Author: Fatimah Idera

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…

A police officer is set to face a misconduct hearing following the deaths of two teenage boys who crashed on an e-bike shortly after being followed by a police van. Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in May 2023 in Ely, Cardiff, minutes after CCTV footage showed a police van tracking them. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the van was about half a mile away on a different road at the time of the fatal collision. The tragic incident sparked riots and disorder across Cardiff, resulting in injuries to dozens of officers, property damage, and…

Three men have been jailed for smuggling 91 million canisters of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, into the UK by operating fake catering companies. Carl Messen, 58, and twin brothers Thomas and Benjamin Richardson, both 38, were convicted at Leeds Crown Court for importing the psychoactive substance by the lorry-load between May 2016 and December 2018. They also laundered over £16.7 million through their scheme, with more than £12 million in cash believed to be illicitly earned. Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medicine and dentistry as an anesthetic, and in the catering industry as a whipped cream…

Britain has barred Israel government and military representatives from attending DSEI 2025, one of the world’s largest arms exhibitions, scheduled to take place in London from September 9–12. The decision, confirmed by a UK government spokesperson, comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. “The Israeli government’s decision to escalate its military activity in Gaza is wrong,” the spokesperson said. “There will be no official Israel government delegation at the DSEI 2025 exhibition in Britain.” While Israel arms manufacturers will still be permitted to exhibit at the event, the exclusion of official representatives has provoked strong condemnation from…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering imposing National Insurance (NI) on rental income, as part of efforts to close a projected £50 billion gap in the public finances. According to reports, treasury officials are exploring the proposal ahead of the Autumn Budget. The plan, which would target so-called unearned income from property rentals, has drawn support from the Resolution Foundation ,a think tank previously led by Torsten Bell, now a Labour MP and adviser to Reeves. Meanwhile critics warned the move could lead to higher rents, as landlords may respond by selling their properties or passing costs on to tenants,…

Pharmacies across Britain are turning patients away as supplies of the popular weight-loss drug Mounjaro run dry, following a sudden halt in UK deliveries by its manufacturer, Eli Lilly. Leading online pharmacies, including Superdrug and Medicine Market Place, confirmed they had sold out of Mounjaro less than 24 hours after Eli Lilly paused shipments. The suspension, which took effect on Wednesday night, comes just days ahead of a steep price increase set for September 1. Sehar Shahid, a board member of the National Pharmacy Association, said that pharmacies were being forced to ration remaining supplies, prioritising existing patients. “We’re having…

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said she would go further than Nigel Farage in tackling illegal migration, insisting that women and children who arrive unlawfully should also be deported. Speaking to the media, Mrs Badenoch said creating exceptions for women and children would risk opening up loopholes that traffickers and economic migrants could exploit. “We have said that if you come to our country illegally, then you will be deported,” she said. “That would include, of course, women and children, because if you start making exceptions then you will find people finding a way to use those loopholes.” Her comments…