Author: UK News

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…

Local government ombudsman report into SEND in England offers damning assessment a complete failure of special educational needs system. That has put children’s development back by years. England’s special education system is failing, causing thousands of children to have their development put back by months or even years, according to a damning report by the local government ombudsman. Failure of special educational needs system in England Last year, 576,000 children and young people in England had an EHCP, an assessment and agreement detailing the extra support they require, funded from a council’s high-needs budget. A further 1.2 million children are estimated to…

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth warned the rise in employer national insurance contributions from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent in April will have a disproportionate impact in Wales. He told the Senedd: “Labour are quick to accuse others of fantasy economics whilst their own plans represent nightmare economics for thousands of employers and employees.” Raising concerns about the impact on job creation and wages, he said employment levels are at their lowest for almost a decade – lower than anywhere else in the UK. Senedd Members share concerns about insurance hike He accused Labour of breaking a manifesto pledge…

Spanish floods force some UK sellers to buy oranges from southern hemisphere as trade supplies are disrupted in the country. British suppliers have started sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America as farmers in Spain struggle to harvest and ship following the devastating floods that hit country this last month. Some British retailers and wholesalers have been forced to switch to sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America early after last month’s catastrophic floods in eastern Spain left farmers struggling to harvest and ship their crops. Companies in the UK have moved to buying fruit from the southern…

But on Friday she announced she would be stepping down due to a “sudden change in personal circumstances,” saying she was “truly sorry at what has happened”. The shock resignation followed a report by the Daily Record which revealed her Colinton property had been put on the market on November 15th, the day after the by-election, for offers over £730,000. It is especially bruising for the Lib Dems as the campaign to defeat Labour and get Spence elected centred on her credentials as a local resident, and criticised other candidates who weren’t. Leaflets promised voters she would be “a local…

She vacated the stage for Ruth Davidson, who took the party into opposition for the first time at Holyrood. But Ms Goldie wasn’t done with politics – joining the House of Lords and serving in the UK Government for four years. Last night she shared her wisdom with her political colleagues, journalists and guests who attended The Herald’s awards, given in association with Scottish Power, in Prestonfield House, Edinburgh. Annabel Goldie: The handbag-wielding ‘matron’ of Scottish politics In her maiden speech as leader of the Tories in Scotland, Ms Goldie had warned against disloyalty in her party, taking a leaf…

The war in Ukraine is entering a “decisive phase”, with Vladimir Putin’s launch of a new ballistic missile showing that the threat of global conflict is “serious and real”, Poland’s prime minister has said, whilst failing to acknowledge the Ukrainian strikes inside Russia which escalated the war. Donald Tusk’s warning came as Nato and Ukrainian officials convened emergency talks over the hypersonic ballistic missile strike against Dnipro. The Nato allies are worried, this warning by Russia may make them a target, especially Poland. Our editor provides insights to the Ukraine conflict in this weeks world news briefing. Threat of world…

The King was seen laughing at impression of Donald Trump at Royal Variety Performance at teh Royal Albert Hall. The King seemed amused as he watched a comedian’s impression of Donald Trump at the Royal Variety Performance on Friday. Charles was seen laughing as British comedian Matt Forde poked fun at the US president-elect on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Forde referenced the unfounded claims Mr Trump repeated during his presidential debate against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris earlier this year, that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating locals’ pets in the small Ohio city of Springfield. Forde exclaimed in…

Too many buildings remain unsafe after Grenfell disaster, housing minister warns the Lords. Wajid Khan tells House of Lords remediation work is yet to start on half of properties with unsafe cladding. Far too many buildings remain unsafe after the Grenfell disaster, with dangerous cladding remaining on at least 2,400 blocks, a housing minister has warned. Wajid Khan, a Labour peer and housing minister, said on Friday that remediation work had not started at approximately 50% of properties being monitored for their unsafe cladding. Continue reading – Netanyahu, Starmer and war criminals – World News Briefing Too many buildings remain unsafe…

Temperatures set to spike over next 12 hours as Storm Bert ushers in warm air Storm will bring wind and rain but blast away the cold air https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/temperatures-set-spike-over-next-30434012

North Wales Police issue 'dangerous' warning ahead of Storm Bert The police have warned motorists https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-police-issue-dangerous-30434743

It is of little comfort for the Palestinian people – but it does seem that a ceasefire, of sorts, is within sight. What happens after that, not even Mr Trump knows, because there is no plan for “the day after” the fighting winds down. The rubblescape of Gaza and Lebanon has created not just unspeakable horrors and miseries, but a vast political vacuum.

