Russia-Ukraine war: London ceasefire talks downgraded

Reporting from London, talks in the city aimed at securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have undergone changes as the original planned involvement of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff has been omitted. Instead, the meeting on Wednesday will involve senior officials from the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine, and… Continue reading Russia-Ukraine war: London ceasefire talks downgraded

Higher pay and benefits drives government borrowing higher

The government’s borrowing for the year ending in March exceeded expectations due to increased spending on pay and benefits, according to official data. The borrowing, which represents the difference between government spending and income from taxes, totaled £151.9bn for the year, an increase of £20.7bn compared to the previous year. This figure surpassed the predicted… Continue reading Higher pay and benefits drives government borrowing higher

Apprentice winner Dean Franklin 'not aware' of licence breach

Dean Franklin, the recent winner of The Apprentice 2025, dismissed reports of his air conditioning company operating without the appropriate license, stating that he was not informed of any ongoing investigation by the Environment Agency. The 35-year-old father-of-two from Hornchurch, east London, was declared the champion of the popular BBC reality show by Lord Alan… Continue reading Apprentice winner Dean Franklin 'not aware' of licence breach

Merseyside Police failings left predator free to kidnap girl, 6

Lewis Jones, a 23-year-old man from Liverpool, was able to perpetrate a violent and prolonged sexual assault on a six-year-old girl in Manchester due to police failings and workload pressures, according to information obtained by the BBC. Merseyside Police had been investigating Jones since 2020 for grooming and sexually abusing a vulnerable child before he… Continue reading Merseyside Police failings left predator free to kidnap girl, 6

John Swinney calls on leaders to unite for democracy

In preparation for an upcoming summit in Glasgow, First Minister John Swinney is calling on Scotland’s political, faith, and civic leaders to come together in defense of democracy. Approximately 50 organizations, encompassing political parties, faith groups, and charities, are slated to participate in the forum. Swinney emphasized the importance of this gathering amidst global uncertainties… Continue reading John Swinney calls on leaders to unite for democracy

Drugs pouring into Parc Prison, Bridgend, by drone, inspector says

A recent investigation into HMP Parc in Bridgend has revealed a concerning trend of drug smuggling via drones, potentially leading to a series of tragic deaths within the prison. The report highlighted a failure to address the widespread availability of drugs, with deliveries directly to cell windows via unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2024 alone, seventeen… Continue reading Drugs pouring into Parc Prison, Bridgend, by drone, inspector says

Chris Mason: Gender debate has changed but it's not over yet

Over my decades-long career in journalism, never have I encountered an issue as divisive as the one surrounding sex, gender, trans, and women’s rights. The intensity and toxicity of the arguments on both sides surpasses that of debates on the Iraq war or Brexit. The vitriol that fills my inbox whenever I cover this topic… Continue reading Chris Mason: Gender debate has changed but it's not over yet

Police chiefs granted powers to remove officers unfit for duty

Guy Lambert, a reporter from the society, highlighted the new government measures introduced to increase confidence in policing. Following an independent report on the murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021, the need to change police vetting procedures was emphasized. The upcoming measures will make passing background checks mandatory for all… Continue reading Police chiefs granted powers to remove officers unfit for duty

Instagram still posing serious risks to children, campaigners say

An investigation conducted by BBC News has raised concerns about the potential risks young Instagram users may still face despite the introduction of new Teen Accounts aimed at providing enhanced protection and control. According to researchers from the online child safety charity 5Rights Foundation, even with these new accounts, individuals were able to create fake… Continue reading Instagram still posing serious risks to children, campaigners say

Newspaper headlines: Putin's 'peace plan' and tariffs 'shock'

Reports of a shocking proposal to end the Ukraine war are making headlines with Donald Trump allegedly allowing Vladimir Putin to retain most of the territory seized from Ukraine under a proposed peace deal, as per the Daily Telegraph. The seven-point proposal includes formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the freezing of the… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: Putin's 'peace plan' and tariffs 'shock'