Lloyds Banking Group has recorded a 52% rise in romance scam reports among people aged over 55 in the past year compared with the year before. The bank's analysis comes from cases reported by customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, covering the 12 months to July 2025. Those aged 55 to 64 remain the most affected, making up about 20% of cases, with 65 to 74-year-olds at 18%; […]

Talks are due to take place on Wednesday between the RMT union and London Underground to resolve the dispute that triggered last week’s Tube strike. RMT members walked out, bringing most services to a standstill for several days and leaving millions of commuters, visitors and others to seek alternative travel by bike, bus or taxi. The dispute centres on working hours after the union signalled acceptance of a 3.4% pay […]

UK inflation was 3.8% in August, the same as July, according to the Office for National Statistics. Airfares fell after the July spike and helped offset higher petrol and diesel prices, while demand for meals out and overnight stays remained strong as concerts and other events drew crowds. Food and drink inflation rose to 5.1% in August from 4.9% in July, marking the fifth consecutive monthly increase and the highest […]

Amazon has announced a pay rise for UK staff that outpaces inflation. From the end of the month, the minimum starting wage will rise by 5.9% to £14.30 per hour, while some workers will see a 5.5% rise to £15.30 per hour, depending on location. Frontline annual salaries will start at £29,744 and can rise to £31,824 depending on location. The company said the increase will affect tens of thousands […]

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, involving three women. The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time with Arsenal. Partey appeared at Southwark Crown Court, confirming only his name, date of birth and not guilty pleas. Partey, who now plays for Villarreal in Spain, is due to face trial before […]

Five well-known Scottish actors have joined a campaign addressing pensioner poverty. Alex Norton, 75, of Taggart, is joined by James Cosmo, 77; Denis Lawson, 77; Sheila Reid, 87; and Bill Paterson, 80, in a campaign organised by the charity Independent Age. The group has recorded a video urging the UK Government to ensure pensioners have an adequate income and to press the Scottish Government to develop a long-term strategy to […]

An Australian study suggests an artificial intelligence system trained on routine mammogram images could help identify cardiovascular risk in women. The researchers say the approach could provide a cost-effective, two-for-one screening option for both breast cancer and heart disease. In the UK, women aged 50 to 71 are invited for breast screening every three years, with two X-ray images taken at each appointment. Data for the study came from Lifepool, […]

Utah prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Robinson with aggravated murder in the killing of Charlie Kirk. The charge could carry the death penalty if he is convicted of the September shooting. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said the murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy. Prosecutors allege that Robinson fired a bolt-action rifle at Kirk in the neck from the roof of a campus building as he spoke with students […]

Google has announced it will invest £5 billion in the UK over the next two years to meet rising demand for AI services. The funding will cover capital expenditure, research and development, and related engineering work. The announcement coincides with the opening of Google's new data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, described the plan as a vote of confidence in the UK economy. […]