National News

House sellers are accepting discounts of £18,000 on average in order to agree a deal with buyers, according to a property website. Zoopla, which released the figures, said they are further evidence of a strong buyers’ market, as higher mortgage rates hit demand and more supply boosts buyers’ choice and negotiating power. The typical 5.5% discount-to-asking price for achieved for UK property sales is at a five-year high, Zoopla said.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their ceasefire for two more days past Monday, raising the prospect of further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Eleven Israeli women and children, freed by Hamas, entered Israel on Monday night in the fourth swap under the original four-day truce, which began on Friday and had been due

Teenagers and children are far more likely than adults to have used generative AI, according to Ofcom’s latest research into the UK’s online habits. The regulator said its latest study showed that four in five (79%) online teenagers aged 13-17 now use generative AI tools – which includes chatbots such as ChatGPT, with 40% of those aged 7-12 also using the technology. Generative AI is capable of creating text, images

The internet and mobile phones may not have a “blanket negative effect” on wellbeing and mental health, researchers say. A large international study used data from two million people aged 15 to 89 in 168 countries, and found smaller associations than would be expected if the internet were causing widespread psychological harm. The researchers say that if the link between internet use and poor health were as universal and robust

UK firms are failing to innovate as they are focused on survival amid a bleak economic outlook and recession fears, a survey has suggested. Half of company bosses said the threat of economic volatility has caused them to stop innovating, according to a poll of more than 300 chief executives and top bosses across the country by consultancy Magnetic. Some 56% of firms are prioritising the survival of their business

The Government has announced £16 million of funding for the Forest Research programme looking into climate and pest resilient woodlands. A competition for a new national forest will also be launched this week, alongside the unveiling of two new community forests. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the increased risk of tree disease and pests, such as ips beetles and ash dieback, alongside the impacts of

Long-awaited legislation that would ban the creation of new leasehold houses in England and Wales will be introduced to Parliament later. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will mark its first step on the path to become legislation, hailed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove as a “landmark moment for millions”. Other than in exceptional circumstances, new houses in England and Wales will be freehold from the outset, under the planned

A scheme introduced to enhance access to general practice by bringing in staff such as pharmacists and physician associates could be driving down GP vacancies, a new survey suggests. Some 44% of family doctors told GP publication Pulse they had seen a reduction in the number of vacancies advertised in the last year, with 23% noting a reduction in the last six months. The 612 respondents reported 619 vacancies in

Five-time gold medal winner Laura Kenny is targeting her fourth Olympics next year after the birth of her second child this summer. Kenny, who has topped the podium in London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, has her eyes set on Paris as she is keen to prove motherhood is no reason to end her career after the arrival of their second son Monty in July. “I obviously want to compete