News – World and UK

More than 10,000 people in the armed forces are “not medically deployable”, figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have shown. In a written parliamentary question, Defence minister Al Carns revealed that across the various branches of the armed forces, 99,560 are medically fully deployable, with 14,350 limited deployability and 13,522 medically not deployable. The Royal Navy has 2,922 members medically not deployable , the army 6,879 and the Royal Air Force […]

Sir Keir Starmer said he would be looking towards a “better, brighter future for every person” in a Christmas message following a turbulent year for the UK. The Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” […]

A consultation has been launched into the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Automotive and charging experts will be invited to share their views, as the Government claim the consultation will “restore clarity” for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched the consultation to ask for views from industry on how to deliver Labour’s manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new […]

The Scottish Government has been accused of having responsibility for a “disgracefully high” number of deaths following growing waits for treatment in hospital accident and emergency departments. Both Labour and the Conservatives hit out at the SNP administration, claiming that thousands of patients had died after spending hours in A&E, with Labour suggesting “negligence” from the SNP meant ministers were “gambling with Scots’ lives”. Citing research from the Royal College […]

The number of young people spending Christmas Day alone has doubled, according to new research that compares festive attitudes and behaviours in 2024 and 1969. According to a study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, one in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year. That number has increased from one in 20 who said the same 55 years ago. While the share of […]

A second Donald Trump presidency is expected to be consequential in many ways, and its impact on the tech sector will be a key area after he enters office in January. An immediate issue for the new president will be the future of one of the biggest social media platforms on the planet, TikTok, which is facing a ban or being sold in the US, which could reshape its business […]

Ben Stokes will undergo surgery on a torn hamstring and be out of action for at least three months. The England captain was injured during the recent third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, a series which England won 2-1. “Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for at least three months after further assessments confirmed he has torn his left hamstring,” said an England and Wales Cricket […]

Two men who tried to smuggle £42 million worth of cocaine into the UK have been jailed. Mark Moran, 23, and Daniel Livingstone, 25, were caught after 524kg of cocaine were found in a hire van outside a hotel where they stayed in Lelley, East Yorkshire, in May, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. Moran and Colombian national Didier Tordecilla Reyes, 40, had sailed a rigid hulled inflatable boat from […]

The man accused of fatally shooting the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare has pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution. Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his plea over the killing of Brian Thompson. He was formally charged last week by the Manhattan district […]