British Isles
Pound falls as borrowing costs rise to highest since 2008
The British pound has dropped to its lowest level in nine months, following a rise in UK ten-year borrowing costs to their highest point since 2008. These elevated costs could lead to tax…
'Violent sexual predator' jailed
A predator who groomed an under-age girl online and tried to murder her in the street has been jailed for 43 years. Ellis Dismore, 24, had sent threatening and disturbing voice messages to…
Minister's warning over impact of digital travel permit
Northern Ireland’s economy minister, Conor Murphy, has warned that the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme could severely impact tourism. Starting this week, visitors from 48 additional countries must apply for an…
What’s the problem with the home-schooling bill?
The proposed Children’s Welfare and Schools Bill raises serious concerns for Christian parents and home educators in the UK. Critics, such as Steve Beegoo of Christian Concern, argue that the bill threatens parental…
Hospitals declare critical incidents amid rise in flu cases
Several NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents amid a significant rise in flu cases. Hospitals are facing 'exceptionally high' demand, particularly in emergency departments, driven by a surge in respiratory illnesses.…
CofE faces uncharted waters as Welby's tenure ends
The Church of England enters uncertain times as Justin Welby steps down amidst controversy over handling abuse cases. Welby resigned in November after an inquiry found he failed to address abuses by John…
Scotland: Bible translator honoured with MBE
Aberdeenshire solicitor Gordon M Hay has been awarded an MBE for his pioneering translation of the entire Bible into Doric, a variant of the Scots language. Spanning 17 years, his work includes the…
Starmer hails 'year of change' in first New Year message as PM
Sir Keir Starmer marked 2024 as a 'year of change' in his first New Year message as prime minister. He acknowledged the challenges encountered since his election victory in July, in managing the…
Manchester: 1,300+ evacuated because of flooding
At least 1,300 people were evacuated across Greater Manchester on New Year’s Day following severe flooding caused by heavy rain. A major incident was declared as many areas faced widespread damage. Rivers, including…
NHS England: early cancer diagnosis getting better
The proportion of cancer patients diagnosed at early stages has reached a record high in England, with 58.7% of cases identified at stages one and two between September 2023 and August 2024. This…
