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A report will soon reveal serious problems in maternity care at two Nottingham hospitals, where many mothers and babies were harmed or died between 2012 and 2025. The report, led by expert Donna Ockenden, highlights issues including racism and poor treatment, and calls for major changes in maternity services across England.
Key Facts
The report covers 2,500 cases of injury or death involving mothers and babies at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The review has collected evidence from about 2,505 families and 850 staff members.
The investigation started in May 2022 and the final report is over 350 pages long.
Nottinghamshire police are considering charging the NHS trust with corporate manslaughter.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is investigating 96 midwives and nurses from the trust for misconduct.
Health Secretary James Murray has promised to act on report recommendations, aiming to improve maternity care.
Families and campaigners want a full public inquiry into maternity care services across all of England.
Another government inquiry into maternity care, led by Valerie Amos, is expected to release its findings soon.
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China’s Commerce Ministry has banned 10 US technology companies from receiving dual-use exports, which are goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This move follows recent US restrictions on Chinese tech firms linked to the military, and it also limits Chinese government purchases of products from 46 American companies.
Key Facts
China sanctioned 10 US tech companies, blocking exports of dual-use items to them.
Dual-use items can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
The sanctioned US companies include drone makers and rare earth mining firms.
China’s sanctions respond to the US Pentagon’s blacklist of several Chinese tech companies with alleged military links.
China also banned government entities from buying products from 46 US companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
The US restrictions prevent Chinese firms like Alibaba and Baidu from getting US military contracts.
China says its sanctions protect national security and counter what it calls wrongful US expansion of sanctions.
The moves are part of ongoing tensions over military ties and trade between the US and China.
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President Donald Trump criticized The New York Times for its news about the war with Iran, calling the coverage "treasonous." He said he will add the newspaper’s reporting to his ongoing lawsuit against them for defamation.
Key Facts
President Trump called The New York Times' coverage of the Iran war “fake” and “treasonous.”
He plans to include the newspaper’s recent stories in his multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against them.
Trump’s lawsuit against The New York Times started in September 2023 but was dismissed by a judge due to excessive and irrelevant content.
He filed a shorter, updated lawsuit in October 2023 naming the newspaper and specific reporters as defendants.
The Times says the lawsuit has no legal basis and claims it aims to stop independent journalism.
Trump criticized a Times article claiming Iran’s military strength has not changed much after months of war, listing reasons he believes Iran’s position is worse.
The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between President Trump and news organizations since he returned to office.
This news story is still developing with more updates expected.
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LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is resigning after an FBI investigation involving raids on his home and district offices. The investigation relates to alleged kickbacks during his previous job in Miami and is not connected to his current work in Los Angeles.
Key Facts
Alberto Carvalho was the Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
He announced his resignation following an FBI investigation.
In February, the FBI raided Carvalho’s home in Los Angeles and a related residence in Florida.
The investigation concerns alleged kickbacks Carvalho may have received while working in Miami.
The probe started before President Donald Trump’s administration.
FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office have not released details about the case.
Carvalho has denied any wrongdoing and stated he acted legally and for the students’ benefit.
Carvalho had a four-year, $1.7 million contract with LAUSD but was on paid leave during the investigation.
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A 72-year-old woman was found stabbed to death at a home in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Police arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of murder and are asking the public for any video footage that might help the investigation.
Key Facts
The incident happened at a house on The Crest in Linton, Swadlincote.
Police were called around 2:30 PM on Sunday.
The woman was declared dead at the scene.
A 52-year-old man is being held by police on suspicion of murder.
The woman’s family is receiving support from specialist officers.
Police are asking for CCTV, doorbell, or dash cam videos from midnight Saturday to 3 PM Sunday.
Detectives say this seems to be an isolated case but have increased police presence nearby.
The public is encouraged to share any information with the police.
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Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right lawyer supported by President Donald Trump, narrowly won Colombia’s presidential runoff with 49.7% of the vote against left-wing Ivan Cepeda. Cepeda plans to challenge the results, while de la Espriella promises strong security measures against drug groups and aims to improve relations with the United States.
Key Facts
Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia’s presidential runoff with a 1% lead over Ivan Cepeda.
