Author: News Desk

Libraries and buses under threat as chancellor warned over £54bn council black hole Day-to-day services such as libraries, buses, road maintenance, and youth centres will face further cuts, councils have warned, as they struggle to fund ballooning adult social care and children’s care costs. The County Councils Network (CCN), which represents 37 of England’s largest local authorities, is warning of a £54bn funding black hole across councils over the next five years. Analysis from the CCN has found that rising costs for adult social care, children’s services and school transport for children with special needs will leave local authorities unable…

Kate embraces inspirational cancer-stricken teenager in emotional return to royal duties – Royal news live The Prince and Princess of Wales have met an aspiring teenage photographer with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after inviting her to take pictures at investitures at Windsor Castle. Kate, in a rare appearance after completing chemotherapy treatment for her own cancer, hugged Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate. The princess and her husband met Liz and her family after the ceremony on Wednesday. On social media, William and Kate said: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer…

Warning over three-day delayed bank payments under new rules A warning has been issued that bank payments could be delayed by up to three days under new rules that would give banks more time to investigate fraud. The Government said it was proposing laws that will extend the time that payments can be stalled by up to 72 hours. Currently, a bank has until the end of the next business day to either process of refuse a payment made by a customer. Extending the window will give banks more of a chance to investigate transactions deemed to be suspicious, and…

Israel kills at least forty-six people in bombing of Beirut. At least six people were killed and seven wounded, Lebanese health officials said. A photo from the bombsite, showed a heavily damaged building with its first floor on fire. Three missiles also hit the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week, and loud explosions were heard, Lebanese security officials said. The southern suburbs came under more than a dozen Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The Israeli military said regular infantry and armoured units joined its ground operations in Lebanon on Wednesday as Iran’s missile attack…

Glasgow pub Blackfriars on Bell Street set to return One of the most famous pubs in Glasgow is set to return. Blackfriars on Bell Street will reopen in the middle of July. Previously Bell Geordie, then Rockwells, it opened in the Merchant City in its current form in 1995. The traditional pub was boarded up in the winter of 2020 and failed to reopen when lockdown restrictions were relaxed. It permanently shut in spring 2021, with a new owner beginning the process of reopening over the last few months. Blackfriars will be a sister pub to The Duke’s Umbrella on Argyle Street.…

Giant Hogweed spotted in Scotland – How to deal with the toxic plant Giant Hogweed can also cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes. An interactive map has been published, allowing people to report sightings of the toxic plant. Known as Britain’s most dangerous plant, it has been spotted across the Central Belt, across the North East and in the Highlands so far this year. What is Giant Hogweed and is it dangerous? Giant Hogweed, also known by its Latin name Heracleum Mantegazzianum, originated in Southern Russia and Georgia. The plant is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes well-known…

Scottish seafood industry goes fishing for greater value Seafood Scotland chief executive Donna Fordyce said the aim is to boost business profitability and overall sustainability by creating new markets for that which currently goes to waste or is used in low-value products such as fishmeal. Following a recent trip to Iceland, where the “100% Fish” movement began emerging about a decade ago, she said the industry group is looking to raise £50,000 to establish a Scottish Ocean Cluster within the next 12 months. She cited the example of Kerecis, based in Isafjordur in northwest Iceland, which is using fish skin…

BBC cancels Boris Johnson interview after Laura Kuenssberg mistakenly sends him her briefing notes Presenter Laura Kuenssberg says the ‘embarrassing and disappointing’ mishap meant it was not right that the interview goes ahead. The BBC has cancelled an interview with Boris Johnson after presenter Laura Kuenssberg accidentally sent the former prime minister her briefing notes. Reeves will soften her stance on non-doms, predicts the FT. The Financial Times leads on the upcoming Budget. The presenter of the BBC’s flagship Sunday political interview show said she sent Johnson the notes “in a message meant for my team”. Boris Johnson was expected to use…

Former Syrian refugee died in North Wales beach trip tragedy ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our beloved son. We are very proud of him’ https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/former-syrian-refugee-died-north-30057836

Vance and Walz pay lip service to shootings Vance and Walz pay lip service to shootings Voters watching Tuesday’s debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov were left disappointed. Tim Walz had a disappointing response to an exchange between the two vice presidential candidates on shootings. In fact according to a poll by WTX USA News more than 38% were convinced it was just lip service. “I got a 17-year-old, and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball. Those things don’t leave you,” Walz said, eliciting a response of “awful” from Vance. But voters believe…