The Standard News

What the papers say – January 17

Rachel Vickers-Price — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 02:18:30 GMT

Here are the stories leading Friday’s newspapers.

Calorie labelling on menus and food products has ‘small’ effect, review finds

Josie Clarke — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Labelling led to an average 1.8% reduction in the calories people bought – equating to 11 calories in a 600 calorie meal – or around two almonds.

Lammy and Nandy launch ‘soft power council’ to boost UK on global stage

Nina Lloyd — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:35:21 GMT

The Foreign Secretary and Culture Secretary will jointly chair the group.

National Trust planting 800 football pitches worth of woodlands over winter

Rebecca Speare-Cole — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The project comes as part of wider efforts to tackle climate change and bring communities closer to nature.

Carbon dioxide rising at rates ‘incompatible’ with staying below 1.5C – study

Emily Beament — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Met Office says rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide are off-track for trajectories that keep global warming to 1.5C with no or little overshoot.

Family of Sara Sharif to lodge appeal against sentences for her murder

Harry Stedman — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:53:17 GMT

Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were jailed for life for Sara’s murder last month, with minimum terms of 40 years and 33 years respectively.

Keir Starmer to hold talks on new security treaty during visit to Poland

Caitlin Doherty — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:30:00 GMT

The Prime Minister has said that it is ‘time to take our partnership to the next level’ with Poland.

Thames Valley Police chief constable suspended amid misconduct investigation

Sam Hall — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:27:18 GMT

Jason Hogg was suspended with immediate effect amid an IOPC investigation.

Tories will consider means-testing triple-lock, Badenoch says

Nina Lloyd — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:25:52 GMT

The Conservative leader said that while in government the party had supported the system but that ‘we need to make sure we are growing’.

Neo-Nazi satanist jailed for six years for encouraging girls to kill themselves

William Warnes — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:25:03 GMT

Cameron Finnigan, 19, appeared before Mr Justice Jay at the Old Bailey on Thursday for sentencing.

Russia launches drone attack on Kyiv during Sir Keir Starmer's visit to Ukrainian capital

Sami Quadri — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:21:19 GMT

Air raid sirens and explosions rang out minutes after Starmer laid a wreath with President Zelensky at the Wall of Memorial in central Kyiv

PM: UK will discuss peacekeeping troops in Ukraine with allies

Nina Lloyd — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:16:49 GMT

The Prime Minister indicated he was speaking to international partners about the prospect of western soldiers monitoring any ceasefire.

Sean Brown murder has left ‘indelible stain’ on British state, court hears

David Young — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:13:29 GMT

A barrister for the GAA official’s family urged judges to reject a Government bid to overturn a court order compelling it to hold a public inquiry.

Former Bank boss Mark Carney announces bid to replace Canada’s Trudeau

Harry Stedman — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:07:25 GMT

Mr Carney headed up Britain’s central bank between 2013 and 2020 before being succeeded by Andrew Bailey.

UK will play its 'full part' in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, says Sir Keir Starmer

Josh Salisbury — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:55:43 GMT

Britain will discuss possible future deployment of peacekeeping forces with allies, Sir Keir Starmer said

Nicolas Cage leads tributes to ‘singular genius’ David Lynch after death aged 78

Casey Cooper-Fiske — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:41:17 GMT

Cage said he ‘never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch’.

Grooming inquiry timetable will bring ‘fundamental change’, say campaigners

Harry Stedman — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:26:11 GMT

Yvette Cooper said that the Government would lay out a clear timetable by Easter for implementing the recommendations in the IICSA’s final report.

Sir Sadiq Khan dons ceremonial gown as he celebrates another honour

Josh Salisbury — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:20:58 GMT

Labour mayor awarded honorary business doctorate by University of East London just weeks after knighthood

Tory-Reform merger to beat Labour ruled out by Kemi Badenoch

David Lynch — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:14:30 GMT

Reform UK has overtaken the Tories in a series of opinion polls in recent weeks, and is within touching distance of Labour’s lead with the public.

