News 31/10/26

Sir Keir Starmer has warned that changes in Europe’s defence relationship with the United States are permanent, calling for a common European security framework with the UK at its heart.

Speaking at a business dinner in Dublin, the former prime minister stated that things will not return to how they were, as the US has made clear it will no longer bankroll its European allies.

More than 320,000 people have demonstrated across France ahead of a planned general strike.

Police fired tear gas during clashes in Paris as nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and poor public services entered a third weekend. The interior ministry confirmed at least two hundred and ninety arrests across the country, with seventy thousand people gathering in the capital.

Dozens of people have been arrested in London for expressing support for Palestine Action.

Police had issued warnings to demonstrators that displaying placards supporting the banned group would lead to arrest. More than a hundred protesters gathered outside the United States embassy in Nine Elms, with the Metropolitan Police confirming that the majority of the forty-eight arrests were for showing support for a proscribed organisation.

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance says ninety percent of stolen digital assets have now been replenished following a massive cyber hack.

The platform, one of the world’s largest, was targeted in a security exploit that saw over four point seven billion pounds stolen. Binance suspended customer transactions while assuring users their funds were secure, and confirmed withdrawals are on track to reopen within the expected timeframe.

A man has died following an attack at a migrant accommodation centre in Ireland.

Emergency services found the victim with serious injuries on Saturday morning at the facility in Tralee, County Kerry, where he later passed away. A second man in his forties was also injured, and police have arrested another man in his forties in connection with the incident.

Evacuated residents from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky have safely arrived at the Ukrainian border.

Planes carrying the residents landed in Belarus before they travelled on to Ukraine by bus. The move formed part of a temporary ceasefire agreement brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

A doctor’s surgery in Slough has raised five hundred pounds for breast cancer support.

Staff at the Bharani Medical Centre dressed in pink and collected donations for the charity Breast Cancer Now. Dr Kumar from the practice said they were incredibly proud of the achievement, which also aimed to raise awareness and encourage women to attend routine screening appointments.

Telecoms giant Virgin Media O2 is planning to cut thousands of jobs as part of major cost-cutting measures to manage its £20m debt.

Joint owners Liberty Global and Telefonica are preparing to reduce the company’s 16,000 strong workforce, with sources indicating up to 4,000 roles could be affected. Final figures will be confirmed alongside third-quarter financial results next week.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Speaking ahead of next week’s Commonwealth leaders’ summit in the Caribbean, Mr Burnham expressed his sorrow and regret for historic injustices. However, the Prime Minister ruled out paying financial reparations, stating they are not the right answer. His comments come as King Charles continues his tour of the region.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce her final decision on legal migration rules next week.

She had previously proposed extending the wait for permanent settlement from five to ten years, with some lower-paid migrants facing up to fifteen years. It is understood the plans will be revised for social care workers following opposition within government over applying new rules to migrants already living in the UK.

The annual Windsor Lions Club Swimathon has raised an estimated twenty-two thousand pounds for local charities and community groups.

All sixty-six available lanes were booked for the twenty-ninth annual event, which saw relay teams swimming throughout the day. Local MP Jack Rankin joined supporters and volunteers at the poolside, with funds set to benefit organisations including the Windsor and Eton Sea Cadets and Winkfield St Mary’s School.