British Isles
UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker
08 Jan 2026
The UK armed forces have confirmed they supported a US-led operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, amid growing concerns over so-called 'shadow fleets' evading international sanctions. The tanker, Marinera, was intercepted…
A former British soldier has been jailed for fourteen years after selling lethal chemicals online to assist suicides, resulting in the deaths of two people. Miles Cross, 33, from Wrexham, used an online discussion forum to…
A damning review has revealed serious failures in the Metropolitan Police’s recruitment and vetting processes, with thousands of officers and staff inadequately checked during a major recruitment drive. The report found that as many as 22,000…
Three high school pupils from Wigan were seriously injured after falling from the top window of a double-decker bus in Ashton-in-Makerfield. The incident prompted an emergency response that included police, paramedics, and an air ambulance. All…
Churches urged to support alcohol-free January
08 Jan 2026
Churches across the UK are being urged to support Dry January 2026, as an estimated 17.5 million adults commit to a month without alcohol. The initiative, led by Alcohol Change UK, invites people to pause drinking…
Bank of England expected to cut interest rates
18 Dec 2025
The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates, reducing the Bank rate from 4% to 3.75% - its lowest level since February 2023. Analysts anticipate a close vote among the nine-member Monetary Policy…