Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes Senior Hamas official Dr Basem Naim credited President Trump for facilitating a ceasefire and urged continued pressure on Israel to honour the agreement. Dr Naim expressed opposition to any role for former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in Gaza’s future, citing negative sentiments surrounding his past military interventions. The official indicated that Hamas would consider stepping aside for a Palestinian governing body post-war but would maintain their presence on the ground. Hamas official…

Cliff Notes Fayaz Khan, a 26-year-old Afghan migrant, was found guilty of threatening Nigel Farage in a TikTok video, described as “chilling” by Farage himself. The trial revealed Khan’s extensive online presence, including a live-streamed journey to the UK and videos featuring gun gestures alongside his AK-47 tattoo. Despite Khan’s claim that the video was comedic and not a real threat, prosecutors characterised it as sinister, pointing to his interest in firearms as a significant…

Cliff Notes Ricky Hatton’s legacy unites Manchester’s rival football fans, transcending the divide between Manchester City and Manchester United supporters. A Manchester United fan demonstrated this unity by wearing a Manchester City shirt in Hatton’s honour, highlighting his impact on the community. Tributes from both City and United fans were seen at the recent Manchester derby, showcasing the widespread admiration for Hatton. Ricky Hatton funeral live: Famous faces arriving at Manchester Cathedral as huge crowds…

Cliff Notes – Starmer is navigating freedom of Speech and expression Harriet Harman emphasised the need for the government to clarify the reasons behind Palestine Action’s designation as a terrorist group amidst rising protests. She highlighted the dual responsibility of the government: protecting the Jewish community while ensuring the right to free speech and peaceful protest. Harman underscored the need for police to effectively manage protests, preventing incitement of violence and ensuring public safety without…

Cliff Notes Three young adult men, aged 16 to 22, were arrested in Antwerp over a suspected jihadist-inspired attack targeting politicians, including Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Authorities discovered an improvised device and a 3D printer for attack components during police raids, with two suspects still under interrogation. Police thwart suspected plot to attack Belgium’s prime minister | World News . Three men have been arrested in Belgium over a suspected plot to attack the…

Cliff Notes Alfie Franco, 20, was convicted of murder for stabbing 16-year-old Syrian refugee Ahmad Al Ibrahim in Huddersfield, sparked by a petty altercation. Ahmad, who recently fled Syria in search of a better life, collapsed after being attacked with a flick knife, offering no threat as he was unarmed. Franco claimed self-defence during the trial, yet the prosecution described his actions as unreasonable, emphasising his drug use and aggressive behaviour prior to the incident.…

Cliff Notes Linda McQueen, a lifelong friend of Kate McCann, has known her for 55 years and describes their relationship as close and familial. McQueen highlighted the “very persistent and overwhelming” nature of Julia Wandelt’s contact with McCann, marking a notable increase in 2024. After discovering a Facebook message from Wandelt, which had been in her spam inbox since August 2024, McQueen expressed feeling protective and disturbed by the situation. Madeleine McCann’s sister tells trial…

Cliff Notes Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russian air defences mistakenly shot down an Azerbaijani passenger jet in December, resulting in 38 fatalities. Putin stated that missiles targeting a Ukrainian drone detonated near the aircraft causing damage primarily from debris, which the pilot initially misreported as a bird strike. At a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President, Putin promised to hold those accountable accountable and to provide compensation to the victims’ families. Putin admits Russia shot down…

Cliff Notes Israel confirms that of the 250 hostages taken during the 7 October attack by Hamas, 20 are believed to be alive and 28 are dead. A peace deal mediated by US President Donald Trump includes the release of hostages and a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza. A ceasefire is set to take effect within 24 hours, with hostages expected to be freed within 72 hours thereafter. All the hostages believed to be…

Cliff Notes Trust in the Scottish government has significantly declined since 1999, dropping to 47% in 2024 from 81% at the start of devolution. Satisfaction with the NHS has fallen to 22%, marking the lowest level since the time series began, with concerns about service standards rising sharply. While support for independence is at 47%, the findings indicate a lack of confidence in political institutions and a complex relationship with identity in Scotland. Less than…

Cliff Notes Donald Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize over ten times, with support from various international figures, including Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, who cites Trump’s role in peace efforts. Experts cast doubt on Trump’s Nobel chances, highlighting his administration’s actions, such as withdrawing from global agreements, which contradict the award’s intent to promote international fellowship. Recent developments in Middle Eastern peace negotiations have sparked renewed speculation about Trump’s viability as a candidate…

Cliff Notes Benjamin Netanyahu announced a “critical turning point” in the Gaza war following the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, which promises the return of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. Celebrations erupted in both Gaza and Israel as families of hostages expressed joy at the anticipated return of their loved ones, while Hamas urged for quick implementation of the deal to avoid delays. The agreement outlines an immediate ceasefire, the removal of…

