Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill changes include concessions like exempting existing PIP claimants, following rebellion from 127 Labour MPs concerned about poverty risks. The prime minister endorsed the U-turn as "common sense," enabling the government to push forward with its welfare reforms. Critics highlight the potential creation of a "two-tier system" and ongoing discontent among MPs, with some still pledging to vote against the revised bill. Welfare concessions ‘common sense’, says PM -…

Cliff Notes: Man kicks customs dog at Dulles International Airport An Egyptian man, Hamad Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie, pleaded guilty to federal charges for kicking a customs beagle, Freddie, at Washington Dulles International Airport. Authorities discovered over 100lbs of undeclared agricultural products in Marie’s luggage, which are prohibited to prevent harmful pests and diseases. Marie has been ordered to pay for Freddie’s veterinary treatment and was deported back to Egypt following his court appearance. Man…

Cliff Notes: Nike says Trump tariffs could cost it $1bn Nike estimates an additional $1 billion in costs this year if current US tariffs remain unchanged, prompting a potential price increase for consumers in the autumn. The company plans to reduce its reliance on Chinese imports, aiming to lower footwear production from China to a “high single digit” percentage. Nike has recorded its worst quarterly results in over three years, with revenues at $11.1 billion,…

Cliff Notes Daniel Bannister, 50, has pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order by visiting Cheryl’s home, previously admitting he “can’t stay away.” He was jailed for 16 weeks in March for similar offences and had a history of previous convictions, including a manslaughter charge in 2012. Bannister is currently remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 September. Convicted killer jailed for stalking Cheryl admits another restraining order…

The Friday newspaper front pages won’t be an easy read for the prime minister this morning, as they react to his U-turn on his highly controversial welfare cuts.

Many of the papers had gone to print before the watered-down bill was confirmed. They acknowledge that the prime minister offered the more than 120 Labour rebels ‘concessions’ but did not know the details.

Beyond welfare cuts, the rest of the papers are made up of a mix of different headlines from ongoing coverage of the US bombing of Iran to the UK and France agreeing on a migrant returns deal.

The head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) disputes UN casualty figures, alleging a “disinformation campaign” against their aid efforts.

Labour rebels win as Starmer backs down over benefit cuts – UK second heatwave this weekend – Pound hits four-year high | What Happened Today
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the embarrassing U-turn from the prime minister over benefit cuts. More than 120 Labour MPs were mounting a rebellion over Starmer’s heavy cuts to welfare, which the government’s assessment said could end up pushing 250,000 people into poverty, including children. The PM’s desire to slash the ballooning welfare bill is a bid to save around £5bn a year. But it had caused massive upset as the most vulnerable were facing losing key benefits, including disabled people.

The government confirmed the climbdown will mean those currently receiving PIP or the health elements of Universal Credit will continue to do so, and instead, the planned cuts will only hit future claimants.

The vote will proceed as planned on Tuesday in the Commons and is expected to pass.

Amber health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to rise above 30C, in the second UK heatwave in June this year – don’t forget your sunscreen!

Elsewhere, the news that the pound briefly hit its highest level against the dollar for almost four years after markets were unnerved by a report that Trump could bring forward the naming of a new head of the US central bank.

Rob Howard, Reform UK’s first council leader, has quit just five weeks after taking charge of Warwickshire County Council, citing personal health issues.

Inspector Moloy Campbell described severe injuries sustained while confronting Marcus Monzo during a rampage, highlighting the sharpness of the samurai sword used in the attack.

Israel has closed the Zikim crossing, the primary aid route into northern Gaza, halting the most direct deliveries to the region most in need.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered major concessions to over 120 Labour MPs who threatened to oppose key parts of the welfare reform bill.

Kai West, a 25-year-old British man, has been charged in the US for allegedly leading a global hacking scheme that led to losses exceeding £18 million.

Brazilian officials, including Climate Minister Marina Silva, criticise a NATO agreement to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP, arguing funds should instead support climate initiatives and address hunger.

The Prime Minister has faced a significant backlash from 127 MPs, leading to a climbdown on proposed cuts to disability benefits and a need to rebuild trust within his party.

Dame Anna Wintour is resigning as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years but will continue as global editorial director and chief content officer of Conde Nast.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding celebrations have commenced in Venice, attracting around 200-250 high-profile guests, including the Kardashians and Oprah Winfrey.

Pete Hegseth’s news conference highlighted the contentious political atmosphere in Washington regarding the US attack on Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant, anticipating a divide over forthcoming damage assessments.

Cliff Notes A new portable gene therapy device, NANOSPRESSO, allows hospital pharmacies to create personalised medicines on demand for rare diseases affecting over 300 million people globally. The device combines genetic material and fats in a cartridge, enabling pharmacists to produce targeted medicines tailored to individual patients’ needs. Despite its potential, NANOSPRESSO must overcome regulatory hurdles and meet strict safety standards before widespread use in healthcare settings can be realised. How gene therapy device could…

Tracking Trump’s presidency Live:

Trump made an angry start to the week displaying his frustration at Israel.

On Tuesday he headed to NATO to secure billions of spending for the next 10 years.

On Wednesday he declared a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, amidst backlash that US strikes were ineffective on Irans nuclear facility.

Two Metropolitan Police officers found guilty of gross misconduct during the strip search of a 15-year-old girl, known as Child Q, without an appropriate adult present.

CITY AM says fears over the health of the City’s stock market have been laid bare after trading platform IG became the latest firm to sound the alarm over the “crisis unfolding” on the London bourse.

Cliff Notes An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England, anticipating temperatures of up to 34C on Monday, potentially breaking the June record of 35.6C set in 1976. The UK Health Security Agency warns that the alerts, valid from Friday to Tuesday, aim to inform health workers of possible service impacts from the heat. Climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of June heatwaves in the South East, making three consecutive…

The FT leads with an image of the Nato leaders in The Hague. The leaders have pledged to meet Trump’s demand for more spending on defence.

The European Commission has introduced its landmark EU Space Act, which proposes a unified regulatory framework for the entire bloc, applicable to both EU and non-EU space operators.

Reform UK would gain 271 seats if a general election was held today according to new polling.