Author: WTX News Editor

The WTX News Teams works around the clock to deliver, breaking news and news Briefings to you on a daily basis. It is our opinion that sometimes you need information, not speculation so we try to cut through the bull**** and give you that in your Daily News Briefing.

Friday’s front page headlines offer a wide variety of domestic and international news with ongoing coverage of the UK handing over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands offering a clear political divide. 

Labour’s plans to free up prison spaces in England and Wales have outraged the right-wing papers boldly claim that sex offenders will be roaming the streets. 

There are discussions around benefits – including the two-child benefit cap, as well as coverage of potential tax rises, splashed on the front pages.

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Good morning – let’s grab a coffee and catch up on what’s making headlines in the UK and beyond today.

There’s some relief on the way for households as energy bills are set to fall for the first time in a year. Ofgem has confirmed a 7% cut to the energy price cap from July, which means the average household in England, Scotland and Wales will see their annual bill drop by around £129.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed a significant agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. As part of the deal, the UK will lease back the vital military base on Diego Garcia for £101 million a year, securing its use for an initial 99-year period.

In England, public sector workers are seeing a boost in their pay packets. Teachers and doctors will receive a 4% pay rise following recommendations from official pay review bodies. While education unions have largely welcomed the decision, they’ve warned that schools could face budget shortfalls without additional funding. Meanwhile, health unions have criticised a smaller 3.6% increase for NHS staff such as nurses and midwives.

On the global stage, tensions are rising after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack on Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada. Netanyahu accused them of siding with Hamas, following recent international criticism of Israel’s military actions. The comments came after two people were shot dead at the Israeli embassy in Washington, which has further strained diplomatic relations.

In the United States, the Trump administration has taken dramatic action against Harvard University, revoking its ability to enrol international students. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Harvard had failed to comply with immigration laws, while the university has called the move “unlawful” and a direct threat to academic freedom.

And finally, a suspect has been charged with the murder of two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. US prosecutors are treating the shooting as a hate crime and an act of terror, and have confirmed it’s a death penalty-eligible case. More charges are expected as the investigation continues.

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Cliff Notes – Kid Cudi testifies about ‘WTF’ car fire, break-in and ‘super villain’ meeting Diddy trial day nine – as it happened: Kid Cudi testifies about ‘WTF’ car fire, break-in and ‘super villain’ meeting Asked what role Diddy played in how Cassie looked, Morales says: “She had to look perfect and you had to report back to him with pictures of Cassie on a phone.” She goes on to describe Grammy Weekend in 2010,…

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PM feels the heat as he U-turns on winter fuel aid cut The Independent says the prime minister was “forced” to announce the reveal to “see off the threat of a revolt” by the Labour backbenchers. More pensioners will now be eligible for the payment. Trump and the South African President are pictured on the front after the US president “ambushes” Cyril with claims of a white genocide in South Africa. “Israel pounds Gaza,” says…

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Justice Secretary vows – Paedos to be castrated Paedophiles and rapists could face chemical castration, according to The Sun – with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood looking at plans to make it mandatory. Spurs beat Man United 1-0 in Spain to win the Europa League – and bringing an end to a 17-year wait for silverware. TV celebrity gossip also features on the front – with reports of a TV war in the sidebar.

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Labour’s winter fuel u-turn: Keir: WE GET IT The Daily Mirror says the prime minister has finally U-turned on the unpopular policy having finally “got it”  – amid the widespread backlash. The paper also notes that pensioners must wait until October to find out if they qualify under the new rules. Spurs winning the Europa League also makes the front page – the first silverware for the club in 17 years!

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Pensioners to wait year after winter fuel U-turn The Times says pensioners will face waiting more than a year to have the winter fuel payments reinstated after “one of the biggest” walk-backs of Starmer’s premiership so far. The paper suggests the backlash has “rattled” the prime minister, who had previously been firm in his refusal to back down.  The front page reports Donald Trump ‘ambushed’ the South African president during a meeting in which he claimed…

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Starmer announces U-turn over winter fuel after fierce backlash The Guardian says the U-turn comes after a “backlash against one of the most unpopular policies of the Labour government.” No 10 was unable to confirm when the change will come into effect or even if it’ll be changed by this winter – or how many of the 10 million pensioners who lost out would have it restored.  Donald Trump’s ambush of the South African president is…

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