US President Donald Trump has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela to destabilize the government of President Nicolás Maduro, in what officials say could be a prelude to military action, according to a report. Citing multiple officials, the Times said the covert campaign could precede broader military action. He reiterated that his government remains open to direct negotiations with Washington, calling diplomacy Caracas’s "invariable" position. Trump's administration accuses Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking — allegations the Venezuelan government has repeatedly and firmly denied. The US attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from former officials, analysts and international observers, who say Washington’s militarized posture toward Venezuela exposes a familiar strategy of regime change in Latin America.

The capital has had its first taste of wintry weather as cold Arctic air has swept in from the north, causing temperatures to plummet across most of the UK. While there are no weather warnings in place for London at the time of writing, very cold temperatures are expected overnight and into Thursday (November 20), according to the Met Office. The wintry showers which hit this morning will clear by the afternoon, with a cloudy outlook and light winds remaining. READ MORE: LIVE updates as 'snow seen falling' in London as temperature plummetsOn Thursday, temperatures will hover around freezing in the capital for much of the morning - but it will feel like -4 degrees. Very cold with temperatures falling below freezing and a moderate breeze persisting.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

Barnet has more than 250 parks and open spaces, covering around 20% of its land. Labour committee member Cllr Charlotte Daus said results showed more facilities such as toilets in parks were wanted, but vandalism and the cost of maintenance created issues. Cllr Schneiderman assured the committee the council wanted to see “more cafes” and “there are plans for more cafes in parks”. He said: “Where possible, when there are new cafes we do want cafe owners to be providing toilets that are accessible. After declaring “a lot” of the aims in the previous action plan were not delivered, Cllr Schneiderman hit back, saying the council had created a deliverable strategy.

So, British Gas is urging homeowners to act now to make sure their heating systems are ready for regular use. British Gas engineer, Peter Knowles, shares his practical tips to help Brits keep their homes warm and safe this winter while also saving on energy bills. British Gas issues fresh advice as houses begin to freezeFind your ideal temperature: When the cold sets in, turning up the thermostat might seem like the quickest fix, but keeping it set between 18°C and 21°C is both comfortable and cost-effective. Set your heating to suit your routine: Scheduling your heating can help you save energy without sacrificing comfort. Many energy providers also have assistance funds to help with energy costs.

Byline Times reader Charles Parkinson made a legally-binding subject access request – asking for what data the party held on him – to Reform UK on 27 March this year. April-May 2025: Parkinson sends multiple follow-up emails (27 April, 3 May, 12 May, 21 May) reminding Reform UK of their legal obligation to respond within one month under GDPR. August 2025: The ICO confirm they have established contact with Reform UK and asked them to respond to the SAR, the data erasure request, and cease marketing communications. The ICO informs Parkinson that Reform UK claimed they had “attempted to communicate” but couldn’t reach his mailbox. November 2025: Reform UK admits to Byline Times they missed the legal deadline to respond but says allegations of wrongdoing were “cock up and not conspiracy.”Got a story?

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

He told the Daily Telegraph that he was leaving because of the constant drip feed of leaks about tax policies ahead of the Budget — including a possible exit tax — which meant it was “too unstable and too risky to maintain residency”. Furthermore, last year’s Budget measures, including changes to capital gains tax, entrepreneur's relief, and employer national insurance, have increased costs for many entrepreneurs. As the govt prepares for this year’s Budget, it must carefully consider the cumulative impact of these policies. I am not seeing improvements to the NHS, economic growth or investment in infrastructure,” Bhat said. He said several of his PIO friends, who had lived in the UK for years, like him, had already returned to India.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

Over the past couple of decades a global boom in watch sales has transformed timepieces into a mobile asset class. New-gen microbrands have been creating original, almost exclusively mechanical watches that combine imagination with accessibility. Andrew McUtchen, an Australian watch journalist who launched Time+Tide in 2014, a digital channel covering all things watches, has long been aware of the trend. “We had a column called Micro Mondays,” he says, which was all about these ventures. We even helped a few get their Kickstarters off the ground.”A decade later, McUtchen is not only writing about these independents, he’s representing them.

The British government on Wednesday proposed legislation that would make it illegal to resell tickets for entertainment and sports events for more than their original face value. According to a government news release, the proposed rules would reduce the average cost of resold tickets in Britain by 37 pounds (about $49), and save consumers there an estimated £112 million ($147 million) a year. The rules would also make it easier for actual, human fans — not scalpers or the automated bots they use — to get the tickets they want, the government said. “For too long, ticket touts have ripped off fans, using bots to snap up batches of tickets and resell them at sky-high prices,” Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said in a statement. “Our new proposals will shut down the touts’ racket and make world-class music, comedy, theater and sport affordable for everyone.”

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

They are among 55 new apprentices enlisted by UK Power Networks to play a key part in Britain’s clean energy future. I previously did resurfacing for UK Power Networks’ roadworks sites – digging and filling holes, and restoring things to how they were. Ibshar applied for the apprenticeship as his brother works for UK Power Networks and told him about the opportunity. Omari studied electrical installation at college and was looking for jobs when he kept noticing UK Power Networks vans driving past. UK Power Networks’ scheme has received national recognition from the Department for Education.