Author: David Pike

Seven-year-old boy killed in ‘truly devastating’ explosion in Newcastle A seven-year-old boy has died after an explosion on a residential street in Newcastle, as police and fire chiefs begin to investigate the cause of the devastating blast. Six people were also in hospital following the tragic incident at the line of terraced homes in the Benwell area of the city in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Pictures taken from the scene show the devastation…

The £40bn question: How will Rachel Reeves balance the books? Rachel Reeves is being warned that she may have to break Labour’s manifesto pledge not to raise income tax or national insurance in order to fill a £40bn black hole in her spending plans. The concerns come after the chancellor warned her cabinet colleagues this week that she needs to find spending cuts and tax rises of £40bn to balance the books – far more…

Annie Kilner ‘files for divorce’ from England and Manchester City star Kyle Walker England and Manchester City star Kyle Walker’s wife, Annie Kilner, has filed for a divorce, according to reports. It was alleged last week that Ms Kilner had “met with lawyers” to start legal proceedings to end their marriage. The 31-year-old, who married Mr Walker, 33, in 2021, has reportedly filed for the divorce following his reported affair with influencer Lauryn Goodman. The…

Schoolgirl Sara Sharif suffered a catalogue of 71 injuries before her death, jury told Schoolgirl Sara Sharif’s body was found with at least 71 recent injuries and two traumatic brain injuries inflicted days before her death as she endured a “campaign of abuse”, a court heard. Jurors were shown a catalogue of bruises, burns, probable bite marks and other injuries identified on the 10-year-old by forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary. He told the Old Bailey…

RAF chief lied to ministers about recruitment policy, senior MP claims in PMQs A senior MP has accused the former RAF chief air marshal of lying over allegations he had pushed through an illegal recruitment policy for the service. Alicia Kearns, the former chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, used parliamentary privilege in prime minister’s questions (PMQs) to accuse Sir Mike Wigston of lying in the case of the RAF’s former head of recruitment…

Invasive two-metre-long snake breeding inside walls, attics across UK, scientists warn One of Europe’s largest snake species is crawling up walls and into attics in the UK, seeking warmth for breeding, scientists say in a new study. Aesculapian snakes, which grow up to 7ft long, are not native to the UK. They went locally extinct during the last Ice Age, and were not seen widely in the UK for 300,000 years. But they have become…

Teenager passed driving test just six months before crash in Snowdonia which killed four friends A coroner has voiced concerns about inexperienced young drivers carrying passengers following the deaths of four teenagers in a car crash in North Wales. An inquest in Caernarfon on Wednesday revealed the young driver, 18-year-old Hugo Morris, had passed his driving test just over six months before he lost control of his car and rolled into a ditch on the…

DWP is warned against ‘rushing’ disability benefit assessment changes The government has been warned against “rushing” planned changes to disability benefits assessments, as experts say they will leave nearly half a million vulnerable people worse off. The previous Conservative government announced in 2023 that the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will be reformed, with the qualifying criteria being significantly overhauled. According to research from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the changes will mean around…

Father left with fractured eye socket and toddler in hospital after random attack A father was left with serious injuries and his three-year-old toddler was also taken to hospital after an “unprovoked” attack in west London. Police have released a CCTV image of a man, who was allegedly seen shoving the father to the ground as he walked along Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, West London, with his child. The incident occurred on 5 October and…

Commonwealth should become a trade bloc and invite Ukraine to join, says new report A major new report has proposed turning the Commonwealth into a trade and security bloc and inviting Ukraine to join. Ahead of the biannual Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Samoa next week, the think tank Policy Exchange has produced a report to revitalise the international club of nations. The report, which has cross-party support in the Commons and has…

Ministers vow crackdown on rip-off nursery fees Ministers are to crack down on the nurseries charging banned ‘top-up’ fees, warning they prevent parents from using much-needed childcare. In his first newspaper interview since taking the job, education minister Stephen Morgan told The Independent the government would look at “all options” to prevent the practice. The problem was “an issue up and down the country”, he warned. Earlier this year The Independent revealed parents were facing…

