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Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
- December 23, 2025 11:21 am
Air India crash has one sole survivor – NHS major cancer breakthrough – Middle East crisis
Friday’s UK news is dominated by Israel’s attacks on Iran amid fears of a full-blown war breaking out. The crisis is ongoing and all global media, including the UK, is heavily focused on it.
Until Israel launched the attack, much of the news dominating the UK was around the devastating Air India plane crash in which all but one survived. A British man – sat in seat 11A – remarkably survived the crash.
There’s been a huge breakthrough in blood cancer treatment, with the NHS becoming the first healthcare system to roll out the therapy. The treatment is being made available on the NHS in England in a world first.
There’s some further coverage over the race riots in Northern Ireland following a fourth night of disorder and reports that two women have died in Wales’ largest national park following an “incident.”
The sports pages look ahead to the Club World Cup which kicks off this weekend, despite poor ticket sales, the tournament is still set to go ahead.
British Man is sole survivor of Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad
An Air India Flight 171 crash on 12 June killed 241 on board and 28 on the ground after the plane hit a hostel near Ahmedabad’s B. J. Medical College. The sole survivor, British–Indian passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (40), is stable in hospital.
The UK and India are jointly investigating with Boeing and US officials. Condolences have been issued by leaders including PMs Starmer and Modi, King Charles, and Air India.
Read a full WTX News report on the crash
Fact File – What we know so far
🔁 Reactions:
- PM Starmer: “Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families up and down the country.”
- India’s Modi: “Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.”
📊 Sentiment: Negative/sadness
Middle East Tensions Soar After Israeli Airstrikes on Iran
Middle East tensions soar as Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on 13 June, sending around 200 aircraft to strike nearly 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities like Natanz, missile bases, and residential areas. The Israeli airstrikes on Iran killed top officials, as well as civilians, were killed in the attack. Iran responded with over 100 drones targeting Israel, triggering airspace closures and missile defences. Oil prices jumped 7–12% amid fears of wider conflict. The U.S. has claimed it was not involved, despite prior coordination, as global leaders called for restraint to protect nuclear talks in Oman.
Read a full WTX News report on Israel’s attack
Fact File – What we know so far
🔁 Reactions:
- US President Donald Trump: “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.”
- UK’s Keir Starmer: Calls strikes “concerning” saying “escalation serves no-one in the region”
- Australia says it was “alarmed” by the escalation
- UN calls for a de-escalation
📊 Sentiment: Negative–neutral.
- Medical breakthrough
UK First to Offer Breakthrough Blood Cancer Drug
Thousands of blood cancer patients in England will be the first in the world to get a new “Trojan horse” drug that sneaks into cancer cells and kills them from within. The drug, called belantamab mafodotin, has been approved by NICE to treat multiple myeloma. It can slow the disease for up to three times longer than standard treatments. Given as an infusion every three weeks alongside other drugs, it works by attaching to cancer cells, entering them, and releasing a powerful toxin to destroy them.
Fact File – What we know so far
🔁 Reactions:
- NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer said the drug would be life-changing for patients and their families.
- Shelagh McKinlay, of cancer charity Myeloma UK, said it was fantastic to see the NHS become the first healthcare system in the world to roll out the drug.
- The health minister Karin Smyth said: “This groundbreaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation. By harnessing cutting-edge ‘Trojan horse’ technology, we’re offering new hope to blood cancer patients across the country.”
📊 Sentiment: Positive–neutral
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