Storm Bert live: Schools closed as frozen Britain covered by snow before rain deluge arrives this weekend Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight ahead of a frosty and icy morning on Friday and the arrival of Storm Bert on the weekend. The storm is set to reach the UK on Saturday and the Met Office is expecting it to bring “heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend”, potentially causing travel disruption and flooding. Overnight on Thursday, the Met Office said much of the UK experienced temperatures near freezing, with the mercury…

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed the ICC’s issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC says both men – alongside a Hamas leader who was killed in July – bore “criminal responsibility” for crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas. The court accuses Israel of using starvation as a war tactic and for intentionally targeting civilians.

Europe and the US have been split in their response to the warrant. European countries including Britain have said they respect the ICC decisions and note Netanyahu will be arrested if he steps foot into their countries. The Canadian prime minister also confirmed he will follow the ruling of the ICC. The US has backed Israel and called the warrant ‘outrageous.’

Tributes are continuing to pour in for ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott, who died aged 86.

Storm Bert dominates the UK news as the cold snap continues to bite the UK with snowy conditions coming and weather warnings issued for the weekend.

A cold and frosty start for many, with plenty of sunshine, especially for inland areas. Scattered wintry showers will continue to feed inland along windward coasts exposed to the brisk northwesterly wind. Showers will gradually fade during the evening, as cloud increases from the west. Turning increasingly unsettled overnight with heavy rain, proceeded by hill snow. Winds strengthening, with gales for some.

What’s on the front page of the Western Mail?Evil liar guilty of murderThe paper reports on a member of the wealthy family behind Peter’s Pies who has been found guilty of stabbing his best friend to death on Christmas Eve last year. Gatland won’t be leaving Wales Under-fire Wales boss Warren Gatland is the “world’s best coach” and going nowhere, according to assistant Rob Howley. Debate over Gatland’s position as Wales boss has intensified following a national record run of 11 straight defeats.Storm Bert triggers new warnings Storm Bert is the latest storm to hit Wales this year with a 24-hour weather warning…

What now, Keir? The front page of The National (Scotland) leads with an image of Benjamin Netanyahu following the ICC’s decisions to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli PM, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant and deceased Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. The ICC cites Israel’s use of starvation as a war tactic and its intentional targeting of civilians as the reasons for the issuing of the warrant. The paper says that following this major update – which PM Starmer says he backs – how can Britain justify selling arms to Israel?

What’s on the front page of the Scottish Herald? £2.8bn tax and wage bill could see care firms folThe Nuffield Trust said a rise in national insurance contributions and wage bills could see ‘swathes of the social care market collapsing’. Private and non-profit social care providers could be faced with increased costs of around £2.8 billion in the next financial year, according to analysis which warns of businesses potentially going bust.Sarwar scoops title The front page leads with a large image of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar who has been awarded with the newspaper’s Scottish politics of the year. He is pictured…

What’s on the front page of The Metro? Death of British Lawyer in Laos from Poisoned DrinksA British lawyer, Simone White, has become the fifth tourist to die after consuming methanol-laced drinks at a backpacker hostel in Laos. This tragic incident has raised alarms about safety standards in Southeast Asia. White was reportedly among 15 individuals hospitalized following the poisoning.Tributes to John PrescottThe front page honors the late John Prescott, former UK Deputy Prime Minister, who passed away in 2024. Recognized as a “working-class bruiser” and a “true giant of British politics,” Prescott’s contributions to the Labour movement and his memorable…