De la Espriella is a far-right candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Ivan Cepeda, the left-wing opponent, plans to contest results from over 30,000 voting stations.
De la Espriella promises to fight drug-running guerrilla groups with an "iron fist."
The Trump administration expressed support and looks forward to working with Colombia’s new leader.
The election campaign saw violence, including guerrilla bomb attacks and the murder of a conservative candidate.
Protests erupted in Colombia after the election, with some clashes between demonstrators and police.
Supporters of de la Espriella celebrated in several cities, hoping he will bring security and economic improvement.
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Keir Starmer is expected to announce a plan to resign as the UK Prime Minister soon. Andy Burnham is likely to replace him, making Starmer the sixth UK prime minister to leave office in the past ten years.
Key Facts
Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the UK referendum to leave the EU.
David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister after that referendum.
Since then, five more Tory prime ministers left office due to pressure from MPs or voters.
Keir Starmer has been Prime Minister for less than two years.
Starmer is likely to step down soon, possibly allowing Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister.
It is unclear if there will be a leadership contest or if Burnham will take over without opposition.
Starmer’s resignation announcement may come this morning.
Andy Burnham will take his seat in the House of Commons as the new MP for Makerfield today.
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Ten years after the UK voted to leave the EU, many everyday costs for UK residents have increased. Food prices are higher, traveling with pets to the EU is more expensive and complicated, and sending or receiving parcels between the UK and EU now involves customs paperwork and possible extra fees.
Key Facts
UK grocery prices rose about 12% due to trade barriers after Brexit, costing the average family around £400 from 2019 to 2023.
Low-income households have been hit harder because they spend more of their money on food.
A new UK-EU food export deal planned for 2027 aims to reduce paperwork and lower costs for some fresh food items.
Pet travel to the EU became more complex and costly since 2021, with new health certificates costing about £230 per trip.
EU pet passports are no longer valid for British residents; a new certificate must be obtained for each trip to the EU.
Sending parcels from Great Britain to EU countries now requires customs forms, and gifts or goods over certain values may face taxes and fees.
Receiving parcels from the EU can also involve paying VAT and customs duties depending on the value of the item.
These changes do not apply to Northern Ireland, which still follows different rules under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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Cory Doctorow’s book explains that many people distrust artificial intelligence (AI) because it is often used to reduce workers' freedom and harm jobs rather than help people. He argues that AI’s problems come more from the way big companies use it to cut costs than from the technology itself.
Key Facts
Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, was booed when promoting AI to students worried about job losses from AI.
Many Americans believe AI harms jobs, creativity, privacy, and the environment.
AI’s reputation shifted from a futuristic threat to an immediate problem since ChatGPT’s release in late 2022.
Cory Doctorow calls out Big Tech’s business model as a cause of AI’s negative effects.
Doctorow describes two types of AI use: “centaur” (AI helps humans) and “reverse centaur” (AI controls or limits humans).
In healthcare, AI can either improve doctors’ work or reduce skilled workers to simple overseers, saving money but lowering quality.
Doctorow says opposition to AI often reflects frustration with how companies prioritize profits over people.
The book suggests workers need to unionize to protect themselves from unfair AI-driven labor changes.
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The U.S. military conducted a strike against a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people and leaving six survivors. This strike is part of an ongoing campaign targeting alleged drug traffickers in Latin America under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The strike happened in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday.
Two people were killed instantly, and six others survived the strike.
Over 60 strikes on alleged drug boats have occurred since September, killing more than 210 people.
The survivors’ rescue status after this strike is unclear, but the U.S. Coast Guard was notified.
President Trump calls it an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and defends the strikes as necessary to reduce drug flow and overdoses.
There is no public proof that the targeted boats were carrying drugs.
Some experts question the legality and effectiveness of these strikes, especially since much fentanyl comes over land from Mexico.
Lawmakers have requested the Pentagon to release unedited videos of the first strike after reports of a follow-up strike on survivors.
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Keir Starmer is expected to announce he will resign as prime minister following pressure from Labour members to let Andy Burnham lead the party. This comes after Burnham won a recent byelection, gaining strong support against Starmer’s leadership. Meanwhile, high-level talks between the US and Iran continue in Switzerland after a tense start.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer plans to step down as prime minister soon.
