Author: WTX News

Italy floods: At least 13 dead as devastating floods force 13,000 from their homes  At least 13 people have died and thousands of people have been displaced after more than 20 rivers in Italy overflowed. Italy experienced six months’ worth of rainfall within just 36 hours, causing widespread flooding and triggering over 280 landslides. The situation has been described by the mayor of Ravenna as the worst disaster in a century. The floods and landslides have affected numerous areas, stretching from Bologna to the northeast coast, approximately 115 kilometres (70 miles) away.  There have been calls for an urgent national…

Outrage in Australia after police taser 95-year-old woman with Dementia  A 95-year-old woman with dementia has been hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after being tasered by police in Australia, leading to widespread outrage. Authorities were called to the care home, Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, Australia, following reports Clare Nowland was carrying a knife. Advocates argue that the response from the police was excessive and disproportionate, sparking widespread criticism.  According to Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Cotter, Clare Nowland was discovered with a steak night during the early morning hours, and despite attempts by officers and care home staff to de-escalate the situation,…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Friday’s front pages report on BT’s announcement that it will cut up to 55,000 staff by the end of the decade, with a fifth of those jobs being replaced by AI. The PM’s trip to Japan to meet with fellow G7 leaders also makes the front pages. AI job takeover The Mail wonders whether BT’s recent announcement of cutting up to 55,000 jobs by the end of the decade marks “the beginning of a significant upheaval in AI-driven job losses.” The paper says the move is a glimpse into a chilling future where the…

‘If it does happen it will be a serious situation.’

Metro – Harry and Meghan paparazzi chase Summary of the front page The Metro leads on Harry and Meghan’s recent claims to have been involved in a “near catastrophic” car chase with the paparazzi in New York City. The couple’s spokesperson said the paps followed the couple for nearly two hours. Most of the front page is dedicated to the news, but a little space is left for Eddie Izzard. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous image Next image

The Guardian – PM accused of being out of touch over cost of living Summary of the front page The Guardian says the prime minister has been accused of being “out of touch with ordinary families” after claiming the economy was improving. The front page also reports on Harry and Meghan’s NYC car chase. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous image Next image

Daily Mirror – Hospital horror Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror leads on the news that 19 people are being investigated by police after hundreds died while on opioid drugs at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Hampshire. The front page also carries an exclusive interview with the son of Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was attacked and killed by terrorists in 2013. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous image Next image

Daily Express – Rishi raises hope of tax cuts before elections Summary of the front page The Daily Express says the prime minister has hinted that tax cuts could be on the way before the next general election. The paper says Rishi Sunak has dismissed “doom-mongers” who claim the UK’s economic recovery has stalled. The front pages also reports on Harry and Meghan’s NYC car chase. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous image Next image

Rishi Sunak talking to EU over threat to UK electric cars Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is talking to the EU regarding a Brexit rule change that would impact the UK’s electric car ambitions. Carmakers in the UK and EU have requested a postponement of the rule change, as they the current deadline poses a threat to the UK industry. Carmaking giant Stellantis has expressed concern about the future of its UK factories. The company had previously committed to manufacturing electric vans in the UK but now faces potential tariffs of 10% on exports to the EU due to rules on…

Russia launches ninth wave of missile attacks on Kyiv this month A ninth attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv this month has been launched by Russia. Authorities in Kyiv reported that the incoming missiles had been destroyed but falling debris caused damage in two districts.  One person was killed and two wounded in a missile strike on the Black Sea port of Odesa. Blasts were also heard in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, and Zhytomyr.  The latest attack saw 30 missiles launched by Russia overnight, with 29 being shot down according to Ukraine’s Air Force. The air attacks have been described by Kyiv’s military…

Deadly floods devastate Italy and F1 cancelled Italy is experiencing heavy rains in the Emilia-Romagna region which have caused devastating flooding, resulting in nine deaths with several others still missing. Approximately 10,000 people have been evacuated, with some requiring helicopter rescues from rooftops. So far, the flooding has affected 23 towns as 14 rivers overflowed, causing significant damage. The upcoming Emilia-Romagna F1 Grand Prix has been cancelled as a result of the flooding.  The mayor of Ravenna described the city as unrecognisable due to the extent of the destruction. More rainfall is expected in the region in the coming days. …

TikTok’s ‘Iron Knee’ challenge will help you assess your clicky joints The ‘Iron knee’ challenge has taken over TikTok recently, designed to assess the condition of your knees. Sitting for long hours at a desk can take a toll on our bodies, resulting in stiffness. The Iron Knee challenge revolves around a series of squats, designed to assess your knee mobility, balance and overall lower body strength.  In a video by Dr Dan, he explains that if your knees are robust and flexible, the challenge should be relatively easy. But if you struggle, it may indicate that your lower body…

Financial Times -ChatGPT chief sees AI manipulation of US elections as ‘significant’ concern Summary of the front page The Financial Times leads with concerns that artificial intelligence could manipulate the US presidential election next year. Sam Altman, whose company created Chat GPT, told US lawmakers independent audits on AI technology and warnings similar to nutritional labels were “a great idea”. The front page also leads on the University of Oxford voting to remove the Sackler name from buildings, spaces and staff positions after an investigation by the publication found the university had continued its ties with the wealthy Sackler family,…

