Author: Pete Parker

An experienced assistant and editor working on WTX News desk, providing analysis and insights into the breaking news daily.

Cliff Notes John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain dies aged 105. He passed away peacefully at the age of 105, as confirmed by the Royal Air Force. Renowned for his role in defending the UK during WWII, Hemingway was part of “The Few,” a term coined by Sir Winston Churchill to describe the brave RAF pilots. Tributes have poured in from prominent figures, including Prince William and Prime Minister…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Jordan’s Prince Feisal seeks to become the IOC’s leader Jordan’s Prince Feisal seeks to become the IOC’s leader – The first leader from Middle East It takes sport to place royals in such an unfamiliar situation – seeking election rather than just inheriting the throne as Jordan’s Prince Feisal seeks to become the IOC’s leader. Jordan’s Prince Feisal Al Hussein has spent the last six months campaigning, within tight constraints, to become…

Read More

Cliff Notes Santander UK branches to closure – The UK Bank plans to close 95 out of its 444 UK branches, potentially affecting up to 750 jobs. Following the closures, only 290 full-service branches will remain, with some branches adopting reduced hours or operating without counters. The shift towards online banking is cited as the reason for the closures, with in-branch transactions having decreased significantly since 2019. Santander UK branches to closure – with 750…

Read More

Cliff Notes Experienced astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were stranded on the ISS for nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, which rendered it unsafe for their return. They are now returning home aboard a SpaceX spacecraft after delaying their exit to assist with additional missions and science experiments on the ISS. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to health risks including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and potential psychological effects due…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Hotel apologises for treatment of terminally ill boy Duck Bay Hotel issued a “humble apology” after a terminally ill infant was denied access to a plug socket for a nebuliser during a visit. The incident, which upset the child’s family, prompted criticism on social media and led to a personal apology from the hotel to the family and hospice. The hotel cited a misunderstanding by a junior staff member as the cause…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Trump looking forward to Putin call today Trump looking forward to Putin call today as he etches closer to his promised peace deal. Washington’s policy towards Moscow has shifted significantly since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, marked by renewed peace talks initiated by a call between Trump and Vladimir Putin. Upcoming discussions will include topics such as “dividing up” land and power assets, with Trump stating that “many elements” have been…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Teen planned on killing at least 30 school children Teen planned on killing at least 30 school children in Luton to be remembered as vigilante serial killer Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his mother, sister, and brother in Luton, UK, and planned a school shooting targeting at least 30 children, according to court details The prosecutor described his actions as cold and premeditated, highlighting extensive research into mass shootings globally to achieve notoriety…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Twelve dead including musician after plane crash in Honduras A plane crash near Roatan Island has claimed the lives of 12 individuals, including acclaimed Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez, shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, operated by Lanhsa, was en route to La Ceiba with 14 passengers and three crew members; five survivors have been reported. Rescue operations have been hindered by adverse conditions, with emergency services on-site and hospitals prepared to care for…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Government credit cards used as personal piggy banks Government credit cards used as personal piggy banks Thousands of government credit cards are being cancelled because some of the expenditure is “not justified”, a cabinet minister has said. Appearing on Sky News’ Breakfast with Pat McFadden was asked if the crackdown on government procurement cards (GPCs) was because civil servants are “fiddling their expenses”. He said he would “not use that phrase”, but…

Read More

Cliff Notes – King and Queen set to meet Pope next month State Visit Confirmed: King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s state visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis is scheduled for early April, despite the Pope’s ongoing health challenges. Significant Milestones: The King will become the first British monarch to visit the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and will address both houses of Italy’s parliament during this visit. Commencement of…

Read More

Cliff Notes A British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, were detained by the Taliban on February 1 and have now been transferred to a maximum-security prison in Kabul amid concerns for their wellbeing. Their family reports that Mr Reynolds, aged 79, is in “urgent” need of medical treatment for multiple health issues, with both individuals being separated while held without charges. The family criticises the detention as “cruel and unjust,” calling for their immediate release…

Read More

Cliff Notes James Lee Williams, known as “The Vivienne,” passed away at the age of 32 from a cardiac arrest linked to ketamine usage, as confirmed by their family. Williams’ manager highlighted the need for increased awareness about the dangers of ketamine, particularly among young people, and is collaborating with addiction services to address this issue. The UK is witnessing a concerning rise in ketamine use, with nearly 300,000 reported users aged 16 to 59,…

Read More

Cliff Notes Arda Kardzhali mistakenly held a minute’s silence for former player Petko Ganchev, believing he had died. The club later issued an apology on social media after confirming Ganchev was alive, retracting the erroneous information. The match against Levski Sofia ended in a 1-1 draw, placing Arda fifth in the league with hopes of qualifying for European football. Bulgarian football club Arda Kardzhali apologise after holding minute’s silence for former player who is still…

Read More