Author: WTX News Editor

This week’s UK news is dominated by the death of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The Pope had suffered with poor health in the last few months and died of a stroke and heart failure. As tributes are paid, many are reminiscing about the 88 year old pontiffs dedication to the people, with may dubbing him the People’s Pope.

Liverpool are one step closer to winning the Premier League title thanks to Trent Alexander Arnold’s goal against Leicester City – who now find themselves joining Southampton in being relegated. Burnley and Leeds have secured promotion to the Premier League.

There is ongoing coverage of the US stock markets and the decline in the US dollar following another turbulent few weeks under Donald Trump.

As of 22 April 2025, U.S. stock markets remain volatile following the April 2nd crash, which wiped over $3 trillion in value after President Trump’s sweeping tariffs—up to 125% on Chinese imports—sparked global trade tensions. 

The trade war with China continues to escalate, with the U.S. imposing steep port fees on Chinese-built vessels and restricting AI chip exports, prompting retaliatory tariffs from Beijing. China has also warned it will retaliate against countries that negotiate trade deals with the US “at the expense of China’s interests”, fuelling global tensions as the world’s two economic superpowers face off over tariffs.

These developments have contributed US dollar weakening with the Dollar Index hitting a three-year low amid investor concerns over Federal Reserve independence and economic outlook.

Cliff Notes Jean Charles de Menezes was fatally shot by police at Stockwell Underground station in July 2005, having been wrongly identified as a terrorist involved in failed bombings just days earlier. The new four-part drama, "Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes," will be available on Disney+ from 30 April, exploring the aftermath of the 7/7 attack and police investigations. Despite extensive inquiries, no police officers were charged for the shooting, though the…

The death of Pope Francis leads almost all the UK newspaper front pages this morning with heavy coverage in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – the Welsh reserve much of their coverage for online. The papers dub Pope Francis the People’s Pope in this mornings headlines and describe him as ‘groundbreaking,’ ‘modern’ and someone ‘championing the poor.’ 

The potential candidates to succeed Pope Francis include Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, and Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, reflecting varying levels of experience and progressive views within the Vatican.

The White House has expressed support for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth amid reports that he shared sensitive military details in a second Signal messaging chat with family members, following a prior incident where information was shared with senior Trump administration officials.

Cliff Notes HMS Prince of Wales will start an eight-month deployment under Operation Highmast, engaging in joint exercises with 40 countries across various regions. The carrier leads Carrier Strike Group 25, involving around 4,500 military personnel from the UK and allied nations, and will participate in NATO exercises off France. Commodore James Blackmore emphasised the mission’s focus on supporting trade routes and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to international security and partnerships. Royal Navy’s flagship HMS…

Cliff Notes A league table of foreign criminals, focusing on those awaiting deportation from the UK, is set to be published for the first time, with plans announced for publication by the end of the year. The number of foreign offenders awaiting deportation increased to 19,244 by the end of 2024, rising from previous years despite an overall increase in deportations since Labour took power. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has reportedly overruled concerns from officials…

Sir Keir Starmer reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine during a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasising the need for a full ceasefire from Russia to end the ongoing conflict.

Christians in Gaza’s only Catholic church honoured Pope Francis, who consistently reached out to them for over a year during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, culminating in his last phone call on Saturday.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 with 282 passengers caught fire during pushback at Orlando International Airport, leading to an emergency evacuation.

Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to a cerebral stroke that resulted in a coma and subsequent heart failure, as reported by the Vatican.

Cliff Notes World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis Tributes have poured in from around the world following news of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning. Announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell in a statement released by the Vatican, he praised the pontiff for a life “dedicated to service” and for his particular attention to “the poorest and most marginalised”. Just yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis – who was 88, and had recently suffered a…

Cliff Notes Pope Francis’ death was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who highlighted the late pontiff’s teachings on gospel values and love for the marginalised. Following the announcement, Cardinal Farrell assumed the role of Camerlengo, taking charge of the Catholic Church during the "sede vacante" period until a new pope is elected. As Camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell has specific duties, including pronouncing the pope’s death, securing the papal apartments, and managing the Holy See’s administrative responsibilities.…

