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.

• Putin proposes direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions

  Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, “without preconditions”.

• European leaders have discussed peace efforts in Ukraine with US President Donald Trump

  Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken with Donald Trump about “peace efforts” in Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s foreign minister.

• Starmer to join European leaders in Kyiv for coalition of the willing talks

  Sir Keir Starmer will join European leaders in Kyiv on Saturday for further talks on the so-called “coalition of the willing”.

• Public warned against buying hay fever jabs online

  Pharmacists are warning the public against buying unlicensed hay fever jabs online.

• Weight loss jabs could help cut alcohol consumption study suggests

  Weight loss jabs could help slash alcohol intake in obese people by around two thirds, according to a study.

• King approves new Great Seal of the Realm for signifying royal approval

  The King has approved a new symbol of sovereign authority which depicts him seated on a throne.

• Pakistan says retaliatory attacks targeting India

  Pakistan has said retaliatory attacks are underway after India fired missiles at three air bases inside Pakistan.

• Henry Pollock vows to be himself as Lions pick sparks comparison to Luke Littler

  Henry Pollock has vowed to stay true to himself in Australia this summer with his British and Irish Lions team-mate Alex Mitchell comparing his rise to that of darts star Luke Littler.

• Relaxing lottery rules in NI would hand charities multimillion funding boost

  Assembly members have been urged to back a law change that supporters claim would deliver a multimillion-pound windfall for charities in the region.

• Teacher given 12 year jail term for brutal and frenzied knife attack

  A teacher who brutally stabbed another teacher after failing to accept their on-off relationship was over has been jailed for 12 years.

• Bargain Hunt expert admits failing to report art sales to Hezbollah financier

  A BBC Bargain Hunt art expert has admitted failing to report a series of high-value art sales to a man suspected of financing militant group Hezbollah.

• Ex friends who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree face lengthy jail terms

  Two former friends are facing lengthy jail sentences after they were convicted of cutting down the beloved Sycamore Gap tree in an act of “mindless thuggery”.

• Energy suppliers pay out 7m after overcharging 34000 customers

  Ten energy suppliers have paid out around £7 million in compensation and refunds after an error led to some customers being overcharged, the energy watchdog has said.

• NHS trusts cut frontline clinical jobs and axe services to balance the books

  NHS trusts are cutting frontline clinical jobs and axing patient services to balance the books, health leaders have warned.

• UK announces fresh wave of Russia sanctions ahead of military coalition meeting

  Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a fresh wave of sanctions on Russia as he said the UK will “do everything in our power to destroy” President Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet.

• Small but positive rise in retail footfall as sunny April encourages shoppers

  Retailers have seen a “small but positive” increase in shoppers as the sunniest April on record enticed consumers into stores, figures suggest.

• Royal Mint to launch stylish coins celebrating 150 years of Liberty

  Coins celebrating 150 years of the emporium Liberty sitting at the heart of artistic innovation and craftsmanship have been unveiled by the Royal Mint.

• Zombie knife attacker found guilty of attempted murder at Notting Hill Carnival

  A zombie-knife attacker has been found guilty of slashing a man at Notting Hill Carnival.

• Woman accused of having illegal abortion found not guilty

  A woman has been found not guilty of having an illegal abortion during the second coronavirus lockdown.

• Starmer and Trump hail historic day as UK and US agree trade deal

  The conclusion of a US-UK trade agreement is a “fantastic, historic day”, Sir Keir Starmer has said as he and Donald Trump formally announced the deal.

• Tracker mortgage holders could save nearly 350 a year following rate cut

  The average homeowner on a tracker mortgage will see their monthly repayments fall by nearly £29, after the quarter-point snip to the Bank of England base rate.

• David Beckham and Gary Neville part of new ownership group at Salford

  David Beckham and Gary Neville are part of a new ownership group at League Two club Salford.

• Barry Keoghan visited Ringo Starr to study him for upcoming Beatles biopics

  Irish film star Barry Keoghan has said he met Sir Ringo Starr to study him ahead of the new Beatles films.

• Bank cuts interest rates to 425 as tariff tensions dampen growth

  The Bank of England has cut interest rates to its lowest level for two years as it warned that an escalating global trade war will drag on growth over the next three years.

• Temperatures remain above 15C threshold after second hottest April on record

  Last month was the second hottest April on record with world temperatures remaining above the key 1.5C threshold for global warming, scientists have said.