International News

London’s long-delayed new underground service, the Elizabeth line, finally opened to passengers on Tuesday (24 May). The project, also known as Crossrail, was originally scheduled to open in December 2018 but has suffered a series of delays and has ended up costing almost £19 billion to complete. The initial opening of the line sees trains running every five minutes between Paddington and Abbey Wood in southeast London, with journey times reduced from 58 to 29 minutes. Londo...

Responding to today’s announcement that Reading has been unsuccessful in its Platinum Jubilee City Status bid, Council Leader Jason Brock said: “This is obviously hugely disappointing news for Reading, the Council and everybody who backed the bid. “As we said from the outset, however, this bid was about showcasing Reading, everything it has to offer and everything we love about it, from our rich history, our Royal connections, our diversity, our cultural scene and our eco...

Phenomenon last seen in March could turn sky orange with thunderstorms, high winds and downpours A cloud of Saharan dust could create a “blood rain” effect across the UK later this week, as it turns the rain from thunderstorms a shade of red, forecasters have predicted. “Blood rain” occurs when high concentrations of red-coloured dust or particles combine with rain, giving it a red appearance as it falls, according to the Met Office. The red or orange rain is expect...

It’s been more than two years since the start of the pandemic, and the importance of our homes has never been more in focus. Covid rules and lockdown restrictions have had a lasting effect on what we prioritise when we’re looking to move. We’ve seen big shifts in demand from home-movers, as many buyers and renters swapped cities for the open space of the countryside, and bigger homes. Some of these trends look set to stay – bit of green space, anyone? – but so...

The total - more than 23,000 - is a record high and comes as the UK has struggled to increase the number of home-grown nurses joining the register. Nurse leaders questioned whether international recruitment on this scale was sustainable. The Nursing and Midwifery Council data for 2021-22 also showed the numbers leaving the profession had risen. More than 27,000 left the register last year, up 13% on the year before and reversing a downward trend in leavers over recent years. In many ...

Large tech companies such as Google and Facebook will have to abide by new competition rules in the UK or risk facing huge fines, the government said. The new Digital Markets Unit (DMU) will be given powers to clamp down on "predatory practices" of some firms. The regulator will also have the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they fail to comply. Besides boosting competition among tech firms, the rules also aim to give users more control over their data. T...

The United Kingdom is on track to introducing yet another visa to attract high potential individuals to the country. Expected to launch on May 30, the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is aimed at attracting high-skilled foreign university graduates - who will be allowed to work and stay in the U.K. for two or three years, depending on their degree level. Applicants won't need a job offer or sponsorship and holders of this visa will be free to come to the UK to work, set up as self-...

Crossrail will open in just 20 days’ time, Transport for London announced on Wednesday. The long-awaited line, which fell years behind schedule and went billions over budget, will start running through central London on Tuesday May 24. TfL said the “stunning” £20bn project - which will be renamed the Elizabeth line - would transform the capital’s public transport network, adding 10 per cent capacity and boosting the post-pandemic return to work. Wednesday&r...