Parents make knife crime vow as teenager convicted of Elianne Andam murder

Emily Pennink — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:53:32 GMT

Hassan Sentamu had admitted manslaughter but denied murder on the basis that his autism affected his self-control.

New row erupts over China's plan for London super embassy as ministers intervene to force it through

Rachael Burford — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:49:19 GMT

Yvette Cooper and David Lammy were accused of attempting ‘to influence an independent inquiry’

Local reviews into grooming will get answers and bring change, says Cooper

Aine Fox — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:35:24 GMT

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said local reviews would provide more answers and change than a nationwide probe.

Keir Starmer tells school children Roy Of The Rovers is his favourite book

Caitlin Doherty — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:16:36 GMT

The Prime Minister also said his favourite football player is Arsenal star Martin Odegaard.

Reporting of vaccine side-effects should be mandatory – Tory former minister

Rhiannon James — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:10:22 GMT

Esther McVey said there was a ‘gross underreporting’ of unintended impacts of vaccines to the medicines regulator.

Cooper looking at ‘different ways’ to haul witnesses before grooming inquiries

Will Durrant — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:44:55 GMT

The Home Secretary said Government is working with the Cabinet Office to draw up new accountability arrangements.

Sadiq Khan says second runway at Gatwick would destroy rationale for Heathrow expansion

Noah Vickers — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:33:13 GMT

The mayor said he understood ‘the importance of aviation to our economy’ while stressing the need to ‘recognise the crisis we face in terms of climate’

Revenue and Customs workers to strike in pay dispute

Alan Jones — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:22:21 GMT

They will take action on the last two days of the month.

Elianne was standing up for friend ‘doing what she thought was right’

Emily Pennink — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:16:25 GMT

The teenager had planned to become a human rights lawyer, police who investigated her killing said.

Full details of Sadiq Khan's new budget as mayor prioritises crime after Tory 'wrecking ball' to police

Ross Lydall — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:16:04 GMT

Spending plans revealed for Met police, London fire brigade and TfL

Anne to mark non-combat work by black South Africans during First World War

Tony Jones — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:01:07 GMT

The Princess Royal is president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Shocking moment gang of 'misfits' carry out savage attack on transgender teenager lured to London rollerdisco

Tristan Kirk — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:59:06 GMT

The victim of the transphobic attack asked for footage of the brutal assault to be released to show reality of hate crime

Southwark Council sparks backlash after spending £31m on consultants and agency staff in under 10 months

Robert Firth — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:45:33 GMT

Figures uncovered by Southwark Liberal Democrats show that council chiefs spent £2 million on consultants alone since April 2024

Chancellor urges regulators to ‘tear down’ red tape in bid for growth

Henry Saker-Clark — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:41:46 GMT

It came after fresh data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the UK economy grew by a weaker-than-expected 0.1% in November.

Joe Biden's plans after his presidency: 'I'm not going away'

Maryam Kara — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:41:33 GMT

Biden may not be entering into a slow retirement just yet

Man jailed for six-and-a-half years for abusing partner who killed herself

Pat Hurst — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:40:03 GMT

Ryan Wellings was cleared of the manslaughter of Kiena Dawes but found guilty of assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Labour MP calls for law change to protect children born from rape

Rhiannon James — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:35:42 GMT

Natalie Fleet, who previously disclosed she is a victim of grooming, pressed for further protection for those who have a child with their groomer.

Man charged after bus hit railway bridge

Lucinda Cameron — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:28:08 GMT

Police said the man will appear in court at a later date.

Fifth teenager charged over murder of 17-year-old near bus station

Matthew George — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:16:12 GMT

Thomas Taylor was attacked by a group of males.

Reward and fresh appeal for information over murder of James Akinwande in 1994

Helen William — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:12:43 GMT

The 18-year-old was chased, beaten and stabbed by a group of men after leaving the Vox nightclub in Brixton, south London.

Five youths jailed for ‘sickening’ transphobic attack

George Lithgow — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:11:04 GMT

The judge said the incident in Harrow, north-west London, last February had been motivated by a ‘distorted notion of revenge’.

