World Give has launched a Staffordshire appeal asking residents to fill shoeboxes with gifts for children who might otherwise go without a Christmas present. Schools and local charities will identify families and distribute the boxes discreetly.
Key Facts
Residents can collect empty shoeboxes from participating supermarkets, fill them with gifts and return them for distribution.
World Give says it has helped more than 100,000 children around the world over the past 20 years.
The charity is focusing this year’s appeal on children and families in Staffordshire.
World Give trustee Adam Contoret said schools and charities are well placed to identify families who could benefit.
A Family Action survey of 2,000 parents and carers found one in five had considered cancelling Christmas because of costs.
The survey found one in nine respondents could not afford a Christmas present for their child.
Local students suggested including practical items such as stationery alongside gifts.
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Russia and Ukraine accused each other of cyberattacks on emergency alert systems as a ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region expired on Sunday. The incidents came amid reports of Russian strikes in the Odesa region and emergency power cuts in Kyiv and the surrounding area.
Key Facts
Russia’s emergencies ministry said hackers posted false information on its public warning app on Monday.
Ukraine said it suspected its air raid alert system had been compromised after false alerts warned of a radiation threat.
The ceasefire in Kherson region ended on Sunday after Russia declined to extend it, according to Kyiv.
Russia’s state statistics service said cyberattacks targeted it from October 29 to November 1, but no data was compromised, Interfax reported.
Russia’s defence ministry said it struck a military facility in Ukraine’s Odesa region and a cargo vessel it described as being used for military purposes.
An official in Odesa said a Russian attack injured four people.
Emergency power cuts took effect in Kyiv and the surrounding region on orders from grid operator Ukrenergo, energy provider DTEK said.
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Danielle Brown, 31, says she was sent home from Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after doctors found that her baby, Maisie, had died. She gave birth two days later, after being told to call to book an appointment; Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust accepted that aspects of her care fell short and apologized.
Key Facts
Brown was seven months pregnant in February 2023 when she became unwell with symptoms that can indicate pre-eclampsia.
At Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, staff found problems with the baby’s heart rate and arranged an ambulance transfer to Newcastle for an emergency caesarean.
After the transfer to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Brown says she was admitted but discharged the next day.
Brown returned to hospital within 24 hours and doctors could not find the baby’s heartbeat.
Brown says staff sent her home after the stillbirth diagnosis and told her to call on Friday to book a time to return and give birth.
Two days later, Brown gave birth to Maisie after 10 hours in labour.
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust said aspects of the care it provided fell short and offered an apology.
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South Wales Police carried out early-morning raids in several locations as part of Operation Grebe, targeting illegal e-bike use and suspected links to drug dealing and organised crime. Police said the operation also aims to identify children and adults at risk of criminal exploitation and disrupt criminal finances.
Key Facts
Police found amphetamines, cannabis, suspected cocaine, cash and weapons during the raids.
The operation included raids in Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff, Pontypridd and Swansea.
South Wales Police said e-bikes may help offenders avoid police and take part in drug supply and other organised crime.
Supt Emma Fox said police were concerned about children being exploited by criminals to use e-bikes.
Police are using tools including drones and police e-motorbikes to address e-bike-related crime.
Surrey Police seized 136 e-bikes this year, compared with 127 in 2025.
Criminology lecturer Timothy Holmes said e-bikes are manoeuvrable and fast, making them useful to criminals.
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BBC Panorama follows Samira, an Iranian mother seeking justice after her teenage daughter, Sevda, was shot dead while protesting near Tehran. The report describes a year of protests, crackdowns and war that has disrupted the lives of ordinary Iranians.
Key Facts
Samira is seeking justice for her daughter, Sevda.
Sevda was a teenager.
Sevda was shot dead while protesting on the outskirts of Tehran.
The BBC Panorama report follows Samira's response to her daughter's death.
The article describes a year marked by protests, crackdowns and war in Iran.
