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.

• Starmer tells Zelensky we cant lose focus on Ukraine despite Iran crisis

  Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to benefit from the Iran war, the Prime Minister told Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to the UK.

• Crowds in cities and towns across island of Ireland enjoy St Patricks Day

  Families and tourists thronged the streets in cities and towns across the island of Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, while reflecting on what it means to be Irish.

• King to host first state visit by Muslim leader during Ramadan for a century

  The King is preparing to host the first incoming state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in what is believed to be nearly 100 years.

• Rachel Reeves sets out plan for UK to align with more rules set in Brussels

  The UK should follow more of the European Union’s rules to boost trade and cut prices, Rachel Reeves has claimed.

• Meningitis outbreak Students in university halls in Kent to be offered vaccine

  Students in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine, Wes Streeting has said, as officials work to stem the spread of infection in an “unprecedented” outbreak.

• Meningitis B confirmed as strain behind outbreak that has left two dead

  Some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B, health officials have said, as hundreds of people are being urged to get antibiotics to stem the spread of infection.

• New checks for train passengers who buy tickets with railcard discounts

  Train passengers who buy tickets with railcard discounts will be required to pass additional checks as part of a Government crackdown on fare dodging.

• Black music makes up 80 of UK recorded music revenue over past three decades

  Black music has made up 80% of the UK’s recorded music revenue over the past three decades, new figures show.

• Cost of fixing all potholes on national disgrace roads estimated at 186bn

  The estimated cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has risen to a record £18.6 billion, according to a new report, which branded the situation “a national disgrace”.

• Meningitis outbreak Tribute paid to student who died as hundreds seek treatment

  Three schools have confirmed cases of meningitis after an outbreak killed two students and others were admitted to hospital

• Nursery worker jailed for raping and abusing young children

  A nursery worker who raped and abused young children in his care has been jailed for 24 years.

• Starmer says UK working with allies on viable plan to open Strait of Hormuz

  Sir Keir Starmer says he is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

• School pupil among two dead in meningitis outbreak

  A school pupil is the second person to have died following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent

• Donald Trump urges UK to send warships to help secure Strait of Hormuz

  The UK must send ships to help the US secure a key oil shipping route out of the Middle East, Donald Trump has said.

• Chancellor to intervene to ease soaring energy bills

  Rachel Reeves drawing up plans to help with spiralling costs as Iran war continues

• 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.