-
Gary Lineker will conclude his 26-year tenure as the presenter of BBC's Match of the Day at the end of the 2024-25 season. He will continue to cover the 2026 World Cup and the FA Cup but will not return to the flagship show. This marks a significant change for the BBC's football programming.
-
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced significant reforms to UK policing, including a new Police Performance Unit and increased funding of £500 million. The reforms aim to address issues like violence against women and girls and knife crime, while modernizing outdated systems and improving police oversight.
-
Recent government analysis reveals that cuts to the winter fuel allowance will push an estimated 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales into relative poverty. The decision to restrict payments to only those on pension credit has sparked significant criticism and protests, as many fear they will struggle to afford heating this winter.
-
The UK is bracing for an Arctic blast, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across northern Scotland and northern England. Wintry conditions are expected to begin Sunday, with temperatures dropping significantly and potential travel disruptions due to snow accumulation.
-
As of November 19, 2024, cold weather payments have been activated in several UK areas due to prolonged sub-zero temperatures. Eligible households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can receive £25 for each qualifying seven-day period. The scheme aims to assist with rising fuel costs during winter months.
-
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified a new drug candidate that reduces appetite and increases calorie burning without causing nausea. This breakthrough could provide a more effective treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes, addressing limitations of current GLP-1-based therapies.
-
UK households are facing a 1% increase in energy bills starting January 2025, with the average annual cost expected to reach £1,736. This rise adds to ongoing financial pressures amid high energy prices driven by geopolitical tensions and supply issues.
-
A proposed breakaway rugby league, backed by US and Middle Eastern investors, aims to attract top players with lucrative contracts and a reduced match schedule. The Rugby Football Union warns that players joining this league would sacrifice their international careers, raising concerns about the future of rugby's traditional structures.
-
A recent study reveals that global diabetes rates have doubled since 1990, affecting over 800 million people. The research highlights significant treatment gaps, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where many individuals remain untreated despite rising cases. The findings underscore urgent public health challenges and the need for improved healthcare policies.
-
The ParaMatildas made history by winning the 2024 IFCPF Women's World Cup, defeating the USA 6-2. This victory marks the first World Cup win for an Australian football team, following a dominant semi-final performance against Denmark. The team is now ranked No. 1 globally.
-
The UK's fertility rate has fallen to 1.44 children per woman, the lowest since records began in 1938. Contributing factors include financial pressures, changing societal norms, and the challenges faced by the 'sandwich generation' balancing care for children and aging parents. This trend reflects a broader global decline in fertility rates.
-
Recent road incidents across the UK have resulted in injuries and fatalities. A serious collision on the M6 led to one death and multiple injuries, while a pedestrian was struck in Piccadilly Circus. Investigations are ongoing in both cases, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns.
-
Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby after 95 caps for England. The decision follows personal reasons that led him to leave the England camp prior to their match against New Zealand. Marler expressed pride in his career and emphasized family as a priority.
-
The UK government has announced an increase in tuition fees for English universities, raising the cap from £9,250 to £9,535 starting in September 2025. This marks the first fee increase in eight years, aimed at addressing financial pressures in the higher education sector amid rising costs and declining international student numbers.
-
The UK government has launched a consultation to modernize bathing water regulations, proposing year-round testing at over 550 sites. This follows concerns over water pollution and aims to include areas popular for surfing and other water sports, enhancing public safety and environmental standards.
-
Recent cases in the UK and China highlight significant issues in adoption practices. In England, a report calls for reforms to improve contact between adopted children and their birth families. Meanwhile, a Chinese man severed ties with his birth family after being abducted as a child, revealing the complexities of familial relationships post-adoption.
-
The UK government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aiming to create a smoke-free generation by preventing anyone born after January 1, 2009, from legally purchasing tobacco. The bill includes bans on smoking in certain outdoor areas and restrictions on vape advertising and flavors. It is set to be debated in Parliament.
-
Recent investigations reveal a coordinated Russian sabotage campaign targeting logistics hubs in Europe, particularly DHL facilities in Germany and the UK. Authorities suspect incendiary devices were sent to test transfer channels for potential attacks on North America, raising alarms about escalating hybrid warfare tactics from Moscow.
-
Ireland's national football team heads into a crucial Nations League match against England after a 1-0 victory over Finland. Evan Ferguson's goal and Caoimhin Kelleher's penalty save have boosted team morale, despite ongoing criticism of Irish football. The match at Wembley on Sunday is highly anticipated.
