Category
Sport
Sadiq Khan eyes London bid for 2040 Olympics
Sadiq Khan eyes London bid for 2040 Olympics
Mohamed Salah signs new Liverpool contract until 2027
Mohamed Salah signs new Liverpool contract until 2027
Premier League clubs unite in completing Antisemitism awareness training
Premier League clubs unite in completing Antisemitism awareness training
UK set to host 2035 Women's World Cup as sole valid bidder
UK set to host 2035 Women's World Cup as sole valid bidder
£100 million boost to transform local sports facilities across the UK
£100 million boost to transform local sports facilities across the UK
Manchester United to build £2 billion stadium, aiming for the best in the world
Manchester United to build £2 billion stadium, aiming for the best in the world
London Lions unveil plans for world-class basketball arena with mayor’s backing
London Lions unveil plans for world-class basketball arena with mayor’s backing
Liverpool extend League lead to 16 points; Forest stun Man City
Liverpool extend League lead to 16 points; Forest stun Man City
Newcastle United sees 28% revenue surge as losses drop significantly in 2023-24 season
Newcastle United sees 28% revenue surge as losses drop significantly in 2023-24 season
Victor Lindelof considering Summer exit as Ruben Amorim plans ruthless Manchester United overhaul
Victor Lindelof considering Summer exit as Ruben Amorim plans ruthless Manchester United overhaul
Education
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Government expands school improvement programme to over 200 schools
Thousands more children are set to benefit from the government's major school improvement initiative as the RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) programmeRead More... -
University of Oxford leads UK in building repair investment
The University of Oxford has been ranked the top university in the UK for investment in building repairs and remediation, according to a new national report.Read More... -
Dad threatens to move son over school’s silent corridor policy
A father has decided to move his son to a new school after Southchurch High School in Southend-on-Sea introduced strict "silent transitions" between lessons, with one-hour same-dayRead More... -
AI could save workers 122 hours a year, says Google
Google says UK workers could save over 120 hours a year on administrative tasks by using AI—unlocking a potential £400 billion ($533 billion) economic boost if the workforce is properlyRead More... -
Oxford University announces 2025 honorary degree recipients
Oxford University has named nine distinguished individuals who will receive honorary degrees during the annual Encaenia ceremony on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.Read More... -
Free breakfast clubs launch nationwide, saving families up to £8,000
Starting today, thousands of children across the UK will benefit from free breakfast clubs as 750 schools open their doors early, delivering on a key government promise to supportRead More... -
Seagull shuts down Oxford University building after dropping rock on roof
A building at the University of Oxford has been closed for nearly a week after an unusual incident involving a seagull repeatedly dropping a rock onto a glass roof, eventually cracking it.Read More... -
National Primary Offer Day 2025: nearly 98% of London children offered a preferred school place
On National Primary Offer Day 2025, new data from the Pan-London Admissions Board shows that 97.9% of children set to start primary school in London this September have secured a spotRead More... -
Mubadala to invest $600 million in Nord Anglia Education stake
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company has announced plans to acquire a $600 million minority stake in Nord Anglia Education, a UK-based operator of premium private schools.Read More... -
£302 million boost to repair and upgrade college buildings across England
Further education (FE) colleges in England are set to receive a share of £302 million to repair and improve their buildings, tackling issues like leaking roofs and broken windows.Read More...
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Culture
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Harrogate’s cherry blossoms rival Japan’s sakura season
While Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season draws millions each year, a town in North Yorkshire is proving you don’t need to fly 6,000 miles to experience the magic.Read More... -
British Library set for £1.1 billion expansion
The British Library, the largest in the UK, is set for a major transformation with a £1.1 billion expansion project now approved.Read More... -
Export bars placed on two 18th century Agostino Brunias paintings
Two paintings by the 18th-century Italian artist Agostino Brunias, both depicting scenes from the Caribbean island of St Vincent, have been placed under temporary export bars to give UKRead More... -
Pope recognizes Antoni Gaudí's "heroic virtues," puts him on path to sainthood
The Vatican has taken a significant step toward making renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí a saint, officially recognizing his "heroic virtues." Often referred to as "God's architect,"Read More... -
Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant faces closure amid Central London lease dispute
Veeraswamy, the UK's oldest Indian restaurant, is facing the threat of closure just before reaching its centenary, due to a lease disagreement with the Crown Estate.Read More... -
Communities invited to nominate beloved UK traditions for National Heritage List
This summer, communities across the UK will be able to nominate their favourite traditions—from iconic celebrations like Notting Hill Carnival and Hogmanay to time-honoured crafts likeRead More... -
£20m museum renewal fund opens for England’s civic museums
Civic museums across England can now apply for a share of the new £20 million Museum Renewal Fund, aimed at boosting access to collections, enhancing educational programmes, andRead More... -
The underrated UK city that was England’s first capital — 1,000 years before London
Tucked away in Essex lies a city that predates London as England's capital by over a millennium. Rich in Roman and medieval history, Colchester only officially became a city in 2022 as part ofRead More... -
Universal Studios to open first UK theme park in Bedford by 2031, creating 28,000 jobs
The UK is officially getting its first Universal Studios theme park, with a grand opening set for 2031. The landmark project, backed by the UK government, is expected to bring in a staggeringRead More... -
MI5 lifts the veil on 115 years of secrets in new exhibition
For the first time in its 115-year history, MI5 is pulling back the curtain on its shadowy past. A new exhibition at the National Archives in London, MI5: Official Secrets, offers the public anRead More... -
Tourist tax could help revive London’s arts and culture scene
A growing number of voices are calling on the government to allow London to introduce a tourist tax, similar to those already in place in many popular European cities. The Centre for LondonRead More... -
£1bn Chinese ceramics gift to British Museum approved
The Charity Commission has officially approved the largest donation in the British Museum’s history—a collection of Chinese ceramics valued at around £1 billion.Read More... -
UK to return Nazi-looted painting to Jewish family
A 17th-century painting stolen by the Nazis in 1940 from a Jewish art collector in Belgium is set to be returned to the collector’s descendants, the British government announced on Saturday,Read More...
