Drivers have been paying more for fuel since 2019 due to weakening competition between retailers, a regulator has said. They said that increased supermarket fuel margins led to drivers paying an extra 6p per litre. Asda has also been fined £60,000 for a failure to provide information when required, the regulator added. It comes in
Month: July 2023
The night sky was lit up by a supermoon last night, making the lunar surface appear larger than at any point this year so far. The striking reddish orb rose above cities from London to Washington DC, as the full moon made its closest pass of Earth during its orbit. It made the moon seem
The average mortgage rate for a five-year fixed deal has risen to 6.01%, according to a financial information company. Meanwhile, the average two-year fixed rate mortgage has increased to 6.47%, Moneyfacts said. The previous average for a five-year rate was 5.97% on Monday, while the two-year deal was 6.42%. A five-year fixed deal is at
Sue Gray broke the Civil Service code by discussing a job with Labour, a Cabinet Office investigation has concluded. In a written ministerial statement, Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quinn said the “undeclared contact” between her and the party constituted a breach. “The rules and guidance that govern the conduct of civil servants are clear and
A firefighter has died in France after responding to a blaze in an underground car park, the interior minister has said. Gerald Darmanin said the 24-year-old died in Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris, despite the efforts of his colleagues. “All my sincere and saddened condolences to his family, loved ones, comrades and to
A missing Texas teenager has been found alive after disappearing more than eight years ago. Rudy Farias was reported missing from Houston, Texas on 6 March, 2015 at the age of 18. He was last seen walking his two dogs, near his home, according to authorities. Both dogs then returned to the house without their
Disruption to rail journeys are expected across the country this week as train drivers refuse to work overtime for six days. ASLEF announced last month that its members would withdraw non-contractual overtime, known as rest-day working, with 16 of the country’s 35 rail operators from Monday 3 July to Saturday 8 July. Train companies affected
Co-op Funeralcare has announced plans to offer a new form of burial as a sustainable alternative to traditional burials or cremation. The UK’s largest funeral provider has announced that it will introduce the practice, called resomation – also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis – later this year. The practice consists of the deceased
US President Joe Biden will meet King Charles in a visit to the UK later this month, Buckingham Palace has announced. In a statement, the palace confirmed the US president will meet the monarch at Windsor Castle on 10 July. Mr Biden will also meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his five-day overseas trip,
The grandmother of the French teenager shot by police has called for rioters to “stop” and says her “heart is in pain”. Nadia said rioters were using the death of her 17-year-old grandson Nahel Merzouk, who was shot by police during a traffic stop on Tuesday, as “an excuse”. She told French broadcaster BFM TV:
Lord’s bosses have apologised after England cricket fans clashed with Australia players during the second Ashes Test. As Australia players walked through the Long Room of the stadium during lunch, they appeared to exchange heated words with several Lord’s members. Australia’s Usman Khawaja and David Warner both stopped to hit back at criticism the team
Emmerdale actress Meg Johnson – who played Pearl Ladderbanks on the ITV soap – has died, her family have said. The 86-year-old was described as a “kind and wonderful lady” in a joint statement from her family, talent agency Jorg Betts Associates and the ITV show. It said: “It is with great sadness that we
Right-wing Tory MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to take action to reduce immigration, saying the system is “too lenient”. The New Conservatives group, made up of 25 MPs on the right of the party, will put forward a number of proposals to the prime minister in a report released on Monday, including ending the temporary
Health Secretary Steve Barclay has criticised junior doctors, accusing them of “walking away” from talks over pay and conditions. The British Medical Association – the union representing many from the profession – has called a five-day strike in July and is demanding a rise of 35% to restore their wages to 2008 levels. It has
At least two people have been killed and three others have been critically injured after a mass shooting in Baltimore overnight. Police said 30 people were injured during the incident at a house party in the state of Maryland. The Baltimore Police Department received numerous calls for a shooting just after 12.30am on Sunday morning,
Young people are increasingly using AI for various creative processes like making music, according to a charity. Tee Peters, musician and programme director at Sound Connections, has been using AI in the process of making his music for years. He said that for him, AI acts as the “perfect assistant” when it comes to mixing