Kathryn Armstrong

Auckland

Digital Reporter at BBC

Digital Reporter at BBC News. Ex-BBC World TV and TVNZ. Opinons are my own. Retweets are not endorsements. [email protected]

Articles

Social housing complaints soar and housing watchdog warns of 'simmering anger'

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Kathryn Armstrong

According to the ombudsman's report, there were 6,380 complaints investigated in the year to March 2025 - up from 1,111 in the year to March 2020. It also found that an estimated 1.5 million children in England live in a non-decent home in 2023, and 19% of those live in social housing.
Social housing complaints soar and housing watchdog warns of 'simmering anger'

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

Social housing complaints soar as housing watchdog warns of 'simmering anger' Kathryn ArmstrongGetty ImagesComplaints about substandard living conditions in social housing are now more than five times higher than they were five years ago, a new report saysComplaints about substandard living conditions in social housing in England are more than five times higher than five years ago, according to the housing watchdog.
Swedish man charged over 2015 killing of Jordanian pilot in Syria

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

Swedish man charged over 2015 killing of Jordanian pilot in SyriaKathryn ArmstrongReutersThe death of Moaz al-Kasasbeh shocked Jordan (file image)This article contains distressing descriptions of deathSwedish authorities have charged a convicted terrorist over the 2015 killing of a Jordanian pilot who was burned to death in Syria. Osama Krayem, 32 - a Swedish citizen - was on Tuesday charged with war and terrorism crimes relating to the death of Moaz al-Kasasbeh.
Top Maoist leader Basavaraju killed as India cracks down on rebels

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

Top Maoist leader killed as India cracks down on rebelsKathryn Armstrong, BBC News, LondonGetty ImagesIndian security forces have been fighting Maoist rebels for decadesA top Maoist leader has been killed fighting with Indian security forces in the central state of Chhattisgarh. Nambala Keshava Rao, who is also known by several alias, including Basavaraju, was among 27 rebels killed on Wednesday, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said.
Will 2025 be a sweet year for strawberry growers and consumers?

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

Ms Regan, who has been growing strawberries for more than 50 years, said she was noticing that this year's were a "good size" so far but that the "most marked thing" was their sweetness. A combination of warm days and cool nights are known to make strawberries sweeter. The lower night temperatures allow them to rest and put the energy they have gained during the day into producing more natural sugars.
PM signals youth mobility scheme could be part of EU deal

1 month ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

PM signals youth mobility scheme could be part of EU dealKathryn ArmstrongGetty ImagesThe UK already has reciprocal agreements with countries, including Australia, that allow young people to work in another countryPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given his strongest signal yet that a youth mobility scheme could form part of a new deal with the EU.
Poland has evidence Russia behind shopping centre fire, says minister

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Kasia Madera |Kathryn Armstrong

The May 2024 fire destroyed 1,400 small businesses, with many of the staff there belonging to Warsaw's Vietnamese community. "We have evidence that they commissioned people living in Poland, they commissioned them on Telegram and paid them to set fire to this huge shopping mall," Sikorski said on Monday.
Poland has evidence Russia behind shopping centre fire, says minister

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Kasia Madera |Kathryn Armstrong

1 hour agoRussian ambassador summoned, consulate closed as probe finds Moscow involved in Warsaw shopping centre fire. Poland has summoned the Russian ambassador and shuttered the country’s consulate in Krakow as it accuses Moscow of “sabotage”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw announced the action on …
Treaty Principles Bill voted down after widespread outrage

2 months ago | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

New Zealand rejects rights bill after widespread outrageKathryn ArmstrongGetty ImagesThe Treaty Principles Bill has been voted down 112 votes to 11A controversial bill seeking to reinterpret New Zealand's founding document, which established the rights of both Māori and non-Māori in the country, has been defeated at its second reading. The Treaty Principles Bill was voted down 112 votes to 11, days after a government committee recommended that it should not proceed.
Hong Kong property tycoon dies aged 97

Mar 17, 2025 | bbc.com | Kathryn Armstrong

Hong Kong property tycoon Lee Shau-kee dies aged 97Kathryn ArmstrongGetty ImagesLee Shau-kee retired as chairman of Henderson Land Development in 2019Hong Kong property tycoon Lee Shau-kee, who was once the richest man in Asia, has died at the age of 97. The announcement was made by his property firm Henderson Land Development, of which he was chairman for more than 40 years. The company said in a statement that Lee had died "in the company of his family" but did not specify a cause.