Nintendo Switch 2 experience events: How to be among the first to play the new console

Saqib Shah — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:10:11 GMT

Nintendo has announced a total of 15 demo events across Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announces local grooming gangs inquiries after mounting pressure

Rachael Burford — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:08:45 GMT

The reviews will focus on the ‘cultural drivers’ of child sexual exploitation gangs and police forces will be asked to reopen "cold cases"

Met officer’s ‘disastrous’ claim may prevent 300 rogue police being sacked, force warns

Anthony France — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:08:41 GMT

Sergeant Lino Di Maria lost his vetting clearance after allegations of rape, domestic abuse and sex in public car parks

Former Pc cleared of rape found to have committed gross misconduct

Ben Mitchell — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:00:52 GMT

The 51-year-old has been placed on the College of Policing’s list of barred officers.

Six and a half years for abusive ‘monster’ whose partner took her own life

Pat Hurst — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:58:01 GMT

Ryan Wellings was convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault but acquitted of the manslaughter of Kiena Dawes.

What is drill music? The rap movement taking London by storm

Nuray Bulbul — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:50:12 GMT

Drill music has been around since the early 2010s and has become a dominant force in London’s urban music culture

Blue Origin launch: Jeff Bezos rivals Elon Musk in the billionaire space race ...Tech and Science Daily podcast

Rachelle Abbott and Mark Blunden — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:46:57 GMT

Who is Mike Amesbury, the Runcorn MP who admitted assault over street punch?

Nina Lloyd — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:46:21 GMT

Amesbury served in a number of frontbench positions between 2018 and 2023 under Sir Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn.

Nintendo Switch 2 officially revealed: everything we know about the new console

Andrew Williams and Saqib Shah — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:44:12 GMT

Excitement is growing in anticipation of the release of the upgraded gaming device, and its rumoured features and games

Home Secretary announces local reviews into grooming gangs

Aine Fox — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:44:00 GMT

Yvette Cooper addressed the House of Commons on Thursday.

Starmer says UK prepared to play a role in guaranteeing Ukrainian security

David Hughes — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:39:04 GMT

But Sir Keir said the current focus was on ensuring Ukraine was in a position of strength rather than any future peacekeeping mission.

Ministers and emergency services to hold national test of pandemic preparedness

David Lynch — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:38:59 GMT

Blue light services will join senior ministers in the first test of pandemic preparedness in nearly a decade.

Lammy urged by MPs to say when Government will recognise Palestinian state

Harry Taylor — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:29:48 GMT

Foreign Secretary faces repeated questions from MPs on when the UK will officially recognise Palestine

Elianne Andam’s parents vow knife crime and violence ‘will not go unanswered’

Emily Pennink — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:24:54 GMT

Hassan Sentamu, 18, has been found guilty of murdering the 15-year-old in 2023.

UK should ‘only’ host Trump visit if he ‘delivers’ on Ukraine says Sir Ed Davey

Caitlin Doherty — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:24:40 GMT

The Liberal Democrat leader described the idea of a state visit as ‘leverage’ the UK would have over the president-elect.

Elianne Andam: Teenager guilty of murdering schoolgirl in Croydon teddy bear row

Tristan Kirk — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:22:18 GMT

Hassan Sentamu was found guilty after an Old Bailey trial

'The real me is evil': Elianne Andam's killer Hassan Sentamu was troubled child with history of violence

Tristan Kirk — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:07:41 GMT

Teenager had a history of violence before he murdered schoolgirl in row over teddy bear

Teenager guilty of murdering schoolgirl Elianne Andam over teddy bear row

Emily Pennink — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:55:10 GMT

The popular schoolgirl was stabbed in the neck outside the Whitgift centre in Croydon, south-east London.

Conor McGregor ordered not to share CCTV footage relating to rape case

Cillian Sherlock — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:51:32 GMT

Nikita Hand was awarded damages and costs after a three-week civil trial last year.

Police offer £20,000 reward for information about 1994 Brixton murder

Tamara Davison — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:50:17 GMT

James Akinwande was just 18 when he was fatally stabbed in Brixton

Consultation over disability benefits reform was unlawful, High Court rules

Nina Massey — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:45:02 GMT

Ellen Clifford brought legal action against the Government, arguing that the process did not provide people with sufficient information.

