Author: News Desk

MPs ask if Elon Musk ‘personally intervened’ on Russell Brand’s status on X The Independent says Social media site X has been asked by a senior MP if owner Elon Musk, who changed its name from Twitter, “has personally intervened in any decisions on Russell Brand’s status on the platform”. Following rape and sexual assault allegations being made against Brand, online content platforms that host his content including YouTube and podcasting company Acast said that he will not make money from advertisements on their sites and apps. Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to other…

Government borrowing rose to £11.6bn in August Newly released official figures show government borrowing was higher than economists had expected in August, having risen to £11.6bn last month, according to the ONS. Borrowing – the difference between spending and tax income – was £3.5bn more than a year earlier and the fourth-highest August borrowing since monthly records began in 1993. Public borrowing had been predicted to stand at £11.1bn last month. However, it still comes below the £13bn that had been forecast by the government’s finance watchdog, the OBR, back in March. Governments often borrow to boost the economy. They…

Rishi Sunak says we’ll hit net zero despite his massive U-turn Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK will still hit net zero by 2050, despite yesterday announcing a major u-turn on the government’s green policies. “I believe in net zero and I want to deliver it,” he tells BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. On Wednesday Sunak announced the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales is being pushed back from 2030 to 2035. The timeline on replacing gas boilers is being relaxed and a boiler scrappage grant is being increased. The PM’s announcement has been met with…

Daniel Khalife denies Wandsworth prison escape Daniel Khalife, the former British Army soldier who escaped prison and led police on a 75-hour UK-wide manhunt, has pleaded not guilty to escaping from Wandsworth prison on 6 September. Khalife, 21, appeared in court by video link from HMP Belmarsh wearing a bright blue and yellow sweatshirt. He had reportedly escaped the prison via the kitchen having strapped himself under a truck leaving the prison grounds.  You may also like

UK interest rate decision set to be close call after inflation fall Investors remain divided over whether interest rates will be raised again on Thursday after a shock slowdown in price rises. A 15th rise in a row to 5.5% from 5.25% was widely predicted, but now only half of investors are predicting a rise. Expectations changed after inflation was revealed to have fallen unexpectedly to 6.7% in the year to August. The Bank of England will reveal its decision at midday. Any rise would mean higher interest rates on some mortgages and loans, but also higher savings rates. The…

Fall in students accepted into university in UK UK university acceptances for 18-year-olds have fallen for the first time in five years. Uni applications also fell after demand rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, and about 85% of applicants were accepted in both years. Fewer applicants got into their first choice of university this year but more qualified for their second choice or got accepted through clearing. This year saw top A-level results drop again, as grades in England were brought back to pre-Covid levels. The new data from UCAS shows 270,350 UK 18-year-olds were accepted onto a course this year,…

Venezuela sends 11,000 troops to retake prison Around 11,000 troops have been sent to the Tocorón prison, in the north of Venezuela, to regain control after it had been overrun by a powerful criminal gang. Tocorón prison, one of the biggest in the country, was under the control of the Tren de Aragua mega-gang for years. Members were able to roam freely around the prison, which had hotel-like facilities including a pool, nightclub and a mini zoo, according to local media. Officials said the 6,000 inmates would be transferred to other prisons.  There were many free residents living inside the…

India suspends visas for Canadians as row escalates The ongoing row between India and Canada has escalated even further after India suspended visa services for Canadian citizens. The row began over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said Canada was investigating “credible allegations” linking India with the murder. The allegation was met with anger from India, who called it “absurd.” Visa service provider BLS posted a message from India’s mission blaming “operational reasons” for the decision to suspend visa services for Canadian citizens. “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Sunak’s green target U-turns & ‘le rock and royal’ Thursday’s front pages lead on a speech by the prime minister on Wednesday, in which he announced exemptions and delays to several targets in the government’s net zero strategy. The strategy, which is enshrined in law, commits the UK to eliminate its contribution to the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2050. The PM’s U-turn could cost the party at the next election, as it faced massive backlash. PM’s climate U-turns The Times notes the PM says he would not impose “unacceptable…

CITY AM – To hike or to hold The Fed holds rates: Now it’s the Bank of England’s time to decide London business newspaper CITY AM SAYS The Bank of England will make a call at noon today on interest rates – with the City split on whether surprise inflation data gives Threadneedle Street cover to pause its rate hike cycle. The Federal Reserve chose again to hold rates last night, though the body behind the decision warned they were still alive to “signifcant” inflationary pressures. The City had priced in at least one more interest rate rise this side…