Latest news with #WillTullis
ITV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Thousands line streets for state funerals of Iranian officials killed by Israeli airstrikes
State funerals are underway in Iran for the officials killed by Israeli airstrikes during 12 days of conflict, as ITV News' Will Tullis reports Thousands of mourners lined the streets of downtown Tehran on Saturday for the funeral of Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists killed by Israeli airstrikes. Among them were the head of the Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salami, and General Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces chief of staff, who were both killed on the first of 12 days of conflict. Their caskets were driven on trucks along the capital's Azadi Street, in the first public funerals for top commanders since the ceasefire. Iranian state television reported that the ceremonies were for 60 people in total, including four women and four children. On June 13, Israel launched what it described as "pre-emptive" strikes against targets in Iran, specifically targeting military commanders, scientists and nuclear facilities. The strikes and retaliatory fire from Iran escalated over the following days and culminated in the US getting directly involved, launching its own missiles at Iran's nuclear sites. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump brokered what remains a fragile ceasefire but just three days later, he said he would "absolutely" consider dropping American bombs again, if there was evidence Iran was developing nuclear weapons. In the 12 days before the ceasefire was declared, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists group. Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people.
ITV News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Russian drone strike on civilian bus in northeastern Ukraine kills nine people, officials say
Nine people have been killed after a Russian drone reportedly struck a civilian bus in north-eastern Ukraine, as ITV News' Will Tullis reports A Russian drone struck a civilian bus in north-eastern Ukraine, killing nine and injuring four others, Ukrainian officials said. The alleged attack came just hours after Moscow and Kyiv held their first face-to-face peace talks since 2022, which ended with an agreement on a prisoner swap but failed to result in a temporary ceasefire. Ukrainian police released photos claiming to show the aftermath of the strike in Sumy's Bilopillia city, around 10km (6 miles) from the front line and border with Russia. Russia claims it hit what it calls a "military staging area" in this region, whereas Ukraine has called the incident a "cynical war crime". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as 'deliberate killing of civilians.' He said in a post on Telegram messaging app that the "Russians could scarcely not realize what kind of vehicle they were hitting.' Local media outlet Suspilne said the passengers on the bus were being evacuated from Bilopillia when the strike occurred. Authorities are working to identify some of the victims, most of them elderly women. The injured were taken to a hospital in Sumy, the regional capital. Three people were reported to be in serious condition. Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces hit a military staging area in the Sumy region on Saturday morning, around 50km (31 miles) southeast of Bilopillia, without mentioning any other attacks there. Ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul on Friday ended after less than two hours without a breakthrough.
STV News
25-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Have you been eating your chocolate digestive wrong?
Since its creation in 1925, it's estimated that almost 5.8 billion packets of chocolate digestive biscuits have been sold in the UK alone, ITV News' Will Tullis reports The creators of the chocolate digestive biscuit, which has been made for the last 100 years, believes people been eating the biscuit wrong for decades. McVities, which makes one of Britain's most popular treats, says for 100 years people have eaten their digestive biscuits chocolate-side-up – when we should be eating them with the chocolate on the bottom. At their factory in Harlesden in north London, the company makes 13 million chocolate digestives each day – around 9,000 a minute. Mcvities says the biscuits should be eaten with the Chocolate side down. / Credit: ITV News Since its creation in 1925, it's estimated that almost 5.8 billion packets of chocolate digestive biscuits have been sold in the UK alone. Bill Bryson, an American author described the snack as a 'British Masterpiece'. On why people love the biscuit, Nina Sparks, Vice President of the supply chain for the UK and Ireland, said: 'It reminds you of coming home from school, the good times and the bad times, perfect with a cup of tea. It provides comfort for a lot of people.' 'In 100 years a lot has changed, but the chocolate digestive has stayed the same.' 'I've been doing it wrong all these years'. The biscuits are not just a British favourite as they are now enjoyed in around 50 countries. Nearly 10 million packets are exported from the UK each year, with Australia being the biggest market. The digestive name may not be the most appealing, but it comes from the belief that it had 'digestive' properties due to its use of baking soda in its original recipe. As early as 1829, an advert in the Manchester Courier newspaper claimed that digestives could 'keep the body in a regular state'. An advert in the Manchester Courier from 1829 said the biscuit was good for digestion. / Credit: McVities Fraiser, who has worked at the McVities factory for nearly three decades said the reason why the biscuit is such a favourite is due to its 'incredible taste, quality ingredients and the love from the British public.' 'The recipe hasn't changed in 100 years, it's just been refined and polished. 'It's a great ingredient, I don't know why people's tastes would change now. People love the chocolate digestive, and long may it continue.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
