Author: Fatimah Idera

An elderly woman has died after being seriously assaulted inside a flat in Devizes on Christmas Day, police have said. The woman, who was in her 80s, was found at a property on Keepers Road early on Christmas morning. Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Wiltshire Police confirmed that a 63-year-old woman, who is known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. She was taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-changing. Officers said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with…

Police in South West England, particularly Devon have warned people not to swim in the sea after two men went missing on Christmas Day. Devon and Cornwall Police said the men, aged in their 40s and 60s, got into difficulty in the water off Budleigh Salterton beach on Christmas morning. Emergency services were alerted at about 10.25am after concerns were raised about people in the sea. A major search was also launched involving HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats, and rescue teams from Exmouth and Beer. Lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth, and Torbay also took part. Despite extensive efforts, the search was called…

King Charles has called for reconciliation and unity in his Christmas message, urging people to draw strength from the diversity of their communities so that right can overcome wrong. He reflected on the spirit of the Second World War generation, saying they came together in difficult times with courage and sacrifice qualities that helped shape both the UK and the Commonwealth. The King said in a video on the Royal House X handle these values remain important today, especially as division is felt at home and abroad. Referring to recent violent incidents, including the Bondi beach shooting and the Manchester…

The Home Office has abandoned a controversial proposal to purchase eight flats for asylum seekers in Buckhurst Hill, Epping. The decision follows fierce resistance from local residents and Epping Forest District Council, who labeled the plan tone deaf in light of recent community tensions. The area has been a flashpoint for national protests following a high-profile sexual assault of a minor by a migrant earlier this year. Council leader Chris Whitbread expressed disbelief that the Home Office would consider expanding accommodation in a district already hosting two asylum hotels, including the contentious Bell Hotel. “This is excellent news, and residents…

Millions are braving a record-breaking travel rush today as the UK faces its busiest Christmas Eve in years. With an estimated 4.2 million drivers hitting the roads, the RAC warns of severe congestion, particularly on the M25 and M60. Travel experts identified the window between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM as the worst time to be on the move. The chaos isn’t limited to the motorways. The Civil Aviation Authority predicts 3 million passengers will fly from UK airports this week, with Heathrow, Manchester, and Birmingham expecting their busiest festive seasons on record. For those relying on rail, the window…

UK Labour Party has suspended a West London councilor after it occured an illegal worker was employed to her home.

The UK Government has softened its proposed inheritance tax changes for farmland, raising the threshold from £1m to £2.5m following months of protests by farmers and growing unease within the Labour Party. Under the revised plan, a 20% tax will apply only to inherited agricultural assets valued above £2.5m from April 2026. The original proposal, announced in last year’s Budget, had set the threshold at £1m, sparking widespread concern across the farming sector. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the changes were made after listening to farmers’ concerns, stressing that the aim was to protect family-run farms while ensuring larger estates…

Business leaders have warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer that forging closer trade relations with the European Union has become a strategic necessity as UK exporters struggle under post-Brexit trading arrangements. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the current UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is failing to support growth, with more than half of exporters reporting it has not helped them sell into the EU. The findings are based on a survey of nearly 1,000 firms, most of them small and medium-sized businesses. According to reports, 54% of exporters said the deal negotiated by Boris Johnson’s government was not…

An Afghan asylum seeker has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the shocking and violent rape of a 17-year-old girl in a Scottish park. Rapualla Ahmadze, who was approximately 20 at the time of the attack, targeted the teenager in Cooper Park, Elgin, during August of last year. The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Ahmadze acted in a predatory manner, approaching the girl and making intimidating remarks before the assault. Although he claimed the encounter was consensual, a jury found him guilty of rape and a separate charge of threatening and abusive behavior. Judge Thomas Welsh KC…

The Home Office is preparing to transfer the first group of asylum seekers to the Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex early next year. This move is a central part of the government’s broader strategy to end the use of hotels for temporary accommodation, a goal Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to achieve by the next election. The site is designated to house approximately 540 men, many of whom are expected to be recent arrivals from small boat crossings due to the camp’s proximity to the south coast. While the government originally targeted a December opening, the timeline was…