Author: UK News

Labour leader Keir Starmer has called on Europe to take on a greater role in peace talks in Ukraine, as he criticized US President Donald Trump for his handling of the situation. Starmer, who has been vocal in his support for Ukraine, said that Europe must do the “heavy lifting” in order to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Starmer’s comments come as he seized control of the peace talks from Trump, who has been criticized for his inconsistent approach to the crisis. The Labour leader has called for a more coordinated and unified approach from European leaders…

Railcards, which offer discounts on train travel for specific groups such as young people, seniors, and families, are set to increase in price for the first time in more than a decade. The price hike is expected to take effect in the coming months, with the cost of a railcard set to rise by around 20%. The increase in price has been attributed to rising operating costs for train companies, as well as the need to invest in infrastructure and improve services. The decision to raise prices has been met with criticism from some rail users, who argue that the…

Britain’s railways have long been a source of frustration for commuters, with delays, overcrowding, and high ticket prices all common complaints. So, how can we improve the rail network for the millions of people who rely on it every day? One key issue that needs to be addressed is the reliability of the trains. Delays and cancellations are a major source of frustration for commuters, leading to stress and inconvenience. Investing in better infrastructure and technology, such as upgrading tracks and signaling systems, could help to improve the reliability of the rail network and reduce the number of delays. Another…

A selection of images chosen by the Irish Examiner picture desk The Photographs of the Week as selected by our Visual Media team. 01/03/2025 A selection of images chosen by the Irish Examiner picture desk https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-41583376.html

A father who accidentally reversed over his 3-year-old son with a telehandler has been sentenced to 12 months in jail. The tragic incident occurred when the father was operating the heavy machinery on their farm and did not see his son playing behind him. The court heard that the father was devastated by the accident and deeply remorseful for his actions. However, the judge emphasized the need for accountability and deterrence in such cases, leading to the jail sentence. The family has been left shattered by the loss of their young son, and the father will have to live with…

Tesco has announced that it will be axing a popular Clubcard feature next week. The supermarket chain will be discontinuing the ability for customers to collect Clubcard points on fuel purchases from 31st October. This decision has been met with disappointment from many loyal Tesco customers who have been using the Clubcard scheme to earn points on their fuel purchases for years. The move is part of Tesco’s efforts to simplify its loyalty program and focus on other ways to reward customers. Tesco has assured customers that they will still be able to use their Clubcard points to save money…

Labour leader Keir Starmer has expressed his support for former President Donald Trump’s controversial mineral deal with Ukraine after meeting with the US president. Starmer believes that the deal could bring economic benefits to both countries and strengthen their relationship. In a statement following the meeting, Starmer said, “I believe that the mineral deal between the US and Ukraine has the potential to create jobs and boost economic growth in both countries. It is important for us to explore all opportunities for cooperation and partnership, and I see value in this particular agreement.” The deal, which was signed by Trump…

Used EVs now cheaper than diesel alternatives Second-hand electric car prices are now more affordable than their equivalent diesel or hybrid alternatives, as the overall market sees price stabilisation after years of volatility, a new report shows.The report, by DoneDeal Motors, shows demand for second-hand electric cars is up, with prices also increasing by 1% during January — the first positive monthly growth since the beginning of 2023 which indicates the used electric car market has stabilised compared with previous pricing declines.According to the report, used electric cars are now 11.2% cheaper than comparable diesel cars and 12.7% cheaper than…

Thousands attend the funeral of Hezbollah leader months after his death Tens of thousands of people gathered in Beirut early on Sunday to attend the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader, nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital.Hassan Nasrallah was killed when Israel’s air force dropped more than 80 bombs on the militant group’s main operations room. His death was a major blow for the Iran-backed group that the late leader transformed into a potent force in the Middle East.Nasrallah was the group’s leader for more than 30 years…

Ireland ranks highest of 14 EU countries for education but lowest for logistics capacity Ireland ranks highest of 14 EU countries for quality education but lags behind in affordable energy, clean water, climate action, innovation, infrastructure, and gender equality, a report on UN Sustainable Development Goals reveals.Social Justice Ireland published the Sustainable Progress Index 2025 on Thursday. The index ranks 14 comparable EU countries on three dimensions: economy, society and environment. The overall Sustainable Progress Index, which includes all 17 goals set out by the UN, concludes that Ireland is in ninth place out of the 14 countries.Ireland ranks in…

A fire that tore through a luxury London hotel set to host a star-studded Bafta party was caused by wood falling from a pizza oven. Firefighters at the scene of the Chiltern Firehouse blaze on Friday and early saturday morning. How did the fire start at Chiltern Firehouse hotel The blaze broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse in Chiltern Street, Marylebone on Valentine’s Day and caused substantial damage. It spread via the ducting, damaging parts of the ground floor and half of the second floor and destroying the third floor and roof, London Fire Brigade said. Around 100 people were…

The richest donate smaller proportion to charity than average working person. Research found British millionaires donating just 1% could boost the sector by £12 billion. The UK’s most popular cause was animal welfare which was more popular than starving children in Africa. Richest donate smaller proportion to charity than average person The comparison has been made by dividing the high net worth individuals and average payers by tax brackets. But a small caveat needs to added for those who have become property millionaires, due to the location of their family homes, which does not infer the same amount of disposable income.…

