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PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules

May 12, 2025

The UK Prime Minister unveiled new immigration plans aimed at reducing net migration over the next few years. Key changes include restricting care worker recruitment from overseas, tightening skilled worker visa criteria, and increasing costs for employers hiring foreign staff. The Home Office estimates these measures could lead to a yearly decrease of 100,000 in immigration by 2029.

Key Facts:

The government plans to stop recruiting care workers from overseas.
Skilled worker visa rules will become stricter, requiring higher qualifications.
Employers will need to pay more to hire foreign staff, with smaller firms paying up to £2,400 and larger ones up to £6,600.
Net migration reached 906,000 in June 2023, marking a record high.
Care companies have expressed concerns about shortages without international recruits.
Universities might face higher charges for enrolling international students.
English language requirements for work visas will be increased.
The government plans to double the time migrants must live in the UK before applying for settled status, from five years to ten.

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How bad have Amorim's United been in the league?

May 12, 2025

Manchester United is currently in a poor position in the Premier League under manager Ruben Amorim. Since Amorim took over in November 2024, the team's performance has declined, placing them 16th in the league and on a seven-game winless streak.

Key Facts:

Ruben Amorim became Manchester United's manager in November 2024 after Erik ten Hag was sacked.
Under Amorim, Manchester United has only won 6 out of 25 league games.
The team has dropped to 16th place in the Premier League from 14th.
Manchester United has lost 9 home games, equaling their record for the most home defeats in a season.
They have fallen behind in 19 of their 25 league games and have conceded 41 goals in total.
The team's win record is at 24%, the lowest since Sir Alex Ferguson's time.
Manchester United has a low scoring rate, with a conversion rate of 8.7% from their shots.
The team is performing better in the Europa League, where they remain unbeaten and will face Tottenham in the final.

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A winner as boy and man - what it was like playing against Kohli

May 12, 2025

The article discusses Virat Kohli's cricket career from his early days in the Under-19 squad to becoming a prominent figure in international cricket. It highlights his competitiveness and influence on the Indian cricket team, both on and off the field.

Key Facts:

Virat Kohli started playing internationally after the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, which he captained and won.
He first played against England in One Day Internationals (ODI) in 2011, and then in Test cricket in 2012.
Kohli was known for his competitive nature and eagerness to win from a young age.
His batting style included strong shots through mid-wicket and cover areas.
As a prominent figure, Kohli faced significant public attention and pressure.
Kohli's presence and intensity influenced the training habits and fitness regime of the Indian cricket team by 2016.
The article mentions a series in 2016 as Alastair Cook's last tour as England captain, highlighting Kohli's impact during that period.

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Man jailed for 'vile' threats to murder MP

May 12, 2025

Benjamin Clarke was sentenced to one and a half years in jail for making threats to kill MP Sam Rushworth and sending abusive messages. Clarke, who has mental health issues, admitted to making threats and will also serve an additional 18 months on extended license.

Key Facts:

Benjamin Clarke, aged 31, threatened to harm Sam Rushworth, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bishop Auckland.
Clarke admitted to making threats to kill and sending offensive communications online.
He threatened to burn down the MP's house with him inside and made other violent comments.
Clarke expressed his actions were due to his mental health struggles and personal grievances.
The threats began in August after Clarke contacted Rushworth on Facebook.
Sam Rushworth was elected as a Labour MP in the 2024 general election.
Clarke was previously released on bail but re-arrested after making further threats.
Mr. Rushworth increased his personal and family security following the threats.

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Driver jailed for murdering biker who did wheelie

May 12, 2025

A driver named Abdirahman Ibrahim was sentenced to life in prison for killing biker Liam Jones by hitting him with a car. This incident happened after Ibrahim saw Jones perform a wheelie on his e-motorbike in Birmingham on August 1, 2023.

Key Facts:

Abdirahman Ibrahim deliberately hit Liam Jones with his car after seeing him do a wheelie.
The event took place in Sheldon, Birmingham, on August 1, 2023.
Ibrahim was given a life sentence with a minimum of 22 years in prison.
Liam Jones, 22, died at the scene after crashing into a bollard.
Ibrahim's brother, Abdullahi, helped hide the car and was sentenced to nearly three years.
The incident started when Ibrahim began following Jones on Coventry Road.
CCTV showed Ibrahim's car closely following and eventually ramming Jones's e-motorbike.