Cliff Notes Britain faces the lowest winter power blackout risk in six years, attributed to augmented battery capacity and a new subsea electricity cable to Ireland. A record 54.5% of electricity in Britain came from renewables in recent months, significantly lowering reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. While supply margins have improved, the National Energy System Operator warns of potential “tight” days, particularly in December and January. Britain’s winter blackout risk the lowest in six…

Cliff Notes – Health fears for an American Legend Dolly Parton, aged 79, addressed health concerns amidst social media rumours, reassuring fans that she is “okay” and “not ready to die yet.” Her sister, Freida Parton, had previously expressed worry about Dolly’s health, prompting a request for prayers, which was later clarified to be due to minor health issues. Dolly revealed she is managing some health challenges but emphasised that they aren’t serious, attributing her…

Cliff Notes Donald Trump has suggested that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for not protecting federal immigration officers, without presenting supporting evidence. The Trump administration is reportedly deploying Texas National Guard soldiers in Chicago amidst prior threats of mass immigration raids, despite local objections and protests. Pritzker and Johnson have condemned Trump’s remarks, with Pritzker suggesting they signify a move towards authoritarianism, as federal troops have been previously…

Cliff Notes Doreen Lawrence condemned David Norris, admitting his role in her son’s murder, as a “coward” and a “liar” for refusing to name other accomplices during his parole hearing. Norris expressed regret for his actions but has a history of racist behaviour, including recent incidents in prison, raising concerns about his potential release. Lawrence urged police to investigate further after Norris confessed to a priest in 2018; she demands accountability and justice for all…

Cliff Notes ‘I want to create the Nike of lingerie’: How a former singer turned Instagram page into a £17m business Less than 20% of all active UK companies are led by women, and the pace of new business registrations is slowing down. That’s according to analysis of Companies House data by Prowess, which also found women-led companies receive just 5.8% of all investment. Lemon Fuller is a former dancer, choreographer, singer and now the…

Cliff Notes Human remains have been discovered during a police search related to the disappearance of Malgorzata Wnuczek, who vanished in May 2006 in Leicester. The identity of the remains is currently unknown, and forensic tests are planned to confirm any connection to Ms Wnuczek. Leicestershire Police are conducting ongoing searches in the area and are in contact with the family, who have requested privacy during this difficult time. Remains found in search for woman…

Cliff Notes – Gaza war latest: Protesters assembled outside King’s College London, chanting controversial slogans that raised concerns over antisemitism amid calls for a free Palestine. The demonstration occurred despite a request from the Prime Minister for students to refrain from attending on the anniversary of a Hamas attack that resulted in significant casualties. Tensions were evident, with members of the Jewish community expressing fear and asserting that some protesters should be arrested for incitement.…

Cliff Notes The UK recorded at least 1,611 homeless deaths in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year, including 11 child fatalities. Data collected by the Museum of Homelessness highlights that current death figures may underestimate the true scale of homelessness and related deaths. The government’s homelessness minister described the deaths as an “abject failure,” stressing the need for urgent action and improved support services. Abject failure’ as UK’s homeless deaths rise – including…

Cliff Notes A report by The Resolution Foundation reveals that average earners would take 52 years to save enough to rise from middle to top wealth distribution, estimating a need of around £1.3m. Despite a dramatic increase in overall wealth, relative wealth inequality remains stable, with the richest 10% owning about half of all wealth, worsening intergenerational inequality. The discussion around a potential wealth tax is sparked by calls from figures like former Labour leader…

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer is leading a significant trade mission to India with 125 UK business leaders to strengthen bilateral relations, coinciding with the Conservative Party conference. The UK-India trade deal, signed five months ago, remains unimplemented, with ongoing consultations regarding tax provisions for Indian businesses in the UK. Starmer dismissed calls from business leaders for increased visas, emphasising that the focus should be on business engagement rather than immigration policies. Starmer refuses to…

Cliff Notes Up to 14.2 million individuals may receive an average of £700 in compensation for car loan mis-selling, with 44% of agreements from 2007 to 2024 being eligible for payouts. The FCA has established a compensation scheme to avoid lengthy legal processes, estimating the total cost to be around £8.2 billion, funded by involved lenders. Consumers should contact their lenders within a year if they believe they’re affected, with compensation payments expected to commence…

Cliff Notes The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) plans to appeal a chief magistrate’s dismissal of a terrorism case against Liam Og O hAnnaidh of Kneecap, citing an important legal point that needs clarification. O hAnnaidh’s case was thrown out due to a technical error; it was determined that prosecutors needed permission from the attorney general prior to charging him with a terror offence. Following the dismissal, O hAnnaidh expressed that the case was more about…

Cliff Notes David Norris, one of Stephen Lawrence’s killers, publicly expressed remorse for his actions during a parole hearing but refused to disclose who fatally stabbed the teenager, raising concerns from Lawrence’s family. Norris acknowledged his participation in the attack, claiming it was impulsive and motivated by a “gang mentality,” while his family stressed that genuine remorse and full disclosure are necessary for any forgiveness. Despite Norris’s claims of reform, evidence presented at the hearing…