Author: News Desk

MPs are amongst those calling for the alleged Chinese spy – with close links to Prince Andrew – to be publicly named for security reasons. MPs are threatening to name the man as allegations raise “calls for caution.” Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage are amongst those calling for the alleged spy to be named.

It’s plunged the royals – and Andrew – into deeper crisis and amid another year of royal scandal, the firm is hoping Andrew steps out of the public eye this Christmas.

District councils could be abolished and more elected mayors introduced across England under new plans for a major redesign of local government. Ministers are set to publish a paper on Monday outlining plans for mergers in areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority – smaller district and larger county councils – in a bid to streamline services.

The government has approved the sale of the Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire. The £3.6bn takeover by Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group has been given the go-ahead after agreeing “legally binding” undertakings.

Good News from the UK: World-first urine test ‘detects lung cancer’ Scientists have created a first-of-its-kind urine test which they say catches lung cancer early, potentially improving outcomes for the millions of people who will go on to develop the disease. Created by the University of Cambridge, England, the test identifies ‘zombie’ cell proteins in urine. These proteins can be markers of tissue changes that occur long before lung cancer becomes visible through scans or physical symptoms. Researchers developed an injectable sensor that interacts with the ‘zombie’ cell proteins and releases an easily detectable compound into urine, signalling their presence.…

Rain, some heavy will affect the north and west of Scotland, although Shetland should see bright spells and showers. Elsewhere, mostly dry with skies brightening to give some sunny spells. Mild for most, though brisk winds, especially in the north.Tonight: Rain will continue to affect northern and western Scotland, and perhaps Northern Ireland for a time. Mostly dry elsewhere with clear spells, though becoming largely cloudy. Mild and breezy.

Bank of England set to hold interest rates after inflation jump The Bank of England is poised to leave interest rates on hold this week after a jump in inflation and uncertainty over the Budget’s economic impact. Policymakers are expected to keep rates at 4.75 per cent at their next meeting on Thursday after making cuts in August and November. Although inflation fell below the BoE’s two per cent target in September, the latest official figures showed it jumped back up to 2.3 per cent in October. The reading marked the sharpest rise in two years and was higher than…

UK companies cut jobs at fastest rate in nearly 4 years The private sector cut jobs at the fastest rate for nearly 4 years in December as firms respond to new tax rules announced in the Budget. The latest S&P Global Flash UK Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) found that while the headline figure for business confidence was unchanged from November, thanks to a marginal increase in business activity, other areas of the economy saw a sharp drop-off. Manufacturing output and PMI both fell to an 11-month low, at 45.7 (from 48.3) and 47.3 (from 48) respectively, while companies reported the…

London Stock Exchange suffers biggest exodus in 15 years as former boss sounds alarm The former head of the London Stock Exchange Group has warned its flagship bourse has become “deeply uncompetitive” amid its biggest exodus since the financial crisis. Xavier Rolet, who ran LSEG between 2009 and 2017, said lacklustre trading in London created a “real threat” of more UK firms ditching their listings in the capital for better returns overseas. His comments come after FTSE 100 equipment rental firm Ashtead confirmed plans to move its main listing to the US, following in the footsteps of several other big…