News – World and UK

The National Crime Agency has taken part in a major international operation targeting an organised crime group alleged to be responsible for smuggling hundreds of Syrian migrants into the UK and Germany. The German-led investigation against the Syrian group, considered to be one of Europe’s most significant people smuggling networks, was supported by the NCA and included the arrest of an Iraqi national at his home in Bilston, Wolverhampton, who […]

Big Issue vendors are to be offered devices allowing them to sell the magazine through contactless payments on mobile phones. A partnership with giffgaff builds on a trial which saw 250 Big Issue sellers use giffgaff devices, leading to an increase in sales by an average of 30%. Refurbished devices will be offered to all vendors across the UK, while giffgaff will also support Big Issue’s work on helping people […]

The family of renowned pandemic fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore made more than a million pounds for themselves through their association with the charity set up in his name, a damning report has found. The charities watchdog concluded there had been repeated instances of misconduct by the veteran’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, Colin. Sir Tom became a household name in the pandemic, raising millions for NHS charities by […]

More than a third of online shoppers – almost 15 million people – experienced a problem with a parcel delivery in the last month, according to an annual Citizens Advice study. Just before a Black Friday and Christmas shopping surge, the charity said its survey revealed a “worrying trend” of worsening customer service among delivery firms. While Royal Mail and Amazon both achieved an overall score of three out of […]

He announced last week that he'd be quitting his role as Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will finish his official duties in early January, as he steps down in the face of criticism over an abuse scandal within the Church of England. Mr Welby announced last week – after days of mounting pressure over failures in his handling of the case of prolific abuser John Smyth – […]

Wreckage from one of the long-range weapons has reportedly been found in Russia’s Kursk region Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine by Britain have been used in Russia, according to reports. Wreckage from one of the long-range weapons has been found in Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, several media outlets have said. Storm Shadow’s use in Russia comes a day after Moscow said American long-range weapons had been fired […]

The Defence Secretary is blaming the cuts on the 'dire inheritance' left by the Tories Two former Royal Navy flagships, a frigate and a pair of support tankers will be decommissioned in cost-saving measures announced by Defence Secretary John Healey. The savings, which Mr Healey blamed on the “dire inheritance” left by the Tories, will see assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, which have both been flagships, decommissioned. Ageing Type 23 […]

Payne died last month at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony Cheryl Tweedy and members of One Direction were among the friends and family to pay their final respects to Liam Payne at his funeral. Singers Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson reunited alongside other mourners at the private funeral in Buckinghamshire to remember Payne following his death aged 31 in Argentina last […]

Almost 23,000 young people could face homelessness this Christmas across England, a youth charity has predicted. The South East, London and the West Midlands are expected to have the highest numbers of 16-24 year-olds enduring this challenge during the winter period, according to Centrepoint. The charity used its youth homelessness databank, which has been collecting such information and tracking the trends since 2017, to forecast its estimate of 22,800 young […]