Month: December 2024

The UK faces a “year of rebuilding” while also “rediscovering the great nation that we are” in 2025, according to Sir Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister used his first new year’s message since entering Downing Street to reflect on a “year of change” in 2024, although joked this did not extend to football as the England men’s team experienced “another agonisingly close shave” by losing to Spain in the Euro […]

Veteran radio DJ Johnnie Walker has died at the age of 79, it has been announced. Walker’s death was announced on air by his friend and colleague, BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris, who took over presenting Sounds of the 70s in November. His wife Tiggy said: “I couldn’t be more proud of Johnnie – how he kept broadcasting almost to the end and with what dignity and grace he coped […]

An under-pressure ambulance service has urged New Year’s Eve revellers to drink in moderation to help reduce demand on resources. The Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident on Monday evening, and said more than 340 calls were waiting to be answered, with problems set to continue. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, chief executive Jason Killens said: “People out celebrating can help us tonight by, of course, having a good time, […]

The Wanted star Max George has said he is going back to hospital as he is getting a “flicking feeling” in his chest following heart surgery. The singer had been sent home for Christmas after having a pacemaker fitted during a two-and-a-half-hour operation to address a 2:1 heart block. In a video posted on Instagram on Monday, George, 36, said he is getting the feeling in his chest and “the doctors […]

Wimbledon finalist Gabriela Dabrowski has revealed she played through the 2024 season while receiving treatment for breast cancer. The 32-year-old Canadian had kept her diagnosis in April a secret but detailed the battle she has been through in a lengthy Instagram post. Dabrowski said: “I know this will come as a shock to many, but I am OK and I will be OK. Early detection saves lives.” Having first found […]

Drivers of Mercedes cars will soon be able to ‘chat’ to their vehicles following an update. The free upgrade, which applies to many of the brand’s cars running its MBUX infotainment system, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide clear answers to all manner of questions. When asked something, the system will now deliver responses through Microsoft Azure OpenAI and Microsoft Bing web search data, allowing ‘seamless’ interaction between car and […]

Heavy rain and high winds are causing disruption in much of the country with blizzards forecast in Scotland and widespread cancellation of New Year’s Eve events. Almost every part of the UK is covered by at least one of multiple Met Office weather warnings between Monday and Wednesday. On New Year’s Eve, an amber rain warning is in force in the Highlands and Moray until 5pm and a yellow warning […]

It comes as the Energy Price Cap rises on January 1st Nine million households have been urged to send meter readings to their energy supplier as prices rise again – with a further 3% increase forecast for April. The average energy bill for households across England, Scotland and Wales is to increase by 1.2% from Wednesday after Ofgem raised its price cap in response to wholesale prices. The increase takes […]

The club are currently bottom of the Championship Head coach Wayne Rooney has departed Plymouth after seven months in charge. The 39-year-old was appointed in May and leaves with the club sat bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, four points from safety. His last game at the helm came on Sunday, when Argyle were beaten 2-0 at fellow strugglers Oxford. In a statement on the Plymouth website, Rooney said: “I […]