Author: David Pike

Summary Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Policy and Governance Committee has reported an increase in work absences due to family-related stress. This trend highlights the need for employers to address and support employees dealing with personal challenges to maintain a healthy work-life balance and productivity levels. We have set up a Special Channel on X – Join in the conversation WTXNews Full News Report Antrim and Newtownabbey Council staff absence: the main causes and age…

Summary . The group had been given a deadline to vacate the land, but had not complied, leading to the council’s decision to pursue legal action. The allotmenteers were facing legal action from the council for failing to vacate the land as instructed. Despite being given a deadline, the group had not moved, prompting the council to take further steps to enforce their eviction. We have set up a Special Channel on X – Join…

Summary Former PM Thatcher wanted Dundee to be a smart watch manufacturing hub in 1983. Timex owner predicted revolutionary wrist computers. Plans never materialized. We have set up a Special Channel on X – Join in the conversation WTXNews Full News Report Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago By John Paul Breslin For The Scottish Daily Mail Published: 23:14, 7 May 2024 | Updated: 23:14, 7 May 2024 Former prime minister Margaret…

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts because we’re in for more storms next week The UK is set to bask in a ‘mini-heatwave’ this week, with temperatures rising to a high of 26C in parts of England this weekend. Glorious sunshine will stay for five consecutive days, the Met Office forecasts, peaking on Saturday with what could turn out to be the hottest day of the year so far. Senior operational meteorologist Amy Bokota said:…

Teacher accused of sex with children ‘told boy to shut up when he mentioned age’ A teacher accused of having sex with teenage boys laughed and said ‘Oh shut up!’ when one told him, ‘I’m not old enough’ to drive, a court heard. Rebecca Joynes, 30, made the comment about as she drove to her Manchester flat to have sex with a 15-year-old boy she picked up after school, Manchester Crown Court heard. The victim,…

Gatwick Airport terminal evacuated with fears of ‘inevitable’ flight delays London Gatwick’s South Terminal has been evacuated causing travel chaos for passengers departing from the airport. People were told to leave due to a ‘fire alarm’ this morning and this is expected to cause flight delays today. The evacuation may also impact train services running to and from the airport and the shuttle service to the North Terminal. Passengers on social media have reported chaotic…

Body found in park after search for missing teenager, 19 Tributes have poured in after a body was found in the search for missing Northumberland teenager Reagan Brown. The 19-year-old from Hexham was first reported missing from the Newcastle city centre on Monday, and family members said her disappearance was ‘extremely out of character’. Police divers and mountain rescue teams were seen in Leazes Park on Wednesday yesterday afternoon, where a body was discovered Although…

One of Britain’s most powerful men is about to pack it all in Nadhim Zahawi, a powerful Tory MP once seen as a future party leader, has apparently had enough. Zahawi said in a statement posted on X today he will not stand in the next general election. Having represented Stratford-on-Avon since 2010, he said today he ‘had come to feel that the time is right for a new, energetic Conservative to represent’ the West…

A man nicknamed ‘The Eunuch Maker’ who performed illegal castrations and livestreamed them on the dark web has been jailed for 22 years.

Thursday’s front pages focus on the defection of MP Natalie Elphickle from Conservatives to Labour – with neither the left-leaning or right-leaning newspapers particularly happy about the situation. 

For the left-leaning newspapers, controversial figure Natalie Elphickle has ‘split the Labour Party’ with several of the papers unhappy that Sir Keir welcomed her into the party. Natalie Elphickle is known for far-right views and had previously defended her convicted sex offender former husband. For the right-leaning newspapers, her defection is a betrayal, especially given the timing, with a general election around the corner. 

Several of Thursday’s newspapers carry photos of King Charles and Prince Harry who were both at London events yesterday in the sunshine. Harry is back in the UK for a three-day charity event. 

Elsewhere, away from the main leads, the UK front pages cover a variety of domestic news. 

The back pages cover last night’s Champions League final as Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 2-1 (4-3 agg), and the controversial late equaliser that was ruled out for Bayern. Real Madrid will meet Borussia Dortmund in London for the final. 

The government’s strategy, released recently, outlines intentions to collaborate with industry and state leaders to boost fossil fuel production and exploration.

