Browsing: premium

The week so far has been dominated by the Israel-Iran conflict with a shaky ceasefire currently in place. Donald Trump’s remarkable outburst on TV sent shockwaves around the globe, as a leaked US intelligence report suggests the US bombing of Iran did little damage to Iran’s nuclear efforts – Trump denies this.

The NATO summit is currently underway with members committing to spending 5% of GDP and signing security deals with each other amid an increasingly unstable world.

The week so far has been dominated by the Israel-Iran conflict with a shaky ceasefire currently in place. Donald Trump’s remarkable outburst on TV sent shockwaves around the globe, as a leaked US intelligence report suggests the US bombing of Iran did little damage to Iran’s nuclear efforts – Trump denies this.

The NATO summit is currently underway with members committing to spending 5% of GDP and signing security deals with each other amid an increasingly unstable world.

India has sent its first astronauts into space for the first time in 41 years. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who’s piloting the mission, has become only the second Indian to travel to space.

There are fears of widespread protests across Kenya today, marking the first anniversary of last year’s mass protests over tax hikes. Violence spiralled last year, and there are fears the nationwide protests this year could be similar.

Both Europe and North America have been experiencing heat waves this week, as weather warnings are put in place amid growing hospitalisations.

The week so far has been dominated by the Middle East crisis as news of an Israel-Iran ceasefire broke early on Tuesday, only to come to an end a few hours later. It’s unclear if Iran ever agreed to the short-lived ceasefire, and now the world waits anxiously to see what happens next.

Away from the Middle East, there has been a handful of domestic news stories worth taking a glance at. GPs in England can start prescribing weight loss drugs on the NHS, Palestine Action is to be prescribed as a terrorist organisation after two members vandalised two RAF planes – a move dubbed extreme by many and has seen significant backlash for the Labour government. It has not been an easy week for the prime minister or his government so far, with a major rebellion on the way over Labour’s welfare bill cuts. It could end up doing permanent damage to the PM and his government. With the Nato summit around the corner, the prime minister will be focusing on international affairs, but what’s happening at home may cost him come election time.

The G7 dominated the early European news this week with the EU wanting more pressure put on Russia – something Trump is reluctant to do. The EU also signed a defence deal with Australia and unveiled a plan to phase out Russian gas contracts by 2027.


Ukraine is calling for more help after the heaviest day of airstrikes since Russia’s war in Ukraine began, whilst there has been backlash to plans to raise the GDP defence target to 5%, with Spain calling it unreasonable.

Much of Europe’s focus has been on the latest from Iran-Israel, with many European nations worried they could be dragged into the war after the United States signalled it could soon be joining Israel.

Much of the UK news has been dominated by international affairs, with the G7 summit at the beginning of the week marking a big moment for the prime minister, who got his UK-US trade deal over the line.

The prime minister announced a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal after an audit suggested a cover-up and that an entire generation of women and girls had been failed.

By midweek, the news is dominated by the MPs voting in favour of legislative changes to abortion rules, marking the biggest change in 60 years.

Wednesday also marks the beginning of the UK heatwave, set to last until Sunday with temperatures reaching 33C.


On Friday MPs will vote on the assisted dying bill and there are reports the UK could enter the Israel-Iran war, if the United States does.

Week 24 kicks off with spending review speculations, the NHS issuing an urgent call for blood donors and reaction to the weekend’s Nations League action.

This week’s news kicks off with big announcements from the UK government regarding defence spending, commentary around illegal crossings of the English Channel as the number of those crossing in a single day rises and of course a lot of chatter about the sunshine!

A roundup of the news dominating the UK every day.

You are at:Home UK News Briefing man arrested in connection with fires at PM Keir Starmer’s North London homes UK weather Thunderstorms set to hit…

You are at:Home What’s the latest news today? Sections UK News Briefing HUB Editorial World News today The Week so far UK-India trade deal after…

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to 52 years behind bars for murdering 3 little girls and the attempted murder of at least 10 others at a dance class last year in Southport. The judge says it’s highly unlikely Rudakubana will ever be released. Rudakubana pleaded guilty on Monday to the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6. He also admitted to producing ricin, possessing terrorist material, and possessing a knife.

The Met Office has issued rare red weather warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, as Storm Éowyn batters the UK. The worst disruption is due to hit Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with gusts of up to 100mph (161km/h) expected in some coastal areas. Millions of people are being urged to stay at home and widespread travel disruption is expected, with some flights and ferry crossings already cancelled.

