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.

• Solution identified to prevent early release of Pc Andrew Harpers killers

  Pc Andrew Harper’s killers will not walk free early after Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged the Justice Secretary to “work through further options” to stop their release, a minister has suggested.

• Drinking and driving peaks in August as temptation rises analysis

  August is the worst month of the year for drink-drive crashes as summer events create “more opportunities” to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, according to new research.

• Burnham to scrap Blair era rule in crackdown on new betting and vape shops

  Andy Burnham has pledged to give councils more powers to block new bookmakers and vape shops in a bid to save Britain’s “hollowed-out high streets”.

• Heat health alerts coming into force as UK braces for fifth heatwave

  Heat health alerts are to come into force as the UK braces for the fifth heatwave of the year, with almost three-quarters of England in drought.

• Injuries and serious damage as powerful earthquake shakes Colombia and Ecuador

  A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, shaking the South American nation and neighbouring Ecuador and prompting people to evacuate homes and buildings.

• Government condemns smugglers after record 230 migrants arrive in single boat

  The Government has condemned the “reckless and dangerous” tactics used by people smugglers after a record 230 migrants arrived after crossing the Channel to the UK in a single boat.

• Half of learner drivers wait more than four months for a test at 60 sites

  Half of learner drivers are being forced to wait more than four months between booking and taking a test at dozens of locations across Britain.

• Lucy Powell vows to tackle Neets crisis as thousands to get no results this week

  The Education Secretary has vowed to answer the “clarion call” of the Neets crisis, as more than 50,000 teenagers will not be receiving results this week.

• Andy Burnham faces choice on drilling as North Sea consultation closes

  Burnham faces pressure over North Sea oil and gas as a decision on allowing new drilling moves closer.

• Enzo Maresca expects Rodri back in Manchester next week amid transfer rumours

  Enzo Maresca has said Rodri is due back with Manchester City next week amid continuing speculation over the Spain midfielder’s future.

• Irish Government jet involved in Daniel Kinahan extradition lands in Ireland

  The Irish Government jet involved in the extradition of alleged gangland figure Daniel Kinahan from Dubai has landed in Ireland.

• Irish Government jet flying extradited Daniel Kinahan to Dublin

  An Irish Government jet has left Dubai for Dublin, amid the extradition of alleged gangland figure Daniel Kinahan.

• UK economy set for another quarter of growth as big picture shows resilience

  The UK economy is expected to have recorded another quarter of growth as businesses find ways to cope with the fallout of the Iran war, but some industries are coming under increasing pressure, economists think.

• FIFA accuses critics of trying to undermine Gianni Infantino amid allegations

  FIFA has hit out at “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the governing body and president Gianni Infantino over claims surrounding his conduct at UEFA.

• Whitney Houston honoured with new Barbie doll

  Barbie has honoured the late Whitney Houston with her very own doll.

• Burnham to kick off national tour to hear cost of living concerns

  Andy Burnham will kick off a national tour this week to ask the public how the Government can improve their lives.

• Wes Streeting Ive experienced more homophobia than ever in past three weeks

  Wes Streeting said he has experienced more online homophobia since becoming Defence Secretary than in his entire previous career.

• Badenoch demands rigorous enforcement after litany of failures in Levy case

  The case of a serial sex attacker left free to murder two women is “symptomatic of the litany of failures” in the criminal justice system, Kemi Badenoch has said.

• 12 year old girls death raises Thai school shooting toll to eight

  A schoolgirl has died from her injuries after a pupil opened fire at a high school and his home outside Bangkok the day before, bringing the death toll from the attack to at least eight people

• Police probing Widdecombe death reopen inquiry into firebomb at Farages home

  Reports in today's Daily Telegraph say counter-terror officers are looking again at an attack on the Reform leader's address in South London

• Edinburgh festivals send clear message Scotland is a welcoming country

  Edinburgh’s festivals are sending a clear message that Scotland is an open and welcoming country, the Deputy First Minister said.

• Wasted medicines could fill 75 swimming pools

  Wasted medicines thrown away in England in just one year could fill 75 swimming pools, pharmacies have said.

• Burnham It is insane UK has not hosted World Cup since 1966

  Andy Burnham has said it is “insane” that the UK has only hosted one World Cup, as he said Fifa and Uefa have conspired against the home nations hosting their first men’s tournament since 1966.

• Sex predator left free to kill twice before being brought to justice

  A serial sex attacker left free to kill due to a string of police and court blunders could face a whole life jail term after being found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third.

• Ivan Toney charged with nightclub assault

  England footballer Ivan Toney has been charged with assault following an incident at a nightclub in Soho.