King Charles given rare Sydney honour as Kate issues powerful tribute: Royal news – live King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour following an apparent snub from Australian officials ahead of his arrival on Friday. The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla. This rare honour…

Counter-terrorism police investigating UK warehouse fire over possible links to Russia Counter-terrorism police are investigating possible Russian involvement in an incident in Birmingham where a package caught fire at a DHL warehouse. It comes as another package suspiciously caught fire at a DHL facility in Leipzig, Germany, while other incidents involving fires suspected to have been started by Russian spies were identified across Europe this year. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that…

London students fear abandoning courses over inability to apply for discounted fares System for applying for travelcards yet to be restored after cyber-attack on Transport for London’s IT systems. Students in London fear they may have to abandon their school and university courses to save money after a cyber hack on Transport for London’s (TfL) IT systems left them unable to apply for discounted travelcards. TfL suspended applications for discounted travel passes when its systems…

Great British Energy can become a major power generator, says its chair Jürgen Maier’s vision for company includes the potential to borrow its own money in order to rival multinationals. Britain’s new national energy company will eventually become a major power generator, running its own windfarms, tidal power and carbon capture schemes and potentially borrowing its own money, according to its new chair. Jürgen Maier, the chair of Great British Energy (GBE), told the Guardian…

Iconic london nightclub closes down to become ‘luxury hotel’ | UK News An iconic London club has become the latest victim to the capital’s dwindling nightlife and has closed its doors for good. Tiger Tiger has confirmed its closure, thanking everyone for ‘years of incredible memories’ on their website. The club, based just off of Piccadilly Circus, is reportedly set to become a luxury hotel after operating at a loss for years. One Reddit account,…

Millionaire business owners urge Rachel Reeves to raise £14bn from rise in capital gains tax A group of wealthy investors argue it would have no impact on investment in the UK and would raise vital funds for public service. Rachel Reeves has been urged by a group of millionaire business owners to raise £14bn from an increase in capital gains tax at this month’s budget, arguing it would have no impact on investment in Britain.…

Sara Sharif murder trial latest: Pathologist tells jury what caused 10-year-old’s death Sara Sharif died as a result of “complications arising from multiple injuries and neglect”, a pathologist has said. The school girl had suffered two traumatic injuries in the days before her death, as well as 71 recent injuries including bruises, abrasions, skin ulcers consistent with burns and probable bite marks. On the third day of her murder trial on Wednesday, jurors were shown…

Starmer clashes with Sunak over national security at PMQs as assisted dying bill introduced – Politics latest Sir Keir Starmer was involved in a tense exchange with Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) over national security. Mr Sunak said the PM has halted the implementation of the foreign agents registration scheme. Mr Starmer simply replied “that is not correct”, before sitting down to cheers from Labour backbench MPs. The foreign agents registration scheme would…

Budget 2024 live: Inflation falls to lowest rate in three years, Reeves ‘eyes £40bn’ in cuts and spending Rachel Reeves will announce Labour’s first Budget in 15 years later this month, leading one of the most highly-anticipated fiscal events in over a decade. As the chancellor looks to fill the £22bn “black hole” in public spending she announced in late July, speculation has mounted about what measures will be included on 30 October. During Labour’s…

Trending News Inspiration Papers News that Matters Impact on your life Good News Watch: Inquiry into Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess begins Pep Guardiola approached over England job but has four other options Vladimir Putin ordered Novichok attack on my life, Salisbury victim Sergei Skripal tells Dawn Sturgess inquiry Previous Next Previous Next Dan@ Dantechnik Read More I see #SkyNews are still banging on about Taylor Swift and Starmer again. 🙄🙄🙄 Andrew Neil @afneil Read…

Today: Outbreaks of rain will affect northern and western parts through the day. The rain will be heavy at times, leading to some localised disruption. Drier towards the east and southeast of England in particular. Feeling warm here in any sunshine. Tonight: Outbreaks of heavy rain will continue to move northeastwards through the night. Southern and western areas becoming dry by the end of the night. Another mild night for many. Source: Met Office