‘We bought an old schoolhouse for £215k – now we’re spending almost £300k to make it energy efficient’

Four people, including Marcus Huntley, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, Joshua Gordon, and Tony Porter, have been charged with murder after Joanne Penney, 40, was shot dead in Talbot Green, South Wales, possibly due to mistaken identity. Emergency services found Penney with serious injuries and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, Tony Porter faces charges related to participating in criminal activities of an organised crime group, while Kistina Ginova is charged with assisting an offender. Full...

In Garth Davis's film "Lion," viewers follow Saroo Brierley's poignant journey as he navigates loss and identity, reflecting on the significance of home and the ties that bind us to our past. From Saroo's vibrant childhood in India to his challenging transition to Australia, the film showcases his resilience and determination in reclaiming his identity and finding his way back home amidst heartache and hope. Utilizing technology and memories, Saroo's decades-long quest highlights the power...

European Union nations are considering adjusting the binding gas storage targets to make them more flexible due to concerns over inflated gas prices, with countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands expressing reservations. The proposed changes include revising the requirement to fill gas storage to 90% of capacity by a range of October 1 to December 1, instead of the fixed deadline of November 1. The EU is also looking into burden-sharing tools to ensure...

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is providing compensation payments to around 57,000 benefit claimants who lost 'severe disability premiums' when transitioning from legacy benefits to universal credit. Following High Court rulings in 2018 and 2019, the DWP is hoping to complete the scheme by August 2025, with payments potentially reaching up to £5,000 per person. Eligibility for compensation requires receiving Universal Credit with an SDP element, and detailed information on the scheme has...

The EU is taking Spain to court over a discriminatory tax for non-residents related to capital gains, which violates the principle of free movement of capital. Despite the impending end of a current drought in Spain, scientists warn of more severe and frequent droughts in the future due to global warming, leading to economic impacts on agriculture and tourism. Additionally, Spain has faced criticism for its special tax regime, known as the Beckham Law, with...

A coalition of leading charities is urging Labour to introduce new rental laws to prevent poorer tenants from being discriminated against by unfair guarantor rules. Research from Shelter shows that one in three renters struggle to provide a guarantor, affecting around 600,000 renters. The coalition is asking the housing secretary to amend the Renters' Rights Bill to limit guarantor liability and prevent landlords from abusing their power to request guarantors unnecessarily. Full Article