Author: News Desk

Economic growth in doubt – Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, several newspapers highlight the OBR’s warning that the Chancellor’s plans for economic growth could be wiped out by the global trade war as Donald Trump continues to issue further tariff threats.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has halved the 2025 economic growth forecast to 1%, down from 2%. Despite these austerity measures, the tax burden is projected to reach a record 37.7% of the GDP by 2027-28.

Recent welfare cuts are projected to push tens of thousands of children into poverty, disproportionately affecting low-income families and those with disabilities.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed dissatisfaction with the scheduling of the match against Osasuna following the international break, citing concerns over player recovery and fitness.

Spring Statement 2025 reaction – Thursday’s headlines are reacting to yesterday’s Spring Statement delivered by the chancellor. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced significant measures to address the UK’s economic challenges. Key points include a £14 billion plan involving cuts to welfare payments (£4.8 billion) and departmental spending (£3.6 billion) to fix public finances. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has halved the 2025 economic growth forecast to 1%, down from 2%. Despite these austerity measures, the tax burden is projected to reach a record 37.7% of the GDP by 2027-28. Additionally, a £3.25 billion Transformation Fund was introduced to drive efficiencies across government departments.

Following the chancellor’s update on the economy, Donald Trump announced new import taxes of 25% on cars and car parts coming into America in a move that threatened to widen the global trade war.

Cliff Notes – BCCI annual contracts: Shafali retained in Grade B; Patil, Reddy among new entrants Shafali Verma has been retained in Grade B of the BCCI’s annual contracts for 2024-25, valued at INR 30 lakh, despite not playing for the national team since October 2023. The BCCI has awarded 16 contracts for the upcoming season, with only three players—Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma—receiving Grade A contracts worth INR 50 lakh. New entrants to Grade C include Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, and Arundhati Reddy, while notable absentees from the contract list include Harleen Deol and Priya Mishra. BCCI…

Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, was arrested by armed forces at his residence, sparking condemnation from his party over the government’s unconstitutional actions.

Unprecedented anti-Hamas protests in northern Gaza saw hundreds of Palestinians demanding an end to the war, chanting slogans like “We don’t want war” and “Out Hamas.”

Forth Valley Royal Hospital experienced a 70-minute power outage due to backup generator failure during Storm Eowyn, raising concerns over patient safety and hospital preparedness.

President Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all imported cars, set to begin on 2 April, which he terms “liberation day.”

Cliff Notes – The First Berserker: Khazan review – the best Soulslike of 2025 The First Berserker: Khazan excels in combat mechanics and features an attractive cel-shaded art style, but lacks originality, drawing heavily from established titles like Sekiro and Nioh. While the game offers a high difficulty level and extensive customisation options, its level design is inconsistent and the storytelling is unengaging, leading to a somewhat bland experience. Despite its shortcomings, Khazan is considered a strong entry in the Soulslike genre, providing rewarding gameplay and an easy mode for accessibility, earning a score of 7/10. The First Berserker: Khazan…