Close Menu
Thursday, January 16
Trending
Login
Register

A murky mild start in the south with strong winds, strongest being across the Pennines and exposed western coasts with rain spreading eastwards later. Turning

Outbreaks of rain soon spreading into Northern Ireland and Scotland, then spreading erratically eastwards into Wales and western England during the afternoon. Largely dry but often cloudy elsewhere. Feeling mild, but winds strengthening throughout the day, especially in the west. Tonight: A windy night, with outbreaks of rain spreading across all parts. Heaviest and most persistent rain across western hills, with some clearer albeit showery conditions arriving into the northwest later.

Tuesday’s news briefing

Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. PM Keir Starmer has played down allegations of a Chinese network of spies operating across Britain, and Andrew has been uninvited from royal events this Christmas. 

Yang also had contact with two former British prime ministers – Theresa May and David Cameron. Allegations of spying have led for calls for Britain to reassess how it manages its relationship with Beijing. 

Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died. Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he would take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case. 

December 18, 2024 11:30 am

UK inflation increases as cigarettes and petrol drive price rises

The rate of price rises in the UK increased to 2.6 per cent in November, as a hike in tobacco duty and petrol costs drove inflation higher.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced the latest monthly Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reading on Wednesday, up from 2.3 per cent in October.

The inflation level swung back above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target in October, largely because of household energy bills being pushed up as the price cap rose.

Continue reading …

UK inflation increases as cigarettes and petrol drive price rises

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/inflation-rate-rise-uk-november-cpi-ons-b2665930.html

The naming of the alleged Chinese spy makes the front pages – as does his friend Prince Andrew, who’s continuing to feel the heat over his connections to the businessman that MI5 believe is a security threat to Britain.

There is coverage of several ongoing domestic stories including calls from Lucy Letby’s lawyers for a review of her murder conviction after a key witness ‘changed his mind.’ There’s also a light splattering of Brexit and budget stories on the front pages. 

The latest Premier League gossip leads the back pages, with scandal at the heart of Man Utd following a line-up leak and assessments of the dire situation Manchester City have found themselves in this season so far.

Chris Yang named as Chinese spy

The metro Newspaper HD logo

‘Yang asked the court to lift blackout so be could deny allegations,’ reports Metro.

Metro reports that Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. The paper notes Yang asked for the court order that kept him anonymous to be lifted so he could deny the allegations against him.

financial times logo

‘Yang says he’s fallen victim to changed political climate,’ notes the FT.

The FT reports on Yang’s denial of being a Chinese spy in which he says he has “fallen victim” to a changed “political climate.” The paper says the case has “reignited debate about the extent to which the UK government should be reviving relations with Beijing”.

The i Logo

‘Govt plans to monitor foreign nationals like Yang going forward,’ reports the i.

The i has a similar take and looks at the allegations against Yang in the context of politics. The paper says the government is planning to allow UK security services to “monitor foreign nationals” like Yang. It means individuals linked to states like China, Russia and Iran will face “fresh scrutiny,” the paper adds.

the guardian logo

‘Regulations for the scheme will be decided in the new year,’ adds The Guardian.

The Guardian leads on those plans. The paper looks at the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and highlights comments from the security minister who said the government would lay the regulations for the scheme in the new year. The paper also highlights that no decisions have been made on whether China would be designated as an enhanced risk country.

daily mail logo

‘Why is the prime minister still sucking up to Beijing,’ asks the Mail.

The Daily Mail also has a political take asking why the prime minister is still ‘sucking up to Beijing’. The paper says the PM admitted he was concerned about the challenge but “doubled down on his policy of engagement and co-operating with the state.”

telegraph logo

‘Yang had links to Andrew’s charity and the prince financially benefitted from it’ says the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph looks closer at the relationship between Yang and Prince Andrew. The paper says Yang’s links to the prince include that he was a founding member of Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace China scheme, which, according to the paper, Andrew financially benefitted from.

the times logo

‘Yang also had contact with at least two prime ministers,’ reports the Times.

