The headlines dominating UK news cover domestic and international politics, overnight terror in Gaza, protests over corruption and some lighter stories including the upcoming Nations League matches and St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Benefit’s raid, Germany’s historic vote, 330 slaughtered in Gaza
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UK headlines – Benefit’s raid, Net zero impossible, Princess Kate celebrates St Patrick’s Day
Tuesday’s headlines continue to speculate over the upcoming welfare reforms set to be announced today. The changes could see billions cut from benefits payments. There’s a range of talking points, from the chancellor’s attempts to quell a rebellion to fears that the poor could be pushed further into poverty, to questions over how much the cuts will actually save. There are calls for the government to U-turn and tax the wealthy instead of punishing the poor.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested it is impossible for the UK to meet its target of net zero by 2050, suggesting that to achieve that – a goal set by a previous Tory government – there would have to be a drop in living standards or bankrupting the country.
Princess Kate is pictured on the front pages – and online – drinking half a pint of Guinness as she celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards. It’s nice seeing Kate return to public life following her cancer battle last year.
On the sports front, Thomas Tuchel’s first camp as England manager is underway, the Welsh are continuing to dissect their team’s Six Nations performance an English mauling and Scotland is preparing for their return to Nations League action this week as they aim to retain their place in League A.
EU headlines – Germany’s historic vote , protests over corruption
Germany is about to make a decision today, that will impact the entire future of Europe’s defence and the bloc’s ongoing support for Ukraine. The Bundestag is voting on whether to take the brakes off defence spending – which if they do, could pave the way for a massive uplift in military investment. It comes as Russia makes gains in Ukraine and America makes it clear, Europe is not its friend and we can’t rely on US protection anymore.
The heartbreaking disaster that claimed the lives of 59 people has seen thousands take to the streets in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, demanding justice and action against corruption after a nightclub fire killed 59 people, many of them teenagers.
The fire is believed to have started when sparks from flares set fire the a patch of the ceiling. Around 20 people are currently being questioned over the horror, including the club owner, and some former government ministers.
World headlines – Israelis slaughter 330 people in Gaza
An overnight slaughter has claimed the lives of at least 330 people in Gaza. Israel launched an air attack on Gaza – the biggest wave of air strikes since 19 January, when the ceasefire came into effect. Israeli PM Netanyahu has justified the slaughter saying that talks to extend the ceasefire failed to reach an agreement.
Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally on their way home after being stranded on the International Space Station for nine months after their spacecraft suffered tech problems and their eight-day trip to space ended up lasting a massive nine months!