Author: News Desk

Gently swaggering onto the O2 Arena stage last night at the age of 82, Sir Paul McCartney’s silhouette looked much like it always has – save for a slightly gravity-inclined head and neck thanks to 60 years of strumming on guitars. Incredibly, he sounded just about the same too, even though he’s two years into his lauded Got Back tour. In recent years Sir Paul’s voice has been criticised as being a ghost of its former glory, but there wasn’t a whiff of shakiness last night: he swung through those iconic swooping Beatles notes like an eagle on a hunt.…

Police have launched an urgent hunt for a food delivery rider after a man was raped in Earl’s Court. The victim, aged in his 30s, was approached by the man riding a bike at midnight on October 4 in Hesper Mews. They spoke for a few minutes before the victim was raped, Metropolitan Police has said. The suspect, who had a food delivery bag on his back, is described by the force as having being aged in his 20s, white, with dark hair and ‘a distinctive large angular nose’. He was wearing all black clothing. After the attack the suspect…

An influencer has warned Londoners to be on alert after a thief walked into her changing room and stole her brand new Birkin bag. Janice Joostema posted CCTV footage of the moment her £10,000 red Hermes JPG Shoulder Birkin was swiped while trying on clothes in Manière De Voir on Oxford Street. The 29-year-old’s passport was also inside the bag, forcing the model to cancel her upcoming holiday to Switzerland. Footage shows the thief walking around the shop looking for the perfect moment to steal something. She is then seen sneaking into the changing room while Janice ‘was probably topless’…

Labour minister Tulip Siddiq caught up in Bangladesh corruption probe A Labour minister has been embroiled in a Bangladeshi corruption probe after the country’s government accused her of helping her aunt embezzle billions of pounds. City minister Tulip Siddiq, has been accused of helping Sheikh Hasina, the recently ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, to siphon off £5.2bn intended to be used building eight large-scale projects including a nuclear power plant. The Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate has not commented on the allegations, but Labour figures have described them as “spurious”, while Syed Faruk, the UK general-secretary of Ms Hasina’s…

Waspi women latest: Starmer faces growing Labour rebellion after ‘breaking promise’ on pensions Keir Starmer faces a growing Labour rebellion after being accused of breaking a promise in a decision not to compensate Waspi women. Up to 50 Labour MPs would vote against the government’s decision to rule out spending £10bn compensating the women if a vote is held, The Independent understands. Waspi refers to a woman born between 1950 and 1960 who was disadvantaged by the 1995 Pensions Act, which increased their pensionable age from 60 to 65. The group – Women Against State Pension Inequality – was set…

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by? Increases by water company: Anglian Water: 2024/25 £491; 2029/30 £631; up £140 (+29%)Dwr Cymru: 2024/25 £455; 2029/30 £645; up £190 (+42%)Hafren Dyfrdwy: 2024/25 £392; 2029/30 £557; up £165 (+42%)Northumbrian Water: 2024/25 £422; 2029/30 £510; up £88 (+21%)Severn Trent Water: 2024/25 £398; 2029/30 £583; up £185 (+47%)Southern Water: 2024/25 £420; 2029/30 £642; up £222 (+53%)South West Water: 2024/25 £497; 2029/30 £610; up £113 (+23%)Thames Water: 2024/25 £436; 2029/30 £588; up £152 (+35%)United Utilities: 2024/25 £442; 2029/30 £585; up £143 (+32%)Wessex Water: 2024/25 £508; 2029/30…

What Christmas will look like for Prince Andrew and Fergie as they are sidelined from royal festivities When King Charles leads the Royal family on their traditional Christmas Day walk to St Mary Magdalene church, one notable absence will draw attention: his embattled younger brother, the Duke of York. It was revealed earlier this week that Prince Andrew had struck up a close friendship with an alleged Chinese spy, who has been banned from the UK. It is the latest in a string of controversies faced by Andrew in recent years, the most notable being his resignation which came after…

After the approval last Tuesday of the 30 million that the central government contributes to FITE, it has now been an extraordinary Government Council that has given free rein to the agreement between the Government of Aragon and the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory to finance projects that promote economic generation in the Teruel province. Aragón will contribute another 30 million euros which, added to the 30 from the state allocation, results in 60 million euros. Now, over the next few days the regional Executive will approve and publish the projects that will be financed – probably next…

The prime minister is being urged to tighten the rules around donations to political parties as the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, attempts to interfere in British politics by making a $100 million donation to Reform UK.

Further reports suggest the Conservative Party are attempting to woo Elon Musk away from Reform and to the Tories by highlighting their ‘anti-woke’ credentials.

Musk has been vocal about foreign interference in American politics but seems to have no issue with interfering in other countries’ politics.

There is anger across the political spectrum this morning as the government has announced it won’t be compensating the Waspi women. Whilst it’s accepted that it would hit the taxpayer if the government did decide to compensate the women, it been widely highlighted that when in opposition Labour made it clear it would be prepared to write a cheque if they came to power.

There’s further coverage of Prince Andrew’s latest scandal as he’s been told to stay away from royal events this Christmas. It comes as another Chinese spy allegation emerges.

Early cloud clearing the southeast through the morning leaving sunny spells for many parts. Frequent wintry showers continuing in the north and west with some strong gusts around the coasts. Feeling cold in the brisk northwesterly wind. Tonight: Showers and winds easing during the evening with clear spells developing. Cloud and wind increasing in the northwest with rain later. Short lived frost forming under the clear skies.