Author: Fatimah Idera

Refugees granted asylum in the UK will soon face stricter conditions on bringing family members into the country, as part of a new immigration crackdown set to be unveiled by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. In a statement to be delivered in the House of Commons on Monday, Cooper is expected to outline sweeping reforms aimed at tightening family reunification policies. The changes come amid a surge in small boat arrivals and growing public frustration over the ongoing use of hotels to house asylum seekers. The key elements of the new policy includes; Stricter eligibility criteria for refugee family reunification, including…

For the first time, children in England will receive the chickenpox vaccine on the NHS, as part of a new combined jab also protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella. Starting in January, the chickenpox vaccine also known as the varicella jab  will be included in a new MMRV vaccine given to toddlers during routine GP visits. This will replace the current MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) jab, typically administered at 12 and 18 months. This marks the first addition to the routine childhood vaccination programme in over a decade and brings the UK in line with countries like the US, Canada,…

Heathrow Airport has been revealed as a sponsor of Reform UK’s annual party conference, signalling growing interest from major businesses in Nigel Farage’s rapidly rising party. The UK’s busiest airport will sponsor a lounge at the two-day event, taking place this week in Birmingham. It marks Reform UK’s largest conference since the party’s launch in 2018 and reflects a shift in its standing, with business now starting to take notice. Hundreds of newly elected councillors are expected to attend, following the party’s strong performance in May’s local elections. Recent polling by BMG research shows reform surging to 35% of the…

Kemi Badenoch vows to end key net zero policies and focus on extracting as much oil and gas as possible from the North Sea. In a major policy shift, the Conservative leader will announce plans to remove environmental restrictions on fuel production. Speaking in Aberdeen, she will outline her commitment to boosting the UK’s energy independence and economic growth by tapping into North Sea resources which is similar to what Norway is doing. Badenoch will propose scrapping the current rules guiding the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), the regulator responsible for oil and gas licensing. She plans to replace its…

The Executive Director of Electoral College Nigeria, Kunle Lawal, has criticised the conduct of the recent local government elections in Rivers State, arguing that the process lacks democratic legitimacy due to the imposition of emergency rule in the state. Lawal made the remarks on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme on Saturday as residents of the state voted to elect chairpersons and councillors across its 23 local government areas. “I don’t see democracy in someone that was appointed creating the elected. The elected is always supposed to precede the appointed,” Lawal said, referring to the appointment of a sole administrator by President…

The Conservative Party is calling for an investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over allegations she avoided paying higher stamp duty on a property purchase, potentially saving £40,000 in taxes. In a letter sent on Friday evening, Tory Party Chair, Kevin Hollinrake asked Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser, to determine whether Rayner breached the ministerial code by failing to be transparent about her tax arrangements. The call follows a reports claiming Rayner declared a newly purchased flat in Hove, East Sussex, as her main residence, enabling her to pay lower stamp duty. Had it been classed…

The Home Office has issued a new restrictions on how asylum seekers can use their pre-paid Aspen cards, banning hundreds of items and services it deems non-essential including everything from lottery tickets and toys to flowers, audiobooks, and even photocopying. The move follows a government-ordered review of the Aspen card system, which is used to distribute weekly financial support to asylum seekers who are not allowed to work in the UK. Those in full-board hotel accommodation receive just £9.95 per week, while those in self-catered housing receive £49.18. The ban uses a standardised system known as Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) …

The British pound dipped on Friday but remained on track for a monthly gain against the U.S. dollar, supported by strong economic data and fading expectations of rate cuts from the Bank of England. growing concerns over the UK’s fiscal outlook weighed on the currency. Sterling fell 0.3% on the day to $1.3464, and recorded a similar drop against the euro. Still, the pound was up around 2% for the month versus the dollar, though slightly weaker against the euro. Pressure on the currency came as an influential think tank suggested the UK government could consider taxing banks based on their…

A Reform UK councillor has been suspended from his job at the Home Office amid an investigation into whether he breached the civil service code by posting politically charged and critical comments about asylum seekers. Paul Bean, who represents Crook ward on Durham County Council, works as an asylum and immigration caseworker for the Home Office, a role that demands strict political neutrality. His civil service position is listed in his official register of interests as a councillor. The suspension follows revelations from the anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate, which linked Bean to a social media account that published posts…

UK Doctors have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) stethoscope capable of detecting three serious heart conditions in just 15 seconds, potentially transforming early diagnosis and treatment. The device, created by researchers at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, marks the first major redesign of the stethoscope since its invention in 1816. It combines traditional heart sound monitoring with advanced AI and ECG (electrocardiogram) capabilities to identify heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart valve disease almost instantly. The AI stethoscope which is roughly the size of a playing card when placed on the patient’s chest will…