UK News
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British prisoner released from Russia believed he was ‘taken to his execution’
Dual UK–Russian citizen Vladimir Kara-Murza and American journalist Evan Gershkovich were among those released on Thursday in the largest East-West prisoner exchange since the Cold War. A British citizen who was released in the largest prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War has said that he believed he was being led to his death. Speaking in Bonn, Germany, Vladimir Kara-Murza stated that on the day he was abducted from his jail cell in Siberia and transferred to the Russian capital, he had no knowledge he was part of the prisoner swap.
Huw Edwards, former BBC newsreader, pleads guilty to child pornography
The 62-year-old presenter had 41 indecent photographs on WhatsApp, seven of which were the most serious. Huw Edwards, a former BBC newsreader, pled guilty to creating obscene photographs of children. The 62-year-old, who entered Westminster Magistrates' Court dressed in a dark blue suit, blue tie, and black sunglasses, pleaded to three crimes between December 2020 and April 2022.
Thugs seized Southport and families’ pain, MP claims
"Thugs" who came to Southport to use the deaths of three children "for their political purposes" were to blame for the violence, which injured dozens of police officers, according to the town's MP. Unrest erupted in the Merseyside town hours after a ceremony to remember the victims of Monday's knife attack on a dance school, which murdered three young girls. Patrick Hurley described the "horrific" disturbance near a mosque, in which policemen were hit with bricks and a police van was set on fire.
Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary sentenced to 28 years for leading terrorist propaganda group
Police in Britain, the United States, and Canada conducted separate investigations after becoming concerned that Anjem Choudary was attempting to recruit a new generation of followers. Anjem Choudary has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 28 years for leading a terrorist propaganda network that encouraged assaults and promoted themes of "hate and division." Choudary, 57, of Ilford, East London, helped establish al-Muhajiroun (ALM) in 1996 and has spent over 30 years running its operations under various identities, including Islam4UK and Muslims Against Crusades.
Man describes meeting knife attacker in Southport
Joel Verite, a window cleaner, was on his lunch break on Monday when his colleague spotted something going on outside The Hart Space in Southport, where an attacker killed three children. A guy who stopped to help at the scene of the Southport stabbings recounted "locking eyes" with the assailant and stated that seeing the injured youngsters will "probably stay with me for the rest of my life." Joel Verite, speaking for the first time since the tragedy, described Monday's events minute by moment, beginning with a horrible scene of blood-covered parents and children.
Sussex Police arrest eight Just Stop Oil activists at Gatwick Airport after departure gate protest
Seven Just Stop Oil activists were observed sitting on the airport floor, their hands in lock-on devices. Gatwick Airport reports that the protestors were removed from the airport at approximately 9:15 a.m. Eight Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested at Gatwick Airport after they used bags equipped with lock-on devices to demonstrate near a security barrier. According to the protest group, seven activists entered the airport's southern terminal at 8 a.m., and an image shows them sitting on the floor and blocking an entrance.
Reeves is likely to expose a public finance shortfall of billions
An assessment of public spending pressures will reveal accusations of a "black hole" worth tens of billions of pounds by the new administration. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she will make a presentation to Parliament on Monday that is "honest" about the nature of the problem before the new Labour government. She promised to "fix the mess we inherited," but refused to confirm reports that the "black hole" amounted to more than £20 billion per year.
Government stats show greatest drink-drive deaths since 2009
Drink-driving deaths on British roads have reached a 13-year high, according to government estimates. According to the most recent Department for Transport data, an estimated 300 persons were killed in collisions involving at least one driver who exceeded the legal alcohol limit in 2022. That is up from 260 the previous year, and it is the biggest yearly total since 2009 when 380 deaths occurred.
Sunak rejected the advice to free convicts early, while PM
Rishi Sunak's Downing Street team rejected suggestions a year ago to seek early release of prisoners who had served less than half their sentences to alleviate prison overcrowding problems. The suggestions were discussed inside No. 10 in June 2023, and Keir Starmer's government endorsed a version two weeks ago. According to insiders, Ministry of Justice officials asked No 10 to formally explore the move again in July 2023, this time in writing. However, it was rejected because Sunak's aides feared Tory backbenchers would oppose it.
UK obtains a seabed land agreement to boost wind farms
The Crown Estate's British seabed will be utilized to assist in developing wind farms as part of the UK's ambition to increase its energy independence. It's the first major statement from Great British Energy, Labour's new publicly owned energy firm. The company aims to increase renewable energy projects, supported by £8.3 billion in public investment and a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the project would "lead to lower bills" for homeowners.
No measure to decrease the voting age to 16 in King’s Speech
The King's Speech does not include Labour's manifesto vow to cut the voting age from 18 to 16 in UK general elections. However, Commons leader Lucy Powell said that votes for 16 and 17-year-olds were still a promise, and she hoped they would be able to vote in the next general election. During the 2014 election campaign, the Conservative Party accused Labour of attempting to "distort the political system" to consolidate power.
Vaughan Gething to resign as Welsh First Minister
Vaughan Gething has resigned as First Minister of Wales just four months after being elected, following widespread criticism of his leadership. Vaughan Gething has announced his resignation as Welsh First Minister after four cabinet members resigned in protest of his leadership. In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Mr Gething stated that he had "taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down". He will now consider a schedule for his successor's election.