Labour lifts council tax cap in six southern areas

Local elections in the UK may face further delays as the government cites capacity issues among merging councils, with 63 council areas potentially postponing elections until 2027. This follows previous delays that pushed elections to May 2026, raising concerns about the democratic process.

Ellen Whitla, an 87-year-old woman, was mistakenly given the wrong medication by home carers on two separate occasions, leading her family to believe she had died. This alarming incident highlights serious concerns regarding medication management and the safety protocols in place for elderly care.

A mass shooting occurred near Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, resulting in two fatalities and nine injuries. Police have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect believed to have rented a vehicle linked to the incident, which took place during a busy exam period.

Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in jail in Romania for smoking a cannabis joint on stage during a festival last year. The sentence was issued in absentia, as the rapper was not present at the court proceedings.

A tragic mass shooting occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe a swift transition from a festive atmosphere to chaos as gunmen opened fire, prompting a rapid police response. A father expressed gratitude to a stranger whose bravery saved his child's life amidst the turmoil.

The ongoing shake-up of local councils has led to the prospect of further delays in elections, igniting a blame game among political parties. The situation reflects deepening tensions within the political landscape as stakeholders grapple with the implications of these changes.

The UK government has announced plans to ban deepfake AI 'nudification' apps, introducing a new offence that builds on existing laws against sexually explicit deepfakes and intimate image abuse. This move aims to enhance protections against the misuse of technology that can harm individuals' reputations and privacy.

A judge has ruled that children injured in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing will share a total of £20 million in damages, with individual compensation amounts ranging from £2,770 to £11.4 million. This decision comes as a significant step in addressing the impact of the tragic event on the young victims and their families.