News – World and UK

Concern about the state of local roads has reached record levels, new research suggests. More than half of drivers (56%) said the condition and maintenance of roads for which councils are responsible was one of their top motoring concerns, a survey commissioned by the RAC indicated. That is up seven percentage points from 2023, and is the first time the figure has been above 50% since the motoring services company […]

Compensation for customers receiving poor services from water companies who are failing to meet standards could more than double under new Government proposals. As part of the plans, the list of circumstances that can trigger compensation will also be expanded, including automatic payments for those issued boil notices or when water companies fail to conduct meter readings or installations as promised. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the Government hopes to […]

The proportion of adults who use e-cigarettes in Britain is at its highest level, according to new figures. The percentage of smokers who are using vapes as well as smoking cigarettes has also nearly doubled in the past three years, while ex-smokers who turn to e-cigarettes to quit are using them for longer. Experts said that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes but is “not risk free” and should […]

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach hailed a “sensational” Games as the Paris 2024 Olympics was officially closed. After over a fortnight of competition, the Games reached its conclusion in a showpiece staged at the Stade de France on Sunday night. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Bach declared Paris 2024 a “new era” of Olympic Games. He said: “The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and […]

The Paris Olympics closing ceremony has kicked off with performances from a “golden voyager”, acrobats and acclaimed French musicians. Sunday’s extravagant event opened with a rendition of Under The Paris Sky, from the 1951 film of the same name, performed by French singer Zaho de Sagazan and an accompanying choir. The group performed the song in the Tuileries Garden in Paris before French four-time gold medallist swimmer Leon Marchand appeared […]

Team Great Britain can be seen wearing Hawaiian-style shirts showing the emblems of every nation in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Gold medallists Alex Yee and Bryony Page walked out as Great Britain’s flagbearers. The smiling pair were seen in floral shirts and blue shorts. Yee almost tripped on the surface, as did other flagbearers. The Prime Minister has congratulated Team GB’s athletes and praised them for inspiring a new […]

The King has sent a message to mark the end of the Paris Olympics, congratulating competitors and describing them as “an inspiration”. The statement from Charles was released ahead of the closing ceremony in the Stade de France which is set to begin at 9pm (8pm BST). The King’s message reads: “My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team GB […]

The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were praised by a senior police officer for their “courage” in calling for violent riots to stop after their daughter’s death. Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, was among those who addressed mourners at Alice’s funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on Sunday. She told of being “ashamed” that Alice’s father Sergio and mother Alexandra had to “consider” the […]

World Athletics chief Lord Coe stopped short of officially declaring his candidacy for International Olympic Committee president but revealed he would “of course” consider running for the soon-to-be vacated role. Thomas Bach, the current IOC president, revealed on Saturday he would stand down after his second term ends in 2025 despite calls from some corners for him to consider an extension that would allow him to stay in office longer. […]