Author: UK News

Festive season more critical than ever for independent firms For key industries, the last three months of the calendar year are known as the “golden quarter” for a reason. Besides the obvious pleasures of catching up with friends and treating loved ones, these weeks are critical for many independent businesses. The profits made between now and the end of December will tide them over in the quieter months of January and February. December takings can make the difference between keeping the doors of an independent business open or not. That is particularly true for shops, bars and restaurants, many of…

Monday’s front pages lead with several domestic and international stories.

Ongoing backlash over the October Budget dominates a handful of front pages with several reporting on the ‘tax raid’ whilst others preview a speech by the chancellor in which she will say she had no choice other than raising taxes.

Several papers look ahead to Friday’s assisted dying vote in the Commons. The Cabinet appears to be split over the vote – but many of the papers are not.

Images of Storm Bert feature on many front pages as streets flood in the UK and at least five people died.

The weekend’s Premier League action dominates the back pages.

Family of Briton, 18, facing jail in Dubai over holiday romance say they are all living a ‘nightmare’ The family of a young British man facing a 20-year jail sentence in Dubai over a holiday romance have warned that his mental health is declining and they are all living in a “nightmare”. Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from Tottenham in north London, was on holiday with his parents when he met a 17-year-old girl who has since turned 18. Campaign group Detained in Dubai said that after having sex, the teenagers, who were staying at the same hotel, discussed carrying on…

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make spiking a drink a specific criminal offence as he demanded joint action from police and hospitality chiefs to crack down on violence against women and girls (VAWG). With Labour promising to halve VAWG in the next decade, the prime minister is calling chief constables, transport bosses and industry executives to Downing Street on Monday to urge a coordinated response to “bring the vile perpetrators to justice”.

Violence on social media making teenagers afraid to go out, study finds Quarter of teens who see violence online are being served clips via algorithms, survey in England and Wales finds and social media giants have no way of stopping it. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers are afraid to go out because of the violence they see on their social media feeds, a major study of children in England and Wales has found. One in four teenagers who see real-life violence, including fist fights, stabbings and gang clashes, online are being served the clips automatically by algorithmic recommendation features, according…

Nations meet as part of final bid to address global plastic crisis Negotiators gathered in Busan, South Korea, on Monday in a final push to create a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution.It is the fifth time the world’s nations convened to craft a legally binding plastic pollution accord.In addition to the national delegations, representatives from the plastics industry, scientists and environmentalists have come to shape how the world tackles the surging problem.“We must end plastic pollution before plastic pollution ends us,” Kim Wansup, South Korea’s minister of environment, said during the opening session.The planet is “choking…

One in seven A&E patients are repeat visitors with unmet needs, study finds Some patients across UK turning to A&Es five or more times a year due to unresolved medical issues, charity says One in seven A&E patients are repeat visitors with unmet medical needs who feel they have nowhere else to go, according to research that found most are over 70 with multiple conditions or under 50 with mental ill health. Less than 2% of the population account for almost 14% of all A&E attendances, the British Red Cross study suggests. Across the UK, patients are turning to emergency…

Rare 'danger to life' flood warning at Welsh border villages The ‘severe’ warning is in place for two places on the Welsh border https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/rare-danger-life-flood-warning-30441009

Tourism tax bill will be introduced at the Senedd today If passed local authorities across Wales will be able to bring in a visitor levy for guests at hotels, holiday cottages and other tourism accommodation https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tourism-tax-bill-introduced-senedd-30441866

Images show how scenic path was turned into death trap by flood waters and challenge faced by rescuers Normally scenic lane became treacherous as water spilt over from Afon Conwy https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/images-show-how-scenic-path-30441389

The UK has totalled five significant bomb scares this week, with separate incidents occurring in just 96 hours. A loud explosion heard near Euston station yesterday was the latest in a string of incidents across the UK which also included scares at the US Embassy, Gatwick Airport, Chester rail and bus stations, and Glasgow bus station. Passengers travelling through Euston – which is one of London’s busiest – were evacuated on Saturday afternoon while the Met Police carried out a ‘controlled explosion’ just after 12.40pm.  Thousands of travellers saw disruption at 8.20am on Friday morning, November 22, after a bomb scare…

The weekend is almost here and tens of thousands of Londoners are ready to make the most of it – despite the Arctic weather forecast. For many, it will involve travelling on the London Underground and the newly named Overground – maybe to a market in another borough or visiting friends. However, if you are planning to jump on the Tube this weekend, make sure to check out whether your line is affected by planned closures on the TfL network. Works will take place across the Elizabeth line, London Overground, some Tube lines, the DLR and the tram. Here is…

Unidentified drones spotted over three UK airbases, US air force confirms Unmanned aerial systems seen over RAF bases in Suffolk and Norfolk but US air force does not know if they were hostile A number of unidentified drones have been spotted over three airbases in Britain, the US air force has confirmed. “Small unmanned aerial systems” were seen between 20 and 22 November over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk. Continue reading… Unidentified drones spotted over three UK airbases, US air force confirms https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/23/unidentified-drones-spotted-over-three-uk-airbases-us-air-force-confirms