King meets refugees on visit to food bank

Sarah Ward — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:44:28 GMT

Charles toured The Gate, a community resource in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, on Thursday.

‘Major issues’ with HS2, Holocaust memorial and nuclear subs, ministers warned

David Lynch — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:43:10 GMT

Some 27 of the 227 large-scale schemes the Government is overseeing appear to be unachievable, according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority

Israeli cabinet vote on Gaza ceasefire deal postponed as Netanyahu accuses Hamas of seeking 'to extort last minute concessions'

Michael Howie — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:37:05 GMT

Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 48 people over the past day

London flights to Tel Aviv resume after Gaza ceasefire agreement

Tamara Davison — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:35:17 GMT

Airlines and travel companies cautiously welcome news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel

London’s most controversial mayor? Inside the complex world of Lutfur Rahman: power struggles, corruption…and popularity

Rachael Burford — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:33:22 GMT

Struck off as a solicitor and once banned from standing in elections, Lutfur Rahman remains a divisive figure

Linda Nolan’s family ‘heartbroken’ by death of ‘inspirational’ singer

Charlotte McLaughlin — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:31:36 GMT

She died surrounded by her family.

Three London students in 'danger to health' cold and mouldy flat win £20,000 rent back from landlord

Nicholas Cecil — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:28:43 GMT

A residential property tribunal ruled in their favour after they sought a rent repayment order in the row over a £1.2 million flat near Hyde Park

Woolwich stabbing: Schoolboy Kelyan Bokassa, 14, killed on London bus was stabbed 27 times, court hears

Tristan Kirk — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:15:37 GMT

Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with murder after Kelyan Bokassa died from knife wounds on the Route 472 bus in Woolwich

Kemi Badenoch hits back at Nigel Farage and claims Rachel Reeves is 'woman problem' for Starmer

Nicholas Cecil — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:13:10 GMT

The Tory leader also admitted mistakes by the last Conservative governments over Brexit and immigration

Man who admitted threatening to kill his MP applies to change guilty plea

Tom Wilkinson — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:07:57 GMT

Benjamin Clarke, 31, was due to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court but his case was adjourned

Nearly 100 migrants rescued as more than 600 people cross Channel this year

Anahita Hossein-Pour — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:06:11 GMT

Some 215 people in four boats arrived in the UK on Wednesday, taking the total for the year so far to 603 people, according to Home Office data.

Schoolboy, 14, was stabbed about 27 times on London bus, court hears

Rosie Shead — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:03:28 GMT

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with the murder of Kelyan Bokassa in Woolwich.

I can’t control defections to Reform, says Findlay after councillor’s switch

Craig Meighan — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:02:22 GMT

The Scottish Conservative leader was speaking after Thomas Kerr, the leader of the Tories at Glasgow City Council, defected to Nigel Farage’s party.

Police hunt men with bolt cutters who stole £21k worth of designer bags from boutiques in London and Surrey

Anthony France — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:55:44 GMT

Detectives appeal for information after latest raid which has left retailers across the capital in fear

Ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin resume

Rebecca Black — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:49:42 GMT

Ferry berths at Holyhead were closed in early December following storm damage.

Private school run driving 27% increase in air pollution in south London, campaigners say

Tamara Davison — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:39:21 GMT

Studies point to a considerable increase in emissions when both state and private schools are open

Home Secretary threatened with legal action over grooming scandal

Flora Thompson — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:37:58 GMT

Maggie Oliver, a former detective who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in 2012, said she issued a pre-action letter to Yvette Cooper.

How to watch Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration in the UK

William Mata — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:37:00 GMT

BBC, Sky and ITV among broadcasters to annnounce plans for broadcasting event

Nintendo announces Switch 2 and confirms 2025 release

Saqib Shah — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:25:12 GMT

Nintendo has finally taken the wraps off its long-rumoured new console and a fresh Mario Kart game

The heartbreaking stories of the Hamas hostages

Katie Strick and Emma Loffhagen — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:13:21 GMT

After the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, there is renewed hope for the families of the nearly 100 hostages whose fate still remains unknown. Katie Strick tells some of their most powerful tales of survival

Woman arrested after pensioner’s death

Ryan McDougall — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:12:56 GMT

A 78-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene in South Lanarkshire on Wednesday night.