Labour MPs want Andy Burnham to become party leader.
Burnham won a strong victory in the Makerfield byelection.
Over 200 Labour MPs support Burnham’s leadership nomination.
Some senior ministers are urging Starmer to resign peacefully.
US-Iran talks are happening in Switzerland amid tensions.
Police in Edinburgh are investigating attacks seen as anti-Muslim hate crimes.
The UK is facing very high temperatures, raising health concerns.
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Nidhi Pal and Vik Parashar moved from India to Belfast and found it hard to make friends. To meet new people, they started hosting monthly dinner parties where they invite strangers to eat together, which helped them build a large group of friends.
Key Facts
Nidhi and Vik moved from India to Belfast and struggled to make friends there.
They started a dinner party called Masala Talkies, where they invite 10 strangers each time.
Guests apply online and share their personality and interests to help Nidhi and Vik create a good mix at the table.
The dinners feature Indian food with different courses inspired by various Indian cities.
Their dinners have been especially meaningful after recent anti-immigration protests and violence in Northern Ireland.
People of different ages and backgrounds from Belfast and beyond attend the dinners.
After six months and six dinners, Nidhi and Vik have made about 60 new friends.
The couple feels these dinners help build connections and a sense of belonging in a new city.
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Zali Steggall plans to launch a new political party this week, aiming to unite independent "teal" MPs in Australia. The move seeks to strengthen their influence, especially in the Senate, though some teal MPs are hesitant or against joining a party.
Key Facts
Zali Steggall, a member of parliament from Warringah, is leading talks to create a "teal party" for independent MPs.
The idea is to combine the strengths of being independent with the benefits of party organization.
New electoral laws by major parties have made it harder for independents to compete alone.
Some teal MPs like Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps, and Nicolette Boele are open to the party, while others like Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney oppose it.
The party would likely focus on winning Senate seats, where crossbenchers can influence government decisions.
Steggall argues for a party that differs from major parties by letting local communities choose candidates.
The plan is to announce the party soon, but other MPs may join later before the 2028 federal election.
Some politicians, including independent Andrew Wilkie, support the idea but prefer to remain independent themselves.
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Officials from the U.S. and Iran held talks in Switzerland aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days. The discussions focused on stopping fighting in Lebanon, maintaining peace in the Strait of Hormuz, and continuing technical talks throughout the week. Despite tensions and strong statements from President Donald Trump, both sides agreed on a roadmap and communication measures to prevent conflict escalation.
Key Facts
The first day of U.S.-Iran talks ended in Switzerland with reported progress despite tense moments.
Qatar and Pakistan acted as mediators and released a joint statement outlining a 60-day roadmap for a final deal.
The talks aim to address conflict in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah is involved and Israel has conducted strikes.
The U.S. and Iran agreed to create a communication line to avoid incidents in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
They also agreed to form a “de-confliction cell” with Lebanon’s government to stop military operations there.
Iran reinstated a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to protest Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
President Trump responded strongly to Iran’s threats, warning of severe consequences if the strait was closed.
The U.S. negotiation team was led by Vice-President JD Vance, with participation from special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
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US and Iranian negotiators have started a second day of talks in Switzerland after agreeing on a plan to continue detailed discussions over the next 60 days. Both sides set up communication channels to avoid conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and established a group to prevent fighting in Lebanon.
Key Facts
US and Iran agreed on a roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days.
A High Level Committee from both sides will oversee the talks.
Technical talks are continuing throughout the week at a Swiss resort.
A "de-confliction cell" involving the US, Iran, and Lebanon will work to stop military actions in Lebanon.
A communication line has been created to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for shipping.
Iran promised to make efforts for safe passage of commercial boats through the Strait.
The talks were facilitated by mediators from Pakistan and Qatar.
Brent crude oil prices fell after the talks, easing concerns about global supply shortages.
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Students at Central Bedfordshire College are studying a new Level 3 BTEC course in esports, which combines playing video games with learning skills like psychology, nutrition, marketing, and video production. The course aims to prepare students for careers in esports and related fields, with many continuing their studies at university.
Key Facts
Central Bedfordshire College launched its first Level 3 BTEC in esports course.
The course includes playing games like Valorant, Fortnite, and Marvel Rivals.
