Across-the-board ‘awful April’ bill increases on way – everything you need to know

With the average household already spending £2,062 on essentials each month, the latest increases could add another £49.45 to this figure.

Woman charged with stalking Madeleine McCann’s family

A 60-year-old woman has been charged as part of an investigation into the alleged stalking of Madeleine McCann’s family.

WH Smith agrees to sell UK high street shops and is set for rebrand

The sale does not include the retailer’s travel locations, such as shops in airports and train stations, nor the WH Smith brand.

Weather presenter Julie Reinger leaves BBC after over three decades

Reinger, who joined the BBC in 1992, will celebrate her final day on air on Friday March 28, saying that it is the ‘right time to go’.

Price points where home buyers could feel the most pain from stamp duty rises

Rightmove has made calculations showing the extra costs buyers could face if they make their home purchase after March 31.

UK News

McCann family stalking suspect denied bail

Polish national Julia Wandel, 23, will be kept in prison custody until a futher hearing next month.

Confidential military documents found dumped on residential street

The papers, marked ‘sensitive’, were found spilling out of a bin bag.

WH Smith agrees to sell UK high street shops and is set for rebrand

The sale does not include the retailer’s travel locations, such as shops in airports and train stations, nor the WH Smith brand.

Weather presenter Julie Reinger leaves BBC after over three decades

Reinger, who joined the BBC in 1992, will celebrate her final day on air on Friday March 28, saying that it is the ‘right time to go’.

Farage rails against equality policies and says he is ‘not a fan’ of Andrew Tate

The Reform UK leader praised Donald Trump’s US administration for scrapping policies aimed at improving equality in American workplaces.
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World News

Everything we know so far about the Egyptian tourist submarine disaster

At least six people are feared dead, with nine injured and 29 rescued.

Ex-police officer avoids prison in Australia after killing woman, 95, with Taser

Kristian White was sentenced to community service and placed under the supervision of a corrections officer for two years for manslaughter.

Strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Myanmar, prompting evacuations as far away as Thailand

The epicentre of the earthquake was in central Myanmar, 30 miles east of the city of Monywa.

Five wounded in Amsterdam stabbing, say police

A knife-wielding assailant was among five people seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in central Amsterdam, police in the Dutch city said.

Starmer seeks deal with US to avoid trade war after Trump’s car tariff blow

The Prime Minister said he did not want a ‘trade war’ with the US but that all options remained on the table.
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Cost of Living

Price points where home buyers could feel the most pain from stamp duty rises

Rightmove has made calculations showing the extra costs buyers could face if they make their home purchase after March 31.

Across-the-board ‘awful April’ bill increases on way – everything you need to know

With the average household already spending £2,062 on essentials each month, the latest increases could add another £49.45 to this figure.

Reeves rules out raising taxes in Spring Statement

The Chancellor has repeatedly said she will not budge from her fiscal rules.

UK interest rates held at 4.5% as Bank warns over US tariff uncertainty

Eight members of the Bank’s nine-person Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep rates on hold.

VR headset and yoga mat added to basket of items used to track UK inflation

The Office for National Statistics said its inflation basket of goods show how consumer spending has evolved over the years.
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Politics

Reeves ‘absolutely certain’ welfare cuts will not push people into poverty

The Chancellor denied there will be further tax rises or spending cuts at the autumn budget in order to balance the books.

UK doesn't want to ‘escalate’ trade war over Trump tariffs, says Reeves

President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on vehicles imported to the US will come into effect on April 2.

Reeves vows not to shy away from economic challenges amid statement criticism

The Chancellor warned there would be ‘no quick solutions’ to fix Britain’s financial woes.

Reeves has ‘reneged’ on her promises to the British people, shadow chancellor says

The shadow chancellor described Ms Reeves as a ‘gambler’ who has ‘clobbered’ businesses.

Spring statement at a glance: What was in Rachel Reeves’ announcement?

The Chancellor has made moves to reduce spending across Government.
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Crime

Man jailed for life for cutting up his housemate into 27 pieces

The defendant then used a hacksaw to dismember his 67-year-old friend and housemate, described as a jolly, friendly, mild-mannered man.

Student to be sentenced for murder of Amie Gray on Bournemouth beach

Nasen Saadi was found guilty following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Man guilty of knife attack on day he was let out of jail on early release scheme

The Ministry of Justice has vowed to investigate the case fully.

Woman charged with stalking Madeleine McCann’s family

A 60-year-old woman has been charged as part of an investigation into the alleged stalking of Madeleine McCann’s family.

Prison governor had relationship with ‘Breaking Bad’ gang leader, jury told

Kerri Pegg allegedly accepted a car from Anthony Saunderson, who went by the name Jesse Pinkman.
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Royal

King waves to well-wishers after hospital stay for cancer treatment side effects

Charles was due to attend a busy away-day in Birmingham on Friday and attend four events in the city which he hopes to reschedule.

King ‘required hospital observation’ due to cancer treatment side effects

The monarch postponed engagements on Thursday afternoon and cancelled an away day to Birmingham on Friday.

King cancels engagements after 'experiencing temporary side effects' of cancer treatment

The King has cancelled his engagements in Birmingham tomorrow on medical advice, Buckingham Palace has said.

Prince of Wales to appear on episode of Clarkson’s Farm

William revealed that Jeremy Clarkson’s show, about his Oxfordshire Diddly Squat farm, can count Prince George among its fans.

Duke of Sussex quits as patron of African charity he founded in 2006

Harry founded charity Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help young people and children with HIV and Aids.
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Sport

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

Foreman was an Olympic gold medallist before claiming his first heavyweight title with a stoppage win over Joe Frazier in 1973.

Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan dies aged 76

Jordan revealed in December that he was suffering from bladder and prostate cancer which had spread to his spine and pelvis.

UK Athletics and man, 77, plead not guilty over death of Paralympian

UAE athlete Abdullah Hayayei was killed when he was hit by a metal pole during training in east London in 2017.

William and Kate to back rival teams at Wales v England Six Nations game

The Prince and Princess of Wales will cheer on opposing sides at Saturday’s Wales v England Six Nations match.
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Entertainment

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer leads the way at Bafta TV nominations

ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Apple TV+’s Slow Horses are also nominated.

Meghan dispels rumours of ‘beef’ in video with Gwyneth Paltrow

The pair posted the video of themselves together in answer to a question from a fan of Paltrow.

Stephen Fry to be knighted by the King for services to charity

Sir Stephen, 67, known for BBC comedy Blackadder and hosting quiz show QI, will be honoured by the King at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

Radio DJ Chris Stark reveals he has been diagnosed with testicular cancer

The 38-year-old revealed he has since had treatment for the disease.

Prince of Wales calls Dame Mary Berry a ‘national treasure’ in 90th birthday message

Dame Mary is celebrating the milestone birthday on March 24.
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