Author: News Desk

Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. Under pressure Rachel Reeves issues defiant response when quizzed on Keir Starmer relationship Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. The senior Labour minister insisted she and prime minister Keir Starmer are “a strong team”, as her growth plan comes under scrutiny from her own party. The chancellor was grilled on her economic plans when she appeared on ITV’s Peston on Wednesday (29 January). The ITV News political editor asked: “I’ve never known a prime minister being forced to declare confidence…

Chancellor’s optimistic economic growth vision hit in the short term as Tesco and Lloyds announce hundreds of job losses and she admits fixing the economy is ‘not an easy job’ Rachel Reeves’s plan for Heathrow to ‘turbocharge’ economy struggles to take off Rachel Reeves has given her backing to the long-awaited expansion of Heathrow airport as she set out her “optimistic” vision for Britain’s economy with a plan for growth based around building “faster and better”. However, the chancellor’s upbeat message was almost immediately hit by short-term economic woes, with Tesco cutting 400 jobs and Lloyds announcing the closure of…

Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail after dangerous dog attack. The reality TV star appeals against jail term after admitting twice being in charge of out-of-control dog. The 32-year-old, who won the 2018 season of the reality show alongside then-girlfriend Dani Dyer, pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, with one of the incidents causing injury. Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail He lodged an appeal following his sentencing at Southend Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A CPS source said: “He was granted conditional bail pending that appeal.” Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard…

The closures are due to begin in May as the group concentrates on its online services Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to close 136 high street bank branches Lloyds Banking Group is to shut 136 more high street branches as it accelerates plans to cut costs and digitise the bank. It will close 61 Lloyds, 61 Halifax and 14 Bank of Scotland branches between May this year and March 2026. The closure plan comes just weeks after Lloyds shook up its branch business to allow customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to use stores across any of…

Mohamed Samak would complain that he and his wife Joanne did not have a sexual relationship Hockey coach and wife were living ‘separate lives’ before she was ‘stabbed to death’ An interior designer was living an almost separate life to her hockey coach husband before she was stabbed to death, a court heard. Egyptian Mohamed Samak stands accused of murdering his 49-year-old wife Joanne who he claims stabbed herself “repeatedly” in front of him after he woke at around 3am. He told a jury at Worcester Crown Court, he found Joanne screaming and “trying to stab herself” before she slumped…

Trump briefed on ‘terrible accident’ after jet collides with Army helicopter President Donald Trump says he has been briefed on the “terrible accident” after a passenger jet collided on Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC. There was no immediate word on casualties, but all take-offs and landings from the airport were halted as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors. In a statement late on Wednesday, Mr Trump thanked first responders for their “incredible work,” noting that he was “monitoring the situation…

Former US senator Robert Menendez, 71, was sentenced to 11 years in prison Wednesday for corruption, including extortion, obstruction of justice, and accepting bribes tied to Egypt and Qatar. Gold bars and cash were found at his home. The New Jersey Democrat, convicted in July 2024, sought leniency but vowed to appeal. He chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ex-US senator Bob Menendez gets 11 years for bribery, acting as Egypt's agent

Claudia Winkleman’s ‘truly unique’ show revived after The Traitors success Claudia Winkleman’s popularity has reached new heights after winning the nation over as host of The Traitors. Now her on-pause Channel 4 game show, One Question, is making a comeback. There’s no doubt that Claudia’s charm and steadfast chaotic commentary are a huge part of the BBC show Traitors’ success each year, with season three viewership peaking at over 10 million. So for fans who can’t get enough of the 53-year-old Strictly star, you’re in luck as she’ll be back on screen imminently for the suddenly rebooted quiz show,…

‘I was approached by BBC for Celebrity Traitors – but turned it down’ As the dust settles on the dramatic conclusion of The Traitors, viewers are now turning their attention to the UK’s first celebrity spin-off due to air on the BBC later this year. The rumoured names are impressive; with everyone from Stephen Fry to Friends legend Courteney Cox said to be heading to the Scottish castle for the ultimate game of deception overseen by the inimitable Claudia Winkleman. But there is one celebrity who definitely will not be insisting they’re ‘100% Faithful’ at the roundtable. And that’s…

Iconic Suits star ‘apologises profusely’ to dedicated fans ahead of spin-off series Suits star Gabriel Macht has revealed that he often finds himself apologizing to fans who changed their entire career paths because of the hit drama. The acclaimed legal drama aired for nine seasons between 2011 – 2019, and also starred Meghan Markle, Patrick J Adams, Sarah Rafferty and Gina Torres and Rick Hoffman. It focused on college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick) as he tricked his way into a job at New York law firm Pearson Hardman, working as the associate to cocky and ridiculously dapper lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel) – despite not…