TL;DR – Budget 2025 latest Rachel Reeves is expected to avoid raising income tax and national insurance rates to uphold commitments to “working people” defined as those earning £45,000 or less. The budget faces a potential black hole of up to £40bn, exacerbated by worse-than-expected economic forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Ministers are deliberating on whether to break manifesto pledges, with a need to find around £10bn due to policy changes and welfare…
Cliff Notes The U.S. government shutdown could lead to the depletion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Saturday, affecting approximately 10 million low-income households reliant on these funds for basic food purchases. States are responding with varied strategies, but not all can find alternative funding sources. In addition to SNAP, programmes that support early childhood education, such as Head Start, risk losing federal funding from November 1. More than 130 programmes may cease…
Cliff Notes – Man accused of killing Shinzo Abe pleads guilty Tetsuya Y., 45, admitted in court to fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a homemade firearm during a campaign rally in July 2022. The shooter cited Abe’s ties to the Unification Church, which he claimed contributed to his family’s financial ruin, as his motivation for the assassination. Man accused of killing Shinzo Abe pleads guilty The man accused of killing former Japanese…
TL;DR – Budget 2025 Latest Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under pressure to address the UK’s economic issues, with potential tax rises and spending cuts on the horizon. Key proposals include revising inheritance tax regulations, modifying income tax thresholds, and introducing charges on landlords’ rental profits. Other considerations may involve adjustments to VAT rates, a possible mansion tax, and measures to alleviate rising energy costs. In the face of American capitalism the Chancellors hands are tied,…
Cliff Notes Historic Appointment: Sanae Takaichi has become the first female president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a significant milestone in a nation frequently criticised for its low gender equality. Conservative Values: Takaichi is an ultra-conservative figure who promotes traditional gender roles and has expressed support for the male-only succession of the imperial family, Different: She is a revisionist view of Japan’s wartime history, which may complicate diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. Work Ethic…
TL;DR – Lindsay and Craig Foreman were taken into custody in Kerman in January during a motorcycle tour and charged with espionage A court hearing for British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman in Iran ended unfavourably, with family reports indicating their spirits are low amid a diplomatic stalemate. The British government has not commented on the issue, but accusations come as the 2 are suspected to be freelancing for teh Israelis. The couple was reunited…
TL;DR The Home Office plans to relocate hundreds of migrants to military sites, specifically Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, in an effort to eliminate reliance on asylum hotels. An urgent review has been ordered following the accidental release of asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu, highlighting critical flaws in prison and deportation procedures. The Prison Officers’ Association has raised concerns over staff training and pressures in prisons, warning similar incidents could…
Cliff Notes A consumer report reveals that popular products, including KitKats and Gaviscon, are experiencing shrinkflation, with many items’ sizes reduced while prices remain the same or increase. The quality of some treats is declining, with manufacturers cutting key ingredients to manage costs; for example, the cocoa content in white KitKats now falls below legal chocolate standards. Which? calls for transparency from retailers regarding price and size changes to help consumers navigate rising living costs…
TL;DR A recent study highlights that introducing peanut products to infants as early as four months has resulted in approximately 60,000 children avoiding peanut allergies since updated guidelines were issued in 2015. The research shows a significant decline in peanut allergies among children aged 0 to 3, with a reduction of more than 27% after the initial guidance, and over 40% following expanded recommendations in 2017. Despite these positive outcomes, the overall prevalence of food…
Cliff Notes – Two die as cargo plane skids off Hong Kong runway into sea A Boeing 747 cargo aircraft skidded off the runway into the sea during landing at Hong Kong International Airport, resulting in the confirmed deaths of two ground staff. Four crew members were rescued and taken to hospital; the northern runway remains closed while other runways continue to operate. The aircraft was wet-leased by Emirates SkyCargo from ACT Airlines and was…
Cliff Notes – Inspired by Netflix Lupin Priceless jewellery, including items from Napoleon’s collection, was stolen during a daring robbery at the Louvre, leading to the museum’s closure. The robbery lasted approximately seven minutes, with intruders entering via a basket lift and fleeing on motorbikes after breaking multiple display cases. An investigation is underway, with police focusing on the potential use of small chainsaws and prior scouting by the thieves. ‘Priceless’ jewellery stolen from Louvre…
Cliff Notes – Prince Andrew is not going to like this, or is this just for show? Prince William intends to enforce a “ruthless approach” towards Prince Andrew, possibly barring him from royal duties due to ongoing reputational risks. Allegations have surfaced that Andrew attempted to initiate a smear campaign against his sexual assault accuser, Virginia Giuffre, by seeking damaging information about her in 2011. Andrew has relinquished his Duke of York title but retains…
Cliff Notes – Will Israel stick to the ceasefire? Israel has confirmed the identity of Ronen Tommy Engel, a hostage killed by Hamas, whose body was returned along with another on Saturday night. Engel, 54, was abducted during the October 7 attack by Hamas; he leaves behind a wife and three children, who were also returned as part of a hostage agreement. Tensions are rising as Israel has closed the Rafah border crossing until further…
