Author: News Desk

Tory MP Mark Francois who used ‘racial slur’ made shadow defence minister by Kemi Badenoch A Tory MP who used a ‘racial slur’ against the Japanese – and then claimed he was complementing their defence industry – has been appointed a shadow defence minister. The Japanese government officially complained about the comments, made in the House of Commons by ex-armed forces minister Mark Francois. Japan is considered one of the UK’s closest allies in the region, and last year the two countries signed a defence agreement. The outcry erupted after Mr Francois, who has been made a shadow minister by new Tory leader…

Sir Keir Starmer insists he has responded to Sir Alan Bates’ Post Office letters after postmaster rebuke Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he has written back to Sir Alan Bates about compensation for Horizon victims after the former post office worker claimed to have been snubbed by the Prime Minister. The recently knighted subpostmaster, 70, had told MPs he wrote to Sir Keir around a month ago requesting help for those affected by the scandal. He claimed to have written to Sir Keir twice starting a month ago insisting that he should set a deadline for March 2025 to settle…

The first exit poll data coming out suggests voters have chosen the state of democracy as the most important issue when deciding who to vote for.

Around a third of people asked said it was their top concern, out of the five options given.

The economy ranked second, with three in ten voters choosing it, according to this preliminary data.

We’ll soon get our first exit poll data – giving key insights into the issues that have motivated voters today. The US exit polls don’t predict the result of the election but give insight into opinions and motivations and a breakdown by age, age, gender, education and other demographics.

The FBI is warning voters on Tuesday about attempted deception in the 2024 election, saying that the agency has been impersonated in at least two fabricated videos aimed at shaking Americans’ confidence in the political process. 

Voting starts in North Carolina in blustery windy morning. Makeshift tents make up election booths in North Carolina, one of the areas most devastated areas by Hurricane Helene.

Ban to stop children from ever smoking a cigarette to be introduced in Parliament A ban to stop children from legally smoking tobacco when they become adults is set to be introduced in Parliament. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create the “first smoke-free generation”, will prevent anyone born after 1 January 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought, It is hoped the “historic” legislation could “save thousands of lives and protect the NHS”, according to ministers, and is set to be introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday.…

Scores of taxi drivers given licenses despite having convictions for violent offences Scores of taxi drivers have been able to obtain licenses despite having convictions for violent offences, a charity has found. Data obtained following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals drivers with convictions, including for violent crimes like assault, battery and harassment, have still been given licences even though licensing authorities are aware of the offences they committed. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a leading anti-stalking and harassment charity which unearthed the figures, warned women are being placed at risk when sharing cars with drivers who have a history…

Delivery driver’s f-word slur towards colleague not a sackable offence in the North, tribunal rules A delivery driver who called his female colleague a “f***ing m***” during an argument over doughnuts in the office was unfairly dismissed, a judge ruled. Robert Ogden was sacked from his role at the wholesale provider Booker in 2023 when he left the woman in tears after making comments about her weight and her attendance at weight loss classes. However, a judge at a tribunal in Manchester said that while the comment was rude, the f-word is commonly used “in the public sphere” and is…

Cause of Wales train crash which killed man and injured 15 is revealed An automated system that helps train wheels grip tracks failed on a train involved in a fatal crash in mid-Wales, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said. One passenger died while four other people were seriously injured in the crash on 21 October, and a further 11 required hospital treatment. David Tudor Evans, 66, was killed while travelling on the westbound service from Shrewsbury when it crashed into a stationary service close to the village of Llanbrynmair, near Powys. The investigation found the train was fitted with…