Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Birmingham man Liam Stych emerged as a hero by rescuing a mother and her three-year-old daughter from a car submerged in floodwaters near Hall Green's bridge. The incident, highlighted by West Midlands police on social media, involved Stych tying the vehicle to the bridge to stop it from drifting away. He described to ITV News how he had to break the car's back window to save the child and then secure the car with ratchet straps from his van. Stych's pregnant partner, Tia Draper, assisted in keeping the child warm after the rescue. Stych, reflecting on his brave act, stated that he had no choice but to act in the moment and would do it again if needed. The police praised his actions, calling him a 'local hero'. The dramatic rescue underscores the quick thinking and bravery required in life-threatening situations.

Junior doctors in England are currently engaged in the longest strike in NHS history, demanding a 35% pay increase from their current hourly rate of £15-£17 to around £20. Despite five weeks of unsuccessful talks last year with the British Medical Association, the Government remains firm in its refusal to negotiate during the strike. The doctors, who claim strong public support, argue that their six-day strike is the only way to get the government's attention regarding their pay and working conditions. Health secretary Victoria Atkins is accused of pushing medics out of the negotiation room. Dr Robert Laurenson, co-chair of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, stressed the necessity of the strike, citing a workforce crisis and the government's alleged unresponsiveness to other forms of dialogue. Public opinions are mixed, with some expressing sympathy for the doctors’ plight, acknowledging their critical role and the current economic pressures. Others, however, suggest gratitude for employment during difficult times. The strike has sparked concerns about junior doctors moving abroad for better pay and conditions; Dr Georgia Blackwell notes a growing trend of doctors relocating to countries like Australia for improved work-life balance and higher earnings.

Shifting focus from his usual target, the Tories, Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, has coined the term 'Starmergeddon ' to describe the potential consequences of a Labour election victory. Despite ongoing speculation, he remained noncommittal about Nigel Farage's role in Reform's campaign. Labour, preparing for a possible spring election, faces Tice's accusations of betraying working-class voters, particularly on immigration. Tice outlined Reform's policies, including raising the income tax threshold and reducing fuel duty, while advocating for stricter immigration controls. In a strategic shift from 2019, when the party, then known as the Brexit Party, stood down in several Tory seats, Tice said it would contest every seat in England, Scotland, and Wales. He dismissed the concern that Reform would split the conservative vote, focusing instead on challenging the current political landscape. Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson expressed concern over Reform's potential impact, suggesting Farage's leadership could be crucial for their success. Tice, however, remains unfazed.

Nearly half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media, according to a recent study. This concern coincides with increasing scrutiny over the impact of big tech platforms on users, especially young people. The study, involving around 19,000 individuals born between 2000-2002 in the UK, found that 48% of respondents felt a lack of control over their social media usage. The data, revealing a higher proportion of girls (57%) than boys (37%) feeling this way, suggests a problematic relationship with these platforms. Researchers emphasise that feeling addicted doesn't equate to clinical addiction but indicates an unhealthy relationship with social media. The findings come amidst broader concerns about digital technology fostering compulsive behaviours, as evidenced by the WHO's recognition of 'gaming disorder' and the US surgeon general's warning about social media's risks to mental health. This study highlights the growing need to understand and manage the complex relationship between young people and digital technologies.

2023 stands as the second warmest year on record in the UK, following 2022, with a mean temperature of 9.97°C. This year, Wales and Northern Ireland both experienced their warmest years ever since records began in 1884. The year was marked by notable heatwaves in June and September, contributing to eight of the twelve months being warmer than average. June was the hottest on record, and September tied for the joint-hottest. This warming trend aligns with global climate patterns, with human-induced climate change playing a significant role. The UK's climate has been consistently warming, with the ten warmest years occurring since 2003. Climate studies suggest that such high temperatures, a rarity in the past, are now becoming increasingly common due to human activity. The year also saw significant rainfall, with the UK experiencing 11% more rain than average. Northern Ireland recorded its third wettest year, and England its sixth wettest. These wet conditions, combined with the warm temperatures, indicate the changing climate patterns, suggesting a trend towards hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters in the UK. The full UK State of the Climate report, detailing these findings in depth, is set to be released later in 2024.