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Ex-marine tops Everest after 8,000-mile triathlon

May 12, 2025

Mitch Hutchcraft, a former Royal Marine, completed a massive triathlon and reached the top of Mount Everest. His journey started on September 15 with a swim across the English Channel and ended 240 days later at Everest's summit, marking the longest ascent from sea level to the mountain peak ever recorded.

Key Facts:

Mitch Hutchcraft is a former Royal Marine and now lives in Torquay, Devon.
He swam from England to France across the English Channel, a distance of 35 km (21 miles).
After swimming, he cycled about 12,000 km (7,456 miles) from Europe to India.
He then ran 900 km (559 miles) to Kathmandu, Nepal, followed by a 360 km (223-mile) trek to Everest's basecamp.
Hutchcraft reached Mount Everest's summit with the help of a Nepali guide named Gelje Sherpa.
The challenge took 240 days from start to summit.
He is raising funds for SAVSIM, a group supporting veteran mental health and wildlife conservation.
Hutchcraft's journey is called Project Limitless and is documented by a film team.

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British couple die after Ferrari plunges into river in Spain

May 12, 2025

A British couple died in northern Spain when their sports car went off the road and landed in a river. The accident took place in a mountainous area of León, and firefighters had to clear vegetation to reach the car.

Key Facts:

A British couple died in a car accident in León, northern Spain.
They were in a sports car that crashed into the Yuso river.
The victims were a 78-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman.
The accident occurred near the town of Boca de Huérgano.
Firefighters had to remove thick plants to reach the car.
The car was upside down and partly underwater.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident.
The British Foreign Office is helping the families and communicating with local authorities.

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'This plan means migration will fall – that’s a promise'

May 12, 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced new rules aiming to reduce migration to the UK. These plans include requiring English tests for visa applicants and a 10-year wait before migrants can apply to settle in the UK.

Key Facts:

Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of the UK.
He promised a decrease in migration to the UK.
The new rules are detailed in a document called a white paper.
The immigration system will be "tightened up" to address issues Starmer describes as "broken."
All visa applicants and their adult dependants will need to take English tests.
Migrants will need to wait 10 years before they can apply to settle in the UK.
The proposed changes are based on months of research conducted by officials.

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How many people come to work and study in the UK?

May 12, 2025

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says migration numbers will decrease with new immigration rules, including English tests and a longer route to settled status. Recent data shows net migration to the UK was 728,000 in the year to June 2024, down from 906,000 the previous year. Changes in visa rules for work and study will also affect the number of people coming to the UK.

Key Facts:

Net migration to the UK was 728,000 in the year to June 2024.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 1.2 million people came to the UK in the same period.
Of these, 86% were non-EU nationals.
82% of the non-EU newcomers were of working age.
The number of student visas issued in 2024 was 393,125, a 14% drop from the previous year.
Since April 2024, job applicants in the UK need to have a job offer with a salary of at least £38,700.
Family visas issued increased by 7% to 86,000 in 2024.
Family visa applicants must show good English skills and meet income requirements.

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Leicester name Parling as head coach

May 12, 2025

Geoff Parling, a former Leicester Tigers player and current assistant coach for Australia, has been appointed as the new head coach of Leicester Tigers. He will start his role in August, replacing Michael Cheika after his one-season tenure.

Key Facts:

Geoff Parling is 41 years old and has signed a long-term contract with Leicester Tigers.
He replaces Michael Cheika as head coach, who is leaving after one season.
Parling has played for Leicester Tigers previously, winning two Premiership titles.
He is currently working as an assistant coach for Australia and will start in his new role after the Australia series against the British and Irish Lions.
Parling played nearly 100 matches for Leicester Tigers and earned 29 caps for England.
Parling has also played for other teams such as Exeter, Munakata Sanix Blues in Japan, and Melbourne Rebels.
He has been coaching with Australia's rugby team, the Wallabies, since 2020.
Parling and his family have lived in Australia for seven years and are now Australian citizens.

