Author: UK News

  THE root-and-branch examination into finding cures for Gaelic Football’s alleged ailments reaches its moment of truth at the Special Congress in Croke Park on Saturday. Headed-up by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, the Football Review Committee conducted a forensic and thorough investigation of the laws of the game, consulted with stakeholders, played trials and invited the public to have their say before they tabled a list of measures they feel will clean up the sport and make it a more interesting spectacle. Gaelic Football has changed dramatically over the last two decades and some of the proposals – such…

UK Daily Trending stories Trending – Chancellor defends tax rises and promises there won’t be any more  Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been braided ‘defiant’ this morning after she defended her October Budget that businesses are still complaining about. Speaking at the CBI annual conference yesterday she told sceptical corporate leaders she had no alternative to the £40bn increase in taxes. Despite backlash from business leaders, who claim the budget means it will be harder for them to hire new staff and has also made Britain less attractive to invest it, the chancellor doubled down on her fiscal choices, telling the conference…

Tory Mayor invites Trump to official UK visit  Mayor Ben Houchen has sent an open letter to incoming US president Donald Trump, congratulating him on his election victory and inviting him to visit North East England.  The Tees Valley mayor’s invitation comes as the prime minister faces backlash for failing to formally invite the president-elect to visit the UK.  Those around Trump aren’t fans of Britain, but the soon-to-be president is – much more than his predecessor Joe Biden anyway. He also tells Elon Musk Tees Valley is open for business – in a bit of a beggy and desperate…

Don’t expect Budget rethink, Rachel Reeves implies Rachel Reeves has implied she won’t rethink her Budget measures in the wake of backlash from business, saying: “We’ve made our decisions.” The Chancellor appeared at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)’s annual conference on Monday in a fireside chat with Keith Anderson, the chief executive of Scottish Power. She was asked by ITV about the “unintended consequences” of her fiscal event, and whether she would “rethink any of the measures that you’ve announced?” Reeves said: “It’s really important that the sums add up, and I’m determined to be the Chancellor that puts…

Rachel Reeves accused of making Britain uninvestable as she insists there is no alternative to tax hikes Rachel Reeves has been accused by business chiefs of making it hard to invest in Britain, prompting her to insist there was no alternative. Directly facing her critics at the CBI conference after weeks of negativity about her autumn Budget, a defensive chancellor pledged that businesses in the UK will not have to suffer another one like it before the next election. Squaring up to her detractors, she told them: “I have heard a lot of feedback about my Budget but not any alternative suggestions.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rachel-reeves-business-taxes-cbi-b2653379.html

More flooding is likely this week after Storm Bert brought torrential rain over the weekend, the environment secretary has said.

More than 140 flood warnings remain in place across England, Wales and Scotland as the after-effects of Storm Bert are felt. More rain is expected to fall today.

Politics leads the way in the media today – in print and online – as the prime minister makes pledges to get more people back into work with reforms to overhaul job centres and more mental health funding. Some of Britain’s biggest cultural and sporting institutions such as the Premier League and the Royal Shakespeare Company will hire teenagers to teach them skills in a drive to get young people into work or education.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her budget yesterday as businesses continued to complain. The chancellor dismissed business warnings that tax rises in the budget will make it harder to hire more people. Reeves has promised that there will be no more rises during this government’s term.

Dry for many today with sunny spells. However, scattered showers will push across Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as some coastlines of England and Wales. Turning cloudier in the southwest later. Tonight: A band of rain will move into the southwest this evening, pushing across Wales and southern England overnight with brisk winds. Drier in the north with a patchy frost.

What’s the front page of Western Mail? The front page of the Western Mail leads with an image of the aftermath of Storm Bert. The paper says a landslide caused by heavy rainfall, described as a “coal tip wash-out,” has left significant damage. There is growing anger over inadequate weather warnings as the cleanup begins.The paper’s lead story reports visitors to Wales may soon face a tourist tax of £1.25 per night, aimed at supporting local tourism and infrastructure. The proposal includes all types of accommodation, such as hotels and campsites.A policy related to planting trees on farmland has been reversed,…

What’s on the front page of The Irish Times? The front page of The Irish News leads with a union flag controversy. The paper says delays in removing union flags in Castlederg, County Tyrone, are because of a “lack of machinery.” This comes amid tensions and threats of boycotting businesses over the emblems.A bust of Mary Ann McCracken, a prominent historic figure, has been stolen from a plinth in North Belfast. The theft has sparked disappointment and calls for its return.Elsewhere, a County Down farmer has been sentenced for allowing a cannabis factory to operate on his land, leading to significant…

What’s on the front page of The National? The main story leading The National this morning Scottish Labour is accused of “hypocrisy on stilts” for planning to push for a vote on reinstating the Winter Fuel Payment, despite previously opposing SNP efforts to protect it.Elsewhere, the front page reports on the prime minister dismissing a petition calling for a new general election.  There is optimism about the economic boost from a new obstacle course launched at the Kelpies, as per a Scottish Canals executive.A Scottish firm has called for the UK Government to provide clearer guidance regarding new EU regulations, labelling the…

What’s on the front page of the Metro? The Metro leads on another pledge from the prime minister, this one regarding his promise to make spiking a specific criminal offence, so when it’s reported the police will “take cases more seriously.” The PM says venue staff would get training, with a pilot scheme starting before Christmas, followed by a UK roll-out from March, the paper notes. Elsewhere, the front page reports on Elton John who has lost sight in one eye putting his music plans on hold. What’s on the front page of the Metro?  The Metro leads on another…

