News – World and UK

A scheme which cut rail fares for travellers at peak periods is being ended despite passenger numbers at busy times having “soared” by almost 40%, Labour claimed. Labour net zero spokesperson Sarah Boyack said the rise had occurred despite the Scottish Government having “sabotaged” the pilot – which has run for a year and saw all passengers pay cheaper, off-peak prices for the train regardless of the time of day […]

Tributes are being paid to Dame Maggie Smith who's died in hospital at the age of 89. Her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said she died in hospital on Friday morning. They said in a statement: “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. […]

A 32-year-old who encouraged “mob violence” and was the first defendant in the UK to admit a charge of riot following nationwide disorder last month has been jailed for four years and four months. Kieran Usher, from Bramwell Road, Hendon, Sunderland, was in a group of around 20 yobs who hurled missiles at police during a night of trouble in the city on August 2, which left bystanders terrified. He […]

Snooker commentator Clive Everton has died at the age of 87. Everton was described as the “voice of the sport” by the World Snooker Tour following news of his death on Friday. The governing body said in a statement on X: “Clive Everton, one of snooker’s greatest ever commentators and voice of the sport, has died at the age of 87. “Everton devoted his life to snooker and covered the […]

Aldi’s own-label baked beans have beaten well-known brands Heinz and Branston in a blind taste test by consumer group Which? Aldi’s Bramwells Baked Beans In A Rich Tomato Sauce costing 41p for a 410g can achieved a top score of 76% from 66 tasters selected by the watchdog to rate 10 versions from supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco alongside their branded counterparts. The panel said Aldi’s beans looked […]

New Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has declared his party will change in order to “win back public trust”. Mr Findlay pledged that under his leadership the Scottish Conservatives will seek to represent those who are “scunnered” with the “fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament” and feel that politicians do not understand the concerns of ordinary voters. He made the commitment after winning the contest to succeed Douglas Ross, who […]

Coldplay have been named as the most played British group of the 21st century by music licensing company PPL. The London pop rockers – made up of frontman Chris Martin as well as Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion – were aired 40,000 more times across UK radio and TV than classic rockers Queen, who came in at number two, according to the company. Coldplay’s biggest track was 2008’s […]

Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated as experts launch a campaign to boost uptake in the UK amid rising cases of whooping cough and measles. Researchers at the Oxford Vaccine Group, which is part of the University of Oxford, have developed an animation that, they say, focuses on the “critical role” whooping cough jabs play in protecting against infection, which can cause serious complications such as pneumonia. […]

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has the potential to spill into a wider war “that no one can control”, Sir Keir Starmer warned at the United Nations. In his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, Sir Keir pleaded with both sides to step back from the brink and agree a ceasefire following escalating clashes across the Lebanon border. Stressing the need to prevent a regional conflict in […]