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Care providers say crackdown on overseas workers is short-sighted

May 12, 2025

The government's new immigration plans will stop recruiting care workers from overseas, which care providers say will hurt their ability to fill jobs. The social care sector in England is already facing serious staff shortages, with thousands of vacancies and a growing need for services.

Key Facts:

The government plans to end the practice of hiring care workers from other countries.
England's social care sector had 131,000 job openings last year despite hiring from overseas.
Care companies fear losing international recruits will make it hard to keep services running.
The government wants to reduce immigration and create a more controlled system.
Care providers can extend current visas and hire migrants already in the UK without jobs.
Social care has struggled with funding cuts, a lack of staff, and rising demand for services.
Historically, care workers' pay and status have not improved much despite their contributions.
There were 165,000 social care vacancies between April 2021 and March 2022, a significant rise from the previous year.
The UK saw a sharp increase in care workers arriving from overseas, with 80,000 in 2022/23 and 105,000 in 23/24.
Abuse of the international recruitment system led to some workers facing exploitation.

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Beckham tells Minnesota United to 'show a little respect'

May 12, 2025

David Beckham's soccer team, Inter Miami, lost to Minnesota United 4-1. After the defeat, Minnesota shared a social media post that Beckham found disrespectful, prompting him to comment about showing respect.

Key Facts:

Inter Miami lost 4-1 to Minnesota United.
The loss is Inter Miami's heaviest since Lionel Messi joined the team in July 2023.
Lionel Messi scored in the match, but Inter Miami has lost four of their last five games.
Minnesota United posted on Instagram calling Miami "Pink Phony Club," referring to their pink uniforms.
David Beckham, Inter Miami's co-owner, responded, asking for respect in Minnesota's victory.
Minnesota's social media post included a league table showing their rank above Inter Miami.
Javier Mascherano, a former Argentina player, is the current manager of Inter Miami.
Inter Miami is now fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference.

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Why McIlroy is favourite to win US PGA at Quail Hollow

May 12, 2025

Rory McIlroy has a strong history at Quail Hollow golf course, where he has won four titles and set a course record. His powerful driving skills give him an advantage on this 7,626-yard course. The PGA Championship, recently played at this venue, highlights ongoing updates that influence play conditions.

Key Facts:

Rory McIlroy has won four titles at Quail Hollow.
He set a course record score of 61 in 2015 at this venue.
Quail Hollow is known for being a challenging 7,626-yard course.
McIlroy excels at driving, which is hitting the ball off the tee, helping him perform well here.
The course was renovated, affecting play during the PGA Championship in 2017.
The PGA Championship at Quail Hollow now takes place in May instead of August.
The course has 61 bunkers (sand traps) and four water hazards, adding to its difficulty.

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Search 'paused' for British man missing in New Zealand

May 12, 2025

Search operations for Eli Sweeting, a British hiker missing in New Zealand, have been paused. Sweeting went missing on 4 May after a solo hike on Mitre Peak, and the search involved local volunteers, helicopters, and search dogs.

Key Facts:

Eli Sweeting, a 25-year-old from Bristol, went missing in New Zealand after a solo hike.
He has been missing since 4 May after hiking Mitre Peak on South Island.
Search efforts included local volunteers, helicopters, search dogs, and drones.
Police decided to pause the search due to difficult and dangerous terrain.
Sweeting is an experienced climber familiar with the area's challenging conditions.
The search team focused on a route after spotting a light, but dense forest obstructed the search.
Police are staying in regular contact with Sweeting's family.

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Murphy criticises Amorim's 'constant negativity'

May 12, 2025

Danny Murphy, an analyst on Match of the Day 2, criticized Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim for being frequently negative. This followed Amorim's comments after his team's 2-0 loss to West Ham.

Key Facts:

Danny Murphy is an analyst on the show Match of the Day 2.
Ruben Amorim is the manager of Manchester United.
Manchester United lost 2-0 to West Ham in a Premier League game.
Danny Murphy commented on Amorim's "constant negativity."
Amorim spoke about possibly leaving if the team's poor performance continues.
The content is aimed at UK users.

