Five men have been arrested following the seizure of cannabis worth £5 million at Birmingham Airport. National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators and police apprehended the individuals, aged between 21 and 27, in Luton and London. The arrests are linked to a smuggling attempt in August, involving over half a tonne of cannabis flown into the UK from Thailand via Paris. Eleven passengers were initially detained and released on bail pending further investigations. The NCA has warned travellers arriving from countries where cannabis is legal that they face jail time if caught smuggling the drug into the UK. Cannabis seizures in the UK have tripled from 2023 to 2024, driven by organised crime groups seeking higher profits. These gangs exploit couriers for financial gain, with little regard for their safety or freedom.

A sixty-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the deaths of three residents at a care home in Swanage, Dorset. The tragic incident unfolded on 23 October, leading to the evacuation of all 48 elderly residents, some with dementia; seven others were taken to the hospital. Emergency services responded swiftly, with fire crews and local volunteers providing temporary shelter and supplies for displaced residents, and the police have launched an investigation. The leader of the investigation team expressed condolences to the affected families, stressing that the arrest would help determine if gross negligence was involved. Local authorities are working to ensure displaced residents’ care needs are met. The community is deeply impacted by the incident, and local police are on hand to offer support as investigations continue.

The Government has confirmed that a ban on the sale of disposable vapes will take effect on 1 June 2025. There are growing concerns about the environmental impact and the rising number of young people becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping. Health officials report a significant increase in vape usage, with nearly five million being used and discarded every week. The ban aims to reduce waste, protect the environment, and curb the appeal of vapes to children. Health minister Andrew Gwynne said that a quarter of 11 to 15 year-olds used vapes last year, with disposable vapes being the most popular choice. The Government also plans to introduce a bill which will gradually raise the legal smoking age and implement stricter controls on the sale and marketing of vaping products. This is part of a broader effort to create a smoke-free future in the UK.

Former archbishop George Carey has urged CofE bishops in the House of Lords to support a bill on assisted dying, to give a ‘dignified, compassionate’ end to life for those suffering intractable pain. This stance contrasts sharply with the current CofE leadership; Justin Welby opposes the bill, warning of potential dangers and a slippery slope. The bishops in the Lords have until now resisted such legislation, calling instead for better palliative care. Support for assisted dying, however, is growing among the public and clergy alike, with polls showing a majority of Anglicans and other religious followers backing the change. Carey has urged church leaders to listen to the experiences of the dying. Meanwhile, religious leaders from other faiths, including Islam and Catholicism, oppose the bill, citing the sanctity of life and the risk of societal pressure on vulnerable individuals to opt for assisted death.