Author: WTX News Editor

The front page of The Guardian this morning 20/03/2025:

The front page of the Western Mail this morning 20/03/2025:

The front page of The Irish News this morning 20/03/2025:

The front page of The National Scot today 20/03/2025:

F1 boss and TV pundit Jordan dies aged 76 in Cape Town earlier this morning. Eddie Jordan, the loved and flamboyant former Formula 1 team owner and television pundit, has died aged 76. The Irishman, who had aggressive prostate cancer, died in the early hours of Thursday morning. A statement from his family said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit…

An independent review into the official UK data recording of people’s biological sex and their gender identity has spun several stories as the media reacts to the data. 

The review was led by Alice Sullivan, a professor of sociology and research specialist at University College London, who said the guidance should be updated to make sure both sets of data were recorded in a clear and distinct way.

Nicholas Prosper, 19, has been sentenced to 49 years behind bars. The teen was sentenced for the triple murder of his own family members. He had attempted to carry out a school massacre plot in a bid to become an infamous school shooter. Prosper idolised American gunman Adam Lanza was planning to kill 34 people – one more than Lanza’s deadliest shooting. 

Police were able to stop Prosper from reaching the school after a neighbour called the police that morning due to the noisy attack. Cops arrived at the family flat at 05:50 am where they found his little sister, brother and his mother slain. Police arrested him after he escaped to a wooded area, stopping him from carrying out his school massacre plot. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil her Spring Statement next week just a week after massive backlash to the government’s plans to overhaul the welfare system. 

The papers have been given a preview of the Spring Statement and they report there will be no more tax rises but austerity cuts on the way – the heavy cuts to public spending and benefits are to close the budget deficit.

What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to a planned massacre in Luton to international football – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your daily news breakdown. 

Much of the UK media looks ahead at next week’s Spring Statement which is expected to reveal more cuts – it comes off the back of the government’s plans to slash benefits.

Triple murderer Nicholas Prosper has been sentenced to at least 49 years for killing his family. He had planned a school massacre in a bid to become famous.

An independent review on how gender and sex data is collected has led to several stories this morning as the data is assessed by the media.

The sunshine is here in the UK! Today could be the hottest day of the year so far – but don’t get use to it, rain is set for the weekend.

Donald Trump and his phone call with Zelensky is heavily covered in the UK media this morning.

The Malaysian government has granted final approval for Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared over the southern Indian Ocean in 2014.

Israel has broken an almost two-month ceasefire in Gaza with heavy bombing of the strip, which slaughtered more than 400 people including women and children. 

Only a handful of UK front pages, mostly left-leaning, lead with the news, although there’s more extensive coverage online. 

Many of the publications report on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments that Israel will continue bombing Gaza until the hostages are returned, saying Tuesday’s attack was ‘only the beginning’ adding to growing fears over the humanitarian crisis already in the region.

Putin partial ceasefire: What the puck? Putin partial ceasefire: Vladimir Putin has agreed to a 30-day “partial ceasefire” in the Ukraine war, specifically banning attacks on energy plants. However, Russia can still attack frontline areas. This agreement was reached after talks with Donald Trump, which also included plans for ice hockey matches between the two nations. The Sun front page reports: 

Putin rejects Trump’s ceasefire Putin keeps ceasefire hopes on a knife edge: Vladimir Putin has agreed to a 30-day pause on attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, he has set conditions, including restrictions on Ukraine’s mobilisation and receipt of Western arms, which are frustrating Kyiv.  Liz Kendall is pictured on the front splash after announcing a series of cuts to benefits which has led to widespread backlash. The Times front page reports: 

Putin rejects Trump’s ceasefire Putin rejects Trump’s ceasefire: Vladimir Putin has agreed to halt some attacks in Ukraine, specifically on energy infrastructure, but will continue his front-line offensive. This follows a phone call between Putin and Donald Trump. It is also stated that Putin is doing more damage to Ukraine than the other way around. The Daily Telegraph reports: 

Severn barrage rejected-report Severn barrage rejected-report: A huge Severn Barrage with the potential to generate around 7% of the UK’s energy needs has been ruled out by an independent commission which instead is recommending over the long-term a series of commercially viable tidal lagoons.  Western Mail front page reports:

Fears welfare reform will be severe blow to Scots budget Fears welfare reform will be ‘severe’ blow to Scots budget: An SNP minister warns that UK welfare reforms may have a “severe impact” on the Scottish Government’s budget. The Scottish Government’s Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, accuses UK Labour ministers of showing a “lack of regard” for Scotland’s devolved social security system. The Scotsman front page reports:

£150m cuts will hit ‘sick and vulnerable’ Proposed UK government welfare reforms are causing concern in Stormont, with fears they could create a £150 million “ticking time bomb” for the Executive. DUP leader Gavin Robinson and First Minister Michelle O’Neill have criticised the government for targeting the “sick and vulnerable.” The Belfast Times front page stories: 

A phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump has led to a partial pause after Putin rejected Trump’s ceasefire plans which would have ended the war altogether. Instead, Putin agreed to a 30-day pause on attacking energy and infrastructure.

Online, the media coverage is up to date, offering live coverage of the ongoing violence being exchanged between the two countries as the partial ceasefire failed to hold.

Work and Pensions Sectreaty Liz Kendall announced a series of benefit cuts yesterday as the government looks to overhaul the UK’s welfare system in hopes of saving £5bn a year. There have been widespread reactions to the cuts from across the political spectrum, unions and charities. There are fears that the most vulnerable could be pushed into poverty, dissent amongst Labour MPs who have accused the government of echoing “Tory austerity” and reports more cuts are coming in the spring budget.

What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to England and Scotland’s upcoming football matches! Grab a coffee – here’s your UK news breakdown.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined the £5bn package of welfare cuts, which has seen strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with charities and organisations also adding their opinions. 

A handful of UK front pages lead on Israel breaking the ceasefire in Gaza and heavily bombing the strip, killing more than 400 people including women and children. Online, many of the publications report on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that the strikes were ‘only the beginning.’ 

The German Bundestag approved a €500 billion fund to boost defense and infrastructure spending, marking a significant shift from the country’s traditional fiscal conservatism. The legislation proposes easing Germany’s strict debt rules, allowing increased borrowing to enhance military capabilities and stimulate economic growth.

Netanyahu said the offensive was “only the beginning,” as he broke an almost 2 month ceasefire by bombing Gaza – killing more than 400 people, including women and children.

The strikes have drawn international condemnation, with concerns over the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

In the aftermath of a significant phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated, with both nations accusing each other of violating a newly established ceasefire.

Louisiana conducted its first execution by nitrogen gas on Tuesday, marking the state’s return to capital punishment after a 15-year hiatus.

There is a variety of stories dominating the UK headlines this week – Heathrow Airport closed for at least 24 hours to Nicola Sturgeon cleared in the SNP embezzlement case – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your news briefing with all that you may have missed from the week so far.