Cliff Notes The death of Pope Francis initiates a formal protocol, including the notification of the camerlengo, who determines the papal death and breaks the papal signet ring to prevent misuse. Following an official announcement to the vicar of Rome and heads of state, the public is informed and St Peter’s Basilica bells toll in mourning. Pope Francis requested a burial at Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major and a simple wooden casket, diverging from…

Cliff Notes The period of "sede vacante" begins upon the death of a pope, during which a cardinal, known as the camerlengo, serves as interim leader with limited powers while preparations for the conclave take place. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, involves cardinal electors voting in secrecy to choose a new pope, with the process including a two-thirds majority requirement and the use of black and white smoke signals to indicate results. Once…

Cliff Notes Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and first Jesuit pope, adopted a reformative leadership style that embraced those often excluded from the Catholic Church, notably the poor and marginalised. His papacy was marked by a struggle between conservative and liberal factions within the Church, leading to mixed perceptions of his commitment to progressive social issues, including LGBTQ acceptance and environmental justice. Francis faced ongoing challenges surrounding clerical abuse scandals while striving to…

Cliff Notes Only 303 DeLorean cars are currently registered for road use in the UK, with an additional 114 off-road, likely unused. The original assembly of 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12s occurred in 1981, but the company collapsed shortly after, making these cars collector’s items. Restored DeLoreans can reach prices upwards of £80,000, driven by their scarcity and enduring cultural significance from the "Back To The Future" franchise. Back To The Future’s DeLorean has almost vanished from…

Cliff Notes US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is linked to a second group chat on Signal that reportedly discussed sensitive military operations, including airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. Despite warnings about using unsecured communication, Hegseth disclosed military details to a group that included his family and personal lawyer, raising concerns over operational security. The White House has defended Hegseth, dismissing the incident as a "non-story," while Democratic officials have called for his resignation, citing potential…

Cliff Notes DHL Express will temporarily suspend shipments to US consumers valued over $800 from any origin due to new US tariffs effective from 21 April. Shipments under $800 will remain unaffected, but businesses may need to split larger orders to avoid increased customs checks. New duties will apply to low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong starting in May, impacting prices for retailers like Shein and Temu. DHL suspends some shipments to US amid…

Cliff Notes – Britain’s 10 worst airports for flight delays Ranked: Britain’s 10 worst airports for flight delays | UK News Gatwick is the UK’s worst airport for flight delays for the second year running, according to new data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). After suffering from continued air traffic control (ATC) disruptions, departures from the West Sussex airport were delayed by more than 23 minutes on average in 2024. In 2023, its flights…

Cliff Notes – Woman stabbed to death in Enfield A murder investigation is underway following the fatal stabbing of a 45-year-old woman in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening. Police are focusing on Gainsborough House and have increased their presence in the area as part of the investigation, with no arrests made so far. Authorities are appealing for dashcam footage from motorists in Ayley Croft during the timeframe of 6:30pm to 7:30pm on the night…

Cliff Notes Approximately 100 firefighters are on the scene, combating a significant fire that engulfed flats on the sixth and seventh floors of a building in Aldgate, east London. There are currently no reported injuries, as firefighters successfully led 11 residents to safety, while road closures and congestion have been noted in the area. The London Fire Brigade is investigating the cause of the fire, which was reported around 5.43 PM, with crews remaining on-site…

Cliff Notes Volunteers from the Birmingham Central Mosque collected 24 bags of rubbish on Easter Sunday, highlighting community initiative amidst ongoing litter issues exacerbated by bin strikes. Residents report overflowing bins and unsightly streets, with many voicing support for striking bin workers whose pay is under dispute, while others express frustration over the lack of service. Birmingham City Council has declared a major incident due to public health concerns from the rubbish build-up, and the…

Cliff Notes A 62-year-old woman, Suzanne Cherry, died after being struck by a van at Aston Wood Golf Club, following a police chase in Birmingham. Her husband described her death as leaving an "unfillable void" in their family’s lives, highlighting her zest for life and the impact she had on others. Six men have been arrested in connection with the incident, as the Independent Office for Police Conduct continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the…