What’s on the front page of The Guardian? The Guardian says teenagers will get skills training at the Premier League, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel Four as part of a government drive to get hundreds of thousands into jobs or education. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the paper: “Almost 1 million young people are neither earning nor learning.”Donald Trump’s criminal court cases have been dropped the paper reports, saying the prosecutors ‘bowed’ to the reality they won’t be able to proceed to trial before Trump returns to office in January. Israel is reportedly close to signing a ceasefire deal…

What’s on the front page of The Independent? The Independent reports that the CBI boss has said the chancellor’s measures will make it harder for firms to ‘take a chance’ on hiring new people. The paper says a CEO food giant has accused the chancellor of making Britain ‘uninvestable’. The front page features a large image of the former British soldier captured by Russian forces. He had joined a Ukriane combat unit. He is pictured on the front page holding a jumper with a union flag knitted on it.Two Britons are among 16 people missing after a tourist boat sank in the Red…

Tuesday’s headlines report on a mix of domestic news and politics. Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a speech to business leaders yesterday in which she promised no more tax rises amid backlash over her October Budget. By 2026, the public can expect to endure more public spending cuts.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed he will not leave young people behind in his bid to get more people into work. The Premier League and other cultural and sporting institutions in Britain have joined the government scheme to get the jobless back into work or education.

Only a handful of front pages have any meaningful coverage of international news, with the capture of a British soldier by Russia covered on one and reports Israel and Lebanon are edging closer to a ceasefire on another.

How the far right is weaponising AI-generated content in Europe Experts say fake images raising fears around issues such as immigration have proliferated since EU elections From fake images designed to cause fears of an immigrant “invasion” to other demonisation campaigns targeted at leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, far-right parties and activists across western Europe are at the forefront of the political weaponisation of generative artificial intelligence technology. This year’s European parliamentary elections were the launchpad for a rollout of AI-generated campaigning by the European far right, experts say, which has continued to proliferate since. Continue reading… How the far…

Home-grown coffee chain Bob & Berts has reported a record £21.5 million turnover in its latest financial year, following the opening of four new stores.The business, which established its first coffee shop in Portstewart in 2013, opened its 30th site during the year to June 30 2024.The latest accounts for the coffee chain, published on Companies House, show its turnover increased by 9.75% in the past year.The group narrowed its losses in the 2023/24 trading period, but still ended the year with a pre-tax loss of just under £395,000.Bob & Berts said the loss was due to a combination of…

President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.The tariffs, if implemented, could dramatically raise prices on everything from gas to automobiles.The US is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada as its top three suppliers, according to the most recent Census data.Mr Trump made the threats in a pair of posts on his Truth Social site Monday evening in which he railed against an influx of illegal migrants,…

Safeguarding agencies ‘ignoring children abused by family members’ in England ‘Worrying evaporation’ in skills among professionals meant to protect victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, report saysSafeguarding agencies are failing to listen to children who have been sexually abused by family members with devastating consequences, amid a “worrying evaporation” of skills among the professionals meant to protect them, a report has found.A review of the experiences of 193 children in England who were victims of sexual abuse by a family member found seven went on to commit suicide, while 14 more – including a seven-year-old – either attempted suicide or talked…

Woman, 60, sentenced for causing death of 'amazing' North Wales dad Alison Cooper’s driving had fatal consequences for Chris Parsons who was a ‘kind, caring, wonderful person’ https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/woman-60-sentenced-causing-death-30450281

How former RAF man used military know how to build decontamination unit during Covid Glyn Williams honoured after keeping people safe at his Anglesey care home https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-former-raf-man-used-30447270

“I shouldn’t have to compromise on heating to pay the rent. They should just be basic things.” Those are the words of Eilis Walsh, aged 29, who has been renting a room in an apartment complex in Limerick city for nearly three years. Ms Walsh says the chances of owning her own home are virtually non-existent at present, as sky-high rents consume much of her monthly income. She is currently employed full-time with Social Enterprise in Dublin but works from home where she shares the apartment with two others. Her monthly rent is €520 while her two flat-mates pay…

In the first round of Romania’s presidential election, a far-right candidate who opposes NATO has taken an unexpected lead.
Calin Georgescu, an independent, won 22.94% of votes in Sunday’s voting, knocking Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu out of the race.
Georgescu will face center-right contender Elena Lasconi, leader of the opposition Save Romania Union, in the presidential run-off on December 8.

THE prospect of Lewis Crocker versus Paddy Donovan on March 1 will shorten the winter for Irish boxing fans and, the Irish News understands, the venue will be Belfast’s SSE Arena. The all-Ireland clash of the unbeaten welterweights had been mooted since earlier this year when they appeared on the same bill at the Ulster Hall. Since then there has been no shortage of rumour or intrigue but it seems the negotiations have been completed and Limerick’s Donovan and Belfast’s Crocker have begun their preparations in earnest. “Hopefully it all goes ahead – I’ve agreed to everything,” said Crocker. “I’ve…

In this episode Emily Crowley — writer, columnist and long-time renter — sets out what she feels needs to be done by the next government, whoever they may be, to address the housing and rental market crisis. We also took to the streets to gauge the opinions of people on this issue. ‘My message to the next Dáil’ is an Irish Examiner General Election 2024 podcast series in which activists and commentators from various fields set out a ‘solutions’ focussed Message to the next Dail on an issue close to their heart.Listen here and wherever you get your podcasts for new…