Author: UK News

Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh Slams Slow Roll-Out of Digital Connectivity in Rural Areas In a fiery exchange during Science, Innovation and Technology questions in Parliament today, Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh took aim at the slow roll-out of digital connectivity to rural areas of Britain. Standing in the House of Commons, the Gainsborough MP questioned Minister of State Julia Lopez on the progress of delivering better connections to people living in the countryside. “Why should people living in rural areas be second-class citizens when it comes to mobile phone coverage?” Sir Edward demanded. In response, Ms Lopez acknowledged the…

In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, authorities are also turning their attention to a different kind of conflict – the battle against vaping among children. As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to dominate headlines, health officials are sounding the alarm on the growing popularity of vaping among young people. In an effort to combat this trend, there will be a crackdown on vapes to make them less appealing to children. According to recent studies, the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers has reached epidemic levels, with many young people becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping. Health experts warn…

Shannon Matthews’ kidnapper Michael Donovan dies from cancer The kidnapper who conspired to snatch schoolgirl Shannon Matthews as part of a fake abduction plot has died of cancer. Mick Donovan, 54, held Shannon captive in his flat for 24 days after hatching a bogus ransom plot with her mother back in 2008. The pair cooked up the kidnapping hoax in an attempt to claim a £50,000 reward for her return, and even tried to extort money from the Find Madeline Mcann Fund. They were eventually rumbled after Shannon, then nine, was found tied-up and heavily drugged in a drawer underneath…

Why was ‘Britain’s strictest school’ allowed to ban Muslim prayer? A High Court judge has ruled that a prayer ban at one of Britain’s best performing state schools is “not unlawful”, following accusations of religious discrimination and intense controversy. An unnamed Muslim pupil bought the case last year, claiming it “uniquely” impacted her Muslim faith. Judge Linden ruled that the pupil had signed up to the school knowing its unique policy on prayer. He also found the suspension of the pupil was justified, as the pupil had been “extremely rude and defiant”, according to one teacher at the school’s account. …

UK inflation falls as meat and crumpet prices drop Food prices have dropped on items such as meat, crumpets and chocolate biscuits helping to drive down inflation to its lowest level in two-and-a-half years.  Official figures show rate consumer prices fell to 3.2% in the year to March, down from 3.4% the month before. Inflation has been falling gradually since it peaked at 11.1% in late 2022. However, lower inflation does not mean prices overall are coming down, they are just rising less quickly. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the price rises seen across most types of…

The courtroom was filled with tension as the trial of Ahmed Alid, a Moroccan asylum seeker accused of murder and attempted murder, unfolded in Teesside Crown Court. The shocking details of the case were revealed, including a harrowing incident at Middlesbrough Police Station where a panic button failed to work during a violent altercation with two female detectives.

A massive fire has broken out at an Evri warehouse in Bristol, sending thick smoke billowing into the air and engulfing the entire building. The blaze, which started earlier today in Avonmouth, has also spread to a nearby car in the parking lot, creating a scene of chaos and destruction.

Proposed Mega-Resort Development in Balloch Faces Environmental Concerns and Opposition Plans for a massive resort development near the village of Balloch in West Dunbartonshire have sparked controversy and opposition from various groups, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer. The proposed development includes the construction of two hotels, 104 woodland lodges, a waterpark, and a monorail on a site that was previously a railway until 1986. However, SEPA has raised concerns about the flood risk at the site where the lodges are planned to be built, stating that the developers need to address this…

In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, a new housing development in Rhondda is set to become the first in the area to feature A-rated energy performance properties. This achievement is thanks to the implementation of a cutting-edge non-fossil fuel heating system. The development, located in the heart of Rhondda, is poised to set a new standard for eco-friendly living in the region. The non-fossil fuel heating system not only reduces the carbon footprint of the properties but also promises significant cost savings for residents in the long run. Local residents and environmental activists alike have praised the initiative, highlighting the…

Pupil loses High Court bid to overturn prayer ban at ‘Britain’s Strictest School’ A Muslim pupil has lost a High Court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at a high-achieving north London school previously dubbed Britain’s strictest. The student, who cannot be named, took legal action against Michaela Community School in Brent, claiming the policy was discriminatory and ‘uniquely’ affected her faith due to its ritualised nature. She argued the school’s stance on prayer – one of the five pillars of Islam – unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was ‘the kind of discrimination which makes religious…

Theft victim told he can’t have £4,000,000 scratchcard bought with stolen card A man whose stolen debit card was used to buy a winning £4,000,000 scratch card hopes he might have a right to some of the cash. Joshua Addyman’s card was taken by career criminals Jon-Ross Watson and Mark Goodram while they were on a stealing spree in London in 2019. Goodram had seen Joshua use the card and wrote the details of the card on his hand. Soon after, the pair, from Bolton, spent around £180 of Josh’s money, which included buying the winning Red scratchcard.

Inside the London Underground’s hidden tunnels where you can spy on commuters This major London underground station has a catacomb of tunnels deep under street level where explorers can get a glimpse of unsuspecting passersby. The ghostly platforms that once served the capital’s trains have been long abandoned, but they were opened again in 2022 by the London Transport Museum. Train fanatics can tour the haunted ancient passages, which still remain wholly intact, with a ‘time capsule of historic posters, signage and vintage tiles’ on display.

