UK

Britain's defence secretary has announced plans to significantly boost the country's weapons production, aiming to reduce reliance on imports from the US and France. This shift comes in response to lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine and concerns regarding the reliability of the US as a military partner under President Donald Trump. As a result, British and European defence companies are increasingly moving away from US-made weaponry and equipment to develop a more independent supply chain. Full Article

This spring has featured stunning celestial events, including two consecutive nights of Northern Lights sightings recently. Additionally, the annual Lyrid meteor shower is active until April 25, peaking on Tuesday. This meteor shower is known for its brief streaks of light, occurring every mid to late April. Full Article

Scottish Water staff are set to strike for two days starting early Tuesday due to an ongoing pay dispute, according to their union. The strike will result in the suspension of emergency repairs and quality checks for water supplied to 5 million people across Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday. This action highlights the ongoing tensions between the workers and the state-owned company regarding compensation issues. Full Article

A decade after Ola Raji's murder, his family continues to seek justice for the 21-year-old student who was stabbed and shot in Peckham, south London, on April 21, 2015, while cycling home after watching a football match. Despite five arrests over the years, no one has been prosecuted, leaving his family without closure and raising concerns about street safety. In an appeal for information, Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward, urging witnesses to come forward with any details that could help identify the attackers still at large. Full Article

A 14-year-old girl was mauled to death by a lion in Nairobi National Park, Kenya, after the animal jumped over a makeshift fence and attacked her while she was with another teenager. Rangers followed bloodstains to the Mbagathi River, where her body was found with injuries. This incident followed a day after an elephant fatally injured a man in Nyeri County, leading wildlife officials to emphasize the need for enhanced safety measures due to ecological pressures and human encroachment on wildlife habitats. Full Article

The parents of a baby girl left severely brain damaged due to an NHS error at Great Western Hospital in Swindon have received a £35 million payout, one of the largest for maternity negligence in NHS history. The child developed sepsis and meningitis after staff failed to treat a common infection, with a 16-hour delay in administering antibiotics leading to her condition. The parents express gratitude for her survival but mourn the life opportunities lost, highlighting the need for routine testing for Group B Strep in pregnant women to prevent similar tragedies. Full Article

Security insiders warn that Chinese spies may be eavesdropping on conversations in central London parks, including St James’s Park, where hidden devices could be placed in foliage and under benches. Politicians and researchers have been advised to be cautious in public places like the Red Lion pub and high-end hotels, which are considered hotspots for espionage. The concerns arise amid ongoing tensions with China, including a proposed 'super-embassy' and issues surrounding British Steel’s negotiations with Chinese owners, Jingye. Full Article

A significant fire broke out in a block of flats on Leman Street in Aldgate, East London, around 5:45 PM, prompting a large emergency response with 15 fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters deployed. The blaze, which engulfed a fifth-floor flat and partially affected a seventh-floor flat, led to the deployment of a 64-meter high observation tower by fire brigade commanders for better assessment. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and while the London Ambulance Service was called to the scene, they were later stood down as there were no patients requiring treatment. Full Article

A 45-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on the evening of April 19. Despite attempts by the London Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance, she was pronounced dead at the scene, with her family informed and receiving support. The Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation but have made no arrests yet, and are appealing for public information, particularly from drivers in the area during the incident, while increasing police presence to reassure the community. Full Article

Four people were killed when a Cessna 180 single-engine plane crashed into power lines and landed on a road in central Illinois, bursting into flames. The incident occurred at 10:15 am, marking the second fatal aircraft disaster in the U.S. within 24 hours, part of a troubling trend of recent aviation accidents that resulted in at least nine fatalities in a week. Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are underway as the wreckage remains at the crash site. Full Article