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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on resident doctors in England to accept a government offer aimed at averting a planned strike next week, warning that industrial action amid a severe winter flu surge would place the National Health Service (NHS) under grave strain.

Starmer described potential strikes over pay and conditions as “beyond belief” given the pressures facing the health service, which officials say is dealing with record levels of flu cases — quickly rising hospitalisations and stretched resources reminiscent of the pandemic era.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is currently putting a new government deal to its members in a vote this weekend. ...

A deadly attack on a joint US–Syrian patrol near Palmyra in central Syria on Saturday, December 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of two US Army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter, officials confirmed. Three additional US service members and Syrian security personnel were wounded in the assault, which authorities have attributed to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the incident as an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, who was subsequently engaged and killed by partner forces at the scene. Pentagon officials said the patrol was conducting a key leader engagement and counter-terrorism operations at the time of ...

An active shooter incident at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday afternoon has left at least two people dead and eight others critically injured, authorities say.

The shooting occurred around 4:05 p.m. local time in the Barus & Holley Engineering building, where final exams were underway. Law enforcement responded rapidly after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. University officials immediately issued an emergency alert, instructing students and staff to lock doors, silence phones and shelter in place as the situation unfolded.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the casualties and called the day “a tragedy” for both the university and the wider community. ...

• Opening tribute / Ukraine

  • PM paid tribute to Lance Corporal George Hulie (Parachute Regiment) who died in Ukraine in an accident while observing testing of a defensive capability.
  • Reaffirmed UK support for Ukraine and referenced hosting Zelensky, Macron and Chancellor Merz in Downing Street; pledged to “redouble efforts” for a just and lasting peace.

• Refugees / ILR pathway

  • MP raised a case of journalists with refugee status nearing eligibility for indefinite leave to remain, worried policy changes could destabilise families.
  • PM said the UK will remain compassionate and comply with convention obligations, but gave limited detail on transitional arrangements.

• Child poverty / early years

  • Question focused on the “first 1,001 ...

The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in October 2025, surprising economists who had forecast modest growth and intensifying pressure on policymakers and markets. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show this marks the second consecutive month of decline following a similar 0.1% drop in September and no growth in August.

ONS data revealed that the downturn was broad-based, with the services sector — which accounts for the majority of UK economic activity — stagnating, construction output falling, and production only modestly up. Analysts pointed to businesses and consumers holding back spending ahead of November’s Budget announcement, dampening demand ...

British police have confirmed they will not take further action or open a criminal investigation into claims that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked a Metropolitan Police bodyguard to investigate his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

The review by the Metropolitan Police Service followed media reports suggesting that in 2011 the former prince had passed personal details of Giuffre — including her date of birth and social security number — to his protection officer in an alleged attempt to dig up information on her. After reassessing the reports, police said they had not uncovered new evidence of criminal behaviour or misconduct that would justify reopening ...

The European Union has taken an unprecedented step in its response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine by agreeing to freeze approximately €210 billion of Russian sovereign funds held across the bloc indefinitely. This move replaces the old system, which required a unanimous renewal of sanctions every six months and risked being overturned by Kremlin-friendly governments like Hungary or Slovakia.

EU leaders say the indefinite immobilisation is necessary to keep the funds locked until Russia ends its war of aggression and pays reparations for the destruction inflicted on Ukraine. By invoking emergency economic powers, Brussels hopes to avoid future vetoes and ...