Russia ‘aggressive’ and ‘reckless’ in cyber realm and threat to Nato, UK minister to warn Pat McFadden will tell cyber summit that Russia ‘won’t think twice about targeting British businesses’ and danger to Nato must not be underestimated Russia is “exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm” and “no one should underestimate” the threat to Nato, a senior UK minister will warn in a speech on Monday. Pat McFadden, whose portfolio includes national security, will tell a Nato cybersecurity conference in London that Moscow “won’t think twice about targeting British businesses”, according to excerpts of his address released on…

South Wales Health and Care Awards 2024: GP practice finalists The ceremony at Rodney Parade will celebrate the health and care providers across South Wales, with the finalists having been announced. The finalists for the GP Practice of the Year Award, sponsored by Werndale Hospital, include Dr Farooq and partners at Pontllanfraith Health Centre, West Quay Medical Centre, and Beechwood Surgery in Newport. These practices were nominated for the high standard of care they provide, and the dedication of their staff. Dr Farooq and partners at Pontllanfraith Health Centre Dr Farooq and partners at Pontllanfraith Health Centre were praised for…

Trump depends on the EU and UK to act as peacemakers more than he thinks The US doesn’t need to spend more on Ukraine. Britain can bring funding to the table – and help Trump reboot alliances With Donald Trump the very meaning of words is up for negotiation. What does he really mean when he promises to “build a wall”? When he pledges to end the Russo-Ukrainian war in one day? His supporters say they don’t take him literally but seriously – but who decides what “serious” is? The very ambiguity can be part of Trump’s appeal. There’s something…

‘Do not travel’ warning as Storm Bert continues to cause disruption Forecasters have predicted as much as 40cm of snow on high grounds and winds of up to 70mph. Nearly all of Scotland is under a Met Office weather warning, including an amber snow and ice alert for parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Angus. An amber warning for snow has also been issued for the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Meanwhile, almost all of the country is under a yellow warning for snow and ice, and a wind warning has been issued across large swathes of…

Seven more arrests made over Bonfire Night trouble in Pollokshields Officers attended six addresses in Pollokshields, Darnley and Paisley as part of the investigations to carry out the arrests. Two men aged 19 and 24, a 39-year-old woman, two male youths aged 14 and a futher two aged 15 and 16 were all arrested and charged. Local officers were supported by specialist colleagues from Operation Moonbeam and alongside other emergency services, they faced challenges in Pollokshields as groups of youths targeted police officers, vehicles, and public property with missiles including fireworks. No officers were injured but a criminal investigation was…

Russia prepared to launch cyber attacks on UK, minister to warn Russia is prepared to launch a series of cyber attacks on Britain and other Nato members as it seeks to weaken support for Ukraine, a senior Cabinet minister will warn in a major speech next week. Moscow will “not think twice” about exploiting defence gaps to target UK businesses, and allies must “not underestimate” the threat it poses, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will say. Mr McFadden will also warn that cyber interference enables Russia to “turn the lights off for millions of people” and represents…

Mystery drones spotted over three US airbases in Britain Unidentified drones have been spotted over three US airbases in Britain, the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed. The sightings between 20 and 22 November were of a number of “small unmanned aerial systems” over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk. The USAF, which uses the bases, said it was unclear at this stage whether the drones were considered hostile. It also declined to comment on whether any defence mechanisms were used but said it retains “the right to protect” installations. A spokesperson for…

UK jobcentres not fit for purpose, says Liz Kendall ahead of major reforms The work and pensions secretary is to overhaul benefits system, pushing young people into work or education Britain’s network of jobcentres has become a hollowed-out “benefit administration service” that is shunned by employers and jobseekers alike, a cabinet minister has warned before a government overhaul of out-of-work support that will oblige young people to take up education or employment. In an interview with the Observer, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, warned that the nation’s 650 jobcentres are no longer “fit for purpose” and need to…

Ten fire crews battle campsite blaze that's closed a road Emergency services are currently on the scene of the blaze https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ten-fire-crews-battle-campsite-30438207

Man missing after going running with dog as flood waters rose during Storm Bert A major search has taken place but so far he has not been found https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/man-missing-after-going-running-30438577

A55 has been closed after crash Emergency services are attending the incident https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a55-closed-one-direction-after-30438718

A bus passenger has been left fighting for his life after he was attacked and robbed in south London. The victim, aged 40, was on the route 59 bus on Brixton Road on Thursday morning when he was violently attacked, the Metropolitan Police has said. No weapons were thought to have been used in the incident, but the man remains in critical condition. Nathan Grant, 39, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and theft. He will appear at the Old Bailey in December. The Metropolitan Police said: ‘The Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation following an incident involving…