Author: News Desk

Virgin Galactic: British man flying to Space along with a mum and daughter An 80-year-old British former Olympian will be on a rocket plane, due to fly from New Mexico, into space. Aberdeen student Anastasia Mayers and her mother Keisha Schahaff will also be onboard, The pair won tickets in a Virgin Galactic flight competition.  Jon Goodwin will become the second person with Parkinson’s disease to go to space.  The mission will be seen as another test of how viable space tourism is.  The launch window for the Virgin Galactic 02 flight opens at 08:30 local time (15:30 BST). It…

Halifax joins rivals in cutting mortgage rates Halifax is poised to make significant reductions to interest rates on select fixed mortgage options, potentially alleviating financial strain for some homeowners. The largest mortgage provider in the UK will implement rate cuts of up to 0.71 percentage points starting Friday. Notably, a five-year fixed mortgage package will now be priced at 5.39%, down from its previous rate of 6.10%. Similar moves have been made by other lenders such as HSBC, Nationwide, and TSB, who have also adjusted their rates. The recent uptick in mortgage rates can be attributed to the Bank of…

It’s back on supermarket shelves.

Err, not quite the reaction he was hoping for…

Last-minute summer holiday bookings rise as Brits flee rain UK holidaymakers are packing their bags and booking last-minute holidays, travel agencies say.  Bookings in Juy for travel in August has more than quadrupled, according to Advantage Travel Partnership, which represents about 20% of travel agents. The sharp rise in bookings come amid a wet July although August is set to improve. The cost of living crisis has hit families hard and package holidays, flights and hotels are more expensive this year than ever. Some holidaymakers are opting for all-inclusive deals in a bid to keep costs under control.  Whilst some…

It says: ‘Help me.’

Man who threatened Biden shot dead in FBI raid in Utah Craig Robertson, a man who had posted violent threats against US President Joe Biden, has been shot dead during an FBI raid in Utah.  Robertson posted threats on Facebook against Biden and other officials including a prosecutor pursuing criminal charges against Donald Trump. Agents were attempting to serve Robertson, at his home, with an arrest warrant on Wednesday. The incident happened just hours ahead of a planned visit to Utah by the US president. The raid happened at about 06:15 local time in Provo, about 40 miles south of…

Hawaii wildfires burn historic town of Lahaina to the ground Wildfires have devastated the historic town of Lahaina on Hawaii’s island of Maui. The wildfires have been fanned by hurricane winds, and hospitals are overwhelmed with burn patients and people suffering from smoke inhalation.  US senator Brian Schatz said on social media that the town is “almost totally burnt to the ground.”  At least 36 people have died as wildfires rage across Maui County in Hawaii, officials say. “Firefighters are still trying to get the fires under control, and our first responders are in search and rescue mode,” Mr Schatz…

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.

Candidate in Ecuador’s presidential election Fernando Villavicencio shot dead Fernando Villavicencio, a candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming presidential elections, has been shot dead at a campaign rally.  Villavicencio, a member of the country’s national assembly, campaigned against corruption and gangs. He was attacked as he left the event in the capital, Quito, on Wednesday. He is one of the few candidates who have alleged there are links between organised crime and government officials in Ecuador. According to witnesses, Villavicencio was shot three times. A member of his campaign team told local media the candidate was getting into a car when a…