Prince Harry has settled his case with the owner of the Sun newspaper – News Group Newspapers (NGM). Harry reportedly received a £10+ million payout as well as an apology. The Murdoch-owned tabloid admitted it engaged in illegal practices to source stories about him.

The Southport killer is set to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to three counts of murder and terrorism charges – including making ricin. The 18-year-old is expected to receive a life sentence. An inquiry into the case began after it was revealed authorities already knew about Axel Rudakubana and he had been referred (but denied) to the government’s Prevent scheme – aimed at stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Leo Ross, 12, was stabbed to death on his way home from school in Birmingham yesterday. The country reacts to the news – amid fears of a growing knife crime crisis. A 14-year-old boy has been arrested.

Storm Éowyn is heading towards the UK with rare weather warnings being issued for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland on Friday.

The prime minister delivered a speech yesterday, following the guilty plea of the Southport killer, saying he will introduce tougher measures for people trying to buy knives online. It was revealed Axel Rudakubana bought the knife he used to murder three young girls on online retail giant Amazon, despite being only 17.

Kyle Clifford has admitted to murdering his ex-girlfriend and her sister with a crossbow and their mother with a knife in an attack at the family home. Carol Hunt, 61, was stabbed to death and Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, suffered fatal crossbow bolt injuries in Bushey, near Watford, on 9 July. Clifford, 26, from north London, changed his plea to the murders during an appearance via video link at Cambridge Crown Court.

The owner of the Sun newspaper has offered a “full and unequivocal apology” to Prince Harry for “serious intrusion” into his private life and agrees to pay him substantial damages. It settles a long-running legal battle between the prince and the newspaper group, moments before it was due to reach the High Court.

Tuesday’s news is dominated by the inauguration of Donald Trump and his first day as the 47th president of the United States. As soon as he returned to office he issued orders including withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization and declaring an emergency regarding the US-Mexico border. Many publications look at what sort of relationship the US and the UK will have over the next four years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a public inquiry into the murder of the three little girls at a dance class in Southport last year. Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to their murders as well as attempted murder and terror-related charges including making ricin. Many news publications report he had planned to commit the UK’s first school massacre just a week before he murdered the children. Since his guilty plea, it has also been revealed that he was referred to a counter-extremism scheme three times.

The prime minister has said the state failed the victims and an inquiry will be held to understand how this happened.

The release of three Israeli hostages in Gaza dominates the UK news today. Israeli-British citizen Emily Damari was among those released. She lost two fingers during her 15-month ordeal. The ceasefire will also see much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as well as the return of 90 Palestinian prisoners (mostly women and teenage boys).

The weekend’s Premier League action leads the social media trending stories for the UK as Manchester United and Spurs lose again and discussions of what keeps going wrong has begun amongst pundits and fans.

Hassan Sentamu, the 18-year-old who repeatedly stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam in a row over a teddy bear has been found guilty of her murder. Sentamu, now 18, admitted manslaughter, claiming he was not in control of his actions because of his autism but the jury, after deliberating for nearly 12 hours, did not accept this defence of diminished responsibility.

The murderer of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen has been recalled to prison after “shamelessly boasting” about his crime, the Probation Service said. Jake Fahri, then 19, was convicted of murder after he threw a large glass dish that shattered, severing an artery in the 16-year-old’s neck, at a bakery in Lee, south-east London, in 2009.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans for a nationwide review of grooming gang evidence and five government-backed local inquiries. She stopped short of launching a statutory national inquiry, as called for by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, but this marks a clear shift in the government’s position.

Manchester United beat Southampton late on in last night’s Premier League match thanks to a really late hat-trick from Amad Diallo. Erling Haaland has signed a nine-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester City and Utd reject Napoli move for Garnacho.

The chancellor is under pressure as the pound has dropped to its lowest level for more than a year and UK government borrowing costs have continued to rise as concerns about public finances and the economy grow.

The ongoing spat between European leaders and American tech companies continues as well as pushback from Europe on Elon Musk’s continued meddling in European politics.

Wildfires are rapidly spreading across Los Angeles, destroying homes and businesses, in the worst fires the county has ever seen. At least 5 people have been killed.

The prime minister is being urged to tighten the rules around donations to political parties as the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, attempts to interfere in British politics by making a $100 million donation to Reform UK.

Further reports suggest the Conservative Party are attempting to woo Elon Musk away from Reform and to the Tories by highlighting their ‘anti-woke’ credentials.

