On January 24, 1965, Great Britain lost a beloved leader, Sir Winston Churchill, who passed away at the age of 90. Despite not being a member of the Royal Family, Churchill received a grand state funeral and was venerated by many as the prime minister who led Britain to victory against the Nazis in World War II. Today, more than 60 years later, Churchill's legacy continues to endure, as evidenced by his consistent ranking as the "Greatest Briton" in surveys.
Sir Winston Churchill, the British prime minister who famously declared that Britain would never surrender to Nazi Germany during World War Two, passed away 60 years ago at the age of 90. Despite how much the world has changed since then, his legacy still looms large and he is honored at the place of his birth, Blenheim Palace. The UNESCO World Heritage site recently unveiled a statue in his honor, further cementing his connection to his ancestral home.
Susanna Reid, host of Good Morning Britain, interrupted the show to announce the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showing a drop in inflation rates to 2.5%, although it remains above the Bank of England's target. This comes at a time of increasing pressure on the public finances due to rising government borrowing costs. Correspondent Jonathan Swain joins from a butcher's in Staffordshire, revealing the impact of high food prices on inflation.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet, claiming the lives of at least 53 people and injuring dozens more. News of the disaster broke during a live broadcast of Good Morning Britain, prompting presenter Ranvir Singh to provide an urgent update. The earthquake originated near the holy city of Shigatse and was felt in several neighboring countries. The region's susceptibility to seismic activity, due to its location on a major fault line, may have contributed to the severity of the earthquake.
Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway excitedly revealed during the show that she had fulfilled a longtime dream of hers over the festive period - to have a cameo role in a pantomime. She took to the stage at the London Palladium as King Richard in the production of Robin Hood, and even got a laugh from the audience. But, she wasn't the only one busy over the holidays, as her co-host Adil also revealed that he's making a guest appearance on Smooth Radio.
After several weeks off the air, Adil Ray returned to the ITV morning show as a Friday host with Kate Garraway and viewers weren't happy about it. Many threatened to turn off their TVs as soon as they saw Ray's face, with some expressing their annoyance at his rotation on the show.
A strong earthquake measuring at 7.3 magnitude struck off the coast of Vanuatu, causing widespread damage and at least 14 deaths. Hundreds more have been injured and the search for survivors continues as aftershocks rock the region. A building housing multiple diplomatic missions, including those of the United States and Great Britain, was significantly damaged in the quake. The US Embassy reported that all staff were safe, but the building will remain closed until further notice.
British artist Delaine Le Bas has been shortlisted for the prestigious Turner Prize for her work created during a three-month residency at Wysing Arts Centre. Her pieces, including paintings and fabric hangings, were displayed at Secession in Vienna and are now part of the Turner Prize exhibition. The director of Wysing Arts Centre praises the impact the residency had on Le Bas and her exploration of her Roma heritage. Other installations by the shortlisted artists can be seen at Tate Britain until February 16th.
After Susanna Reid faced backlash for questioning Labour MP Rachel Reeves about her clothing expenses, viewers of Good Morning Britain took to social media to voice their criticism towards the host's perceived hypocrisy. This incident occurred during a discussion of the Labour party's donation controversy, in which officials have been scrutinized for accepting large sums of gifts and hospitality. The show's co-host, Richard Madeley, was also involved in the conversation, but it was Reid's remarks that sparked the most outrage on Monday morning.
Israel launched a massive aerial operation against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Sunday, citing revenge for recent missile attacks by the Iran-backed group. The airstrikes targeted power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were being used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region. This is the first time Israel has directly struck Yemen, with previous attacks focused on suppressing Houthi attacks on shipping in the area. The ongoing air campaign by Britain and the United States against Houthi targets began in January this year to protect commercial vessels.