The Times says Yang was Andrew’s “chief representative in Beijing” and highlights that the Chinese national had “contact” with at least two prime ministers and “senior business representatives”.

logo mirror social sharing U2vm53 - WTX News Breaking News, fashion & Culture from around the World - Daily News Briefings -Finance, Business, Politics & Sports News

‘Growing network of China spies in Britain,’ reports the Mirror.

The Daily Mirror asks “How many more?” whilst expressing fears over a “growing network of Beijing spooks at large in Britain.” The paper highlights comments from former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith who said “There are many more involved in this kind of espionage. China is very clear on that.”

The sun logo

‘Andrew won’t be joining royals at Christmas events this year,’ reports The Sun.

The Sun reports that Andrew’s latest scandal has seen him uninvited from royal Christmas events. Sources tell the paper that Andrew won’t be joining his relatives at Sandringham this year and will stay in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

telegraph logo

‘Letby defence team seek fresh appeal,’ reports the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph reports Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died.

The Independent logo Get the latest news from the Independent free on WTX News

‘Exceptional but necessary decisions,’ quotes The Independent.

The Independent says Lucy Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he will take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.

Daily express logo

‘New evidence will undermine her convictions,’ reports the Express.

The Daily Express says McDonald has delivered a press conference where he claimed fresh evidence will “significantly undermine” her convictions.

The problem isn’t the Chinese businessman. The problem is Prince Andrew.
Carol Vorderman
Carol Vorderman@carolvorderman
Capitalism purists Royal Mail sold to a Czech billionaire Water companies almost totally owned by foreign companies and govts The list of what WE used to own goes on Not how Thatcher/Major sold privatisation to us at all Tories lied eh? A pattern
Camilla Tominey
Camilla Tominey@CamillaTominey
Is 🇨🇳 a threat to 🇬🇧? And how to solve a problem like the Duke of York 👇🏻

UK government pays £6bn to end privatisation of military housing

FT.com Tweet

UK unemployment remained steady over the last three months as wage growth surged during the quarter to October. Read the full story here 👇

CITY AM Tweet
December 16, 2024 10:41 am

Bank of England set to hold interest rates after inflation jump

The Bank of England is poised to leave interest rates on hold this week after a jump in inflation and uncertainty over the Budget’s economic impact.

Policymakers are expected to keep rates at 4.75 per cent at their next meeting on Thursday after making cuts in August and November.

Although inflation fell below the BoE’s two per cent target in September, the latest official figures showed it jumped back up to 2.3 per cent in October.

The reading marked the sharpest rise in two years and was higher than economists had expected, mainly due to rising energy bills.

https://www.cityam.com/bank-of-england-set-to-hold-interest-rates-after-inflation-surprise/

What to Watch

Amazon prime - TV & Netflix

We give you the best picks to binge on this week.

What to Watch

Love Sports

Get your pizza ordered with the latest Live Sports schedule.
  • Good News
  • Readers Digest

Do you have anything to add? Have your say tweet your comments @wtxnews and we will share the best ones on tomorrows briefing

Very sad to hear that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, the same condition Bruce Willis suffers from. Appeared on her show many times over the years and she’s a fabulous character & superb broadcaster. Wish her and her family all the best.
Tom
Palestinians are human beings who deserve to live in freedom and joy. That is why hundreds of thousands of us have exercised our right to protest. We will be here as long as it takes until there is an immediate ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and a just & lasting peace.
Jeremy IT Consultant
Keir Starmer and his allies, clutching a can of petrol in one hand and a box of matches in the other, tutting loudly at the flames. Starmer has no effin clue
MoSocialist
Leave A Reply

wtx news brings you the latest news, a UK news briefing, Sports analysis, and premier league news with a special round-up of Business and crypto updates

News

Company

Services

News delivered to your inbox

Copyright WTX News 2024