Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a ban on transgender women participating in female competitions, effective immediately, following a UK Supreme Court ruling defining "woman" under equality laws as a biological female. The ECB emphasized its commitment to inclusivity but acknowledged the significant impact this decision would have on transgender players, while also stating they will support those affected through local recreational cricket boards. Cricket bosses ban transgender women from…

Yesterday was the hottest start to May on record as the country was hit with wildfires, the Metro.

A key ambition for 80% of cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days could be dropped because services have little chance of hitting the target, a committee heard.

English local elections on May 1 mark the first time widespread voting has happened in the UK since last year’s general election.

Banks in the City of London have poured more than $100bn (£75bn) into companies developing “carbon bombs” says The Guardian.

NHS patients will be prescribed weight-loss jabs at pharmacies as part of Britain’s war on obesity., says The Telegraph.

Russell Brand has been granted bail after facing charges for multiple sexual offences, including rape, related to incidents involving four women between 1999 and 2005.

Pharmacists are set to hand out weight-loss jabs on the NHS, says the front page of the Daily Mail.

The NHS is considering making available weight loss jabs over the counter. The new scheme is part of Britain’s plan to tackle obesity.

Early indications suggest Reform gains in England local elections yesterday will be a big boost for Nigel Farage’s party – and a dent in the ego of traditional parties. The sweeping gains made by Reform suggest Britain might be moving away from the traditional two-party dominance and into a new era of politics.

The full results won’t be available until later today – and there’s still a lot of counting to do, but so far things are looking good for the far-right party.

After a week of headlines being dominated by the latest from the Trump administration, Friday’s UK headlines are focused on local and domestic issues. 

The sun continues to shine this morning with the beautiful weather set to continue into the weekend. Yesterday, the UK recorded the hottest day on record (so far) – and it’s not just the weather that’s heating up – the headlines are too.

Reform UK secured a narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, winning by just six votes after Labour previously held the seat with a substantial majority of nearly 14,700.

Pakistan preparing for Indian attack as the country’s firewalls and security defences have closed a firewall around Pakistan. The Pakistan army has launched an operation to intercept expected Indian attacks in the country, including potential terrorist attacks in the south of the country in the state of Balochistan. In the days after the Pahalgam deaths in India-administered Kashmir, India and Pakistan announced a string of diplomatic moves against each other, including shutting down cross-border trade…

Reform UK secured a narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, defeating Labour by just six votes, marking a significant loss for Sir Keir Starmer.

China’s Commerce Ministry is evaluating the Trump administration’s approaches for trade talks, but one-sided tariffs up to 145% are seen as a significant barrier, undermining trust between the two nations.

Apple will source most iPhones from India and iPads from Vietnam to avoid the effects of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, aiming to maintain consumer prices in the US.

Over 1,600 council seats are contested across 23 local authorities, alongside mayoral elections and a critical by-election in Runcorn and Helsby following Labour MP Mike Amesbury’s resignation.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is reviewing the veterinary industry amid concerns from 56,000 pet owners regarding high prices and lack of transparency in treatment costs.

England is electing six mayors, including four combined authority mayors (metro mayors) and two city mayors, with most positions last contested in 2021.

Timing is critical for Trump; Waltz’s sacking came after the 100-day milestone, highlighting political expediency over immediate accountability.

Two police horses, Yvonne and Snaffles, were attacked by a small dog in Shepherd’s Bush, London, while on patrol.

The owner of Space NK has initiated a formal sale process, with teasers circulated to prospective bidders amid concerns over the UK Economy.

Cliff Notes A military flypast celebrating 80 years since VE Day is scheduled for 5 May, featuring the RAF’s Red Arrows and various military aircraft, including Typhoons and F-35s. The event will commence with a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, involving over 1,300 members of the UK Armed Forces. Spectators outside London can also view the flypast, as it will cover areas including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Buckinghamshire, with specific time slots for…

Politics dominates, of course, as the US economy officially shrunk in the first quarter of Trump 2.0 amid sweeping tariffs.

US and Ukraine sign a deal that will give Washington access to some of the war-torn country’s natural resources.

There are reports Tesla are looking to replace Elon Musk as CEO – although this has since been rejected by the car company.

What’s dominating the USA news headlines? Politics, politics, politics! Protests are sweeping the US – as are measles – with anti-Trump and anti-Musk protests expected in Florida today, there’s coverage of the US economy as fears of a recession start to climb and perhaps the biggest story for the US today is news that the US and Ukraine sign minerals deal in major breakthrough.