Musk has been vocal about foreign interference in American politics but seems to have no issue with interfering in other countries’ politics.

There is anger across the political spectrum this morning as the government has announced it won’t be compensating the Waspi women. Whilst it’s accepted that it would hit the taxpayer if the government did decide to compensate the women, it been widely highlighted that when in opposition Labour made it clear it would be prepared to write a cheque if they came to power.

There’s further coverage of Prince Andrew’s latest scandal as he’s been told to stay away from royal events this Christmas. It comes as another Chinese spy allegation emerges.

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.

MPs are amongst those calling for the alleged Chinese spy – with close links to Prince Andrew – to be publicly named for security reasons. MPs are threatening to name the man as allegations raise “calls for caution.” Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage are amongst those calling for the alleged spy to be named.

It’s plunged the royals – and Andrew – into deeper crisis and amid another year of royal scandal, the firm is hoping Andrew steps out of the public eye this Christmas.

District councils could be abolished and more elected mayors introduced across England under new plans for a major redesign of local government. Ministers are set to publish a paper on Monday outlining plans for mergers in areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority – smaller district and larger county councils – in a bid to streamline services.

The government has approved the sale of the Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire. The £3.6bn takeover by Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group has been given the go-ahead after agreeing “legally binding” undertakings.

A close friend of Prince Andrew has lost his appeal against a decision banning him from the UK on national security grounds. An MI5 investigation alleged the man – known as H6 – was spying for China.

The UK economy shrank for the second month in a row in October as concerns about the Budget continued to weigh on confidence.

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have discovered their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents following Friday’s draw in Zurich. England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist leader François Bayrou as France’s next prime minister, in a bid to end months of political turmoil.

Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother have been convicted of the 10-year-old’s murder. Police said Urfan Sharif, 43, and Beinash Batool, 30, had subjected Sara to “horrific suffering” before her body was found at the family’s home in Surrey last year.

Keir Starmer has unveiled sweeping changes to the planning system that could see councils forced to consider building on green belt land in England. The prime minister has vowed to override “blockers” standing in the way of building the new homes needed to solve the housing crisis. However some locals in the areas where these houses will need to be built are steadfast in their opposition to more housing.

Manchester City are in danger of Champions League elimination, while Liverpool made it six wins from six and Arsenal and Aston Villa are flying.
Two games remain in the revamped Champions League’s new 36-team league phase. The top eight automatically progress to the last 16 and, crucially, skip the two-legged knockout play-off round.

Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria’s naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime.

There are reports that Syrian migrants are attempting to return home despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead for Syria. European nations – including Britain – have paused Syrian asylum claims as they await to see how the new direction the rebels take the country in.

The man accused of shooting dead healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York jostled with police and shouted at reporters as he was bundled into court on Tuesday. More details have emerged about the killing, as well as a reported manifesto. Luigi Mangione is attempting to fight extradition to New York City and is reportedly planning to plead not guilty.

Arne Slot’s side have made a dream start in Europe this season and, winning at Girona on Tuesday night, have all but skipped the play-off round and secured a spot in the Champions League last 16.

The UK – along with other European countries – has announced they will pause asylum applications from Syria after the country’s President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the situation was “moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime” and some people were returning to Syria following recent developments.

Germany will tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute those helping to smuggle migrants to the UK, as part of a new plan agreed between the two countries.

Several new photos from Gavin and Stacey have been released ahead of the sitcom’s upcoming final episode. A new promo image features James Corden as Smithy, alongside Ruth Jones as Nessa, Mathew Horne as Gavin, and Joanna Page as Stacey on Trinity Street in Barry. The final episode will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted from power after a “stunning offensive” by the rebels. Syrians have been out celebrating their liberation, whilst Assad and his family have fled to Moscow and the world is left wondering what comes next for Syria.

Storm Darragh has left tens of thousands across Britain without power and flood warnings have been issued. Across England and Wales, 50 flood warnings remain in force because of recent heavy rain from the storm, although the weather on Monday is expected to be dry for most.

The chancellor will give an address to the Eurogroup since Brexit and will argue that a closer relationship between the UK and EU will boost economic growth. Reeves will say that a “reset” in relations would mean “breaking down barriers to trade” as well as helping “businesses sell in each other’s markets”.

American rapper Jay Z has been named in a lawsuit alongside P Diddy. The Jane Doe has alleged Jay Z raped her when she was 13 at a party in 2000 along with Diddy.