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.

Cliff Notes A new 100% council tax premium on second homes will be introduced by approximately 75% of councils in England, aimed at generating an additional £445 million in revenue. Critics argue that this measure is insufficient to address the housing crisis, describing it as a “naked cash grab” that will not significantly impact second homeowners’ decisions. Local authorities may impose exemptions for certain circumstances, raising concerns about potential loopholes while acknowledging the tax is…

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Nearly half of Scots ‘would back charging tuition fees’ The Scotsman reports the report, published by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, found 48 per cent of Scottish adults would back the idea of charging fees “based on the ability to pay”. Fewer than a third of respondents (29 per cent) said they would not back such a move, according to polling conducted by Ipsos Mori. The front page covers Scotland being demoted to…

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Wales World Cup campaign off to a flyer Western Mail leads with Wales boss Craig Bellamy has praised his side for sticking to their principles in Saturday’s win over Kazakhstan, but warns they will need to be at their very best if they are to rack up a second straight World Cup qualifying win on Tuesday. Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 last night.

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Uncovered: How Britain conceals its secrets and protects its informers The Irish News reports for decades there have been suspicions that the Northern Ireland justice system and the ‘neither confirm nor deny’ policy was being used to protect informers and hide embarrassing secrets for the British intelligence services in Troubles cases. It can now be revealed how this worked in practice during one of the most high-profile cases in the 30-year conflict.

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Chancellor risks war with unions over spending cuts The Times looks at a more political angle, suggesting the chancellor is risking a “war” with the public sector over her plans to cut thousands of civil service jobs.  Pope Francis is pictured on the front splash after he was released from hospital having been admitted in hospital for an extended period of time.

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Reeves must take action to stop OAP bill The Daily Express warns the chancellor that a petition, with more than 100,000 signatures, asks her to use her Spring Statment to stop pensioners on modest incomes from being hit with tax bills.  Elsewhere, thousands of lives could be saved by combining statins with another cholesterol-lowering drug, according to new research, according to a new study.

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Cliff Notes Bird flu, specifically the H5N1 virus, has been confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire, marking the first detection in sheep in England. The infected sheep was culled for testing, with no further infections found in the remaining flock, and the risk to livestock is currently deemed low by authorities. Officials urge livestock farmers to maintain strict biosecurity measures and report any signs of infection to safeguard against bird flu following recent outbreaks. Bird…

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A lot is happening this Monday morning with news across the UK being dominated by both domestic politics and international stories. The chancellor is making the headlines ahead of Wednesday’s Spring Statement, with the newspaper front pages speculating on what cuts are coming to public services. 

Protests across Turkey, US tariff backlash and Canada’s snap election are featured across the UK news this morning. 

Pope Francis is pictured on a handful of newspapers after he was discharged from hospital.

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Cliff Notes A high-profile US delegation will visit Greenland this week, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice-President JD Vance, amid ongoing discussions about the potential annexation of the territory by the United States. The delegation, which includes White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright, aims to strengthen partnerships and deepen understanding of Greenland’s culture and resources during their visit. Greenland and Denmark’s governments have expressed opposition to US annexation…

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Cliff Notes – At least seven killed in Russian drone attacks At least seven killed in Russian drone attacks in Ukraine following a large-scale drone assault by Russia, affecting multiple regions including Kyiv and Kharkiv. The Ukrainian military successfully intercepted 97 out of 147 launched drones, with significant casualties reported in the capital, including a 5-year-old child. Ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are set to begin in Saudi Arabia, amid mixed prospects for long-term…

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Cliff Notes Pope Francis returned to the Vatican after a 38-day hospital stay due to pneumonia, marking the longest hospitalisation of his papacy. He greeted dog walkers on his way home, appearing tired but expressing gratitude, while also continuing care for a lingering lung infection. As he resumes his duties, he is advised to avoid large gatherings and will have access to medical support at the Vatican residence. Pope stops to greet dog walkers as…

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