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Samira says Iranian security forces shot and killed her 16-year-old daughter, Sevda, during protests near Tehran on 9 January. Now living in hiding abroad after escaping Iran, she is seeking accountability and says authorities harassed her while she searched for her daughter's body.
Key Facts
Sevda was killed during demonstrations near Tehran on 9 January, according to the BBC report.
Samira says she and Sevda were taking part in the protests when security forces shot her daughter.
The protests began the previous month amid economic discontent and grew to include calls to end Iran's Islamic Republic.
Samira says Sevda admired Mahsa Amini and Nika Shakarami, two young women whose deaths became associated with earlier protests in Iran.
Samira says she escaped Iran on foot through mountainous terrain and now lives in hiding abroad.
She is seeking to identify security personnel and officials she believes were responsible for the fatal shots.
Iran's embassy in London said protests had been hijacked by foreign powers, including the United States, and accused them of promoting violence and compromising public security.
The article says U.S. and Israeli air strikes later killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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NHS England will introduce a paediatric early warning system in A&E departments across England this winter. The system scores children’s vital signs to help staff identify deterioration and decide when to escalate care, while preserving professional judgment and concerns raised by children and families.
Key Facts
The national paediatric early warning system, or Pews, assesses signs including blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels and consciousness.
The A&E rollout will make Pews the world’s largest standardised scoring system, according to NHS England.
Pews uses age-appropriate charts for babies, children and young people.
A high score can alert staff to a child’s deterioration, but a low score does not prevent concerns from triggering an escalation of care.
More than 6 million children attend A&E in England each year.
More than 90 hospitals in England already use the inpatient Pews system.
NHS England says data from hospitals using inpatient Pews show consistently lower rates of cardiac arrests among their patients.
NHS England is separately developing urgent standards for children’s A&E care, with eliminating corridor care for children listed as a priority.
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A poll by Israeli social research group aChord found that half of respondents favored changing West Bank settlement and construction policy to avoid stronger sanctions and international isolation. The UK trade ban had no detectable net effect on how Netanyahu-bloc supporters voted, though many respondents said they would oppose continuing the policy if sanctions caused personal financial costs.
Key Facts
The poll found that 76% of respondents had heard of the UK announcement on settlements; 18% had heard only the broad headline.
Among respondents aware of the announcement, four-fifths knew it applied to the West Bank, not all of Israel.
Three-quarters of Netanyahu-bloc supporters said UK sanctions and trade-ban policies did not affect their vote.
Seventy-one percent of Change-bloc voters said Israel should adjust its settlements policy to avoid escalating sanctions, compared with 14% of Netanyahu-bloc voters.
Overall, 50% said West Bank settlement and construction policy should change to avoid sanctions and international isolation.
Relations with Western countries mattered to 60% of Change-bloc supporters and 30% of Netanyahu-bloc supporters when deciding how to vote.
Only 36% of all respondents supported continuing settlement policy if sanctions led to higher interest rates or difficulty transferring money or using credit cards abroad.
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Israel’s election left no bloc with a clear majority, giving Arab parties a potential role in deciding who forms the next government. Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said his coalition may help an opposition government replace Benjamin Netanyahu’s government from outside, but will not join a coalition while Israel occupies the West Bank.
Key Facts
Netanyahu’s coalition fell from 68 seats to 53 in the 120-seat Knesset.
The Change bloc, led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats.
Arab parties won 19 seats, including 11 for the Joint List and eight for Ra’am.
Turnout among Arab Israelis rose to about 80%, more than doubling, according to the article.
Jabareen said the Joint List could support an opposition government through tactical votes in the Knesset.
Eisenkot has set conditions for any coalition partnership with Arab parties, including recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and denouncing Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas has signalled willingness to join an Eisenkot-led coalition.
President Isaac Herzog is due to consult political leaders about who should get the first chance to form a government.
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An independent UK review urges the government to regulate counsellors and psychotherapists by law, saying the current voluntary system leaves the public exposed to misconduct. The report says statutory regulation could improve oversight and help make use of practitioners’ spare capacity amid long waits for mental health care.
