Author: UK News

Elianne’s life mattered … her legacy will live on According to the Daily Mirror, Elianne’s parents said they are “crippled with pain” but vowed to honour her memory by campaigning against knife crime and ensuring her legacy lives on. The death of TV Star Paul Danan makes the front page as does the latest from Strictly.

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No Israel vote on deal ‘until Hamas agrees to all terms’ The Guardian warns that Israel will not vote on a ceasefire deal with Hamas until all terms are agreed upon. This delay, the paper says, has raised fears that disputes or hardliners could scuttle the agreement before it takes effect on Sunday.   A tribute to American director David Lynch who has died at the age of 78 makes the front page.

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Justice is done but our hearts are broken Metro leads with the heartbreak expressed by the family of 15-year-old Elianne Andam after her killer, Hassan Sentamu, 18, was convicted of her murder. The paper describes Sentamu’s visible distress during the verdict, noting he clutched a stress ball, wiped away tears, and refused to sit down in the dock.

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Looser loan rules could get economy on the move The Times reports that first-time home buyers may find it easier to enter the housing market due to proposed reforms in the mortgage market. Regulators are considering loosening loan rules to make homeownership more accessible. Donald Trump’s portrait is pictured on the front splash ahead of his return to the White House.

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Friday’s newspapers lead with various domestic and international stories. There is front-page coverage of the sentencing of Hassan Sentamu, the 18-year-old convicted of murdering Elianne Andam in a knife attack in London. Labour’s grooming gangs inquiry, the ceasefire negotiations in the Israel-Gaza war and tributes are paid to the film director David Lynch, who has died at the age of 78. 

The back pages lead with Manchester United’s late 3-1 win over Southampton in last night’s Premier League match.

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She was stabbed nine times with the attack filmed and shared on social media Gang of youths who punched and stabbed transgender teen in attack planned on Snapchat jailed  A gang of youths who stabbed, punched and kicked a teenager in a transphobic attack after luring her to Harrow Leisure Centre under the pretence of going to a roller disco have been jailed. The 18-year-old transgender victim was stabbed nine times after she was dragged to the floor by the mask-wearing gang and was subjected to transphobic slurs. The act was organised as revenge after one of her attackers was…

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Her killer Hassan Sentamu had a history of violence towards girls after putting two in a headlock Elianne Andam’s father says killer’s conviction is a ‘message’ violence against women ‘will not go unanswered’ The father of schoolgirl Elianne Andam who was murdered in a row over a teddy bear said the conviction of her killer is a “message” that violence against young women “will not go unanswered”. Elianne’s father Michael Andam, speaking outside the Old Bailey following the conviction of Hassan Sentamu on Thursday, said: “The verdict today is the first step towards justice for Elianne, but also a message…

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Heathrow jubilant as ministers back down on plans to require visa from every passenger changing planes at Britain’s busiest airport Government reverses new visa requirement for Heathrow transit passengers London Heathrow airport has welcomed a Home Office U-turn on transit passengers needing online ETA permits simply to change planes. Since earlier this month, all non-Europeans intending to travel to Britain without a visa have needed to apply in advance online and pay £10 for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Unlike almost all hub airports worldwide, the permit was deemed necessary even for passengers who were changing planes at Heathrow with…

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Teenager Cameron Finnigan encouraged a girl online to film her suicide so he could share it with a satanist group he had joined Teenager in neo-Nazi satanist group jailed for encouraging suicide online  A 19-year-old who was part of a neo-Nazi satanist group has been jailed for six years for encouraging girls to die by suicide and self-harm, as well as possession of a document for terrorist purposes. Teenager Cameron Finnigan was found guilty of five charges, including telling one girl to kill herself “for me” on video so he could share it online with a satanist extremist group known…

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Kiena Dawes had left a suicide note which read: ‘I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me.’ ‘Monster’ who abused partner Kiena Dawes for years and threatened to drill out her teeth jailed An abusive boyfriend who subjected his vulnerable partner to two years of assault and domestic abuse has been jailed, after being cleared of her manslaughter earlier this week. Ryan Wellings, 30, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison but was cleared of the unlawful killing of Kiena Dawes, who left a suicide note calling her partner a “monster” who had “killed me”. Wellings was seen smiling as he…

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The Conservative Party leader has been called on to ‘urgently clarify’ what she meant in an LBC interview Kemi Badenoch in row over pension triple-lock interview question Kemi Badenoch has come under fire after she was asked whether the Conservative Party would look at the triple-lock pension system in a radio interview. The leader of the opposition was asked on LBC on Thursday evening about how certain people benefit from the triple-lock when, the caller claimed, they do not need it. The current system ensures state pensions rise by whichever is highest out of the rate of inflation, average earnings…

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The exact location of most of these small chips remains a mystery Search for 30 missing fragments from ancient Stone of Destiny after Westminster Abbey heist A search is underway for more than 30 fragments of the ancient Stone of Destiny after they separated from the ancient artefact following its famous theft from Westminster Abbey and secret repair. The exact location of most of these small chips remains a mystery as they have been passed down through families or are in private collections. Professor Sally Foster has been painstakingly collating the history of as many of the pieces as possible,…

