Author: Fatimah Idera

Six police officers are facing disciplinary action over their handling of a missing persons case that ended in tragedy when three young people were found dead two days after a car crash near Cardiff. The victims Sophie Russon, 20, Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, 21 died in the crash on the A48 in St Mellons in March 2023. Two others, Rafel Jeanne, 24, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were critically injured. The group had gone missing after a night out, but it took Gwent Police and South Wales Police 46 hours to locate their car, a white Volkswagen Tiguan, which…

The UK government has recovered £74 million from companies running asylum accommodation after a review found they had made excessive profits under previous contracts. The Home Office said the money was reclaimed following a review of supplier contracts initiated after Labour took office last year. The move follows criticism from MPs that successive governments had failed to properly oversee the multi-billion-pound asylum housing system. Home Office figures show that asylum accommodation cost £2.1 billion in 2024/25 around £5.77 million a day meaning the recovered amount is equivalent to less than a fortnight’s spending. Accommodation firms had previously agreed to return…

McDonald’s has agreed to introduce new sexual harassment training and independent oversight in a strengthened deal with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), following ongoing reports of abuse at its UK outlets. The new measures, announced Thursday, expand a 2023 legally binding agreement between the company and the EHRC after serious allegations of misconduct emerged. The fast-food giant will implement specialist training for managers focused on identifying grooming and online harassment, and hire an external body to review how it handles sexual harassment complaints. The reforms will apply to the restaurants across England, Scotland, and Wales. While franchisees are…

A 67-year-old man who brutally murdered a young couple in their Newhaven home before taking their children to McDonald’s has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Derek Martin, from Brighton, was sentenced at Brighton Law Courts on Thursday after being found guilty of killing Josh and Chloe Bashford in June 2023. He must serve a minimum of 29 years before being eligible for parole, meaning he will spend over 26 years behind bars after time already served. The court heard that Martin, who was previously married to Chloe’s mother, struck Ms Bashford with a hammer before stabbing her multiple times. He…

Electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK could soon face a new road tax, as the government explores ways to boost revenue in the upcoming Budget. According to report, discussions are underway within government about introducing a new levy for EV drivers to address a growing shortfall in fuel duty, which currently applies only to petrol and diesel vehicles. A government spokesperson said the aim was to create “a fairer system for all drivers,” adding that the transition to electric vehicles must still be supported. Reports also reveal that ministers are considering a pay-per-mile charge from 2028, with EV drivers…

The bird flu virus currently spreading across UK poultry farms may be the most infectious strain ever seen, a leading expert has warned, as farmers are urged to tighten biosecurity amid rising cases. Professor Ian Brown of the Pirbright Institute, former director of science at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), said the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain is “as super-infectious as any high pathogenicity avian influenza we’ve ever seen.” He cautioned farmers to “prepare for the worst,” noting that early signs of the outbreak “are not great.” Since the start of the current bird flu season…

The Bank of England has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4%, in a move widely expected by economists. The decision, made by the nine-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), was narrowly split, with five members voting to hold the rate and four voting for a cut to 3.75%. The decision signals cautious optimism within the Bank that inflationary pressures are easing. In a statement accompanying the announcement, the Bank said “inflation is judged to have peaked,” offering some relief to households and businesses. Inflation remained at 3.8% in September still well above the Bank’s 2% target but the MPC…

A civil society leader, Martina Kure, has criticised President Donald Trump of the United States of America over his threat to take military action against Nigeria labelling the West African country “a country of concern” over what he described as “Christian genocide” The New Daily Prime reported earlier that Trump had threatened to launch military action against Nigeria. However, in response to the US president’s statement, China rejected Trump’s remarks, stressing its firm opposition to any form of external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. The Chinese government described the genocide claims as a narrative pushed by religious extremists aiming to…

Police in London have launched a manhunt after a 24-year-old Algerian man was mistakenly released from Wandsworth Prison nearly a week ago. According to the Metropolitan Police, they were notified by prison officials on Tuesday that the prisoner had been released in error six days earlier, on Wednesday, 29 October. Efforts are now underway to locate and return him to custody. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as unacceptable, adding that the circumstances surrounding the mistaken release would be forensically investigated. The prisoner’s immigration status remains unclear, but Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told the Commons…

England’s national curriculum is set for its biggest overhaul in more than a decade, with financial literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital awareness joining traditional core subjects. Under new reforms announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, pupils will learn about mortgages, budgeting, and how to spot fake news and AI-generated content. The move, aimed at modernising education and narrowing the attainment gap, follows a comprehensive review commissioned by the government last year. Phillipson said the government’s goal was to revitalize education while keeping a “firm foundation in key areas like English and maths.” She noted that better sequencing of lessons…