The UK government has announced plans to purchase at least 12 F-35 stealth jets, enhancing its nuclear capabilities for the first time in a generation.
Author: WTX News Editor
Wednesday’s headlines report that the UK is set to buy 12 new nuclear-carrying jets from the United States as it seeks to boost its deterrents amid an increasingly unstable world.
The prime minister is set to push ahead with his welfare reforms bill, despite the growing backlash and a mounting rebellion from Labour MPs, and some opposition. Critics suggest the bill could push thousands into poverty.
There is widespread coverage of Donald Trump’s recent outburst at Israel and Iran after they broke the US-brokered ceasefire within hours of it being agreed.
A leaked report from US intelligence has suggested that the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites did minimal damage and only set Iran’s nuclear programme back “a few months”. Trump has rejected the report, saying the nuclear sites in Iran were “completely destroyed.”
An early U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency assessment, according to American media CNN, indicates the weekend strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, failed to destroy the core nuclear infrastructure.
A study suggests that injured dog walkers may be costing the NHS approximately £23 million annually, primarily due to hand and wrist injuries from yanked leads.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared his intent to proceed with sweeping disability welfare reforms, despite over 123 Labour MPs rebelling and 11 opposition MPs joining calls to halt the bill.
The UK has announced a significant expansion of its nuclear deterrent by purchasing 12 US-made F‑35A fighter jets capable of delivering B61‑12 tactical nuclear bombs, a shift making it the first British planes since the Cold War to carry nuclear weapons.
A recent report indicates a sharp decline in children enjoying writing for pleasure, with only one in four aged 8 to 18 reporting such enjoyment—a drastic drop over 15 years.
New government plans will allow foreign criminals in England and Wales to be deported after 30% of their sentence, down from the current 50%.
A preliminary US assessment indicates that recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set back Tehran’s programme by a few months, contrary to claims of total destruction by Donald Trump.
The £51 million border control post at Parc Cybi in Holyhead will remain unused as the UK negotiates exemptions from import checks with the EU.
Israeli warplanes were prepared to retaliate against Iranian missile strikes, considering them a violation of a newly-established ceasefire.
Kemi Badenoch has stated that the Conservatives will support Labour’s controversial welfare reforms if Sir Keir Starmer commits to reducing the welfare budget, facilitating work placements, and avoiding tax increases.
Sir Keir Starmer insists on pursuing controversial benefit cuts despite backlash from over 100 Labour MPs, including Sir Sadiq Khan, who warns of detrimental impacts on vulnerable individuals.
Cliff Notes – Indian airlines are pretty poor in general The Air India plane crash killed 229 passengers and crew, with only one survivor, and has raised numerous questions, compounded by CCTV footage showing the aircraft struggling immediately after take-off. The ongoing investigation involves retrieving crucial black boxes, with an emphasis on understanding why the landing gear remained deployed and examining potential anomalies in the flight’s configurations. Analysts expect the investigation could take a significant…
The EU is set to revisit its €68 billion Association Agreement with Israel after its External Action Service found indications that Israel breached core human rights obligations, particularly through Gaza-related measures, including humanitarian blockades, strikes on hospitals, and forced displacement.
Jack Watkin, 26, pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud for a designer handbag scam, leveraging a fabricated luxurious lifestyle to con victims out of significant sums.
In Brussels, the European Union and Canada sealed their first-ever security and defence partnership with a non‑American nation.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper plans to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military planes. If Parliament approves, supporting the group could lead to up to 14 years in jail.
Labour MPs have launched a significant rebellion against the government’s welfare reform plans, with over 100 MPs backing an amendment that could effectively kill off the flagship welfare bill.
Cliff Notes Oliver Holbourn, currently the CEO of NatWest’s RBS International, is the leading candidate to head the National Wealth Fund after John Flint’s resignation. Holbourn has a background in Whitehall, previously managing UK Financial Investments, which handled taxpayer stakes in key UK banks. The National Wealth Fund aims to attract over £70bn in private investment for high-risk projects across various sectors to stimulate economic growth. NatWest exec Holbourn leads race to run National Wealth…
Tuesday’s front-page headlines feature various reports on the latest from the Middle East. Several newspapers report on the ceasefire agreed between Iran and Israel, brokered by the United States, whilst others focus on Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases after the United States decided to enter the Israeli war against Iran over the weekend. A handful of papers weigh up the UK’s role if the war were to escalate, it comes after criticism that the UK has been slow to back the United States’ attack on Iran.
There have been a number of reports of downed rockets in Amman, in Jordan. The rockets fired from Iran towards Israel have been intercepted by Jordan and also have fallen in Jordan due to GPS blocking software. Amman residents reported seeing dozens of Israeli and Iranian rockets crossing over their residential areas. These have become a common occurrence over the last few weeks. GPS jamming – Reports of downed rockets in Amman The main reason…
At least 25 individuals were killed and 146 wounded when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd waiting for aid trucks in Gaza. Among those injured, 62 are reported to be in critical condition.
For a second day running, the Israel-Iran conflict leads the way as Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the two nations. It comes after the US joined Israel in bombing Iran over the weekend, claiming to have wiped out Iran’s nuclear sites. Iran has returned retaliatory strikes on US bases in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Despite the US President announcing a ceasefire and Israel confirming it, it’s unclear how accurate this is. Iran has denied a ceasefire and has continued striking Israel.
It’s set to be a difficult week for the prime minister as Labour backbenchers mount a rebellion over cuts to welfare.
Ahead of the NATO summit this week, the UK is amongst the countries agreeing to up defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
The home secretary has moved quickly to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terror law. It comes just a day after activists broke into an RAF base and vandalised two military planes.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced by Donald Trump after 12 days of intense conflict involving strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan) and Iranian missile attacks, including one on a U.S. base in Qatar.