Author: News Desk

Armed police responded to a report of a man with a crossbow at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow at approximately 6.30am on Friday.

This weeks top 5 FTSE gainers and losers, there will be some changes towards the end of the day. 📈 Stock Market Movers – 22 May 2025 FTSE Market summary FTSE 100 Index – 8.773,39 +34,13 (0,39%) today 🇬🇧 FTSE 100 Top 5 FTSE Gainers Top 5 FTSE Losers:

Friday’s front page headlines offer a wide variety of domestic and international news with ongoing coverage of the UK handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands offering a clear political divide. 

Labour’s plans to free up prison spaces in England and Wales have outraged the right-wing papers boldly claim that sex offenders will be roaming the streets. 

There are discussions around benefits – including the two-child benefit cap, as well as coverage of potential tax rises, splashed on the front pages.

North Korea’s new destroyer capsized during its launch, prompting an investigation led by Kim Jong Un, who deemed the event a “criminal act” that harmed the nation’s dignity.

Jamie Foxx has publicly dismissed conspiracy theories suggesting that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attempted to kill him during his recovery from a stroke in 2023.

The one-off Test against Zimbabwe, despite its one-sided nature, serves as a significant gesture of goodwill and a re-establishment of cricketing ties after 22 years.

Good morning – let’s grab a coffee and catch up on what’s making headlines in the UK and beyond today.

There’s some relief on the way for households as energy bills are set to fall for the first time in a year. Ofgem has confirmed a 7% cut to the energy price cap from July, which means the average household in England, Scotland and Wales will see their annual bill drop by around £129.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed a significant agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. As part of the deal, the UK will lease back the vital military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million a year, securing its use for an initial 99-year period.

In England, public sector workers are seeing a boost in their pay packets. Teachers and doctors will receive a 4% pay rise following recommendations from official pay review bodies. While education unions have largely welcomed the decision, they’ve warned that schools could face budget shortfalls without additional funding. Meanwhile, health unions have criticised a smaller 3.6% increase for NHS staff such as nurses and midwives.

On the global stage, tensions are rising after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack on Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada. Netanyahu accused them of siding with Hamas, following recent international criticism of Israel’s military actions. The comments came after two people were shot dead at the Israeli embassy in Washington, which has further strained diplomatic relations.

In the United States, the Trump administration has taken dramatic action against Harvard University, revoking its ability to enrol international students. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Harvard had failed to comply with immigration laws, while the university has called the move “unlawful” and a direct threat to academic freedom.

And finally, a suspect has been charged with the murder of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. US prosecutors are treating the shooting as a hate crime and an act of terror, and have confirmed it’s a death penalty-eligible case. More charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a fierce attack on Sir Keir Starmer, along with the leaders of France and Canada, accusing them of effectively siding with Hamas by criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza.

On January 23, 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act, enabling government seizure of private property for public use, with fair compensation stipulated in specific circumstances.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signed a major agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategic military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million a year.