Huge chunk of UK to be hit by winds up to 55mph for 15 hours After a wet and windy start to 2024, we can finally expect a turn of drier weather, forecasters have said… but still pretty windy. Very windy, actually. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for today that covers nearly all of England and the entirety of Wales and Northern Ireland. The coast is set to be lashed by strong winds until 10pm, with winds as high as 55mph. However, the national weather service says the winds will steadily ease later today. Inland will see…

Girl, 4, dies after being hit by car on city centre street A four-year-old girl has died after a car crashed into her. Two other women were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a silver Corsa hit people on Upper Highgate Street in Birmingham at 9.45pm yesterday. A second child was assessed by ambulance crews at the scene but did not require further treatment. West Midlands Police confirmed two men, aged 21 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Many of Tuesday’s front pages cover the rising tensions between Israel and Iran. It comes after Iran launched an estimated 300 drone and missile strikes towards Israel overnight on Saturday, saying the attack was a response to an earlier strike on its consulate in Syria.

Most of the papers’ front pages feature images of Donald Trump in court – attending the first day of one of his four criminal cases. The former US president is set to be the Republican nomination for the upcoming US presidential election.

The date has been set for the court hearing regarding the tragic death of Antony Gerald Derwen in Gwersyllt. The 42-year-old man was found dead in his home on a quiet street in the small Welsh village, sending shockwaves through the community. Authorities have been investigating the circumstances surrounding Derwen’s death, and now a court date has been scheduled to further delve into the details of the case. The hearing is set to take place on [insert date], where more information is expected to be revealed. Neighbors and friends of Derwen have been left reeling from the news of his…

During a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, presenter Nick Robinson faced backlash for his comments regarding Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend. The interview, which featured former UK Prime Minister David Cameron discussing the escalating tensions in the Middle East, quickly turned heated as Robinson pressed Cameron for his thoughts on the situation. Robinson’s line of questioning appeared to suggest that Israel may have provoked the attack from Iran, leading to criticism from listeners who accused him of bias and insensitivity towards the Israeli government. Many took to social media to express their outrage, with some…

Luxury items worth a staggering £1 million were stolen from two separate homes in the North East of England, sparking a high-profile investigation by law enforcement agencies. The targeted properties,of footballers, located in Jesmond and Sunderland, were stripped of cash, expensive clothes, and jewellery, knowing the homes would have been empty played a massive advantage. This launched one of the most intense investigations of our time, for theft, with the police under serious pressure to get results. The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) played a pivotal role in the recovery efforts, showcasing their commitment to combating criminal activities…

HM Queen Elizabeth II final meeting with Prime Minister Truss just two days before her death has been revealed to the public, shedding light on the monarch’s wisdom and insight. Truss, who became the leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister shortly before the Queen’s passing, shared details of their conversation in a recent interview. Truss described the Queen as “extremely wise” and “on the ball,” noting that they discussed various pressing issues during their meeting. The former prime minister also expressed her shock and disbelief upon learning of Elizabeth’s death so early into her premiership, reflecting on the…

Downing Street’s annual Eid celebration will be boycotted by some Conservative politicians and business and charity leaders over the government’s support of Israel. The annual event, held by PM Rishi Sunak, will take place in Downing Street on Monday. A government spokesperson said it understood humanitarian concerns regarding Gaza.

The popularity of Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has taken a significant hit among his party’s voters, according to a new poll conducted by research body Norstat. The study, which surveyed 1,086 Scots for the Sunday Times, revealed that Yousaf’s net popularity score plummeted to -7% among SNP voters who participated in the 2019 general election. This marks a stark contrast to his positive 14% approval rating in January.

Olivia Patterson, a brave six-year-old girl from Riccall, North Yorkshire, is being hailed as a hero after she saved her family from a devastating house fire. The young girl was playing outside with a friend when she noticed smoke coming from her family’s semi-detached home.

Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has penned a thought-provoking piece for WalesOnline, highlighting the challenges facing the nation as the Senedd prepares to return from its Easter break with a new First Minister at the helm. In his article, ap Iorwerth emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration in tackling the pressing issues that Wales is currently facing. He stresses the need for a strong and decisive leader who can navigate the complexities of governing in a post-pandemic world. The Plaid leader also calls for a renewed focus on rebuilding the economy, investing in healthcare and education, and addressing the…

Sunday’s papers feature various news topics, with most papers already going to print before Iran attacked Israel. Elsewhere, many of the papers feature images from the Australian stabbing attack at a shopping mall which left 6 people – five women and a man – dead and many injured – including a baby. Joel Cauchi, 40, was shot dead by a lone police officer who bravely approached the man. His attack is not thought to be terror-related and it’s been reported that he was known to police. 

Communities Against Woodsmoke, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting clean air and healthy living environments, is celebrating a recent victory in the fight against air pollution. The group has welcomed new legislation that bans the installation of polluting heating systems, such as wood-burning stoves, in new-build homes. The move comes as part of a wider effort to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality in Scotland. Wood-burning stoves have long been a source of concern for environmentalists, as they release harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. The ban on wood-burning stoves in new-build homes…