Mortgage costs will jump for millions, warns Bank of England

A murder charge has been authorized against Harshita Brella's husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have fled the country after her body was found in the boot of a car in east London. The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges, including two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behavior, but Mr. Lamba has not yet been located. Police believe Brella was strangled in Corby before her body was driven to Ilford, and they...

The National Crime Agency warns of a rise in online sexual extortion targeting boys, with 90% of victims being male aged between 14 and 17. Organised crime groups from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines manipulate and blackmail young boys into sending money or intimate images, threatening to release them online. A major campaign has been launched to educate boys aged 15 to 17 on the dangers of sextortion, including how offenders operate and how...

The UK is poised to experience its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach 20C, surpassing those in Spain and Greece. The Met Office predicts that the spring equinox on Thursday could be the warmest day of 2025, with southern regions potentially hitting 20C, making them hotter than Barcelona and Athens. On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 18C in central London, but on Thursday, London and...

The Organ Grinder Championship is returning to Diest, Flemish Brabant on September 7th, 2025, featuring talented organ grinders playing throughout the city, judged on their performance, music, and equipment. The event will also include an antique market, free museum access, and a 4,000-candle display in the Beguinage, highlighting Diest's commitment to tradition and music. Alderman De Dobbeleer is proud to bring this cultural event to Diest, known for its rich history and vibrant music scene....

The UN Human Rights Council discussed ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar, with a focus on enforced disappearances in Ukraine attributed to Russian authorities. The Commission of Inquiry reported on widespread disappearances, torture, and sexual violence by Russian authorities, with evidence of war crimes and lack of cooperation in investigations. The Council also addressed Belarus' crackdown on dissent, highlighting political persecution, imprisonment, and torture in the country, leading to widespread impunity...

The teaching staff at Sint-Guido-Instituut in Anderlecht experienced two threatening incidents from students, including a 13-year-old pupil throwing a glass object at educator Gino De Cock. De Cock filed police reports after each incident and demanded disciplinary action, but the school board opted for restorative methods instead of suspension, citing the need for increased guidance and supervision due to rising school violence in Belgium. Full Article