage drags them into the threshold of student loan repayments, a top financial services firm has warned.

The government announced an above inflation rise in the National Living Wage of 5.6 per cent as part of October’s Budget, prompting warnings of price rises and hiring freezes from business lobby groups.

But according to Blick Rothenberg recent graduates will bear much of the brunt, with those earning as little as £12.21 per hour in a full-time job sucked into to student loan repayments.

A full-time employee on the National Living Wage is set to earn roughly £26,660 when April’s uplift is introduced, meaning they will surpass the £25,000 threshold at which student loan repayments kick in.

https://www.cityam.com/student-tax-to-hit-graduates-on-minimum-wage-by-april/

UK economy: Interest rate cut a ‘certainty’ in February after weak data

A February interest rate cut is a “certainty” after new data suggests that inflationary pressures are weaker than previously thought, but the path beyond remains unclear.

Economists expect the Bank of England to back a third rate cut next month after two important pieces of economic data were published this week.

Figures out on Wednesday showed that the headline rate of inflation fell to 2.5 per cent in December, down from 2.6 per cent previously and below expectations.

Rate-setters will likely have been paying particular attention to services inflation, which is a good gauge of domestic price pressures.

https://www.cityam.com/uk-economy-interest-rate-cut-a-certainty-in-february-after-weak-data/

King Charles brushes off Prince Andrew’s Chinese spy scandal

Monday’s news briefing

‘Student Tax’ to hit graduates on minimum wage by April

Hostages released as ceasefire holds

‘Condition of hostages uncertain and will be in hospital,’ says The Times.

‘Emily shot in the had and dog killed in front of her,’ says the Metro.

‘Emily’s defiant smile after 471 days in captivity,’ reports the Mail.

‘Emily’s mum calls for all hostages to be released,’ notes the Mirror.

‘After 15 months of hell, Emily is home at last,’ says the Express.

'Brave Brit hostage Emily Damari gives defiant salute,' says The Sun

Trump inauguration

‘Trump played role in ceasefire negotiations,’ says the i.

‘Some Trump supporters disappointed after travelling to watch inauguration.’ says The Times.

'Starmer races for trade deal with Trump,' says Telegraph

‘Trump’s swearing-in to be held indoors due to freezing weather,’ reports the Mail.

Is Lukashenko’s youngest son next in line to rule Belarus?

Is China using ID cards to influence Taiwan?

Trump vows to halt ‘border invasion’ at pre-inauguration rally

Left Party gains momentum ahead of German parliamentary elections

Colombian drug gang violence kills 60 in Catatumbo region

Israel frees 90 Palestinian prisoners as Gaza ceasefire holds

TikTok restores service in the US following Trump’s promise

Demonstrators rally in Washington ahead of Trump’s inauguration

UK economy: Interest rate cut a ‘certainty’ in February after weak data

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Monday’s news briefing

‘Student Tax’ to hit graduates on minimum wage by April

Hostages released as ceasefire holds

Trump inauguration

UK economy: Interest rate cut a ‘certainty’ in February after weak data

What to Watch

Amazon prime - TV & Netflix

What to Watch

Love Sports

World-first urine test ‘detects lung cancer’

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Services