Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes Counting is underway in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, triggered by the passing of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March. Voter turnout reached 44.2% with 27,155 ballots cast, reflecting potential shifts in Scottish political dynamics ahead of the 2026 elections. The contest features ten candidates, with particular focus on SNP, Labour, and Reform UK amid heightened campaign tensions and accusations of divisive politics. Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election: Polls close and count…

A former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs, under the pseudonym “Jane”, testified about a coercive relationship involving drug-fuelled sexual encounters with male escorts, driven by Diddy’s influence.

A man who has admitted to aggravated arson at a Ukraine-linked warehouse was told to watch a Cold War spy drama as his “manual”, the Old Bailey has heard.

Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK, stating that working to elect the party is no longer a “good use of my time.”

Investigators have concluded a three-day search near Praia da Luz for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared 18 years ago, without discovering significant evidence.

Sarina Wiegman has announced the 23-player England squad for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, including 13 players from the 2022 championship-winning team despite the surprise retirements of Mary Earps and Fran Kirby.

International Airlines Group (IAG) faces potential shareholder revolt over a proposed £2.7m one-off share award for CEO Luis Gallego at its annual meeting on 18 June.

Reeves forced to drop net zero cuts The Daily Telegraph says Ed Miliband has defeated an attempt by the chancellor to raid one of his key net zero schemes in next week’s spending review. The paper says the Treasury was planning cuts to the £13.2bn warm homes plan, but the scheme will be largely unaffected.  Donald Trump has said Putin is plotting revenge on Ukraine after Sunday’s drone strike – the US president had a phone…

Battle lines drawn over immigration The Daily Mail reports Labour is set to bring in new laws curtailing use of the European Human Rights Convention by foreign criminals. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is drawing up legislation to make it easier to deport overseas offenders as well as failed asylum seekers, the Daily Mail can reveal. A new bill will contain measures designed to restrict the use of the ‘right to private and family life’ under…

Pensioners on disability and housing benefits in line for winter fuel payments The i newspaper says more than a million pensioners on housing and disability benefits could benefit from the Government’s U-turn on the winter fuel allowance and receive the payment this year. Rachel Reeves used a speech on Wednesday morning to confirm that the changes to winter fuel payment eligibility would be implemented before winter.

Pensioners face tax hit for winter fuel U-turn The Times says winter fuel payments will be restored this winter, but wealthier pensioners will not get them, ministers have said. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, promised that “more people will get winter fuel payments”, and said details would be set out soon. She said there would still be a “means test” but pledged to introduce it in time for this winter, despite concern that ageing government computer…

Chaos fears over return of winter fuel payments The Guardian says bereaved families of tens of thousands of dead pensioners could be pursued by tax officials to recoup winter fuel payments under a new system being explored by the Treasury. In a further attempt to win public support and quell Labour backbench concerns, ministers are announcing on Thursday that all pupils in England whose families claim universal credit will be eligible for free school meals…

Farage backs call for full U-turn to help OAPs The front page of the Daily Express leads with the winter fuel payments u-turn announced by the government. Nigel Farage has demanded that the Government must reverse its winter fuel cut for pensioners in full. The Reform UK leader challenged Rachel Reeves to make a complete U-turn when she delivers her highly anticipated spending review next week. Camilla is pictured on the front page as is…

Erin Patterson is charged with the murders of her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law, allegedly using poisonous mushrooms in a beef wellington.

Israeli forces, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have recovered the bodies of Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks.

Thursday’s newspaper headlines report on the winter fuel U-turn announced by the chancellor yesterday – widely welcomed by the newspapers.

Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Thursday, 5 June 2025. After weeks of glorious sunshine, a touch of morning rain has struck the capital – so don’t forget your brolly if you’re heading out.

It’s all politics this morning. There’s coverage of the government’s U-turn on the winter fuel payments after the prime minister announced more pensioners will be eligible for the payment by this winter.

The government has also announced that they will be expanding free school meals as part of a broader effort to tackle child poverty in the UK.

Donald Trump and the US are, of course, in the headlines as the president of the US has announced a travel ban on 12 countries and the US was the only country to veto a full ceasefire in Gaza.

Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order banning entry into the US from 12 countries, citing national security and immigration concerns in the wake of a recent attack in Colorado.

The UK government has announced that 500,000 more children in England will become eligible for free school meals from September 2026, as part of a major expansion aimed at tackling child poverty. From that date, any family receiving Universal Credit—regardless of income—will qualify. Currently, parents must earn less than £7,400 a year after tax to be eligible.

Andy Burnham acknowledges the possibility of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister, urging Labour to enhance connections with voters.

The government has confirmed that more people will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, in a U-turn on one of Labour’s first controversial policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the increased eligibility will be in place “this winter,” though specific details on the new threshold and who qualifies remain vague.

President Trump has enacted a travel ban affecting 12 countries, citing ‘extreme dangers’ posed by foreign nationals not properly vetted.

Aid distribution centres in Gaza will close for renovations on Wednesday, following Israeli gunfire that reportedly killed 27 Palestinians near one of the sites.

The UN’s World Food Programme director emphasized the urgent need for Israel to allow large-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent widespread malnutrition and famine among children.

Dr Sarah Hughes of Mind charity critiques government plans as “not ambitious enough”, highlighting a crisis in mental health cases at A&E amid rising waiting times and significantly decreased bed availability.