Camila Batmanghelidjh, the founder of Kids Company and a prominent social justice campaigner, passed away at 61. Known for her significant contributions to supporting deprived and vulnerable inner-city children, she started Kids Company in 1996 in South London, reaching up to 36,000 young people. Although she stepped down in 2015 amid allegations of mismanagement, she was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the High Court. Batmanghelidjh, who had been ill for some time, passed away peacefully in her sleep on 1 January, her birthday. She was remembered for her unwavering dedication to Britain's most vulnerable children, spending her last Christmas wrapping presents for them. Born in Iran and arriving in England at 12, she overcame significant personal challenges and achieved a first-class degree from the University of Warwick. She was recognised for her vibrant personality and influence, rubbing shoulders with politicians and celebrities like David Cameron and Coldplay, and her impact on social welfare and child support remains significant. Steve Chalke, Baptist minister and founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said he would ever be grateful to Ms Batmanghelidjh, 'for her wisdom and depth of love for children'.

Evangelist Franklin Graham has criticised the UK Methodist Church for its new Inclusive Language Guide, which advises avoiding gendered terms like 'husband' and 'wife’. Graham, the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed his disapproval on social media, emphasising the biblical significance of these terms and the importance of adhering to scriptural teachings rather than conforming to cultural shifts. The guide, updated every six months, aims to promote inclusivity, especially for LGBT+ people, by recommending terms like 'parent’, 'partner’, 'child', and 'carer' as alternatives. It also suggests using language and pronouns preferred by individuals. The Methodist Church defended the guide, stating it facilitates respectful conversations without making assumptions or unintentionally causing offence. This initiative aligns with the church's efforts to include LGBT+ individuals, as indicated by references to organisations like GLAAD and Stonewall in the guide. However, the denomination's Book of Discipline still prohibits LGBT-identified clergy from ordination and bans same-sex marriages. A significant legislative gathering in spring 2024 is expected to address these contentious issues further.

The Half Way House pub in Blackpool has initiated a 'giftmas' tree project to provide Christmas presents for nearly 200 underprivileged children. Traditional decorations on the tree were replaced with tags indicating an anonymous child's age and gender. Patrons were encouraged to pick a tag and donate a suitable gift. This initiative led to over 185 children receiving gifts for Christmas. The landlords highlighted the importance of the project, acknowledging that many children might not receive gifts otherwise. The presents will be distributed through Blackpool's Children's Services. This initiative is significant in the UK, where around 4.2 million children live in poverty, and research suggests one in five might not receive a Christmas present. Following the success of this scheme, other pubs in the same chain are following suit. The chain’s marketing manager praised the initiative for demonstrating the pivotal role pubs play in their communities, ensuring that many children will have gifts to open this Christmas.

Cambridge United Football Club, inspired by Baptist minister and fan Simon Cragg, has introduced an official club carol titled 'United at Christmas' to connect football enthusiasts with the teachings of Jesus. This unique carol was a highlight of a 1,000-person carol service at Abbey Stadium, attended by players, staff, and fans. It was also featured at halftime during the club’s FA Cup match against Fleetwood. The lyrics of 'United at Christmas' use football-related imagery to convey themes of love, hope, and peace, and include references to the club's nickname and historical Christian narratives. Club director Graham Daniels, a former player and head of Christians in Sport, noted the growing openness to faith in football. He credits past Christian footballers like Gavin Peacock and Cyril Regis for setting strong examples of faith in the sport, leading to a cultural shift where being a devout Christian and a professional footballer is respected.

Two teenagers, aged 16, were convicted of murdering 16-year-old transgender girl Brianna Ghey in Cheshire. Brianna was lured to Linear Park and stabbed 28 times. The assailants, a boy and a girl, were 15 at the time and denied the murder, each blaming the other. Their premeditated plan for the killing was evidenced by a handwritten murder plan and messages. During the four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that the girl, known as Girl X, had a fascination with violence and serial killers. The boy, Boy Y, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, is non-verbal. Prior to the murder, they compiled a 'kill list' of other children. Brianna's mother, Esther Ghey, expressed her enduring grief and gratitude to those who showed kindness to Brianna in her last moments. She also urged empathy for the families of the convicted teens. Brianna's father, Peter Spooner, shared his heartbreak over his loss. The case, which incited global protests against transphobia, awaits sentencing by Judge Mrs Justice Yip. Police believe the motive was not transphobia but a general thirst for violence.