Downing St has scrapped plans to delay about 30 council elections after a Reform UK legal challenge and advice that a postponement risked being unlawful. The votes will go ahead in May, posing political risk for Labour. Nigel Farage called for Steve Reed to resign over the reversal.
European intelligence reports a hostile state is recruiting ex-members of a disbanded paramilitary network to carry out sabotage across the continent, using vulnerable recruits for cash. UK and allied services are foiling plots and bolstering protections for critical infrastructure.
A new TV drama scrutinises water companies over sewage discharges, highlighting risks to public health and beaches. Echoing the Post Office exposé, it seeks accountability, tougher regulation and potential compensation, as affected families call for action and greater transparency.
MPs are urging police to open a full inquiry into allegations that Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor abused his role as UK trade envoy to share sensitive information. Pressure follows the release of Epstein-related files, with senior figures calling for a criminal probe.
Campaigners urge the King to intervene to save Veeraswamy, the UK’s first Indian restaurant, from closure. The century‑old London venue is hailed as a piece of cultural history; supporters say its preservation would protect a landmark of British‑Indian cuisine.
Ministers plan to prohibit under-16s from using social media this year, using new fast‑track powers. Proposals include robust age verification and curbs on addictive features such as infinite scroll and auto‑play. A consultation will shape the rules so they can be implemented within months.
Campaigners warn overnight dimming or switch-offs of street lights to save money are putting women and girls at risk and increasing collision rates. Councils are urged to prioritise well‑lit routes where people walk, travel and wait, and to restore lighting between 1am and 5am.
The US is preparing to offer refuge to a man on trial in Britain for burning the Koran, framing it as a free‑speech case. The State Department is in talks to admit him if he loses in court, a move that could strain relations with London and test public‑order laws.
Government to shrink a programme countering hostile-state activity after a newly revealed poison threat linked to a foreign power. Opposition brands the change irresponsible; the PM says funding will be redirected to the most acute national security risks as allies prepare further sanctions.
Research indicates deaths linked to domestic abuse are vastly undercounted. A police-led project logged 98 suspected deaths in 2024, outstripping 80 intimate-partner homicides. Local data suggest the national toll could be many times higher. Experts urge better recording, safeguarding and funding.