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The real problem facing Britain's shrinking military

May 12, 2025

Britain's military is dealing with problems like long submarine missions, fewer soldiers, and aging equipment. HMS Vanguard, a British submarine, recently returned from a 204-day mission, which highlights these issues. The government plans to address these challenges in an upcoming defense review to improve military capability.

Key Facts:

HMS Vanguard spent 204 days underwater, which is much longer than the usual three-month patrol.
The submarine missions have been extended due to maintenance needs for the aging submarine fleet.
Crews have faced shortages of food and medicine during patrols.
The British Army's size has decreased from nearly 110,000 soldiers in 2010 to not meeting its target of 73,000 today.
There are concerns about the UK military's readiness to handle conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
The government plans to conduct a Strategic Defence Review to assess threats and improve military readiness.
New technology like drones and artificial intelligence is being considered to strengthen military capabilities.
Britain's military faces gaps in equipment, and there are efforts to streamline the process of acquiring new military hardware.

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Inside the tiny Highland school with just two pupils

May 12, 2025

Duror Primary School, located in a Highland village, is one of the smallest schools in the UK with only two students. Although it was considered for closure due to low enrollment, the local council decided to keep it open because there are several young children in the area who might soon attend the school.

Key Facts:

Duror Primary School has just two students.
The school is in a Victorian-era building and has been in the village for over 100 years.
The school was at risk of closing because of low student numbers.
The local community campaigned to keep the school open.
The local council decided to keep the school open.
There are several babies and toddlers in the area expected to attend the school in the future.

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Project aims to return 'keystone' elk to UK

May 12, 2025

Wildlife experts in the UK want to bring back Eurasian elk to the East Midlands after around 3,000 years. They received £15,000 from the Rewilding Britain charity to study how to reintroduce these animals, which can help other wildlife by creating habitats.

Key Facts:

Eurasian elk were last present in the UK about 3,000 years ago.
The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts received £15,000 for studies to reintroduce elk.
Elks are considered "keystone" species, which means they help create habitats for other animals.
The reintroduction will include a disease risk assessment to prevent spreading infections to livestock.
Public consultation with 2,000 households has been part of the planning, with more outreach planned.
Originally, elk lived in various habitats in the UK and were lost due to hunting by early humans.
European moose, similar to elk, are large animals, weighing 380-700 kg (838-1,543 lb) and standing 1.4m to 2.1m high.

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Concerns over strangulation during sex lesson plan

May 12, 2025

A council in Wales faced criticism for creating a school presentation that seemed to endorse strangulation during sex. The presentation was part of draft materials that were never shown to students and were withdrawn after receiving professional feedback.

Key Facts:

A council in Wales created a presentation that included a statement about choking during sex.
The presentation was part of a draft and was never shared with children.
Bridgend council commissioned the resource from their domestic abuse service.
Experts and a politician questioned why illegal acts were included in the draft.
Non-fatal strangulation is a criminal offense in the UK.
The Welsh government stated that such acts are "dangerous and illegal."
Bridgend council claimed the slide was meant to provoke discussion about the dangers and legality.
The presentation was distributed to a small group of professionals for feedback, not to schools.

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Green Party duo launch joint leadership bid

May 12, 2025

Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns are running together to become co-leaders of the Green Party of England and Wales. They are entering the leadership race, which also includes deputy leader Zack Polanski. The election process starts on June 2, with final results announced on September 2.

Key Facts:

Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns aim to be co-leaders of the Green Party.
Zack Polanski, the current deputy leader, is also running for leadership.
Carla Denyer, co-leader with Ramsay since 2021, is not seeking re-election.
Leadership nominations open on June 2, and voting ends with results on September 2.
The Green Party elects co-leaders every two years; a general election altered their usual schedule.
Green Party rules require co-leaders to be of different genders.
Ramsay and Chowns are focusing on increasing Green representation in national politics.
The party achieved its best result in the 2024 general election by winning four constituencies.

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