Author: Dave Carter

The UK government has announced it will consider legislative changes to prevent the use of three neonicotinoids that are lethal to bees. The chemicals were banned in 2018, but sugar beet farmers have been permitted to use them for the past four years to tackle the spread of viruses transmitted by aphids. The National Farmers’ Union… Continue reading Bee-harming pesticides' emergency approval will end, vows Defra

The annual release of Christmas cards from the British Royal Family is eagerly anticipated each year, with speculation over the hidden meanings behind each image. This year’s card from King Charles and Queen Camilla was particularly special, as it marked the King’s return to public duties after receiving the green light that he was well… Continue reading Royal Christmas cards: What are they trying to tell us?

Multiple UK newspapers are covering different news stories in their front pages. The Daily Mail leads with the reporting of a hit-and-run attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The incident was caught on graphic footage on social media, and a suspect was arrested promptly. The Guardian headlines a story about opposition Labour MP… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: 'Carnage at Christmas market' and 'Return of the family doctor'

Flamingo Land, a theme park operator, has appealed to the Scottish government after its £40m holiday resort plans near Loch Lomond were rejected twice. Scottish Enterprise has been criticised for extending an exclusivity deal with Flamingo Land for a section of land at the loch, which has enabled the possibility of a further appeal. Flamingo… Continue reading Flamingo Land appeal after Loch Lomond land deal extended

For the second year in a row, Wham!’s Last Christmas has taken the UK’s Christmas number one spot. The festive classic, written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, beat out Mariah Carey, Gracie Abrams, Tom Grennan, and Ariana Grande to secure the top spot on the chart. Andrew Ridgeley expressed his delight at the achievement,… Continue reading Wham's Last Christmas is the Christmas number one for a second consecutive year

West Yorkshire Police have sacked five serving officers and said three former colleagues would have faced dismissal over a WhatsApp group that exhibited “routine misogyny” and “casual racism”. A number of officers based at Pudsey were let go, after photographs of “death scenes,” missing people, car crashes, and detainees were distributed along with disparaging comments… Continue reading Pudsey: Five cops sacked over offensive WhatsApp messages

Blachere Illuminations, a well-known light specialist company that designs lights for famous landmarks such as the Shard and Champs-Élysées, has brought Newburgh in Fife to life this Christmas season with a display of illuminated characters. Among these is Lochlan’s goose, which was chosen as the winning design in a Christmas lights drawing competition participated in… Continue reading Newburgh: The Fife town with Christmas lights designed by kids

The public inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal involving the UK’s Post Office attracted millions of viewers and brought together “superfans” who followed every development. Some avidly watched the hearings online while others attended them in person, even taking time off work to do so. The sub-postmasters’ story resonated with so many because it was… Continue reading Post Office inquiry ends for 'superfans' gripped by the scandal

Donald Trump’s campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, has labelled the UK’s incoming ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, as an “absolute moron”. LaCivita, who was a co-campaign manager for Trump’s presidential election, criticised the British government’s decision to replace Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce with Mandelson, saying he was a “professional universally respected ambo with an… Continue reading Trump campaign adviser calls Lord Mandelson 'an absolute moron'

Two police officers have been found guilty of assault and carrying out an unlawful search on a 16-year-old boy with mental health difficulties who they were transporting to hospital in November 2023. Sevda Gonen and Stuart Price were convicted at Westminster Magistrates Court of assaulting the teenager and charged with carrying out an unlawful search. The Independent… Continue reading Met PC who slapped boy in face found guilty of assault