‘Beyond belief’ that resident doctors could strike amid flu crisis, says Starmer

The UK has signed a new trade deal with South Korea, aiming to boost exports of cars, Scottish salmon, and Guinness, with an expected additional £400 million in trade on top of the existing £15 billion annual trade volume. This agreement replaces a previous arrangement and is part of the UK's broader strategy to enhance international trade relations.

Resident doctors in England have overwhelmingly rejected a government offer aimed at averting a strike scheduled for December 17-22, leading to significant cancellations of appointments and operations in hospitals already strained by a severe flu outbreak.

The United States has paused its £31 billion tech prosperity deal with Britain, citing insufficient progress on resolving trade barriers. This decision represents a significant setback in US-UK relations, particularly as the deal was initially celebrated as a transformative step in bilateral cooperation during Donald Trump's presidency.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that any peace deal between Russia and Ukraine will be ineffective without strong security guarantees from Western powers. This statement comes as Ukraine faces increasing pressure from the US to agree to a plan backed by former President Trump, which Starmer opposes unless it includes adequate military assurances for Kyiv.

Doctors in England have voted to proceed with a five-day strike scheduled for December 17-22, despite a new government offer aimed at resolving ongoing disputes. This decision comes at a critical time as the NHS is grappling with an unprecedented wave of flu, which has led to a significant increase in hospital admissions and poses risks to patient care.

At the end of 2024, Keir Starmer announced key government targets, including reducing NHS waiting lists and increasing housing construction. As 2025 progresses, questions arise regarding the progress made towards these pledges amid various challenges faced by the Labour government.

Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, has warned that Britain is currently in a precarious position between peace and war, exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence and other technologies. In her inaugural speech, she criticized Russia for its insincerity regarding Ukraine peace negotiations while making limited references to China amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Police have indicated that the ongoing investigation into historical child abuse within the NHS in Sussex may uncover additional victims, as the probe continues to reveal troubling accounts of past misconduct. This development highlights the urgent need for accountability and support for those affected by such abuses.