Author: News Desk

Cliff Notes – Phil Salt to miss West Indies T20Is for paternity break Phil Salt will miss the T20I series against West Indies due to paternity leave after the birth of his first child. He recently returned to India for the IPL final, contributing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first title win. Jamie Smith will replace Salt in the T20I squad, with Tom Banton potentially benefiting from the opportunity. Phil Salt to miss West Indies T20Is for paternity break Phil Salt will miss England’s upcoming T20I series against West Indies on paternity leave, having completed a last-minute dash to Ahmedabad for…

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Style Notes – Romance Isn’t Dead – It’s back with a cold heart Designers are working on fall/winter 2025 collections and runways are showcasing a resurgence of romance in fashion, with lace emerging as a leading trend, transforming traditional aesthetics into modern interpretations. Designers like Chloé and Fendi are reimagining lace through fluid silhouettes and intricate detailing, blending softness with sophistication to appeal to contemporary tastes. Lace is being styled in innovative ways, from sheer maxi dresses to tailored pieces, indicating a shift towards a more versatile and edgy approach to this classic fabric. Romance Isn’t Dead—Not If Fall’s Lace…

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Japan has a new sumo grand champion and the first Japanese competitor to reach the top rank since 2017, the sport having recently been dominated by Mongolians who won six of the previous seven titles. What do you think? “Start eating, Mongolians.” Kelsey Merritt, Candy Packager “Why does being a big fat guy have to be a competition?” Sean Buck, Unemployed “It’s nice knowing my stereotypes are current again.” Tommy Oakes, Wax Carver

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Reeves forced to drop net zero cuts The Daily Telegraph says Ed Miliband has defeated an attempt by the chancellor to raid one of his key net zero schemes in next week’s spending review. The paper says the Treasury was planning cuts to the £13.2bn warm homes plan, but the scheme will be largely unaffected.  Donald Trump has said Putin is plotting revenge on Ukraine after Sunday’s drone strike – the US president had a phone call with the Russian president recently. Meghan Markle and her daughter Princess Lili are pictured on the front page.

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Battle lines drawn over immigration The Daily Mail reports Labour is set to bring in new laws curtailing use of the European Human Rights Convention by foreign criminals. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is drawing up legislation to make it easier to deport overseas offenders as well as failed asylum seekers, the Daily Mail can reveal. A new bill will contain measures designed to restrict the use of the ‘right to private and family life’ under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

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Pensioners on disability and housing benefits in line for winter fuel payments The i newspaper says more than a million pensioners on housing and disability benefits could benefit from the Government’s U-turn on the winter fuel allowance and receive the payment this year. Rachel Reeves used a speech on Wednesday morning to confirm that the changes to winter fuel payment eligibility would be implemented before winter.

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Pensioners face tax hit for winter fuel U-turn The Times says winter fuel payments will be restored this winter, but wealthier pensioners will not get them, ministers have said. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, promised that “more people will get winter fuel payments”, and said details would be set out soon. She said there would still be a “means test” but pledged to introduce it in time for this winter, despite concern that ageing government computer systems would struggle to adapt thresholds in time.

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