British Queen celebrates
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UK news
Photo by portsmouthlibdems
MP Mike Hancock will not face charges over allegations he sexually assaulted a female constituent, Hampshire Police have said.
Liberal Democrat Mr Hancock, 64, who represents Portsmouth South, was arrested over the allegations in October.
In a statement, the force said: "Hampshire Constabulary can confirm that following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), no further action is to be taken against MP Mike Hancock in relation to allegations of sexual assault.
Photo: The Queen and Zara Phillips by star1950
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has got engaged to long-term boyfriend Mike Tindall, Buckingham Palace has said.
Mr Tindall proposed to his partner on Monday night at their Gloucestershire home and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are said to be "delighted" by the news, a Palace spokeswoman said.
A Buckingham Palace statement said: "The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Zara Phillips to Mr Mike Tindall, son of Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall."
Photo by AndrewHA .
An independent inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds by senior executives at Network Rail (NR) will begin in the New Year.
Sources said it will led by Antony White QC and will begin formal hearings in London in January.
The move has been agreed by NR and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), which represents senior staff at the publicly-funded rail firm.
The inquiry's terms of reference state "that an inquiry should be conducted to investigate any allegations of misuse of public funds and serious financial impropriety, potentially including fraud, presented to the inquiry by TSSA or present or former employees of Network Rail".
Thousands of extra deliveries have been made by postal workers as the Royal Mail made strenuous efforts to clear the huge Christmas postbag despite the snow.
Up to 14,000 extra delivery rounds are planned across the UK, weather permitting, over the next four evenings.
Around two million homes should receive an evening delivery this week.
The delivery programme follows £20 million investment by the Royal Mail in additional measures to deal with what is already the most severe December weather in almost 30 years.
More than 100 British veterans are considering handing back their medals to the Government to protest against their frozen pensions.
The veterans, who have more than 600 years of military service between them, have delivered a petition to Pensions Minister Steve Webb complaining that their state pension is not increased in line with inflation each year because they live outside the UK.
Britons who retire to a number of countries outside the UK, including Canada, Australia and South Africa, have their state pension frozen at the level at which it was when they left the country or retired, although those who retire to countries with which the UK has a reciprocal tax agreement, such as the US and EU countries, continue to receive an annual inflationary increase.
The veterans are calling on the Government to change the situation. They said they felt so outraged by the way they have been treated by the Government that they are prepared to hand back their medals in protest.
The International Consortium of British Pensioners estimates that around 500,000 people are affected by the freeze, with these pensioners receiving less than 60% of the income they would get if their state pension had been increased in line with inflation.
The number of council jobs cut or threatened with the axe in recent weeks is now almost 74,000, with unions fearing that services will now be "slashed" in the New Year, officials have said.
The GMB union said 79 local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland had now issued warnings of job losses as a result of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in October.
Union officials were now involved in the statutory 90-day consultations over job cuts in councils across the country, said the GMB.
Bookies' favourite Matt Cardle has been crowned the winner of this year's X Factor.
The 27-year-old former painter and decorator declared "I'm so proud" after his name was called out by host Dermot O'Leary.
Cardle, from Colchester, Essex, beat fellow finalist Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson to take the 2010 title of ITV's hugely popular show.
Earlier in the show, five-piece boy band One Direction were named as the third place runners up.
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The Prince of Wales may have to abandon his historic Rolls-Royce in the wake of the attack by tuition fee protesters, Home Secretary Theresa May hinted.
Mrs May suggested the Phantom VI might not be "appropriate" for transporting the Prince and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall.
She also confirmed that Camilla had come into contact with the mob who surrounded the car in the West End and poked sticks through the window.
The comments came as the inquest continued into the violent demonstrations over hikes in university charges that rocked central London last week.
Amid reports that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson offered to resign after the chaotic scenes, Mrs May insisted she had not considered falling on her sword.
The coalition suffered three resignations and saw its majority slashed as the Liberal Democrats split three ways over moves to hike university tuition fees to up to £9,000.
Violence raged among protesters outside the Commons before and after the vote - and there are reports that a car containing the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall has been attacked.
In the vote, 21 Lib Dem MPs defied desperate pleas from leader Nick Clegg and voted against the controversial rise, while eight abstained. The Government won the vote with a majority of just 21, with 323 MPs in favour and 302 against.
The vote came after a tense five-hour debate in the Commons, which saw a number of Lib Dem MPs and a handful of Tories voice opposition to the plans.
Two Liberal Democrat MPs resigned as ministerial aides ahead of the vote.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson will join representatives of London's Jewish community on Wednesday (December 8) when the final light is lit on the giant Menorah in Trafalgar Square as part of the capital's celebrations to mark the festival of Chanukah.
Organised by the London Menorah Council in association with the London Jewish Forum and Chabad House Hendon with support from the Mayor, business leader Gerald Ronson, who is sponsoring the event, will symbolically "flick the switch".
The Mayor said: 'Chanukah is a wonderful occasion. It embodies the universal message of the power of light over darkness, of freedom over oppression, of tolerance over tyranny. Recalling how over 2,000 years ago the Maccabees secured the freedom of the Jewish people and the re-dedication of the Temple, it is the story of hope and faith in the future.