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Rising temperatures could see more pests introduced on increasingly tropical plants Snakes and spiders slipping into country in flowers and plants Spiders, insects, fungi and agricultural pests are being imported into the UK and northern Europe in cut flowers and other ornamental plants. Snakes and lizards are also slipping unnoticed into northern Europe in vast shipments of flowers and potted plants, researchers have warned. Continental European snakes, geckos and Italian wall lizards are among the animals making their way to the region in potted olive trees destined for gardens and green space, according to the study published on Friday in…

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The Rail Accident Investigation Branch spoke about the risk of reduced attention due to the automation of Tube trains London Underground passenger who fell on Tube tracks was run over by four trains after going unnoticed A passenger who fell onto the London Underground tracks and went unnoticed was repeatedly run over by four Tube trains, a report has revealed. The incident occurred on Boxing Day in 2023 at Stratford station, with the passenger fatally injured after they were unable to reach a position of safety. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said that the incident had unfolded after the individual…

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The crash with Staffordshire Police’s unmarked Skoda Octavia happened in early December Elderly woman dies on Christmas Day following crash with unmarked police car  A police force has referred itself to a watchdog after a pensioner died following a crash with an unmarked police car in Stoke-on-Trent. A red Nissan Micra was in a collision with the unmarked Skoda Octavia, driven by Staffordshire Police, shortly after 3.50pm on Thursday 5 December. The police car was using its blue lights at the time. The driver of the Nissan, who was a woman in her eighties, was taken to hospital following the…

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Labour said it will ‘re-consult’ on the Conservative plans, but the government is looking to find the same savings High Court rules disability benefit reforms plan as unlawful – but Labour remains committed to cuts  The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation into plans to cut billions in disability benefits has been ruled unlawful by the High Court for being “unfair and misleading”. The planned changes, focused on an overhaul of the work capability assessment (WCA), would have seen nearly half a million claimants worse off by as much as £416.19 a month. Although drawn up by the previous…

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Watchdog investigating allegations against Jason Hogg over ‘inadequate’ probe around sensitive police information retention Thames Valley Police chief constable suspended over gross misconduct claims  The chief constable of Thames Valley Police has been suspended from duty amid an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct. Police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, said Jason Hogg’s suspension would take effect immediately. The police watchdog, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), is investigating the allegations. It’s claimed Mr Hogg failed to adequately investigate allegations relating to the improper retention of sensitive police information, Mr Barber said. He said the matters…

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Home secretary announces a number of local grooming gang inquiries and a ‘rapid national review’ to consider causes of crime Labour bows to pressure to announce new grooming gang inquiries  Yvette Cooper has announced a “rapid national audit” into the scale and nature of grooming gangs across the country amid growing calls from MPs for a new inquiry. The home secretary also pledged five new local inquiries backed by government funding in a statement to the Commons on Thursday. The “no holds barred” rapid review, which will report within three months, will be led by crossbench peer Louise Casey and…

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Keir Starmer has made his first trip to Kyiv as UK prime minister to offer long-term support to Ukraine which could see British troops brought in as peacekeepers Starmer considers UK troops in Ukraine in peacekeeper role as he meets Zelensky in Kyiv Sir Keir Starmer is considering plans to send British troops into Ukraine to act as peacekeepers in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The development came during the prime minister’s first trip to Ukraine since he took power six months ago, which included a meeting with president Volodymyr Zelensky. The trip saw the prime minister seizing…

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These are London deals you won’t want to miss Looking for 10 things to do in London? Luckily, there’s lots to do in this city for cheap! At least… There is now. Metro has teamed up with Time Out to bring you the best deals across the capital. Every Friday, 10 new deals will drop, available in the Metro newspaper, on Metro.co.uk, and on our socials. You’ll also find them in our weekly London newsletter, The Slice, in your inbox every Wednesday. This week, London’s serving up more than just the usual hustle and bustle. Coco di Mama’s got three specialty coffees for the…

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Basic facts Trending – Israel and Hamas announce truce  The ongoing truce talks between Israel and Hamas trend globally today. Many of the UK newspapers are leading with the news that the truce is all but finalised – but on websites, there appears to be a delay in the confirmation of an official ceasefire with Israel saying Hamas has ‘reneged’ on ‘parts of the deal.’  The media picks up on reactions from on the ground in both Gaza and those waiting for the hostages to be returned as well as the reactions from world leaders including the US president.  There…

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Hope of end to ‘dark chapter’ with Israel-Hamas ceasefire The Guardian leads with a sense of cautious relief, showcasing jubilant crowds in Gaza, with some making peace signs. One Palestinian describes it as the best day of his life, noting that his neighbourhood is filled with tears of joy. However, the paper also emphasises the exhaustion and disbelief among Palestinians, suggesting many remain doubtful the war will truly end. Celebrations in Deir al-Balah, captured in powerful images, dominate the front page.

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A double injustice The Metro leads on Andrew Malkinson who spent 17 years behind bars for a rape he did not commit. The paper says he has still not received compensation. Helen Pitcher, the head of the Criminal Cases Review Commission “which twice refused his bid to appeal” his conviction, resigned on Tuesday. Malkinson said that decision had made him “feel vindicated”, the paper reports. A tribute to Linda Nolan features on the front page.

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Historic Gaza breakthrough – Ceasefire! The front page of The Independent is dedicated to news of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The paper says both sides have agreed to stop 15 months of fighting and release the hostages. Donald Trump declares: “They’ll be released shortly.”

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