Chancellor summons City bosses to No 11 for infrastructure task force relaunch. Rachel Reeves met senior City figures on Friday to discuss funding of national investment projects. The chancellor summoned City bosses to Downing Street on Friday for the first post-election meeting of Labour’s British infrastructure “taskforce”, as the government hopes to steer more private cash towards a string of national investment projects. Chancellor summons City bosses to No 11 This shows what is important to the Chancellor, to keep the city of London on her side. WTX News Yvonne Ridley, said “Reeves should set up a taskforce of poor…

Met apology felt like a slap in the face by racist Met Police who showed no respect for the dead. Previously when they were tasked to the same situation, but with white women, the forensic officers showed more dignity. Former Met constables Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis were jailed for sharing photos of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry’s bodies. Former Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick issued a public apology in 2021 on behalf of the force to the family. The Met Police get a free ride hiding behind the badge Asked what her response to that apology was, Ms Smallman…

Starmer pledges up to £2.5bn to help UK steel industry after Trump’s tariffs threat but is hoping that the UK will be exempt. Keir Starmer is making arrangements domestically to protect the British steel industry following a capitulation in US-UK relations. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump Starmer has been on the backfoot. Keir Starmer has been urged to spell out plan to fight Trump’s tariff trade war, especially by the opposition who are taking this opportunity to align themselves with Trump’s agenda. Starmer pledges up to £2.5bn to help UK steel industry US president announced a worldwide 25…

Pubs are set to come under further pressure when a raft of cost increases linked to the October Budget. The number of pubs that closed in 2024 has increased from 2023 and the opposition has linked to the October budget, but the real reason stems form breweries hiking up prices and not evolving with the times. Simultaneously, the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, impacting consumer spending and leaving less disposable income for pub visits. The BBPA stresses the need for government support to help pubs navigate these difficult trading conditions and ensure their survival as vital…

A man has died after actively resisting against police in South London. Met Police were called to the scene of the incident in High Street, South Norwood and confirmed the death. A man has died after ‘actively resisting’ against police during an incident involving a child being assaulted in south London. Officers were called to a home on High Street, South Norwood, to reports of a youngster in danger. Inside the property was the 45-year-old man who was suffering a medical emergency. Metropolitan Police said in a statement The Metropolitan Police said in a statement he was ‘very agitated’ and…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to the United Arab Emirates to an Emirati official and honour guard late on Sunday as momentum grows for war peace talks ending Moscow’s war on the country. This follows the US President Donald Trump last week suggested he would be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia. The UAE has been floated as a possible site for peace talks as well given the large population of Russian and Ukrainian expatriates who have flooded the country since the war began, and due to the Emirates’ work on prisoner exchanges in the past. ‘Peace that…

Helping firms navigate the future of work Background: Providing work-based solutions and AI-driven services assisting organisations to adapt to the changing world of work.Kevin Empey’s work involves creating tailored and future-fit workforce solutions designed to attract and retain talent, and maintain employee engagement and productivity, while also helping to build adaptive organisation and employment models for the future. “My role in Lockton is to support our clients address the key people challenges they face in a rapidly changing workplace,” he explains. “All our work is about improving cost-effectiveness and resolving immediate people challenges today while also ensuring any solutions are helping…

There’s a bunch of Labour MPs who could lose their seats because of the proposed tractor tax and most of them won by narrow margins. The Labour constituencies most unhappy about the ‘tractor tax’ – and the MPs who could lose their seats in the next general election. Analysis of a petition against plans to change rules on inheritance tax for farmers shows the Labour-held rural seats where resentment over the proposal is highest. Labour MPs who could lose their seats The Labour constituencies most unhappy about the ‘tractor tax’ – and the MPs who could lose their seats is…

Starmer set to sidestep EU’s tariff war with US The Times says Britain is not expected to join the EU in responding with retaliatory tariffs. The paper says the government is hoping to negotiate an opt-out from the proposed 25 per cent tariffs, which UK Steel described as ‘devastating for the industry’. The Times also reports a second Labour MP has been suspended in relation to the ‘abusive’ text messages. The paper says Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley was a member of a chat group with the sacked health minister Andrew Gwynne, who posted antisemitic and sexist remarks.

Ceasefire in peril as Hamas halts hostage releases The Independent lends further coverage of the story on its front page. The paper says Hamas is blaming delays in returning Palestinians to northern Gaza as the reason for a halt in freeing the hostages. The paper says Hamas has accused Israel of not allowing aid into the area – as part of the ceasefire agreement. The farmer’s protest in London is pictured on the front page.

Court signoff in assisted dying bill to be scrapped The Guardian reports MPs are considering scrapping the requirement for a high court judge to decide on assisted dying cases, with an expert panel to scrutinise decisions instead. There are concerns this could be a watering down of the safeguards contained in the legislation. King Charles is pictured with Angela Rayner giving her a tour of a housing project in Cornwall.

PM backs campaign: Keir – We must save pubs The Mirror’s lead reports that the prime minister is backing their campaign to save British pubs from closure. Keir Starmer has hailed the importance of Britain’s pubs and revealed that he sometimes slips out of No10 to go to his old local. The front page reports on a spat between Taylor Swift and Donald Trump after she was booed at the Super Bowl whilst the president was cheered by the crowd.

Labour MP’s woke lunacy – It’s okay to identify as a Llama The Sun has a jovial take on the latest Labour news, reporting the party’s new health minister reportedly said it’s okay for people to identify as a llama. The paper says Labour has now stumbled into a “fresh wokery row”, because of Andrew Gwynne’s replacement as health minister, Ashley Dalton’s comments. Taylor Swift is pictured on the front page along with a report she’s had a bad year.