Author: Perwez Alam

Fashion retailer Quiz Clothing has entered administration for the third time, underlining the continuing strain on mid-market brands operating on the UK high street. The Glasgow-based company confirmed that administrators were appointed earlier this year, following a prolonged period of weak trading and rising operating costs. The move places further uncertainty over the future of the womenswear brand, which has traded for more than three decades and built a national presence through a mix of physical stores and online sales. While some stores are expected to continue trading during the administration process, the collapse represents another setback for a sector…

Parts of Aberdeen have been experiencing wintry conditions as snow and sleet affect the city and surrounding areas under ongoing weather warnings. The Met Office has issued alerts for snow and cold, contributing to travel disruption, postponements of sporting fixtures and challenging conditions on roads and railways across the north-east of Scotland. Snow showers and periods of sleet have fallen as a band of cold air moves over the region, creating slippery surfaces and prompting advisories for motorists, public transport users and residents to take extra care. The wintry spell sits within a broader trend of changing weather patterns this…

A light aircraft has crashed close to Littleborough in Greater Manchester, prompting a large emergency response and the closure of surrounding countryside while enquiries continue. Police said two people were believed to have been on board the aircraft at the time of the incident. Emergency services were called to land near Hollingworth Lake on Tuesday afternoon following reports that a small plane had come down in open terrain. Officers, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene, with specialist teams remaining in the area into the evening. Emergency response and safety cordon Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a cordon was put…

Morgan McSweeney, one of the most influential figures inside Downing Street, has come under growing scrutiny following the collapse of the government’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. The episode has raised wider questions about judgment, vetting and the concentration of power around Keir Starmer at a sensitive moment for the Labour government. McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, has not commented publicly on the controversy. However, his central role in senior appointments and strategy has placed him at the heart of a political storm that has reverberated across Westminster and revived…

Waseem Zaffar, a senior figure within Birmingham City Council, has died suddenly at the age of 44. His death was confirmed on Friday, prompting tributes from across the political spectrum and renewed reflection on his influence within local government and community life in the West Midlands. Zaffar, who represented the Balsall Heath West ward, had built a prominent profile within Birmingham’s Labour group and was regarded as one of the city’s most recognisable councillors. News of his death has been met with widespread shock among colleagues, residents and civic leaders, many of whom worked closely with him during a period…

Catherine O’Hara, the Canadian-American actor and comedian whose career bridged cult sketch comedy, Hollywood family favourites and one of television’s most acclaimed modern sitcoms, has died at the age of 71. Her death was confirmed on Friday, ending a career that reshaped screen comedy while retaining a rare warmth and humanity. O’Hara became a familiar presence to millions through films such as Home Alone and television’s Schitt’s Creek, but her influence ran far deeper than individual roles. Over five decades, she helped define ensemble comedy, proved that character work could be both broad and emotionally precise, and demonstrated that reinvention…

A fire near London’s Euston railway station caused widespread disruption to rail services on Wednesday, halting trains on the West Coast Main Line and leaving thousands of passengers facing delays and cancellations during one of the network’s busiest travel periods. Emergency services were called after smoke was reported close to the station, prompting an immediate response from the London Fire Brigade. As a precaution, rail operators suspended services in and out of Euston while safety checks were carried out, bringing long-distance routes linking London with the Midlands, north-west England and Scotland to a standstill. The incident affected multiple operators, including…

Jenna Meek, the co-founder and chief executive of UK beauty brand REFY, has stepped into the spotlight this season as a guest Dragon on Dragons’ Den, marking a significant moment in both her career and the long-running BBC investment series. At 33, Meek represents a new generation of British founders whose success has been forged through digital branding, social engagement and global retail expansion, a shift that Dragons’ Den appears keen to embrace amid changing entrepreneurial landscapes. Early Ambitions and Entrepreneurial Roots Meek’s path into business began long before her television debut. Born and raised in the North of England,…

Bank holidays in 2026 will once again play a defining role in how the UK organises work, travel and public life. While the dates themselves follow a familiar pattern, their wider impact reaches far beyond long weekends. From staffing decisions and payroll planning to congestion on motorways and pressure on public services, the bank holiday calendar remains a key structural feature of the UK year. The official schedule for 2026 has been confirmed by the UK Government, providing businesses and households with certainty as they plan ahead. Although no additional one-off holidays have been announced, the established dates carry measurable…

Tom Skinner has formally joined Reform UK, aligning himself with the party led by Nigel Farage as it continues to build momentum ahead of the next general election. The move was confirmed through a widely shared social media post showing Skinner and Farage together, accompanied by a caption referencing Skinner’s well-known catchphrase. The announcement marks a clear shift from informal political commentary to formal party affiliation for Skinner, who rose to national prominence as a contestant on The Apprentice and has since built a large following online. His decision comes at a time when Reform UK is actively seeking to…