Author: News Desk

HS2: Unions call for emergency summit on rail line’s future BBC Business says Unions have called for ministers to hold an emergency summit about the HS2 rail project following growing speculation about its future. The Trades Union Congress and five member unions said stakeholders must be brought together “urgently” to get the line “back on track”. Rising costs have led to speculation that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the high-speed line will be axed. On Thursday, Rishi Sunak refused to say whether HS2 will run to the North West. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66957407

Ryder Cup 2023: Europe make perfect start against USA on day one The Guardian says That’s the first time Europe have whitewashed – bluewashed? – the opening session of a Ryder Cup. It’s the first session clean sweep since Europe won the afternoon foursomes 4-0 on the first day at Le Golf National in 2018. For the record, the USA have won the opening session 4-0 on two occasions, against Great Britain at Portland GC in 1947 and against Great Britain and Ireland at Laurel Valley in 1975. So this isn’t unprecedented in Ryder Cup history … but it is…

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton bring ‘fire’ to Europe’s Ryder Cup bid The Independent says The raucous first tee at the Ryder Cup provides the perfect opportunity to launch Team Angry and spark Europe into life in Rome. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, paired together by Luke Donald due to their “fire and passion,” bring an intimidating challenge for world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, after recent struggles with the putter, and Sam Burns in a mouthwatering first match of the week. A scorching Marco Simone has made for a peaceful build up as both teams meandered down the steep slopes…

Ryder Cup 2023 foursomes: Europe and US reveal opening pairings in Rome BBC Sport says Ludvig Aberg has been thrust straight into Ryder Cup action by being paired with Viktor Hovland in Friday’s opening session against the United States. The 23-year-old Swede, who only turned professional in June, will partner Hovland for Europe against US rookies Brian Harman and Max Homa in Rome. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood face Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in arguably the match of the morning. The US are defending champions but have not won on European soil for 30 years. In the first match,…

Ryder Cup: Europe favourites to beat USA in Rome Sky News says ​​​​​​​Ryder Cup legend, and six-time major winner, Nick Faldo is giving the Europeans the edge over Team USA in Rome this week, predicting the hosts to regain the trophy. Faldo represented Europe a record 11 times at the Ryder Cup, winning 25 points, while he also captained the team in 2008, albeit in a losing cause at Valhalla. The US romped to a record 19-9 victory at Whistling Straights two years ago, but Faldo believes Europe can emerge victorious again. https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12971068/ryder-cup-nick-faldo-has-europe-favourites-to-beat-usa-in-rome

Elianne Andam: Boy, 17, charged with murder of schoolgirl in Croydon A boy, 17, has been arrested and charged with the murder of the school girl Elianne Andam, 15, who was stabbed to death on her way to school in Croydon, south London. The teenager will appear in youth court later, sitting at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. A vigil was held on Thursday evening on Wellesley Road. Met Police have said a knife has been recovered in nearby Cedar Road. The boy was known to Elianne. He has also been charged with possession of a knife. Elianne had just got off…

GB News boss ‘appalled’ by Laurence Fox comments The boss of GB News has said Laurence Fox’s comments about a female journalist were “way past the limits of acceptance” and should have been challenged by the host Dan Wootton.  Angelos Frangopoulos told the BBC he was “appalled” by the remarks. Fox and Wootton have been suspended and GB News is now being investigated after Ofcom received thousands of complaints. What did Laurence Fox say? When discussing an earlier interview on PoliticsLive featuring political journalist Ava Evans, Laurence Fox made vile comments about Evans’ appearance because he didn’t agree with her…

Pakistan: At least 50 killed, dozens injured in Mastung blast Police in Pakistan have told the BBC that at least 50 people have been killed and more than 50 people injured in an explosion. The blast happened near a mosque in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday as people gathered to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Police suspect the blast was a suicide attack targeting the religious gathering in Mastung city. Officials have declared a state of emergency. The casualties are being transported to two hospitals, police say. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti called the blast a “very heinous…

Rishi Sunak could limit 20mph zones to target driver vote PM Rishi Sunak is set to unveil new policies at drivers in the upcoming Tory Party Conference in Manchester. The measures could include a possible ban on councils in England imposing 20mph speed limits on main roads. The Tories have started setting out their policy programme ahead of next year’s general election. But the car-friendly policies have angered campaigners. A spokeswoman for the charity Sustrans said: “Divisive grandstanding in this way, introducing a package of bizarre measures to indulge a loud minority, takes us away from sensible discussions about making…

Train strikes could continue into Christmas, as fresh disruption begins Train strikes could run into the Christmas period, the leader of the train drivers’ union has said. Aslef’s Mick Whelan told the BBC he did not believe the government or industry wanted a resolution. A new wave of strike action begins on Friday in Aslef’s long-running pay dispute. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train companies, said its offer remained on the table. More than a dozen train companies will be affected by strike action on Saturday, and on Wednesday, 4 October. The strike dates bookend the Tory Party…