Author: Dave Carter

Steve Reed, the Local Government Secretary, has issued a firm warning to council leaders across England against the implementation of four-day working weeks. According to a letter reported by the Telegraph, Reed emphasized that council employees working part-time hours while receiving full-time salaries, without a strong justification, could signal potential failings within the council. He… Continue reading Councils warned against adopting four-day week

In a warehouse in Lambeth, London, a group of employees gather for a session dedicated to selecting jokes for Christmas crackers, a festive tradition. Among them is Clare Harris, founder and CEO of Talking Tables, a company specializing in party supplies including these crackers. As a joke about Santa’s sleigh costing “nothing, it was on… Continue reading What do Christmas cracker jokes do to our brains?

Singer Chris Rea, famous for hits including “Driving Home For Christmas,” has passed away at the age of 74 after a brief illness. His death was reported shortly after he shared an Instagram post featuring a car and the caption “Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories.” Tributes have appeared, recognizing his contributions to… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: 'Chris Rea dies at Xmas' and 'King of Industry'

This year’s Christmas cards from various European royal families share a striking theme: the portrayal of close-knit, affectionate family bonds. Images commonly show relatives linking arms, holding hands, or embracing, conveying warmth and togetherness. It seems as though there is a shared intention among the royals to present a relatable and connected image through their… Continue reading Royal Christmas cards have a touchy-feely look this year

In Northern Ireland, private clinics issued nearly 4,000 prescriptions for ADHD medication last year, a sharp increase from just six prescriptions recorded in 2019. According to data obtained from the HSC Business Services Organisation (BSO) by BBC News NI, almost half of these prescriptions in 2024 were provided by clinics located elsewhere in the UK.… Continue reading GB clinics supply almost half of NI's private ADHD drugs

The Met Office has indicated that 2025 is set to become the hottest year on record in the UK since climate records began, a development driven by ongoing climate change. With only a little over a week remaining in the year, the average air temperature across the country is projected to reach approximately 10.05°C. Although… Continue reading 2025 likely to be UK's hottest year ever recorded – Met Office

The Number 38 bus route in Edinburgh offers a glimpse into some of the challenges currently facing Scotland’s public transportation system. This particular service navigates a busy north-south corridor, linking important destinations such as a college, retail park, and two hospitals. However, recent trends show that travel times for this route are steadily increasing. Industry… Continue reading Bus journey times being 'killed by congestion' in cities

A wide range of prominent athletes and sports organizations have voiced serious concerns about proposed planning reforms in England that could lead to the loss of playing fields nationwide. Among those raising the alarm are former Lioness Jill Scott and Olympic gold medalists Sir Mo Farah and Alex Yee. These sports figures, alongside the leaders… Continue reading Top sports stars fear disappearance of playing fields amid planning reforms

Two men involved in a series of thefts targeting users of the gay dating app Grindr in London have been sentenced to a combined total of eight and a half years in prison. Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 21, and Rahmad Khan Mohammadi, 23, carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related fraud offenses over six months, stealing… Continue reading 'London's most prolific Grindr gang' jailed for over 8 years

A lengthy hunger strike involving detainees associated with the Palestine Action group has seen a significant development, as one of the participants has ended their protest after sustaining it for nearly seven weeks. According to a government letter, Qesser Zuhrah, who was among the first eight individuals to commence the hunger strike on 2 November,… Continue reading Third Palestine Action hunger striker on remand ends protest