Number of complaints against taxi drivers reaches record levels – The Irish Times

Research shows that the UK is falling behind in defence spending compared to Russia, Iran, and China, with Britain's budget increasing by only 14% in the last decade. The new Labour government is facing pressure to fulfill its promise to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, especially as other countries have significantly increased their budgets. The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to outline its plans for increased defence spending before the new US...

The Kremlin is not commenting on speculation that Russian air defense may have caused the crash of an Azerbaijan airliner, killing 38 people. The plane veered off course and crashed in Kazakhstan, with 29 survivors from various nationalities on board. Military analysts and sources have suggested that the plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system, leading to calls for a full investigation from Nato and others. Full Article

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party claims to have surpassed 131,680 members, more than the Conservatives, showcasing momentum in British politics. However, the actual number of Tory members remains uncertain, with estimates ranging around 130,000, as interest in the party wanes. Reform UK's recent boost in membership, potentially fueled by Elon Musk's rumored support, still falls short of Labour's declining but larger membership of 370,450. Full Article

Nova, a Belgian Malinois who served in the police for seven years, faced a health scare just months after her retirement, with her health rapidly deteriorating and fears she may not make it to Christmas. Diagnosed with acute hepatitis, her handler, Heather Potter, turned to the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals charity for financial support, receiving over £4,200 to cover 90% of the vet bills. The charity's assistance not only helped with the expenses...

Emergency workers are conducting search and rescue operations in the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Ukraine, which left over 500,000 people without heating and many facing blackouts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Vladimir Putin of launching more than 70 missiles and 100 drones on Christmas Day, resulting in casualties and damage to critical energy facilities. International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and outgoing US President Joe Biden, condemned the attack as...

In 2024, some of the most popular TV shows include Baby Reindeer, The Traitors, Slow Horses, Black Doves, and Bridgerton. These shows cover a range of genres and have received critical acclaim for their storytelling and performances. Baby Reindeer is a hard-hitting miniseries that addresses difficult themes, while The Traitors UK delivers big characters and twists. Slow Horses is an award-winning spy thriller with more seasons on the way, and Black Doves is an action-packed...