Students learn not just gaming but also psychology, nutrition, fitness, communication, teamwork, marketing, and technical skills like video editing and programming.
Students organize esports events, handle broadcasting, commentary, and design team jerseys.
About 18,000 students in the UK study esports at Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC levels.
The UK has Europe’s largest community of student esports players.
British Esports works with over 200 schools and colleges, and more than 100 universities offer esports-related courses.
Experts say the esports industry’s growth is creating a need for formal education and training programs.
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A couple who are fans of the BBC show Gavin and Stacey bought the house used for Uncle Bryn’s character in the series. They plan to turn the house into a holiday rental where visitors can enjoy a themed stay related to the show.
Key Facts
Jaxx Nelson and Tom Bodfish from Banbury bought Uncle Bryn’s house in Barry, south Wales, for £210,000.
The house appeared in the Gavin and Stacey show, which started in 2007.
The purchase happened shortly after another fan bought Doris’s house from the same street.
The couple plans to make the house a holiday rental with decorations and surprises related to the show.
The house is known for famous scenes, including Bryn using the internet to help Gavin.
Fans often visit the house, sometimes taking photos, which the new owners find unusual.
The couple is connected with Gavin and Stacey-themed tours in Barry and wants fans to enjoy an authentic experience.
Guests will be asked not to mention a fishing trip, a notable moment from the series.
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A researcher from the University of Bradford warned that strict school uniform rules can harm students' self-esteem and mental health, especially for girls who feel sexualized or humiliated. Some schools have started to change or drop uniform requirements after listening to students’ concerns.
Key Facts
Many schools still have strict uniform rules like wearing ties, blazers, and specific skirts or trousers.
Dr. Elizabeth Nassem studies school bullying and believes many uniform policies are outdated and hard to enforce fairly.
Girls have reported feeling embarrassed or unfairly treated when teachers enforce dress codes, especially about skirt length or required covering.
Some male teachers have been accused of harshly enforcing uniform rules on female students.
Students at some schools have mixed feelings about dropping uniforms; some find uniforms uncomfortable.
Dr. Nassem suggests schools should ask students about their opinions before setting dress codes.
A school in Derby recently removed shirts, blazers, and ties after talking with students, teachers, and parents.
The goal of updating uniforms is to reflect modern needs and respect young people’s feelings.
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Andy Burnham is stepping down as Greater Manchester’s mayor, leading to a new election on July 30 to find his successor. Labour aims to keep the position, likely choosing Bev Craig, while other parties like the Greens and Reform UK see a chance to win the role. The election will use a voting system where people pick a first and second choice candidate.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is leaving his role as Greater Manchester mayor as he pursues a national political career.
The mayoral election is set for July 30, 2024.
Labour’s likely candidate is Bev Craig, leader of Manchester city council since 2021.
Paul Dennett, interim mayor after Burnham’s departure, is not expected to run.
The Green Party is running Geraldine Coggins, its leader on Trafford council and a recent breakthrough candidate.
The election will use the supplementary vote system, allowing voters to choose a first and second preference.
Reform UK is also contesting and regards the election as a strong opportunity after mixed results elsewhere.
The mayor role is seen as influential, and Labour hopes to benefit from Burnham’s popularity to retain the seat.
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Research shows that Generation Z workers are earning more money early in their careers than millennials did at the same age. This pay increase is partly due to rises in the minimum wage, but challenges like higher living costs and economic troubles could affect future earnings.
Key Facts
Generation Z includes people born roughly between 1997 and 2012.
Research from the Resolution Foundation finds Gen Z’s real pay at age 24 is 12% higher than millennials at the same age.
Millennials, born in the 1980s and 1990s, faced lower income growth partly due to starting work near the 2008 financial crisis.
The lowest-paid Gen Z workers saw a 36% real pay increase between 2012 and 2025, mainly due to minimum wage increases.
Median hourly pay for Gen Z workers aged 22-29 grew by 15% between 2012 and 2025.
Those aged 16-24 who are not working, studying, or training (called "Neets") number about 1 million in Britain.
Experts warn the number of Neets could grow by 25% by the early 2030s without government help.
Economic problems like higher prices and weaker growth from the Middle East conflict may lower real wages for Gen Z soon.
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