Watch: Pat McFadden says he wants more civil service workers to be based outside of London Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden has told the BBC the central civil service would become smaller, with fewer people in non-frontline roles, under what he describes as “radical” reforms. Under-performing civil servants could be incentivised to leave their jobs…

Doctor collects nasal septum cells used to repair knee injuries – Credit: University of Basel Hospital Engineered cartilage from nasal septum cells is helping treat complex knee damage, according to researchers in Switzerland who have developed the implants. Their new study shows that giving the cartilage implants more time to mature “significantly” improved clinical efficiency…

A man has been arrested after scaling one of the towers at the Palace of Westminster in central London. Emergency services were called to the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, at 07:24 GMT on Saturday and spent hours managing the incident. It led to the closure of Westminster Bridge, one of the exits at…

10-yo paramedic Jack Dawson teaches lifesaving skills – SWNS Meet the 10-year-old paramedic who teaches adults life-saving procedures as an in-demand mini-medic. Jack Dawson was just two-years-old when it became obvious he was interested in becoming a paramedic. His grandfather owns a first response company in Staffordshire, England, and Jack would ride along in his…

PA Media Emergency services are at the Palace of Westminster where a man has climbed the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben Emergency services have been called to the Palace of Westminster, where a man has scaled one of the buildings carrying a Palestinian flag. A barefoot man was seen stood on a ledge several…

Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote…

Paul Seddon Political reporter Leila Nathoo Political correspondent PA Media Reform UK says it has suspended MP Rupert Lowe and referred him to police, alleging he made “threats of physical violence” against party chairman Zia Yusuf. In a statement with chief whip Lee Anderson, Yusuf also said the party had received allegations of bullying in…

Cop16 deal hailed a ‘step forward’ for nature protection Wealthy nations have agreed to mobilise at least $200bn (£155bn) per year by 2030 to help developing countries conserve biodiversity.  The commitment was hammered out in Rome, Italy, at the resumed Cop16 talks, which broke down in Colombia last November. Agreed by the 196 states that…

Forces linked to Syria’s new rulers have engaged in heavy fighting with fighters loyal to deposed President Bashar al-Assad in a coastal area of the country. It is the worst violence in Syria since rebels toppled Assad in December and installed an Islamist transitional government. A war monitoring group, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human…

Europe’s train network is undergoing something of a renaissance – and one tour company is climbing on board The Swedes have a word for it: tågskryt. It means literally ‘train bragging’, and it’s a growing trend among travellers who boast about their long-distance rail journeys. It’s not surprising: in these climate-conscious days, why wouldn’t you…