Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes A tractor collided with two houses on A51 Vicars Cross Road, resulting in the destruction of their front walls and a collision with a Mercedes car. No serious injuries have been reported, but the drivers involved have been taken to hospital for precautionary checks. The A51 is closed in both directions, with expected delays, and Cheshire Police are seeking information or video footage from witnesses. Tractor crashes into houses knocking down their front…

There is a lot of politics in the news today, with many headlines (around the world) reporting on the US tariffs set to be announced on Wednesday – tariffs that Trump has said will impact every country. The UK had been hoping to secure an exemption from the tariffs, but yesterday, the prime minister confirmed the UK is set to be impacted by Wednesday’s announcement. 

In more bad news for Britain, ‘awful April’ has begun as water bills, energy bills, and council tax have all risen. But today also marks the National Minimum Wage increase that starts today. 

Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that US-UK trade discussions are “well advanced” but anticipated incoming tariffs from Donald Trump, asserting the need for a careful response rather than immediate action.

Several newspaper headlines report on Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused Jeffery Epstein of sex trafficking her to Prince Andrew when she was a teenager. Giuffre said via her Instagram that she is in hospital following a serious car accident and only has four days to live. Her spokesperson said she is receiving medical care after a “serious accident” whilst Western Australia police and ambulance services said their records show a “minor crash” between a bus and a car on 24 March, but that no injuries had been reported as a result. 

In 2022, Ms Giuffre reached an out-of-court settlement with the Duke of York over a civil sexual abuse claim filed in the US. She accused Prince Andrew of allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old. Ms Guiffre had claimed the abuse took place while she was travelling with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted financier and Andrew’s former friend.

There is widespread coverage of France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political career after she was found guilty of embezzling EU funds and banned from running for public office for 5 years. It means her hopes of running in the 2027 election – in which she was considered one of the favourites – are now in tatters. 

Tuesday’s UK headlines are dominated by international stories with a sprinkling of domestic politics and royal stories. 

France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen has expressed her outrage at being banned from running for public office for five years after being found guilty by a French court of embezzling EU funds. The UK media are assessing what this means for France’s far-right, noting that it’s unlikely to stop the rise, and questions linger from the public figures, including Elon Musk, over how much the outcome was politically motivated.

Tariffs dominate much of the global news today, ahead of Wednesday’s ‘liberation day’ (according to Donald Trump). US tariffs are set to hit every nation tomorrow; the stock markets are in panic, and Britain failed to secure a trade deal before the tariffs.

Prince Harry and Prince Andrew are in the news as Harry’s charity row rumbles on and Andrew’s accuser has been involved in a serious car accident and says she has four days to live.

As of today, various household bills, including energy, broadband, council tax, and water, are experiencing significant increases, prompting concerns for many consumers.

Cliff Notes China’s military has initiated joint exercises involving army, navy, and rocket forces around Taiwan, aiming to deter Taiwanese independence. The drills, accompanied by provocative imagery, label Taiwan’s president a "parasite" and underscore China’s ongoing territorial claims. Taiwan’s Defence Ministry reported tracking numerous Chinese vessels and heightened military activity, highlighting escalating tensions in the region. China launches large-scale military drills around Taiwan and calls its president a ‘parasite’ | World News . China’s military…

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, was recently convicted by a French court of embezzling European Union funds, resulting in a five-year ban from holding public office. This ruling marks a significant setback for her political career and her ambitions for the presidency.

Motorists who fail roadside drug tests can continue driving for up to six months due to delays in processing confirmatory blood samples, posing significant risks to public safety.

From 1 April, households will experience significant increases in council tax, utilities, and communication costs, impacting nearly everyone in the country.

A 17-year-old from Wisconsin, Nikita Casap, has been charged with the murders of his mother and stepfather after allegedly living with their decaying bodies for several weeks.

Parts of the UK, especially the south of England, could experience temperatures up to 21°C (70°F) this week, surpassing highs in Athens and Barcelona.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams splashed down off the coast of Florida after being stranded at the ISS for over nine months due to delays with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Cliff Notes An extensive search is ongoing for an 11-year-old girl who reportedly fell into the River Thames near Barge House Causeway in east London around 1.15pm on Monday. The Metropolitan Police and emergency services are coordinating a large-scale response, with the girl’s next of kin being supported by officers. Extensive search under way for 11-year-old girl who fell into River Thames . An “extensive search” is under way to find an 11-year-old girl after…

Marine Le Pen faces a five-year ban from public office following her conviction for embezzlement, alongside other members of her National Rally party.

Cliff Notes An 84-year-old man, attacked by an XL bully dog in Warrington on 24 February, has died from his injuries after weeks of medical care. Cheshire Police destroyed the offending dog and another inside the property following the attack; armed officers fired 19 shots during the incident. A 30-year-old man has been charged with owning a dog dangerously out of control, and the Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to upgrade the charges following…

Cliff Notes Finnish President Alexander Stubb advocates for a complete ceasefire in Ukraine on 20 April, marking a deadline linked to Easter and Donald Trump’s three-month tenure. Stubb expressed his observations of Trump’s frustration with Russia’s slow progress in ceasefire negotiations, citing typical Russian tactics of changing conditions post-negotiation. The discussions contribute to a broader context of heightened security measures in Europe, following Finland’s and Sweden’s recent NATO memberships. Ukraine war latest: Kremlin responds to…

Prince Harry has been accused of bullying and harassment by the chairperson of the charity Sentebale, which Harry co-founded. Dr Sophie Chandauka gave an interview over the weekend where she said since Harry’s Netflix deal interfered with a planned Sentebale fundraiser and an incident with Harry’s wife Meghan became a source of friction. Chandauka says Harry – and the board who all resigned – are trying to force her out.

The global stock markets have reacted to Trump’s comments over the weekend as he is set to announce a raft of new tariffs that will affect every country. Asian markets have fallen, and European markets opened down.


Expect much of this week’s news to be dominated by the US President as his new tariffs are set to hit this Wednesday, he’s announced he might consider a third term as president (despite US law only allowing for two) and he’s told Russian president Putin he has to agree to a ceasefire in a month or face more tariffs.