Author: News Desk

Dangerously high winds are set to return to Los Angeles, threatening efforts to extinguish wildfires that have destroyed neighborhoods and claimed at least 24 lives. “We are not in the clear as of yet,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowle said. “We must not let our guard down,” she added. Dry Santa Ana winds of up to 70 miles (112 kilometers) per hour are predicted to resume on Monday and continue until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning. Firefighters are working to contain three active blazes in the Los Angeles area…

The PP spokesperson in Parliament, Juan Fernández, stated this Monday that the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is a “hostage of ERC” after the refusal to agree on the regional budgets communicated yesterday by the independence party. At a press conference, Fernández lamented the “paralysis” of the regional government, which in his opinion plays the “inherited score” of the Pere Aragonès era. “We continue with the same uncertainties with which we ended last year,” he declared. The leader has regretted that ERC is not interested in “entering into a negotiating dynamic” and that, literally, the Catalans have been kidnapped…

The government is to set out plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs, the government said.

The pound has dropped to its lowest value against the dollar since November 2023 while government borrowing costs have continued to rise. The pound fell to $1.21 on Monday morning as the recent sell-off continued.

A new way of tackling homelessness is showing promise. Will it catch on? Mexico, Canada and now the UK are among those offering direct financial support to homeless people. The results are encouraging Homelessness is a growing problem in the UK with a record number of people living in temporary accommodation. It adds urgency to a new trial that will see homeless people in England and Wales receive direct financial support to help get them back on their feet.  The pilot will recruit 360 people, half of whom will continue to receive their current level of support – so acting…

Extra bank holiday 2025: Hospitality industry slams Number 10 decision Bank holidays 2025: Number 10 has announced the additional day off has been canned It had been rumoured that an additional bank holiday would make its way onto the calendar for 2025 to earmark the end of WWII, but Number 10 has announced that the extra day off won’t be going ahead. UK hospitality bodies have slammed the government’s decision to can the extra bank holiday. Restaurant and bar groups say that bank holidays provide an extra financial boost to the hospitality sector. Their messages echo calls made in 2022…

Pound sterling continues to suffer as traders pare bets on Fed rate cuts Sterling suffered again on Monday, falling to a 14-month low against the dollar amid a global sell-off prompted by concerns that the US Federal Reserve will only cut interest rates once this year. The pound was trading as much as 0.7 per cent lower against the dollar this morning, dropping to $1.211. It was the worst performing currency against the dollar in the G-10. “Sterling continues to trade on a soft footing and its losses could extend this week,” Chris Turner, an FX analyst at ING said,…

Dry and cold in the south today with some sunny spells. Cloudier in the north with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Windy in northern areas with gales in northern Scotland. Mild in the north. Tonight: Staying largely cloudy across with north with light outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Dry and cold in the south with some clear spells, allowing for patchy fog and frost.

AS reports Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Madrid in an incident-packed Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. The front page features an image of Barca celebrating their win.

The back page of The Times features a picture of Man United goalkeeper Bayindir – the penalty hero (saving two over the course of the match). United beat Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on penalties. Emma Raducanu is featured on the back page expressing her admiration for darts star Luke Littler.

The back page of the Daily Star leads on the bust-up between Kai Havertz and Harry Maguire during last night’s FA Cup match. Manchester United won on penalties. Maguire has blasted Havertz as a cheat. Spurs’ 3-0 win and speculation on Kyle Walker’s departure from City make the back page.