Author: Fatimah Idera

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury has been urged by Conservative MPs and peers to abandon plans for a £100m fund linked to the Church of England’s historical connections to slavery. According to Sunday Times, the group called on Dame Sarah Mullally to halt the spending, arguing that the money can legally only be used to support churches, maintain buildings and pay clergy wages. They claim the proposed fund risks diverting resources away from struggling parishes. The Church of England announced the plan in January 2023 after an independent report examined its historic ties to the transatlantic slave trade. The report…

Sir Keir Starmer has come under criticism after welcoming Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to the UK, following the emergence of past social media posts in which the campaigner appeared to endorse violence against Zionists and police. Abdel Fattah, a dual British national, arrived in the UK this week after being released from prison in Egypt. He was jailed in 2021 for “spreading fake news” after sharing a Facebook post alleging torture in the country. The prime minister said he was delighted that the activist had safely arrived and been reunited with his family. However, shadow justice secretary Robert…

The UK government is imposing visa restrictions on people travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after failing to reach an agreement with its government on the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made the changes required under tougher asylum rules announced in November. As a result, fast-track visa services for applicants from the country will be withdrawn, and senior figures such as politicians and VIPs will no longer receive preferential treatment when travelling to the UK. The Home Office said Angola and Namibia, which had also been threatened with sanctions,…

Recruits joining the proposed military gap year programme will not take part in active operations, with course content still being finalised. Under the plan, Army participants would complete 13 weeks of basic training as part of a two-year placement. The Royal Navy scheme would run for one year, offering general training for sailors, while proposals for the Royal Air Force are at an earlier stage of development, the i newspaper reported. The Army already runs a separate gap-year scheme offering 30 placements for young people before, during or just after university, but it is limited to those considering officer training.…

King Charles III and Prince William are expected to make separate visits to the United States in 2026 as part of efforts to revive a stalled UK–US trade agreement, according to reports. Report revealed that advanced discussions are under way for a visit by the King, which is likely to take place in April. If it goes ahead, it would be the first visit by a reigning British monarch to the US since Queen Elizabeth II travelled there in 2007. Prince William is expected to visit later in the year during the football World Cup, which will be hosted by…

Foreign doctors and nurses are increasingly shunning the NHS due to a hostile environment created by anti-migrant rhetoric and rising racism. According to the leader of Britain’s medical profession. Dr. Jeanette Dickson, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, warned that the health service is being put at significant risk because overseas professionals now view the UK as an unwelcoming country. This shift comes at a time when the NHS is more dependent on international talent than ever before, with General Medical Council figures showing that 42% of all UK doctors qualified abroad. Despite this reliance, record numbers of…

Cold temperatures are expected to continue after Boxing Day, with a yellow cold health alert still in place for parts of the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the alert will remain active until noon on 27 December for southwest England. The agency warned that the cold could have minor impacts on health and social care services, particularly for vulnerable people who may need more medical support and face higher health risks. The warning comes as police continue to urge people not to swim in the sea. Two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, are still missing…

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…