Author: News Desk

Thursday’s front pages report on the chancellor’s backing of an expansion to Heathrow airport. Some editorials suggest the third runway will be an economic headache whilst others take a more optimistic tone, suggesting the chancellor is reviving the economy.

Many of the front pages feature an image of US actress Renee Zellweger who was in London at the Premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

The back pages lead on how the English clubs fared in last night’s Champions League matches. Liverpool lost but they still finish at the top of the table, Arsenal and Aston Villa are through to the last 16.

Manchester City made a comeback after going 1-0 down and are through to the playoffs.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he planned to detain 30,000 “criminal illegal aliens” at the notorious Guantanamo Bay military prison, used for holding terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks. Trump made the shock announcement as he signed a bill allowing the pre-trial detention of undocumented migrants charged with theft and violent crime — named after a US student killed by a Venezuelan immigrant. He said he was signing an executive order instructing the Pentagon and the Homeland Security department to “begin preparing the 30,000-person migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay,” Trump said at the White House. “We have 30,000 beds…

UK politics – live: Anger as Reeves’ support for third Heathrow runway sparks climate backlash Chancellor Rachel Reeves has prompted fury with the growth plan she unveiled, including backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and for new roads, as well as sweeping away environmental protections in planning. Shaun Spiers, executive director at think tank Green Alliance, warned against “growth at any cost”, saying: “The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it’s crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK’s climate targets.” UK politics – live:…

Buyers rush to complete sales ahead of 1 April stamp duty changes Housing market has strongest start in three years — see how your area fared The UK housing market has seen its strongest start in three years, with new sales agreements up 12 per cent in the four weeks to 24 January, compared with the same period last year, according to property website Zoopla. This surge in activity comes as the number of homes for sale also increased 10 per cent year-on-year. Zoopla has said this could be driven by buyers aiming to complete purchases before the April 1…

East West Rail project could be catastrophic for barbastelle bats, Cambridgeshire County Council warns Rachel Reeves backs East West Rail scheme despite fears for bats and newts  A rail route backed by chancellor Rachel Reeves – who played down consideration of bats and newts in development – has been fraught with fears it will wipe out bats and their habitats. Cambridgeshire County Council this month warned of a potentially catastrophic effect on barbastelle bats of the East West Rail project, a new rail link between Oxford and Cambridge. The scheme could be “unacceptable” and have a “catastrophic” impact on their…

The Metropolitan Police announced the 60-year-old and 42-year-old would appear in court on 25 February Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged after Sigourney Weaver play disrupted Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been charged following the disruption of a West End production of The Tempest, starring Sigourney Weaver. Richard Weir, 60, of Hotspur Street, Tynemouth, and Hayley Walsh, 42, of Grantham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, were charged with aggravated trespass on Tuesday, according to the London Metropolitan Police. Police said the charges related to an incident at Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, where at around 8pm, two Just Stop Oil…

Sir Keir hails vision of former deputy prime minister, adding: ‘I know many people will be raising a glass to John today’ Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘legendary’ John Prescott ahead of funeral Sir Keir Starmer has hailed John Prescott’s “fighting spirit” ahead of the former deputy prime minister’s funeral service in Hull. Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer’s. More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to the…

Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. Under pressure Rachel Reeves issues defiant response when quizzed on Keir Starmer relationship Rachel Reeves issued a defiant response as she defended her record as chancellor. The senior Labour minister insisted she and prime minister Keir Starmer are “a strong team”, as her growth plan comes under scrutiny from her own party. The chancellor was grilled on her economic plans when she appeared on ITV’s Peston on Wednesday (29 January). The ITV News political editor asked: “I’ve never known a prime minister being forced to declare confidence…

Chancellor’s optimistic economic growth vision hit in the short term as Tesco and Lloyds announce hundreds of job losses and she admits fixing the economy is ‘not an easy job’ Rachel Reeves’s plan for Heathrow to ‘turbocharge’ economy struggles to take off Rachel Reeves has given her backing to the long-awaited expansion of Heathrow airport as she set out her “optimistic” vision for Britain’s economy with a plan for growth based around building “faster and better”. However, the chancellor’s upbeat message was almost immediately hit by short-term economic woes, with Tesco cutting 400 jobs and Lloyds announcing the closure of…

Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail after dangerous dog attack. The reality TV star appeals against jail term after admitting twice being in charge of out-of-control dog. The 32-year-old, who won the 2018 season of the reality show alongside then-girlfriend Dani Dyer, pleaded guilty to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, with one of the incidents causing injury. Love Island winner Jack Fincham released on bail He lodged an appeal following his sentencing at Southend Magistrates Court on Wednesday. A CPS source said: “He was granted conditional bail pending that appeal.” Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard…