British Isles
Farming concerns
14 Dec 2023
After an expensive 2023 harvest, this autumn's weather has not been kind to farmers. Very dry conditions quickly turned to very wet. Crops thought to be safely growing have been overwhelmed by waterlogging and even flooding,…
Missing teenager found in France
14 Dec 2023
A 17-year-old English boy, Alex Batty, who went missing in Spain in 2017, has been found in the town of Revel, France, six years after his disappearance. He is in good health, and is now awaiting…
During this week's Covid inquiry, former prime minister Boris Johnson faced intense scrutiny over his government's handling of the pandemic. Johnson expressed sorrow for the 'loss and suffering' caused by Covid, but bereaved families dismissed his…
Robert Jenrick has resigned as the UK's immigration minister due to disagreements about the Government's new proposed Rwanda legislation, which he believes does not offer sufficient protections to end legal challenges that hinder the scheme. He…
UK sanctions, Chinese response
07 Dec 2023
The UK has imposed new sanctions on several Chinese firms, accusing them of aiding Russia's military actions in Ukraine. China, strongly opposing these measures, has warned of a 'firm response' to any actions that harm its…
Section 114 fear for 1 in 5 councils
07 Dec 2023
A Local Government Association (LGA) survey reveals that about 20% of council leaders and executives in England anticipate possibly issuing Section 114 notices, reflecting an inability to balance budgets due to funding shortfalls. A projected £4…