Metro – 2.5m too sick to work Summary of the front page The Metro reports some 2.5 million people are not working due to long-term illness. The Office of National Statistic released its latest sickness figures, pointing out that it coincides with the UK’s unemployment rate “unexpectedly” rising by 0.1% to 3.9%. The Princess of Wales’s escapades at a charity event in Bath also make the front page, with the royal pictured smiling in a bright yellow blazer as she takes part in a beanbag competition. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous image…

The Guardian – Alarm as ministers target housing standards to cut asylum hotels bill Summary of the front page The Guardian says ministers are going to remove basic housing protections from asylum seekers in an attempt to move thousands of people out of hotels and into privately rented accommodation. The shake-up, “designed to move tens of thousands out of hotels and into the private rented sector”, would exempt landlords from meeting minimum safety regulations in accommodation, such as electrical safety and minimum room sizes. MPs could vote “as soon as Wednesday” on the plans, put forward by Home Secretary Suella…

The Times – Starmer: I’ll allow more homes on green belt Summary of the front page The Times reports that Sir Keir Starmer has promised to allow more houses to be built on the green belt. In an interview with the newspaper, the Labour leader says that, if his party are elected, he will relax planning restrictions to pave the way for more housebuilding. Sir Keir accuses the Conservatives of “killing the aspiration of home owning for a whole generation”. The newspaper also reports that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing the prospect of three by-elections after being advised that…

Daily Express – PM: You must let us deport illegal immigrants Summary of the front page The Daily Express says the prime minister has told European judges they must let the UK fly illegal migrants to Rwanda. Rishi Sunak reportedly told lawmakers in Strasbourg they needed to be “fair and transparent” after “secret late-night court rulings” meant deportation flights were grounded in the UK The front page reports on the ONS figures concerning a record number of Brits off work sick. The paper features an image of the Princess of Wales. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment…

Daily Mirror – Can’t afford a sandwich? Hard cheese Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror leads with a claim from former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, who says nobody has a right to cheap food. The paper brands her “another out-of-touch politician” after she remarked that struggling families should stop making cheese sandwiches to cut back on rising food costs. One expert told the paper that “ordinary people are sick of being told how to get by on next to nothing by wealthy politicians who have never known true poverty”. The Princess of Wales smiling in her sunshine-yellow blazer…

Nicolas Sarkozy to wear tag after losing corruption appeal Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal against a corruption conviction, but the Paris appeals court has ruled the former French president could serve his sentence at home with an electronic tag instead of going to jail.  Sarkozy was sentenced in 2021 to three years in prison, with two suspended, for attempting to influence a judge in a separate case. The corruption conviction is one among several cases involving Sarkozy, who denies any wrongdoing. Prosecutors recently requested that he should stand trial over allegations of illegal funding from the Libyan government during…

Primary school children suffer “life-changing” injuries in Melbourne bus crash A group of primary school children in Melbourne, Australia has been involved in a devastating bus crash, resulting in traumatic and life-changing injuries. The crash occurred when a truck rear-ended the bus, causing it to roll over on Tuesday afternoon. There were 45 students on board, and 18 of them, aged 5-11, were rushed to the hospital , many to undergo emergency surgeries.  The collision happened shortly after the bus departed from Exford Primary School on the western outskirts of Melbourne. Bystanders assisted in rescuing the trapped children from the…

Loafers Lodge: New Zealand Police launch homicide investigation into hostel fire A homicide investigation has been launched by authorities in New Zealand following the devastating fire that engulfed the Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington on Monday. At least six people have died in the fire, and around 20 people still remain unaccounted for. The full extent of the damage has hindered investigators from accessing the building until Wednesday. Firefighters found six bodies on Tuesday, they have not yet announced the identities of the deceased and of those still missing. Rescue efforts were challenging, with residents forced to navigate through thick…

Cabinet rift as Braverman told to ‘stick to job’ amid fears she’s pushing to replace PM The Independent says A cabinet rift has opened up over the direction of Rishi Sunak’s government after Suella Braverman sparked fears she is pitching to be prime minister by setting out her hardline, right-wing vision of conservatism. Levelling up secretary Michael Gove rejected “strident” culture war attacks and warned the Tories that focusing on economic competence was the only way to win the general election, expected in 2024. And senior Conservatives told The Independent that Ms Braverman was already “overpromoted” and a bad influence…

Suella Braverman hints at leadership ambitions with unusually personal pitch to Tory right Sky News says Given Suella Braverman is a senior government minister, her speech at the National Conservatism conference was heavy on the Suella stuff and light on the government stuff. After being interrupted by two protesters (“write a letter” came the shout from the crowd), the home secretary opened with a lengthy explanation of her own backstory and how her family initially came to the UK. “55 years ago, on a cold February morning in 1968, an Asian man, not yet 21, stepped off a plane at…

Suella Braverman’s ‘vision for conservatism’ is a psychodrama of self-interest The Independent says The Tory Party knows it is sinking. You can tell not only because so many of them have already got their eye on the soon to be vacant captain’s job, but also because they reckon they can get it by driving into the iceberg again, but this time even harder. For some reason, the Conservative Party is having not one but two fully deranged “conventions” over the weekend and into this week, and both are seeking to outdo the other in their complete and utter failure to…

Ben Jennings on Suella Braverman’s dreams of being in No 10 — cartoon The Guardian’s take on Suella Braverman’s aims for No 10.  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2023/may/16/ben-jennings-on-suella-bravermans-dreams-of-being-in-no-10-cartoon