Author: WTX News

French rescuers failed to help sinking boat French rescue services apparently failed to respond properly to a migrant boat that sank in the Channel last November, evidence is beginning to show. There were at least 33 people on board and only two survived the disaster. The BBC has seen transcripts of emergency calls made to the French coastguard, which suggests that passengers were repeatedly told to call UK emergency services, despite being in French water when they first requested help.  A French police investigation, leaked to the newspaper Le Monde, appears to suggest that the French coastguard never sent help…

China records highest number of Covid-19 cases as virus surges China has recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. The news comes despite the strict measures in place designed to eliminate the virus. Major cities across China have suffered outbreaks – including the capital Beijing and the southern trade hub Guangzhou. The country recorded 31,527 cases on Wednesday – higher than the about 28,000 peak recorded in April – when Shanghai was locked down. The surge comes as the strict lockdowns continue to spark episodes of unrest. China has a zero-Covid policy, whilst…

Ukraine war: Zelensky denounces Russian ‘terror’ in UN address Ukraine’s president Zelenksy has accused Russia of “crimes against humanity.” He said that the Russian “formula of terror” had forced “millions of people to stay without energy supplies, without heating, without water” in sub-zero cold. The strikes have killed at least seven people, and nuclear power plants went off-line, Ukraine said. The three plants were disconnected from the grid and the Zaporizhzhia plant was forced again to rely on diesel generators to power its cooling systems and key safety equipment. Neighbouring Moldova experienced blackouts on Wednesday but was not directly hit. …

US Walmart shooting: Manager kills 6 at supermarket A longtime manager at a Walmart store in Virginia has shot dead six people and injured six others. The gunman opened fire on colleagues in a staff room. He then turned the gun on himself and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. At present, there is still no clear motive for the shooting. Police say they are not searching for anyone else in connection with the shooting. The gunman has been identified as Andre Bing, 31, who was armed with a handgun as well as multiple magazines. Bing was the…

Romania was a constitutional monarchy from 1881 until 1947.

De Bruyne was not happy after Belgium edge past Canada in their World Cup opener.

The Rocket Man shut down NYC.

The remote archipelago is a British overseas colony – but Buenos Aires has never relinquished its claim.

Princess Charlene married Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011. The couple share the twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.

The Independent – On the breadline Summary of the front page The Independent leads with its Christmas appeal to raise money to help people tackle the cost of living crisis. The paper says Comic Relief has given the paper £1m to kick start their appeal. The front page features a picture from the Argentine vs Saudi Arabia game – a stunned-looking Lionel Messi makes the front page following the shock loss. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

The Guardian – Doctors’ warning: poverty forcing sick people to keep going to work Summary of the front page The Guardian splashes on a story about how patients are refusing sick notes from their GPs because they cannot afford time off work, according to doctors. The paper quotes Dr Kamila Hawthorne saying that greater numbers of patients are experiencing asthma attacks because they cannot heat their homes, as well as mental health issues brought on by the cost of living crisis. The front page features an image from the Argentina vs Saudi Arabia world cup game – the result which…

The Greyhound Inn was wrapped in a giant red ribbon for the festive period, but it looks suspiciously like a St George’s Cross.

Metro – It’s Mick Grinch Summary of the front page It’s Mick Grinch – that’s the Metro’s take on the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union’s announcement of more strikes for rail passengers in the run-up to Christmas. The front page carries a picture of union boss Mick Lynch and says the impact on the rail network will be made worse by an overtime ban and engineering works scheduled for the same period. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Vladimir Putin is set to face more pressure from the West after MEPs voted in favour of the resolution.

Daily Express – Unions inflict Christmas strike misery Summary of the front page Britain faces a nightmare before Christmas, the Daily Express writes in its lead story about strikes due to take place across a range of industries in the festive period. The paper says the RMT’s announcement has “piled further misery” on top of strikes by civil servants, HGV drivers, postal workers, nurses, and security staff already planned over the next two months. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the ruling was ‘clear and unequivocal’.

Daily Mirror – Country that bans love Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror’s lead story takes a look at how the ‘storm’ over gay rights has intensified at the World Cup in Qatar. World Cup host Qatar is accused of waging a “war on equality.” The paper reports that Fifa subjected the England team to “extreme blackmail” to stop captain Harry Kane wearing a One Love armband in support of LGBT rights for the side’s opening game against Iran on Monday. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Russian men mobilised to fight in Ukraine are continuing to plan their escape from Vladimir Putin’s orders.

Millions have begun receiving the payment in their bank accounts

The Sun- Hero to the throne Summary of the front page The Sun writes about a doctor who received an award presented by King Charles, after saving lives in Ukraine. The paper writes that the King handed her the award on what turned out to be his final day as Prince Charles. The front page image is of the “heroic” doctor Freda Newlands and King Charles. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

The Supreme Court has rejected Holyrood from granting a second Scottish independence referendum.

Judges reject SNP argument and rule Holyrood cannot legislate on indyref2

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Wednesday’s front pages feature a variety of stories. A number of the papers splash on the news that the RMT rail union is to stage a series of strikes before Christmas.  December rail strikes – ‘Christmas chaos’ “When will we rein in the unions intent on Christmas chaos?” asks the Daily Mail. The paper says the strikes could cost the hospitality industry millions of pounds but ministers don’t want to be bounced into a settlement with the union because they are worried significant pay rises would set a precedent.  The Sun’s editorial piece reports…

Supreme Court ruling: Scottish government loses indyref2 case The Supreme Court has ruled the Scottish government cannot hold a second referendum (known as indyref2) without the consent of the UK government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants a referendum to be held on 19 October 2023.  But the UK government has so far refused to grant formal consent for a vote that was in place before the referendum in 2014.

World Cup 2022: Wales match gets higher TV ratings The Wales vs USA game has beat out the England vs Iran game in TV ratings. An average UK audience of 7.4 million watched the England game on BBC One, according to ratings body Barb. That compares with 9.4 million who tuned in for the Wales game on ITV. The difference in viewership is likely explained partly due to timings. The England match occurred at 1 pm on a Monday, while people were still at work. Whilst the Wales game took place in prime time evening hours. However, the England match…