TL;DR Two survivors of a US airstrike targeting a “drug-carrying submarine” have been repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador following their rescue by US military forces after the incident that resulted in two fatalities. President Trump emphasised the operation as a part of an ongoing military campaign against narco-trafficking, asserting that the intercepted vessel was primarily loaded with Fentanyl and other illegal drugs. The airstrike and subsequent military actions have raised concerns regarding legality, as previous…
Cliff Notes The UK government has announced an £18 million plan to train oil and gas workers for roles in the expanding clean energy sector, amid a decline projected to result in 40,000 job losses by the early 2030s. The initiative aims to create 400,000 additional green jobs by 2030, with a focus on skills transferability and establishing “Technical Excellence Colleges” for targeted training. Unions have welcomed the plan but stress the need for substantial…
Cliff Notes Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson are the top candidates to chair the government’s inquiry into grooming gangs, with a survivors’ panel meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Concerns have been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest due to their backgrounds in policing and social work, with some advocating for a judge-led inquiry instead. The inquiry was launched by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer following an audit that revealed the severity of the grooming gang issue;…
Cliff Notes The US may offer Ukraine access to Tomahawk cruise missiles, prompting Russia to re-engage in diplomatic talks. High-level meetings between Washington and Moscow are scheduled next week, with Trump and Putin set to meet in Budapest. Despite Trump’s optimism for a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, no current plans exist for Kyiv’s participation, raising concerns among Ukraine and its European allies. Has threat of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine forced Putin back to negotiating table? | World…
Cliff Notes – Politicians are selling our data to US firms Digital veteran cards are now available for ex-members of the armed services, marking the initial phase of a broader initiative to digitise various forms of government identification by 2027. The government assures that personal data will remain secure with the respective ministries, eliminating the risks of centralised data breaches while streamlining access to services via smartphone. Amidst concerns over proposed mandatory digital IDs for…
Cliff Notes Resham Kaur, a 76-year-old Sikh, expresses heightened fears for her safety in the UK, reflecting a broader concern among minority communities amid rising racial abuse and hate crimes. Sikh volunteers, including Sarbjit Singh and Mangat Singh, are taking action by escorting worshippers to and from the gurdwara, responding to a decline in attendance due to safety fears. Community leaders, like Pervinder Kaur and Imam Adam Kantar, highlight a pervasive sense of vulnerability among…
Cliff Notes Derbyshire Police responded to reports of a crocodile found in a canal, initially believing it to be a real threat. The mystery was resolved when it was revealed that the creature was actually a stuffed taxidermy item filled with hay. The incident, though alarming at first, resulted in amusement among the police’s Facebook followers. Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal | UK News . Police hunting for a crocodile…
Cliff Notes Prince Andrew has relinquished his royal titles, including the Duke of York, following discussions with King Charles and the Royal Family to reduce distractions from royal duties. He will maintain his dukedom but will not use it, retaining the status of prince as the son of Queen Elizabeth II, while relinquishing his knighthood and Garter role. Ongoing negative attention, including accusations from Virginia Giuffre and revelations of his ties to convicted sex offender…
Cliff Notes Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism about securing long-range Tomahawk missiles from the US, stating that he believes Vladimir Putin is fearful of such a development. In a meeting with Donald Trump, Zelenskyy noted that while Trump did not dismiss the idea, he also did not readily agree, citing US concerns over potential escalation with Russia. The conversation highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing military needs, with Zelenskyy emphasising the importance of US pressure on Russia to end…
Cliff Notes Donald Trump has expressed that supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine could represent an “escalation” in the ongoing conflict. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains “realistic” about the potential acquisition of long-range weapons but has refrained from discussing specifics. If provided, the Tomahawks’ extensive range could enable Ukraine to strike significant military and energy targets deep within Russian territory, although the US may retain control over target intelligence. Ukraine war: Zelenskyy proposes ‘drone for…
Cliff Notes Returned hostages to Israel are facing serious health challenges, including the risk of refeeding syndrome that may pose life-threatening consequences. The experience in captivity may have caused hostages to lose their decision-making abilities, necessitating efforts to restore their sense of identity. Health issues vary widely among the hostages, with some experiencing more physical problems and others facing social challenges as they reintegrate. Hostages returned to Israel alive face ‘life-threatening’ health challenges, professor warns…
Cliff Notes Prince Andrew has chosen to relinquish his titles, including Duke of York, while retaining the style of Prince due to his royal lineage. This decision, made in consultation with King Charles and other family members, is aimed at reducing distractions caused by ongoing allegations against him. Ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also stop using her title, The Duchess of York, and the change in titles is effective immediately. Prince Andrew to give up all…
