Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes MPs are set to debate emergency legislation to potentially nationalise British Steel, as its owner Jingye cites unsustainable running costs and plans to close the Scunthorpe plant, which employs 3,500 staff. The Prime Minister stated the legislation would allow the government to ‘take control’ of the plant to preserve operations and maintain the supply of raw materials necessary for steel production. Opposition leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, emphasised the economic implications of the…

Cliff Notes The procurement of two new ferries for the Isle of Arran has been plagued by mismanagement, with costs ballooning from £100 million to £400 million, and the first vessel delivered seven years late. Ardrossan Harbour, the main port for the ferry service, cannot accommodate the new ships without an £80 million upgrade, causing significant economic distress to the local community as services are diverted to Troon. The Scottish government is exploring the potential…

Cliff Notes Erin Brockovich’s journey to fame began with a conversation about a muddy stiletto with her chiropractor, leading to the creation of the film depicting her fight against water contamination in Hinkley, California. Brockovich credits her dyslexia, which she has dealt with since childhood, as a pivotal strength in her work, enabling her to notice patterns and details that others might overlook during her legal battle. As a climate activist, she acknowledges the ongoing…

Cliff Notes A judge has ruled that the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing can proceed, despite opposition from the current Los Angeles district attorney. Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, are seeking a potential 50-year sentence that would make them eligible for parole. Their defence claims the brothers acted in self-defence due to years of alleged sexual abuse, while prosecutors argue the murders were motivated by a desire for inheritance. Menendez…

Cliff Notes Donald Trump has had his annual medical check-up but has historically kept information about his health private, with public disclosure dependent on his discretion. The examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre presents an opportunity to assess his health status, especially following a recent assassination attempt. Despite promises to release his medical records, Trump has consistently shared limited details in the past, raising questions about transparency compared to other presidents. Donald Trump…

Cliff Notes Teachers in England are poised for strike action as 93.7% of NEU members rejected a 2.8% pay rise, deeming it inadequate and unfunded. The proposed pay increase would require schools to scrape funds from already strained budgets, with 83% of teachers supporting industrial action. The NEU’s leadership highlights years of real-terms pay cuts as a crisis in education, while critics warn that strikes could further harm students post-pandemic. Teachers in England gearing up…

Cliff Notes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg marks continued efforts for a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, though Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed expectations for significant progress. Donald Trump has urged Russia to expedite peace negotiations, asserting on social media that the war, which he claims would not have occurred under his presidency, is resulting in unnecessary loss of life. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called…

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer announced that emergency legislation will be debated on Saturday to keep the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe operational, citing economic and national security concerns. The government plans to nationalise British Steel following the cancellation of orders by Chinese owner Jingye and its rejection of a £500m rescue package, putting thousands of jobs at risk. The Unite union supports the government’s intervention, stating that maintaining the plant is crucial for preserving…

Cliff Notes Lisa Davenport, 55, received a two-year suspended sentence for manslaughter after smothering her terminally ill father, Barrie, to alleviate his suffering. The judge described her actions as stemming from a belief it was an "act of mercy", highlighting her devotion and distress regarding her father’s pain. Davenport must complete mental health and alcohol dependency programmes and adhere to a six-month curfew following the court’s decision. Devoted daughter avoids prison after ‘mercy killing’ of…

Cliff Notes Parliament is being recalled on Saturday to discuss the potential nationalisation of British Steel following Jingye’s cancellation of essential raw material orders, raising fears of imminent plant closure. The Scunthorpe plant, home to the UK’s last operating blast furnaces, faces significant uncertainty, prompting MPs to return from Easter recess earlier than planned. Current government negotiations with British Steel and Jingye are ongoing, with calls for both nationalisation and a commercial solution to ensure…

The value of the US dollar has fallen in recent days to a new three-year low following the uncertainty over the impact of the Trump tariffs on the global economy.

Trump backs down but will the MAGA crew accept it? probably not. For him this is a game of who can bear more pain, but is it the same for the MAGA crew.

Did anyone notice Trump and Netanyahu press conference, it went a bit under radar with all the tariff talk but not one single journalist had the courage to ask about the Red Crescent massacre.

This week Jeremy Corbyn and 30 MPs have written to the Prime Minister demanding that there should be an independent inquiry into the red crescent massacre. This deserves our support.


And imagine if there was no drama from the US tariffs, what would we be doing? hmmm!

Steven Greig, a serial criminal, has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years for murdering Mark Ward after a violent altercation in April 2022, initially charged with assault before the charges were upgraded to murder post-victim’s death.

The UK is experiencing an unseasonably warm Friday, with temperatures reaching up to 23C in some areas, significantly higher than the average of 13C for this time of year.

Harriet Harman advises Sir Keir Starmer to clearly communicate that Donald Trump’s tariffs on UK goods are incorrect and unjustified.

The UK Economy grew by 0.5% in February, outperforming analyst forecasts of a 0.1% rise, driven by strong manufacturing and service sectors.

Continuing the trend of the week, coverage of Donald Trump’s tariffs, the stock market reaction and now claims of potential insider trading. 

Gold has risen to a record high as investors seek safe-haven assets amid the chaos. The ongoing escalation in the US-China trade war is still causing chaos in the markets as the Asian markets slid on Friday and the US markets slumped on Thursday close, wiping out a chunk of Wednesday’s historic rally. The US markets open at 14:30 GMT. 

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to an orthopaedic clinic in Lviv – a centre that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians. Harry attended with a group from the Invictus Games Foundation after two days back in London for a high court appearance.

Friday’s UK headlines cover a variety of domestic and international stories. There is, of course, continued coverage of the fallout from the Trump tariff debacle amid claims of market manipulation and calls for an investigation into potential insider trading.

Royal news continues to be highlighted on the front pages – in print and online – with Prince Harry making a surprise visit to Ukraine and Prince William talking football after Villa’s 3-1 loss. Charles and Camilla are pictured on several tabloids after marking their 20th wedding anniversary with a state visit to Italy, where the pair exercised their soft power in a bid to rebuild relations with the rest of Europe. 

The UK is set for another sunny day with temperatures reaching over 23C in some parts – and in Scotland, there are warnings of potential wildfires.