Key Facts
The professional bodies representing counsellors and psychotherapists are calling for statutory regulation for the first time.
In the UK, the titles “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are not legally protected, and the professions are not statutorily regulated.
The report says people can use these titles without qualifications and may continue practising after misconduct under the current system.
The review estimates that about 1.8 million people are waiting for mental health treatment.
The report estimates practitioners’ extra capacity could provide more than 370,000 additional therapy appointment hours each week.
Ella Janneh, who won a civil case against her therapist for rape and sexual assault in 2024, supports statutory regulation; the report says her therapist can still practise.
The report says the UK government opposed statutory regulation in 2011.
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A UK parliamentary committee says the government has failed to deliver a consistent China strategy since taking office in 2024, leaving businesses uncertain and exposing the country to unmanaged risks. It warns that the UK could be pulled between Washington and Beijing or lose access to EU trade if it does not set clear policies on investment and competition.
Key Facts
The Commons business, innovation, science and trade committee said the government had not delivered the long-term China approach it promised in 2024.
Committee chair Liam Byrne said uncertainty was making it harder for British businesses to plan and could put trade with the EU at risk.
The report said trade with China brings benefits, including profitable business operations and access to low-cost imports and innovation.
The committee cited the March decision to block Chinese company Ming Yang from building a £1.5bn wind energy plant in Scotland over unspecified security concerns.
The report also described the emergency takeover of British Steel from its Chinese owners as reactive and opaque.
The committee called for a China strategy with clearer rules, including a proposed ‘red zone’ barring Chinese investment in some industries and a ‘green zone’ encouraging trade.
The report urged officials to prepare trade remedies, including possible tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and said the government should consider aligning with EU measures.
The EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and is considering further trade measures, according to the article.
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Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first elected female president. Her victory is described as reinforcing Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s political direction, including calls for dialogue with Moscow and opposition to military aid for Ukraine.
Key Facts
Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff.
Iotova became Bulgaria’s first elected female president.
The article says her victory reinforces Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s political direction.
Radev has called for dialogue with Moscow.
Radev opposes military aid for Ukraine.
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Victoria’s judicial watchdog found that magistrate Vicky Prapas made several inappropriate remarks and intimidated legal practitioners who considered making complaints. The commission referred the main complaint to Chief Magistrate Lisa Hannan and recommended counseling, review of conduct guidelines, and an educational event for Prapas.
Key Facts
The investigation began after Victoria Legal Aid complained about Prapas’ work in a Melbourne drug court.
Prapas told a court user, “I want to slap you around a bit, too.”
The commission found that Prapas made threatening or intimidating remarks to legal practitioners who proposed making or supporting complaints against her.
The commission described the conduct as a pattern of victimisation.
One inappropriate comment was made in front of a school group.
Prapas acknowledged that some of her conduct was unfiltered and intemperate, and said she had taken steps to communicate more respectfully.
The watchdog could not substantiate some allegations, including a claim of cultural insensitivity.
The commission said drug court discussions may be open and frank, but court users must still receive civility and respect.
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China’s state broadcaster CCTV did not air Real Madrid’s Sunday match after Kylian Mbappé’s joke about Mao Zedong triggered backlash in China. Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga apologized, and China Media Group acknowledged the apologies but did not say when broadcasts would resume.
Key Facts
Mbappé said a meme depicting his face over an image of Mao was the one that made him laugh most.
Mbappé later called his comment ill-judged and said he understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.
China Media Group, CCTV’s parent organization, had announced a suspension of La Liga broadcasts after the incident.
China Media Group had demanded apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga before moving past the incident.
China’s foreign ministry said it took Mbappé’s apology seriously.
CCTV did not air Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Racing Santander on Sunday.
China previously stopped airing NBA games for a year starting in October 2019 after Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey posted in support of Hong Kong protesters.
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Darwin angler Matthew Maurice won the A$1 million top prize in the Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition after catching a tagged barramundi during a night fishing trip with his brother. He said he plans to use the money carefully, including possibly buying a house and paying off debts.
