UK sees longest period without migrants arriving on small boats since 2018

First-time buyers in the UK are now borrowing an average of £210,800 for their mortgages, marking a record high as of September 2025. This increase is attributed to rising wages and more lenient affordability tests, enabling buyers to access homes that were previously out of reach.

A tragic shooting during Hanukkah celebrations in the UK has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, with over 42 others injured. This incident has prompted heightened security measures in Jewish communities across the country as they mourn the victims.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has expressed serious concerns regarding the high incarceration rates of Indigenous people, children, and migrants in Australia, highlighting systemic issues within the detention system. This comes amid ongoing discussions about the Albanese government's gas export policies, which have led to rising domestic energy costs and inflation.

The UK government has announced a scheme aimed at funding town centre improvements in Wales, a decision typically within the purview of Welsh ministers. This initiative has sparked discussions regarding the implications for Welsh devolution, particularly as it will not extend to Northern Ireland.