Author: WTX News Editor

The WTX News Teams works around the clock to deliver, breaking news and news Briefings to you on a daily basis. It is our opinion that sometimes you need information, not speculation so we try to cut through the bull**** and give you that in your Daily News Briefing.

Cliff Notes Clodagh Rodgers, the Northern Irish singer renowned for her fourth-place finish at the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, passed away at the age of 78 after a three-year illness. Known for her vibrant career in the 1970s and 1980s, she performed on numerous iconic television shows and released six albums during her six-decade career. Rodgers is survived by her two sons, Sam and Matt, who remembered her as ‘the rock of this family’ in…

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Cliff Notes – Will Labour’s plan for Asylum succeed Labour’s plan for failed asylum seekers shows they’re willing to adopt previously unpalatable policies The Conservatives leapt on Labour’s idea for third country migrant “returns hubs” as evidence that cancelling their controversial Rwanda plan was a mistake. In fundamental terms, the Rwanda plan was very different, not least because it was implacably opposed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which is now – in principle at least…

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Cliff Notes A 20-year-old man, Mazyar Azarbonyad, has admitted to dangerous driving after a crash on the A1 involving five police vehicles that resulted in seven officers being injured. Azarbonyad, driving a BMW, failed to stop for police who had concerns about his driving behaviour; he later continued to drive multiple times while on bail. All injured police officers have since been discharged from hospital; a woman in her 20s arrested alongside Azarbonyad faces no…

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Cliff Notes David Kogan, a media rights expert with extensive experience in English football, is the frontrunner to chair the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), expected to be recommended to the Prime Minister soon. Kogan’s background includes advising top football leagues and negotiating significant broadcast deals, including the Women’s Super League’s new agreements with Sky and BBC. The IFR’s establishment is part of a broader reform in English football governance, facing scrutiny from major clubs amid…

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Cliff Notes – Race between humans and robots The world’s first half-marathon with humanoid robots took place in Beijing, featuring 21 robots that must resemble humans and are required to run without wheels. The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, completed the course in two hours and 40 minutes, while the top human runner finished in one hour and two minutes. Numerous incidents occurred during the race, including one robot falling at the start and another crashing…

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Cliff Notes Chancellor warns against halting engagement with China, stressing its significance as the world’s second-largest Economy amidst ongoing UK-US trade negotiations. Rachel Reeves plans to discuss a trade deal with the US, aiming to mitigate the impact of President Trump’s 10% tariffs on UK imports. Despite trade tensions with China, Reeves supports Shein’s potential IPO in the UK, highlighting the strict regulations of the London Stock Exchange and Financial Conduct Authority. PM and Trump…

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Cliff Notes Health Secretary Wes Streeting is exploring the implementation of “health MOTs” for older citizens in the UK, inspired by Japan’s personalised medical plans for its ageing population. Japan’s approach combines genomics and AI to create tailored health programmes, with the potential to revolutionise preventative care in the NHS. Streeting envisions these personalised health strategies as a key component of his forthcoming 10-year plan for the UK health service, aiming to alleviate pressures on…

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Cliff Notes – Boys refusing to talk to female teachers A survey by NASUWT reveals 59% of teachers believe social media, particularly influencer content, is worsening student behaviour, contributing to misogyny and sexism in UK classrooms. Educators reported that influences like Andrew Tate have led to derogatory attitudes among male pupils towards women and non-conforming peers. The NASUWT calls for a multi-agency approach to combat the rising tide of far-right and extremist ideologies affecting young…

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Cliff Notes Donald Trump signalled a potential withdrawal from peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, citing frustration with progress two months into talks. Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicated readiness to "move on" if either side complicates the process further. Continued Russian military attacks raise doubts about Moscow’s commitment to peace, overshadowing discussions about a US minerals deal with Ukraine intended to aid reconciliation. Trump threatens to ‘take a pass’ on Ukraine…

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Cliff Notes A woman was reportedly injured after being struck by a car and carried 30 yards on its bonnet during a hit-and-run incident near Wembley Arena. Footage shows her dancing in the road shortly before the crash, which occurred as concertgoers left an event. A 33-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and released on bail; police seek to locate the injured woman for her well-being. Police appeal to find dancing…

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Cliff Notes A senior police officer, Chief Superintendent Tom Simons of Essex Police, was dismissed for sexual misconduct involving two women while on duty. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation revealed that Simons abused his position and ignored reminders about professional boundaries. Although he faced allegations of sexual offences, coercive control, and misconduct, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to charge him criminally. Essex Police: Senior officer sacked for sexual contact with woman…

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Cliff Notes Rory McIlroy returned to Northern Ireland with his family after winning the Masters and becoming the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam. His victory marked his first major win since 2014, concluding a dramatic play-off against Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose. McIlroy expressed his gratitude, stating he was “honoured and thrilled” to call himself a Masters champion after 17 attempts. Rory McIlroy arrives back in Belfast after Masters victory Rory McIlroy…

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Cliff Notes A migrant tragically died while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat, prompting an ongoing investigation by Kent Police to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Following the medical emergency, several migrants were rescued and brought to Dover by Border Force and RNLI vessels on Friday morning. The incident comes amidst a significant increase in small boat crossings, with 705 arrivals reported on Tuesday, marking 2025 as the busiest year…

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Cliff Notes A coroner deemed the UK’s drivers’ eyesight verification system “unsafe” following the deaths of four individuals, highlighting it as one of the “laxest in Europe” regarding self-reported eyesight conditions. The coroner noted that the UK is the only European nation that issues driving licences without mandatory eyesight checks for individuals up to the age of 70, enabling unsafe driving practices. Current regulations allow drivers to self-report eyesight issues, creating opportunities for dishonesty, while…

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Cliff Notes Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland met Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongfully deported to El Salvador during Donald Trump’s administration, amid ongoing legal efforts to secure his return to the US. The senator was reportedly denied entry to a high-security prison in El Salvador, which he condemned as "appalling," prompting a response from the White House. Garcia’s deportation has sparked controversy, with allegations of administrative errors and concerns over the treatment of…

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