Key Facts
Maurice is 26 and lives in Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory.
He caught an 80-centimetre barramundi less than a kilometre from a boat ramp.
A bright red tag on the fish showed it was part of the Million Dollar Fish competition.
Maurice learned after submitting his catch that its tag carried the A$1 million prize.
The competition released 100 fish worth A$10,000 each, along with one fish carrying the top prize.
Maurice is the second person to win the top prize in the competition’s 12-year history.
The competition runs until 31 March 2027, and 96 tagged barramundi worth A$10,000 each remain unclaimed.
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King Charles III was caught in a heavy downpour during Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Day celebrations on Sunday. Queen Camilla was given an umbrella, while the King was seen gesturing for one.
Key Facts
The rain interrupted Independence Day celebrations in Antigua and Barbuda.
King Charles III was left drenched and did not have an umbrella at first.
Queen Camilla was quickly given an umbrella when the rain began.
The King was seen gesturing to be given an umbrella.
The article was published under the Latin America subsection.
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Karl Bushby has returned to his home in northern England after a 28-year journey on foot. He began the Goliath Expedition at age 29 and traveled across South and North America, Asia and Europe.
Key Facts
Bushby was 29 when he started the Goliath Expedition.
The expedition lasted 28 years.
Bushby spent more than 10,000 days on the move.
His route crossed South America and North America.
His route also crossed Asia and Europe.
Bushby has returned home to northern England.
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The article reviews stories featured on the front pages of UK newspapers. Topics include a possible UK-EU deal involving university study, proposals on youth unemployment and pensions, and reports about crime, politics and international affairs.
Key Facts
The Guardian reports on a possible £450 million plan to subsidise university study in the UK for EU students in exchange for access to a trade deal.
The Daily Mirror reports that Henry Nowak’s family have spoken publicly about learning that the 18-year-old had been murdered.
The Times says a review of youth unemployment will recommend a local participation system with a “tough love” approach.
The i Paper reports polling that found no longer a majority of voters support the state pension triple lock.
The Metro reports that a gang accused of tampering with Oyster card machines to steal from travellers has been arrested.
The Financial Times reports on losses for investors amid a prolonged sell-off in riskier parts of the global junk-debt market.
The Independent reports that Russia is increasing its disinformation campaign against Britain as the UK supports Ukraine.
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Ukraine’s Air Force said its nationwide air-raid alert app sent false warnings on Sunday, including claims of nuclear and chemical threats and a Russian missile launch. Ukrainian officials blamed Russia for the incident, while Russia’s Emergencies Ministry later said its own mobile app had also been hit by a cyberattack that spread false information.
Key Facts
The Ukrainian Air Force said the air-raid alert app appeared to have been affected by an enemy action.
False messages warned of nuclear and chemical threats near Kyiv and possible street fighting.
One erroneous alert said Russia had deployed its Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications blamed Russia for the hack in a post on X.
Kyiv authorities said the separate air-alert app for the capital was working normally.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said a cyberattack on its mobile app caused false information to spread.
A local ceasefire in the Kherson region ended on Sunday after beginning on Tuesday.
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More than 40,000 volunteers helped build 108 Buddhist stupas along a riverbank near the planned Gelephu Mindfulness City in southern Bhutan. The king and officials say the city aims to attract investment and strengthen the economy as Bhutan faces unemployment and the migration of skilled workers.
Key Facts
The 15-metre-tall stupas were installed along 12 kilometres of riverbank near the Indian border.
About 200,000 people attended the ceremony, according to officials.
The number 108 has religious significance in Buddhism, which is widely practised in Bhutan.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck established the special zone by royal charter in 2024.
The city plan seeks investment in areas including sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism and financial services.
Gelephu is currently a town of about 10,000 people, roughly 240 kilometres south of the capital, Thimphu.
The project is planned to connect to India's rail network in Assam, and an international airport is slated to open in 2029.
Bhutan plans to use digital assets to support the city and mines Bitcoin using surplus hydropower.
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