National News

Here are the latest stories from the team at Radio News Hub. The links will open in a new page and take you to their website.

• Andrew and Lord Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Jeffrey Epstein

  Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson have been pictured in bathrobes alongside paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

• UK economy flatlines unexpectedly in January

  The UK economy unexpectedly stalled in January following meagre growth at the end of last year, official figures have shown, amid fears Britain is heading for a hit from the Iran conflict as prices are sent soaring.

• VIP donor with ultra rare blood says she feels honoured to help sick patients

  A woman whose blood is so rare that it can be frozen for up to three decades every time she donates has said she feels “very special and honoured” to be able to help sick patients.

• Edinburgh International Festival to mark 250 years of American independence

  This year’s Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) “will confront complexity with curiosity and openness” as it marks 250 years of American independence, its director has said.

• MPs to look at fairness of student loans system

  MPs will examine the fairness of student loans repayment in a new inquiry following increasing debate over the system.

• NHS trusts face perilous financial situation with deficit of 780m last year

  Many organisations in the health service face a “perilous” financial situation, with analysis finding that NHS trusts ran a deficit of more that three quarters of a billion pounds last year.

• CPS loses appeal over Kneecap rapper terror case

  Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh will not face a terror trial after judges at the High Court rejected a Crown Prosecution Service appeal against the decision to throw out the case.

• Starmer warned of reputational risk over Mandelsons links to Epstein

  Sir Keir Starmer was warned there was a “general reputational risk” over Lord Peter Mandelson’s relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein before giving him the role of ambassador to the US.

• Some train services resume at Glasgow Central station after fire

  Some train services at Glasgow Central have resumed after a weekend fire devastated an adjacent building, but the main part of the station will remain shut for the rest of the week.

• First tranche of Mandelson papers set to be published

  Downing Street could begin releasing documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington today, reports have suggested.

• Cooper speaks to Rubio as US threatens most intense day of Iran war

  The Foreign Secretary has emphasised “close co-ordination” on Middle Eastern security in a call with her US counterpart as Washington threatened its “most intense day” of strikes on Iran.

• Wet start to year causes surge in drivers hitting potholes hidden by puddles

  Heavy rain at the start of the year caused a spike in drivers hitting potholes hidden in puddles, new figures suggest.

• Older people concerned about climate change with just 58 dismissive study

  Just one in 17 older people are dismissive of climate change, with the majority of over-50s viewing it as a serious risk, a study suggests.

• Love Island star says cancer linked pregnancy drug has impacted his health

  A former Love Island contestant has become the first man to speak out about how a cancer-linked pregnancy drug taken by his grandmother in the 1970s has impacted his own health.

• MPs vote to reject social media ban for under 16s

  A ban on social media for under-16s has been rejected by MPs.

• Glasgow Central likely to remain closed for second day after building fire

  Glasgow Central station is likely to remain closed for at least two days after a devastating fire which tore through a neighbouring building, causing major travel disruption.

• Time running out to rescue forgotten forests under plantations charity warns

  England is “running out of time” to rescue nature-rich ancient woodlands buried under 20th century tree plantations, conservationists have warned.

• Gender affirming hormone treatment for children halted by NHS

  Gender-affirming hormone treatment for 16 and 17-year-olds has been paused after an NHS review found evidence does not support its continued use.

• Travel disruption to continue after huge fire near Glasgow Central station

  Travel disruption is expected to last throughout Monday after a fire broke in a building adjacent to Glasgow Central railway station.

• Son to succeed assassinated Iranian leader

  Mojtaba Khamenei will take over from Ayatolla Ali Khamenei

• Lindsey Vonn stable after Olympic dream ends in heartbreak

  Lindsey Vonn is reported to be in a “stable condition” after her fairytale Olympic comeback ended with her being airlifted to hospital following a crash in the women’s downhill in Cortina.

• FA Cup shock as Port Vale take down Sunderland

  Bottom of League One Staffordshire side knock-out Premier League side with 1-0 home win

• Relieved family reunions at Dublin Airport as chartered flight lands

  There were relieved family reunions at Dublin Airport after the Irish Government’s first chartered flight from the Middle East touched down.

• George Russell emerges from early chaos to win Australian Grand Prix

  George Russell overcame a chaotic start to Formula One’s new era to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and lay down a significant maker in his world championship bid.

• US bomber lands in UK as Iran war enters eighth day

  Armed Forces chief rejects that military was unprepared for Iran war