Author: News Desk

‘20bn shortfall in government finances’ The Guardian says the Chancellor’s speech could pave the way for potential tax rises in the autumn budget which is planned for October. The Telegraph says Reeves is expected to blame NHS pressures, prisons and schools for the funding gap when she sets out her audit in Parliament on Monday. The paper also reports that an “autumn tax raid” is likely with plans to raise taxes by up to £25bn. It says there are fears that a “raid on pensions or inheritance tax” could be coming. The i newspaper says Treasury officials are suggesting the…

Breaking – French train network hit by massive attack ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony Source: BBC Eurostar trains cancelled and delayed after ‘co-ordinated’ attack, firm says Eurostar services in France to and from Paris are being diverted and several trains have been delayed, the rail firm says in a statement. The high speed line between Paris and Lille has been affected while journey times have increased by 90 minutes following “co-ordinated acts of malice in France”, it says. Several trains have been cancelled, as organisers panic as the French train network hit by massive attack ahead of Paris Olympics…

Video game actors go on strike over AI Major video game companies, including Activision, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney, face a strike by Hollywood performers over the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The strike comes after a year and a half of negotiations between the companies and a union representing over 2,500 video game performers. Both sides have agreed on key issues such as wages and job safety, but AI protections remain a major sticking point. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which organised last year’s Hollywood strike, called for the action. Performers are concerned…

Gang kills women and children in Papua New Guinea massacre – reports Dozens of villagers have been killed in a series of attacks by a gang of young men in a remote region of Papua New Guinea. Local media reported at least 26 deaths, including 16 children, with fears the toll could rise to 50 as searches continue. UN human rights chief Volker Türk called the violence “shocking,” attributing it to a dispute over land and lake ownership, and urged accountability for those responsible. Governor Allan Bird highlighted the severe shortage of police in the Angoram district, with just 20…

French high-speed rail vandalised before Olympic ceremony Hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, French rail company SNCF reported “malicious acts” targeting its high-speed network, aiming to paralyse the system. The attacks affected several TGV lines to the west, north, and east of Paris, causing queues at Gare Montparnasse station. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the “criminal acts” disrupting holiday plans. Several trains were cancelled, and SNCF warned that repairs could take “at least all weekend.”

Boat carrying 45 migrants and refugees capsizes off Yemen Only four survivors have been found after a boat carrying at least 45 migrants and refugees capsized off Yemen, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The vessel overturned on Wednesday night due to strong winds and overloading near the coast of Taiz province along the southern Red Sea. The agency, working with its partners to assist the survivors, emphasised the dangers of migration routes between Yemen and Africa. This incident follows a similar tragedy last month, where at least 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants died and 140 went missing after a…

Wildfires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town Wildfires have ravaged up to half of the historic Canadian town of Jasper, with the fires still out of control as firefighters work to save the remaining buildings. Entire streets in Jasper National Park have been reduced to smouldering rubble, though no deaths have been reported. Around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have evacuated the area in Alberta province. During a news conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tearfully reported that “potentially 30 to 50 per cent” of buildings had been destroyed, calling it “the worst nightmare for any community.” She spoke…

Kamala Harris tells Netanyahu it is time to end war in Gaza US Vice-President Kamala Harris, likely to be the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, held “frank and constructive” discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a firmer stance than President Joe Biden, Harris expressed “serious concerns” about Gaza casualties, emphasising the importance of how Israel conducts its defence. “It is time for this war to end,” Harris declared after their meeting at the White House. She also highlighted the need for a path to a two-state solution and urged Americans to recognise the “nuance” of the…

London weather to finally be warmer and brighter today and at the weekend | UK News Today’s weather is set to be warmer and sunnier after yesterday’s grey drizzle. Londoners are waking up to brighter skies with temperatures reaching 23°C in the capital. Elsewhere will see highs of around 20°C, including Nottingham and Exeter, while Edinburgh will see highs of 17°C. The UV index is also expected to be very high, making it feel like we are actually in the middle of the summer months. The forecaster said: ‘A drier and brighter day with sunny spells developing for many. ‘Showers…

Benjamin Netanyahu scolds critics of Israel’s war in Gaza in speech to Congress Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a defiant address before Congress on Wednesday, castigating critics of Israel’s war in Gaza as either motivated by Iran or antisemitism. The Israeli leader boasted about Israeli efforts to limit civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, a view that contradicts with the United Nations and international aid groups. While dozens of liberal Democrats boycotted the remarks, Republicans offered boisterous applause and many Democratic leaders clapped and stood up during various moments of the speech. Read More ↗