Author: UK News

Department of Health sought 27% tax hike on sugary drinks The Department of Health wanted to hike the tax on sugary drinks by more than a quarter in the budget because of a sharp rise in the sale of energy drinks.The department was looking for a 27% increase in the tax levied on soft drinks saying it was needed to keep up with inflation.They also said while manufacturers had cut sugar levels in their drinks, demand had been rising for more unhealthy energy beverages.A submission prepared for Finance Minister Jack Chambers ahead of Budget 2025 said: “[This] raises public health…

Eurostar Chaos this morning as more than 800 passengers were stuck on a trapped in Channel Tunnel for over two hours. Passengers were eventually evacuated to Calais in France to wait for a replacement train. The nightmare started as the train had departed London St Pancras at 6:01 am this morning and was due to arrive at Paris Gare du Nord at 9.20 Parisian time. But around an hour into the journey, the Eurostar service broke down in the channel. Eurostar chaos Gaby Koppel, a television producer told The Independent: ‘We stopped in the tunnel about an hour into the…

This cafe in the UK has made it onto a list of the most legendary restaurants in the world (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images) The UK is home to some marvellous places to eat, but you might not think so after looking at a list of the most legendary restaurants in the world. That’s because only one UK eatery made it onto a list of the top 100, and it’s not even really a restaurant, it’s a café. E Pellicci on Bethnal Green Road in london came in at number 83 in the rankings. The art deco café, founded…

These images are from The World Nature Photography award winners. The top award went to Tracey Lund from the UK for her image of two gannets under the water off the coast of the Shetland Islands. The best nature images from 2024 Difference – Stokksnes, Iceland Two gannets under the water – Shetland Islands Under a mother’s guidance – Amboseli national park, Kenya The Dangerous Toy – Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico Blue watery veins, glacial braids and golden sediment – Iceland A female orca splitting a herring bait ball – Skjervøy, Norway

The day a London bus jumped Tower Bridge to avoid disaster is tale that will fill every pub quiz in 2025. Because of all the trivia about London’s iconic public transport, one example sounds a little too extraordinary to be true. A few days after Christmas 1952, a London bus jumped the gap between the two halves of Tower Bridge’s road section after it started to open. If something similar happened today, it might sound like a publicity stunt or a terrorist incident. A matter of life or death But for driver Albert Gunter it was more or less a…

Two reporters and a police officer killed in gang attack in Haiti forcing the closure of a hospital on Christmas Eve. Two reporters were killed and several were wounded on Tuesday in a gang attack in Haiti on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital, Haiti news media reported. A police officer was also killed in the attack Street gangs forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year and authorities had pledged to reopen the facility in Haiti’s capital on Christmas Eve. But as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Robest Dimanche, a…

A commuter falls into moving train that sends him spinning. The shocking footage has emerged of the moment a man tripped and was dragged by an oncoming train in London’s Blackfriars station. Govia Thameslink released the footage, showing the moment a suited man walked precariously close to the passing train, far past the yellow line. After stepping close to the track, the man appeared to trip slightly before falling and getting his bag caught below. Commuter falls into moving train that sends him spinning He fell and spun around before managing to get away from the platform edge as other…

Gordon Ramsay takes wife to his own restaurant for 28th wedding anniversary. Gordon and Tana dressed to the nines for the lavish meal. Gordon Ramsay has revealed that he took his wife out to his own restaurant for their 28th wedding anniversary. Taking to social media, the world-famous chef revealed that he and Tana had an ‘incredible meal… at his own restaurant. Gordon Ramsay – worth £175,000,000 – takes wife to his own restaurant for 28th wedding anniversary ‘Incredible anniversary dinner at one of the most beautiful hotels in the world @thesavoylond @savoygrillgordonramsay Thx,’ Gordon captioned an image of himself…

The Whitebrook in Monmouth, which was one of only six UK restaurants to be awarded a Green Michelin star earlier this year, has recently been given a poor food hygiene rating. The Whitebrook also retained its Michelin Star for the 10th consecutive year back in February. The Welsh restaurant had previously been given one of the poorest food hygiene ratings of one back in late September, but following a re-inspection on November 22, they have now been given the top rating of five stars. The Whitebrook, Monmouth, secures top hygiene rating The Food Hygiene Rating Act 2013 became law in Wales on March…

UK should designate China a national security threat, claims Priti Patel Shadow foreign secretary accuses China of ‘all sorts of incursions in our country’, in a baseless attack against the Chinese. Ahead of trade deal talks with electric cars and Chinese production in the UK.  UK should designate China a national security threat, claims Priti Patel. Alarming and insignificant as always, Priti Patel always harbours criticism for any non-western power, especially when she is motivated. She is doing the bidding of Elon Musk to encourage the UK to resist the influx of superior Chinese electric cars in the UK. UK…

Despite ‘spy’ scandal, Philip Hammond says Britain should now adopt a ‘pragmatic approach to Beijing’ ahead of trade trip. Let China build electric cars in UK, Tory ex-chancellor tells Rachel Reeves ahead of trade trip China should be encouraged to build electric cars and renewable energy technology in the UK as part of a new pragmatic trading relationship that would benefit both countries, a former Tory chancellor has said ahead of a landmark visit by Rachel Reeves to Beijing early in the new year. UK News Philip Hammond, who was chancellor from 2016 to 2019, and the last UK minister…

Housebuilders should lower buyers’ bills with solar panels on every roof, renewable energy charity and company chiefs have urged.The seven chief executives and directors have called on Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to back the Sunshine Bill when MPs debate it in the new year.If MPs back the draft legislation, which the Liberal Democrats’ Max Wilkinson tabled for a debate on January 17, it would bake into law a standard for newbuilds to come with solar panels on their roofs.Mr Wilkinson said the proposal is “just really, really obvious” amid efforts to reduce carbon emissions…