Summary The Olympic flame arrived in Marseille on a ship for a welcoming ceremony, kicking off an 11-week journey across France with 10,000 torchbearers passing through 450 towns. Former French football player Basile Boli launched the first relay, with other athletes and celebrities also participating. Participants ran through Marseille’s iconic locations to bring the torch to the Stade Velodrome, drawing over 230,000 spectators. Residents expressed excitement and gratitude for the event, with the city set…

Summary Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledges the challenges in dealing with Beijing, as UK-China relations sour. Concerns raised about Chinese hacking and investment in UK energy infrastructure, prompting national security scrutiny. Well that is the official statement however, behind the scenes the government is working on new trade deals in return for more cordial trading arrangements. Another thorn in the PM’s side is Tory MP questions PM on Chinese involvement in UK energy projects, citing…

The Senedd’s ( Welsh Parliament) presiding officer, Elin Jones, has given a fairly damning review of the Welsh House of Commons (Llywydd – House Speaker) where she works. She replied that she did, despite the challenges, and highlighted the importance of representing her constituents. Jones emphasized the need for politicians to be accessible and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. She also discussed the impact of social media on communication with constituents.…

Here’s when it could be the hottest day of the year – but will it last? This weekend may see the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures hitting as high as 26°C on Saturday. This rises well above the hottest temperature recorded this year so far, with Santon Downham Suffolk seeing 23.4°C on Thursday. The Met Office said high pressure will push north and bring warmer and drier weather following heavy rain…

Woman who caused cyclist to fall into oncoming car has manslaughter conviction overturned A woman who shouted and waved at a cyclist causing her to fall into the path of an oncoming car, has had her manslaughter conviction overturned. Auriol Grey, 49, was caught on CCTV shouting and waving her arm aggressively at Celia Ward, 77, as she approached on her bicycle in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in October 2020. Moments later Ms Ward veered off the…

Mountaineer Akke Raham has already made history, in 2020 he became the first British Muslim to scale Mount Everest, and now he’s set his eyes on another groundbreaking challenge. 

Wednesday’s front pages cover a variety of stories with no one story dominating the news cycle this morning. 

For some of the papers, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East leads the front pages, as Israel defies Western orders and invades Rafah – where more than 1 million people are sheltering. 

Some papers find space for the story that the Garrick Club has voted to allow women to join. Other domestic stories include pubs will be allowed to stay open later if England reach the semis of the upcoming Euros and the UK’s plans to keep children safe online. 

Summary A futuristic mural of high performance cars painted by artist Dan Kitchener adorns the HOPE building in Belfast city centre. Commissioned by Crown Jesus Ministries, the mural aims to bring joy and brightness to the city, funded by donations from the local community. The mural, chosen to inspire positivity and prosperity, has received positive feedback from passersby. The project reflects a desire to revitalize the area and share happiness without religious overtones, promoting a…

Summary John Swinney expressed his ambition to become Scotland’s first minister, emphasizing a better future for the country. He won majority support in the final vote. Swinney highlighted his belief in Scottish self-government and paid tribute to his predecessor, Humza Yousaf. His family watched the parliamentary process as he secured the majority needed to become first minister. We have set up a Special Channel on X – Join in the conversation WTXNews Full News Report…

Two mothers are organizing a fundraising event for cancer, to support parents facing similar challenges, aiming to raise thousands for their causes. Two mums both want to help parents going through similar experiences and are staging a big event to raise thousands for their causes Both mums lost their children to tragic battles with cancer and having experienced first hand what is needed, they aim to help other parents in the same predicament. Funding life…

Two police officers injured after being chased down street with a chainsaw A man has been arrested after two police officers were injured in a chainsaw attack. People in the town of Paisley, just outside Glasgow, were told to stay in their homes on Monday afternoon. One resident filmed a man running down the street holding the power tool, apparently chasing the cops. They were later treated for injuries by paramedics at the scene in…

Warm weather is finally here (but get set for a washout summer) After a damp Bank Holiday Monday and a dismal April, warmer weather is finally here. Well for now, anyway. Forecasters are predicting a week of warm, dry weather with highs of 24°C in some parts of the UK by the weekend. And the Met Office said its long-range outlook for the months ahead suggest it’s going to be warmer than usual. It’s prompted…

Court hears horrific new details of ‘sword attack’ that left Daniel Anjorin dead An alleged sword attacker appeared at the Old Bailey today accused of murdering a 14-year-old boy as he walked to school. Marcus Arduini Monzo allegedly ran up behind Daniel Anjorin and slashed him in the neck and chest as the youngster was walking to school. Monzo, 36, also allegedly injured four other people – including two police officers – during five separate…

Summary London mayor Sadiq Khan will begin his third term by focusing on making London the best city for young people to grow up in. He won a historic third term with a significant majority over his Conservative rival and plans to provide free skills training, create new jobs, and improve opportunities for young Londoners. Khan’s agenda includes making free school meals permanent, funding youth clubs, freezing Transport for London fares, ending rough sleeping, building…