Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the 2025 growth estimate for the UK has been halved to 1% from 2% by the government’s official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)
Author: WTX News Editor
The United States, traditionally isolationist and safely sheltered by two vast oceans, has always decided and declared itself as a ruler, but never before has it pressed its claim so dramatically.
Trumpism is here to stay and will outlive his presidency. The reason for that is that his policies have shifted the dynamics in US politics so severely that now Democrats will have to adapt.
Washington is lifting sanctions on Moscow for the first time in over three years, indicating a significant shift towards US-Russia rapprochement under Donald Trump.
Trump defends his team after text security breach Trump Defends Team After Security Breach: President Trump is standing by his national security team after a security breach where sensitive U.S. military plans were accidentally leaked in a group chat. Democrats are demanding further investigation into the incident. Baltimore Bridge Collapse Recovery: One year after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the city is still recovering. Cleanup efforts have made progress, but the loss…
USC cuts spending amid federal probes Trump Downplays Security Breach: President Trump dismissed concerns over a recent security breach where sensitive military plans were accidentally leaked via the Signal app. He referred to the incident as a minor “glitch.” Here’s a summary of the main stories on the front page of the Los Angeles Times:
Officials minimise war-plans breach Trump Defends Adviser: President Donald Trump is supporting his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, after an incident where Waltz mistakenly added a journalist to a sensitive government chat. Democrats are demanding answers, calling it a serious security breach. Here’s a summary of the main stories on the front page of The Arizona Republic:
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has announced plans to accompany his wife, Usha Vance, on a trip to Greenland this Friday. The visit, initially intended for Usha to attend Greenland’s national dogsled race and explore cultural sites, has been refocused to include both the Vice President and Second Lady visiting the U.S. Space Force’s Pituffik Space Base to assess Arctic security concerns.
Reeves hunts growth in economic gloom Western Mail reports Reeves will acknowledge she needs to go “further and faster to kickstart growth as she scrambles for savings to help balance the UK’s books without hiking taxes. Wales scored a VERY Late goal last night to salvage a point in their World Cup qualifier match.
Scottish Labour MP slammed for benefits comments The National says a Scottish Labour MP has been slammed after telling a constituent he is “proud” of the UK Government’s attempts to get people off benefits. The backbencher insisted that Labour would rescue the “broken” benefits system “from the jaws of Tory callousness and mismanagement”.
Rachel Reeves exclusive: My Mission The Daily Mirror has an exclusive interview with Rachel Reeves, saying she is on a “mission” to make Britain strong enough to combat global threats. Reeves has told the paper that the UK is ready to face down Russia but also promises poor people will not be forced to pay the price. The chancellor tells the paper, “we will always protect those who most need it.” Joey Barton has been found…
Don’t shift blame for economy’s woes, voters tell Reeves Daily Mail says the chancellor will seek to shift blame over the failing economy. The paper says the “beleaguered chancellor” has been struck a blow by a “bombshell poll” which suggests voters blame her for the situation. The Mail also notes that experts from the OBR are expected to warn that “living standards are set to stagnate for the rest of the decade.” Prince Harry is pictured…
A new Sky News documentary, “10 Years of Darkness: ISIS & The Yazidis,” reveals that many Yazidi women remain enslaved in ISIS detention camps a decade after their initial abduction.
Reeves to face down unions over austerity Budget The Independent says a defiant chancellor will deliver her spring statement against a background of threats from trade unions and discontent from the Labour left. The front page has an image of a Ukrainian coastguard on watch in the Black Sea while reporting that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to stop strikes in the Black Sea. Jon Sopel reacts to the Trump war plans leak – and…
Global shockwaves at data leak but Trump backs chump Metro reports that Trump dismissed the “humiliating” leak of US military attack plans on Yemen to a journalist. It says Trump backed his national security adviser, Mike Walz, as a “good man”. A White House source has a more colourful way of describing Walz to Metro, calling him an “idiot”.
Happy Wednesday – and most importantly, Happy Spring Statement Day! Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her plans for the UK economy for the next year, presenting her budget plans to the Commons at 12:30.
The chancellor is set to introduce significant changes aimed at balancing the UK’s public finances amidst economic uncertainty. Spending cuts are expected to be the main focus, with charities urging the government not to hit the poorest the hardest.
There are continued reactions to the news that top Trump official Mike Walz accidentally added a journalist to a group chat where top US officials were discussing plans to bomb Yemen.
The journalist leaked the messages, with the content from those messages leading headlines around the world. The major security blunder has led to questions in the US over Trump’s team and their lax approach to security.
The content of the messages revealed what most of Europe already knew – the United States hates Europe, calling the continent ‘pathetic’ and ‘free loaders.’
What can we expect in the Spring Statement 2025? – Wednesday’s Spring Statement, set to be announced by the chancellor this afternoon, dominates much of the UK news this morning. There is continued speculation over how severe the chancellor’s cuts to public spending will be amid promises that she is hunting growth for the UK economy.
The latest UK inflation figures are set to be released this morning, ahead of the chancellor’s statement, which will be delivered at 12:30 in the Commons.
Elsewhere, Prince Harry has stepped down from his role at the charity he co-founded after a row between the trustees and the chair of its board.
On the international front, the ongoing fallout with the Trump administration after the Yemen bombing plans were accidently shared with a journalist and there’s extensive coverage of the devastating wildfires sweeping South Korea, having already killed 18 people.
The implications of senior US officials leaking classified information about an attack on Yemen to a journalist, labelling it a “WTF?!” moment.
They analyse the widespread protests in Turkey and Tel Aviv against Presidents Erdogan and Netanyahu, questioning the potential for similar public dissent against Donald Trump in the US.
The rollout of assisted dying legislation in England and Wales has been postponed, now expected to take place no earlier than 2029 due to a four-year extension proposed by MPs.
During a significant anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 15, 2025, attendees reported hearing a frightening sound that caused panic and chaos among the crowd. Witnesses described the noise as a “whiz” lasting a few seconds, which prompted many to flee the area.
South Korea is grappling with severe wildfires that have resulted in at least 18 fatalities and the evacuation of 27,000 residents, causing extensive damage across numerous areas.
Prince Harry has resigned as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded to support children in southern Africa, amid a governance dispute within the organisation.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will reveal additional welfare cuts in her spring statement, following a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility indicating the initial reforms will save £3.4bn instead of the anticipated £5bn.
The inquest revealed that Malcolm Flynn, 72, was fatally trampled by cattle while walking along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in September 2020, with no charges brought against the farmer.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu poses a potential pandemic risk, according to Richard Pebody of the UK Health Security Agency, although the current threat to public health remains low.