Lammy: There must be no back-tracking over Gaza ceasefire deal

Richard Wheeler — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:56:54 GMT

The Foreign Secretary has urged both Israel and Hamas to deliver on their commitments to help end the conflict.

Warning issued about commenting on trial of alleged Southport attacker

Eleanor Barlow — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:53:47 GMT

The Attorney General issued the warning for editors, publishers and social media users.

Mike Amesbury among Labour’s top 50 largest majorities at 2024 election

Ian Jones — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:43:34 GMT

He won Runcorn & Helsby with 53% of the vote, with Reform in second place on 18%.

Minister defends dropping Troubles law appeal amid Gerry Adams payout fears

Abbie Llewelyn — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:42:02 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the Government would look at ‘every conceivable way’ to stop these claimants receiving damages.

Swinney in apology to patients who have ‘unsatisfactory experience’ in hospital

Katrine Bussey — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:40:16 GMT

It comes after a report from the Royal College of Nursing warned of a ‘corridor care crisis’ across the NHS.

Judge wrong to order public inquiry into murder of GAA official, court told

David Young — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:39:02 GMT

The Government is challenging a High Court ruling that compelled it to establish a public inquiry into the killing of Sean Brown in 1997.

First by-election threat for Keir Starmer as 'punching' suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury faces jail

Nicholas Cecil — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:35:17 GMT

A judge warned the MP for Runcorn and Helsby that he was considering a prison sentence among the range of options for the assault offence

How to spot if a video is AI-generated: Top tips for identifying a deepfake

Patrick Grady — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:33:44 GMT

From R. Kelly to Justin Bieber - how to spot fake news in the age of AI-generated videos

Church of England clear-out needed following Makin Review, says ex-minister

Richard Wheeler — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:31:20 GMT

The Church of England’s Commons representative also said ‘those responsible must be held to account’.

Prison failed for rapper who reportedly glorified murdering boy, family say

Pol Allingham — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:30:46 GMT

Jake Fahri was given a life sentence in 2009 with a minimum term of 14 years for killing schoolboy Jimmy Mizen, 16.

MP calls for Stuart Hogg to be stripped of MBE after admitting domestic abuse

Rhiannon James — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:25:26 GMT

Hogg was sentenced to a community payback order with one year of supervision after he admitted abusing his estranged wife.

Spain cracks down on holiday rentals with new bans in 43 areas to tackle overtourism

Tamara Davison — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:17:56 GMT

New restrictions are geared toward curbing the number of holiday home rentals in the Costa del Sol

When is GTA 6 coming out? Release date, gameplay, trailer and platforms

Lola Christina Alao,William Mata,Andrew Williams and Saqib Shah — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:14:47 GMT

With the video game market on its knees and little information from its creators, can we really expect GTA 6 to launch this year?

Starmer: UK will ‘never let up’ on support for Ukraine

David Hughes — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:11:25 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Ukraine comes ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration and a potential push for a peace deal to end the war with Russia.

Starmer finds alleged spiking on parliamentary estate ‘incredibly concerning’

Helen Corbett — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:57:18 GMT

Parliamentary authorities have said they are treating the matter extremely seriously.

Rioter told he has ‘utterly wrecked his life’ as he is jailed for three years

Dave Higgens — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:56:48 GMT

John Webster, 41, was a ‘prominent participant’ in the confrontations between rioters and police outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Rotherham.

Who is attending Donald Trump's inauguration? And who is not going to welcome 47th president in Washington DC

William Mata — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:46:15 GMT

Michelle Obama not set to attend the event in Washington DC but former presidents are expected

Brothers accused of assaulting police at Manchester Airport appear in court

Kim Pilling — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:44:22 GMT

Footage of the incident was widely shared online.