British actor Michael Keating, who appeared in Blake’s 7 and EastEnders, has passed away aged 79. On 21 May, it was announced of his death, and a flood of tributes poured in from fans, colleagues and members of the British television industry. A recurring face to generations of viewers was that of Vila Restal (voiced by Keating) in the cult BBC science fiction TV series Blake’s 7 (1978–1981). Known for his wit, reticent rebellious spirit and ability to pick locks, his character became one of the most popular characters in the show. Notably, only one of the main cast members, Keating,…
Author: Editor Adeel
A major new high-speed rail project called HS2 is meant to change how people travel across England. It is one of the biggest rail investments the UK has ever tried to build. The plan is to link London, Birmingham, Manchester, and the north with a fast train that can run at up to 225 miles per hour on parts of the network. HS2 was first approved more than a decade ago to cut travel times and help the north of England grow. The idea was to ease crowding on existing lines and give people a quicker journey between big cities. The…
National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is giving a boost to Premium Bonds holders by increasing the prize fund rate in July. The rate will rise from 3.8% for each 1000 euro investment. This means NS&I will pay out 38 euros in prizes for every 1000 euros of bonds, up from 33 euros. The change will take effect from the July prize draw. It comes after a series of cuts earlier in the year, when the prize fund rate was reduced in July. The new rate is the first rise in over two and a half years and will apply to all…
Furniture giants Airsprung are in administration after facing increasing cashflow problems and poor trading conditions at more than 70 of their historic British beds and mattresses are at risk of being lost. The company, based in Wiltshire, which has been in operation for approximately 150 years, said it had appointed administrators from PwC UK to both Airsprung Group plc and Airsprung Furniture Limited on 1 May 2026. Based in Trowbridge, the company has long been regarded as one of the most famous bed and mattress makers in Britain.The company has suffered from difficult years in the market, and financial pressures…
British shoppers have once again been caught by Aldi, this time with the introduction of its new fruit offering, the sweeter blackberries, which promise to be better in taste and quality at a price that is affordable. The berries have been brought in by the supermarket, which has continued to make the fresh produce lines, with a low cost to the customers.The sweeter blackberries are currently being sold as a high-quality and low-cost substitute for the regular varieties. As Aldi claims, the berries have been selectively picked and grown to provide an improved amount of sugar in a naturally higher…
UK households now mix TV time with phone use more than ever. A growing trend called “dual-screen behaviour” sees Brits holding a smartphone while watching telly. This habit has surged as streaming apps and social media pull attention away from the big screen. People started splitting screens years ago. Back in 2012, studies showed over half of viewers went online 2-3 times a week during live TV. By 2019, a quarter of young Brits streamed on phones right next to family TV time. Fast forward to 2023, and 72% of UK adults grab their phones every time they switch on the…
The increasing fuel price and the possible strain on supplies are concerns raised by low-cost airline easyJet as the wider jet fuel crisis starts to affect the airline industry in Europe. Although the airline has assured the passengers that its operations are not under threat of shortage immediately, the situation is still volatile with the global geopolitical tensions.This problem is mostly because Iran is in the midst of a conflict that has disrupted global oil and led to a high surge in the prices of jet fuel. The shutdown of major shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz that transports…
The state pension triple lock system in the UK has taken centre stage once again, with several million pensioners being reported as getting a significant increase in their payments starting in April 2026. Although the policy still safeguards retirees against an increase in the cost of living, there is a rising concern about its long-term affordability and unintended financial effects.The triple lock will ensure that the state pension is raised annually by the greatest of three factors: inflation, average wage growth or 2.5. In 2026, pensions will have increased by 4.8 per cent, due to high wage inflation, raising the…
The official takeover of Virgin Money by the Nationwide Building Society is a significant milestone in the UK banking industry and the redesign of the new high street financial landscape.The deal was closed out on 2 April 2026, after the High Court gave it the green light in February. It is a legal process that officially transfers the whole banking business of Virgin Money to Nationwide in a legal procedure called the Part VII banking transfer scheme.The takeover itself was initially declared in 2024 as part of a 2.9 billion acquisition, to form a large, mutually owned full-service banking group…
London, April 3, 2026: With the UK celebrating Good Friday, the number of shoppers on the move to make last-minute purchases during the Easter holiday is increasing, but there is confusion about whether shops are open on this bank holiday.Although it is a public bank holiday in the UK, the positive news as a shopper is that most of the stores are still open today. Supermarkets, high street stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores are mostly running as usual, albeit with a few having reduced hours.Supermarkets and retail chains like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury are usually open early in the morning…