Author: News Desk

Cliff Notes The number of quangos in the UK has decreased by over 50% since 2010, yet more than 300 remain operational. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition eliminated nearly 300 quangos to enhance accountability and reduce costs. Despite plans for quango reduction, the Labour government has established over 20 new bodies since taking office, including Great British Energy and the Border Security Command. Could Keir Starmer’s regulation shake-up mean a ‘bonfire of the quangos’? The number of quangos has fallen by more than half since 2010 but there are still more than 300 across the UK. Under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition…

Cliff Notes The blood moon event features a partial lunar eclipse in the UK, peaking at approximately 5.09am with a reddish hue visible as the moon enters Earth’s umbra. Observers should have a clear view of the western horizon to optimise visibility, with the best locations being Wales, Northern Ireland, Cornwall, and western Scotland. The phenomenon is caused by Earth’s position between the moon and the sun, refracting light and resulting in the moon appearing red; the next total lunar eclipse in the UK will occur on 7 September. Blood moon 2025: How to see tonight’s lunar eclipse | Science,…

Aston Villa 3 – 0 Club Brugge The back page of the Daily Express reports on Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Club Brugge to send them through to the quarter-finals. The paper reports on Prince William’s joy at seeing Villa go through to meet PSG next. Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dyke has said he’s unsure if he’ll stay at Liverpool once his contract runs out.

Bring on PSG The back page of the Daily Mail reports on Aston Villa beating Brugge to set up a clash with French giants PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Elsewhere, Trent Alexander Arnold is out of the Caraboa Cup final with an injury he picked up during Liverpool’s PSG clash.

Aston Villa 3 Brugge 0 The back page of the Telegraph features a large image of Marcus Rashford celebrating Villa’s 3-0 win over Brugge. The Champions League win sees them face PSG next. England’s upcoming Six Nations match against Wales makes the front page. The Welsh have pledged to stop England from winning the Six Nations.

Aston Villa 3 Brugge 0 – Villa’s Brugge cruise The back page of the Mirror leads on Aston Villa beating Brugge 3-0 in last night’s Champions League last-16 second leg match. They won 6-1 on agg and will face PSG – who knocked out Liverpool on penalties – next.

City watchdogs scrap diversity and inclusion drive after firms’ backlash The FT says Britain’s top two financial regulators have axed plans to impose stricter rules for diversity and inclusion, in the latest sign that government pressure on watchdogs to support economic growth is forcing a rethink of many policies. The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority said on Wednesday that they would not proceed with plans requiring companies to disclose more about their diversity and inclusion policies, after these were widely criticised by politicians and businesses.

Watchdog drop woke regulation CITY AM says the UK’s two main financial watchdogs have ditched plans to impose diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) targets on City institutions amid a government push to put Britain’s regulators on a growth footing. The Cheltenham Festival makes the front splash.

The Independent says the prime minister says the UK will keep its options open after Europe and Canada retaliate over the US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports with levies of their own.

Donald Trump has accused Ireland of taking advantage of the United States and says the trade relationship between the two should be focused on fairness.