A woman in her 20s has died following a hit-and-run incident in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, earlier today.The woman is believed to be a young mother from the town.The collision occurred around 12.15pm at Bank Place, a narrow road in the town. The woman, who was standing outside a house near large gates, was struck by a silver Ford Transit van.Gardaí are searching for the driver and the vehicle after the van failed to remain at the scene or offer assistance to the injured woman. She was taken to University Hospital Limerick in a critical condition but was later pronounced dead.Gardaí have…

Farmers across Munster can look forward to a new dawn defined by greater power and more financial freedom as they reap the rewards of a co-operatively owned Kerry Dairy Ireland. Marking the end of a long-standing tug-of-war between Kerry Group and the Co-op, the return of Kerry Dairy Ireland to farmers has been hailed as a “fundamental win” for milk suppliers across Munster, clearing the path for a new and more equal relationship between the two entities. The historic deal, which was supported by 82% of eligible members this week, will also see a major economic injection in the Kerry…

A “perfect storm” of bad weather and millions of travellers has resulted in disruption at the start of the Christmas getaway period – with some flights and ferries cancelled due to high winds.The Met Office said yellow warnings for wind,  which came into force at 7am on Saturday, are expected to remain in place until 9pm on Sunday.Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire,  Derbyshire and Hampshire.Heathrow Airport announced a “small number of flights” had been cancelled due to “strong…

Germans have mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people and injuring 200 others.The alleged attack on Friday evening in Magdeburg, about 80 miles west of Berlin, killed a nine-year-old and four adults and injured 41 people badly enough that authorities warned the death toll could rise.Magdeburg marked the tragedy on Saturday with the tolling church bells at 7.04pm, the exact time of the attack in the city of roughly 240,000 people. People paid their respects outside Magdeburg Cathedral as a memorial service took place…

Bodnant Garden faces bill of up to £150K from Storm Darragh as parts of site remain closed Damage is currently estimated at £80,000 to £150,000 but may rise https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bodnant-garden-faces-bill-up-30633310

Harrow Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team has claimed to the girl’s father they caught her in the act (Picture: Shutterstock/Richard Coomber) A five-year-old girl from north london has been fined £1,000 and threatened with court appearances after she was caught ‘fly-tipping’. Harrow Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team told the girl’s father they caught her in the act. But the dad has argued that she is in fact five-years-old, and trying to fine her was ‘absurd’. The council first sent a letter on November 20 saying the child was ‘witnessed by a uniformed officer… committing the offence of fly-tipping’. It has since come…

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has won the Italian dance show Ballando con le Stelle, months after leaving the UK and the BBC in the wake of a probe into allegations of abuse.Pernice, 34, and his partner Bianca Guaccero, 43, were crowned the victors of the 19th season of the hit reality programme on Saturday.The programme is likened to the Italian “equivalent of Dancing With The Stars”.The duo, who also recently confirmed they were a romantic couple, took to social media to celebrate their win.Pernice shared a clip of himself and Guaccero shortly after they were crowned the…

Albania’s prime minister has said the government will shut down the social media service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in November by another teenager after a quarrel that started on TikTok.Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. … There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania”. Mr Rama said the shutdown would begin at some point next year.TikTok has asked for…

Tiger Woods and his teen son Charlie ended day one of the PNC Championship in a three-way tie for first with a score of 13 under 59.Teams Langer and Singh, who both also carded 59, are locked in at equal scores with Team Woods, with the legendary golfing family managing five straight birdies down the stretch in Orlando, Florida.The PNC event is Tiger’s first competition since surgery on his back in September; his sixth in 10 years.Charlie Woods, right, gets a fist bump from his father, Tiger Woods during the first round of the PNC Championship (Phelan M Ebenhack/AP) (Phelan M.…

In a small office at Cashel Town Shopping Centre, Geno Kavanagh is suiting up in a hurry. He pulls on his big black boots, combs his beard in a small mirror, and finishes off his ensemble with a pair of white gloves.When his transformation is complete, he is somehow different: his voice becomes deeper and warmer, his shoulders draw back. When Geno dons his suit, he feels suddenly somehow larger than himself. That’s hardly surprising, because he’s playing a role that lives in the imaginations of millions of children around the world: these are big boots to fill. Each year, for…

When she was six, Sara complained that her mother hit her, but that her father and stepmother, who were convicted of her murder, didn’t. Sara Sharif told a social worker she felt safe living with her father and stepmother because “they don’t hit me”, four years before she died from their brutal campaign of torture. The school girl’s haunting words are buried in hundreds of pages of private family court papers that were disclosed after an application by media organisations, including WTX News. Asked what made her happy, Sara replied: “Movie night and when people play with me … When…

UK to ban bee-killing pesticides but highly toxic type could still be allowed Ministers set out plans for outlawing neonicotinoids but considering application by farmers to use Cruiser SB. The EU banned all emergency authorisations of neonicotinoid pesticides, while since 2021 the UK government Bee-killing pesticides are to be banned by the UK government, as ministers set out plans to outlaw the use of neonicotinoids. However, the highly toxic neonicotinoid Cruiser SB could be allowed for use next year, as ministers are considering applications from the National Farmers’ Union and British Sugar. This powerful pesticide poisons bees by destroying their…

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning putting the Christmas getaway under threat by 80mph winds. Many regions of the country will be impacted this weekend with warnings of heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph that are likely to cause travel disruption. Christmas getaway under threat by 80mph winds The Met Office has said travellers can expect disruption during the busiest weekend of the year. Christmas getaway under threat by 80 mph winds as Met Office warns of travel disruption. Millions of journeys are expected to be made across the country by car, in what the RAC…