Author: News Desk

The families of the people killed in the Grenfell Tower fire have spoken out after being told the block will be demolished. Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing some of the bereaved families, says Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also Housing Secretary, ‘announced the decision that the tower will have to be carefully deconstructed’. But some bereaved families say their opinions on the future of the tower have been ignored by the government, saying that ignoring their voices ‘on the future of our loved ones’ gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable’. Some 72 people were killed in the…

The distraught mother of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death at school has appealed to other youngsters to beware the devastation they could cause by using knives. Another 15-year-old boy appeared at Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday charged with murder, possession of a bladed article and affray after Harvey Willgoose died on Monday. Caroline Willgoose said: “Just think if it was your brother, sister, dad, mum. Can you imagine the devastation if you lost somebody through that? “I don’t want anybody to go through what we are going through.” https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/school-boy-stabbed-knife-sheffield-b2693036.html

UK interest rates live: Bank of England set to cut interest rates in boost for mortgage holders The UK’s base interest rate is expected to fall to its lowest point in more than 18 months, providing a welcome boost for mortgage holders. Analysts believe the Bank of England will cut the interest rate from 4.75 per cent to 4.5 per cent in its monthly announcement on Thursday at midday. The base rate helps dictate the cost of borrowing such as taking out mortgage with some products, known as tracker mortgages, following it. The figure also impacts rates paid by individuals…

Lab-grown dog meat on sale at major UK retailer in ‘world first’ Pets at Home has launched what it claims are the world’s first meat-based dog treats made with cultivated meat. Their “Chick Bites” combine plant-based ingredients with lab-grown chicken, eliminating the need for raising and slaughtering animals. The cultivated meat, developed by Meatly, originates from a single chicken egg cell sample. The process, according to Meatly, generates enough meat to potentially sustain pets indefinitely. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lab-grown-dog-treat-pets-at-home-b2692827.html

Ethnic minority families are spending a larger slice of their income on housing costs compared to white British families, despite living in more overcrowded substandard homes, a new report has found. New research from thinktank Resolution Foundation suggested this could be down to fewer ethnic minority households owning their own home, or certain nationalities paying more to stay within their local communities. It found discrimination could also be a factor. Ethnic minority adults are more likely than their white British peers to live in London and the South East, which are areas with higher housing costs, the report added. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/housing-arab-british-black-cost-renting-b2692597.html

Migrants who are unemployed or in low-paid jobs will face being forced to leave the UK under plans being drawn up by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. As she seeks both to win back votes from Reform UK and to revitalise the party after last year’s election defeat, Ms Badenoch has pledged to crack down on legal and illegal migration. “The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK. That’s why we should double the length of time before people can qualify for indefinite leave to remain from five…

Is Ethiopia’s Tigray on the brink of a fresh conflict, is it ready to explode. Insecurity in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has noticeably increased in the last few days.  Many Tigrayans told WTX they are afraid that recent political tensions within the once-dominant Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) could lead to renewed violence — more than two years after one of Ethiopia’s deadliest conflicts claimed nearly 600,000 lives. Amid soaring prices, some Tigray locals have stormed banks to withdraw money to buy and hoard food and other essential goods. Something that is happening throughout Africa. Many gas stations have run…

2025 is set to be a bumper year for Netflix, with some potentially huge new shows nestling alongside a few returning favourites. These include some of the streaming platform’s biggest series of all time. But all good things must come to an end, and we’re going to be bidding farewell to some Netflix staples before the year is out. No doubt, we’ll be shedding a tear or two at their demise in the process. Read on to find out which of the streamer’s shows will be bowing out in 2025 – and what we can expect from those final series.…

Gisele Bundchen has given birth to her third child, according to reports. The 44-year-old model – who already has Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12, with ex-husband Tom Brady – has welcomed her first child with 37-year-old boyfriend Joaquim Valente, it’s been claimed. Further details about Gisele’s baby, including its sex and name, remain unknown for the time being, and she has yet to make a public comment. The runway star – who was married to Tom between 2009 and 2022 – is said to be ‘super happy’ after welcoming her baby into the world. A source told TMZ that Gisele…

One of the UK’s brightest comedic talents, Lucy Punch has finally been given her own show in the BBC’s Motherland spin-off. In Amandaland, the 47-year-old returns as elitist mum Amanda as she navigates a new era post-divorce in a less well-heeled area of London. As well as TV roles, Lucy is also a Hollywood star, having appeared in films like Hot Fuzz and Bad Teacher alongside Cameron Diaz. But outside of her showbusiness career, the actor prefers to keep her family life with her husband in LA private. Here is everything you need to know about Lucy Punch – including…