-
Labour's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced plans to impose restrictions on the Right to Buy scheme for new council houses in England. This move aims to address the ongoing homelessness crisis, as the government prepares to consult on the policy amid rising concerns about social housing availability.
-
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasizes the need for English schools to prioritize student wellbeing over solely academic success. This shift comes amid rising attendance issues and increasing numbers of students with special educational needs. Schools are urged to create inclusive environments to combat these challenges.
-
England's interim manager Lee Carsley has named a 26-man squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Uncapped players Curtis Jones, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Lewis Hall are included. The squad faces pressure to secure promotion to the top tier as Thomas Tuchel prepares to take over in January.
-
Liverpool is managing several player injuries as they prepare for crucial fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City. Key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker are sidelined, with potential return dates being closely monitored. The team's performance remains strong, sitting atop the Premier League and Champions League.
-
Trevor Sorbie, the renowned hairdresser known for creating the wedge cut, passed away at 75 after battling cancer. His innovative styles, including the scrunch, transformed hairdressing and left a lasting legacy in the industry. Sorbie's contributions extended beyond styling, as he also founded a charity supporting those with hair loss.
-
The number of Indian students at US colleges increased by 23% in the 2023-2024 academic year, surpassing Chinese students for the first time since 2009. This shift reflects broader trends in international education, with overall foreign student enrollment in the US reaching over 1.1 million, according to the Institute of International Education.
-
A recent report reveals that over 146,000 students in New York City experienced homelessness during the 2023-24 school year, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. This trend reflects broader national issues of housing instability, particularly affecting children of color and immigrant families. The situation is echoed in the UK, where over 150,000 children live in temporary accommodation.
-
Recent reports highlight the growing diabetes epidemic in the US, affecting over 38 million people. Concurrently, new weight-loss drugs show promise in prolonging life for those with chronic kidney disease, indicating a potential shift in treatment approaches for these interconnected health issues.
-
Ofgem has approved the Eastern Green Link 1 project, a £2 billion subsea and underground cable connecting Scotland and England. This initiative aims to enhance energy security, reduce consumer bills, and support the UK's green energy targets by transporting wind-generated electricity.
-
England's rugby team faces uncertainty as former defence coach Eddie Jones, who resigned in August, has had minimal contact with the current coaching staff and players. With upcoming matches against South Africa and Japan, the team struggles to adapt to a new defensive strategy under Joe El-Abd.
-
England's national football team, under interim coach Lee Carsley, faces significant challenges ahead of crucial Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Eight players have withdrawn, raising concerns about commitment and team culture, as captain Harry Kane expresses frustration over the situation.
-
Danny Cipriani will return to rugby this weekend for the 745 Game, a charity match supporting Motor Neurone Disease. He reflects on his past experiences with coach Eddie Jones, criticizing his leadership style while expressing admiration for his former teammate Ed Slater, who inspired the event.
-
Community pharmacies in the UK are poised to limit services and reduce opening hours due to severe funding shortfalls. A recent ballot revealed overwhelming support for these measures, with 99% of pharmacy owners indicating they may withdraw from essential services unless government funding is increased by the end of the year.
-
Ahead of their match against England, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made significant team changes, anticipating a tactical kicking game from England. Both teams face pressure after recent losses, with Erasmus confident in his squad's preparation despite a short turnaround.
-
Ireland's national football team achieved a crucial 1-0 victory against Finland, thanks to a late first-half header from 20-year-old striker Evan Ferguson. The win marks a step forward under head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, despite ongoing challenges in their competitive performance.
-
In a tightly contested match, South Africa secured a 29-20 victory over England at Allianz Stadium. Despite a strong start from England, South Africa's defense and key plays from Cheslin Kolbe proved decisive, marking England's fifth consecutive Test loss this autumn.
-
Following England's 3-0 victory over Greece, fans reported heavy-handed policing outside the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The Football Association and Football Supporters' Association are investigating complaints of police using tear gas and shields against supporters trying to enter the venue.
-
The UK government has announced a £712 million investment to improve bus services across England, aiming to end the 'postcode lottery' of transport access. The funding will be allocated based on need, with additional measures to cap fares at £3 until the end of 2025.
-
In his final match as interim manager, Lee Carsley led England to a 5-0 victory over Ireland, securing promotion back to the Nations League's top tier. The win featured goals from Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis, marking a strong end to Carsley's tenure before Thomas Tuchel takes over.
-
The UK government is set to announce reforms aimed at curbing excessive profits in children's social care. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's measures include financial transparency for providers and new powers for Ofsted to regulate the sector, addressing a crisis exacerbated by rising costs and inadequate placements for vulnerable children.