Next 24 hours are critical, warn UN agencies

The government will pledge to “clean up Windermere” by ensuring “only rainwater” enters the polluted English beauty spot, part of a scheme to upgrade water infrastructure and boost economic growth using over £100 billion of private investment. Environment secretary Steve Reed and water minister Emma Hardy will visit Windermere as part of the Things Can Only Get Cleaner tour to address sewage pollution issues that threaten the area's natural beauty and economic potential, with a...

Top barrister Felicity Gerry KC is advocating for the reputation of Christine Keeler, the central figure in Britain's infamous Profumo scandal, to be cleared after five years of legal battles. Keeler, known for her affair with former war secretary John Profumo at age 19, was pursued in court on unrelated charges and faced a lifetime of false accusations. Gerry is representing Keeler's son in a petition of mercy seeking exoneration for her alleged crimes, which...

A crew stranded on the beached cargo ship H&S Wisdom in the Humber estuary has received essential food and water supplies and will soon get donations of sweets from locals. The ship, stuck on a sandbank since 2 March, may remain immobile until tides rise at the end of the month, with refloating efforts likely starting on 28 March. Loaded with steel, the vessel, with six crew members onboard, will need the next spring tide...

The UN rights chief called for an immediate halt to the killing of civilians in northwest Syria's coastal areas following attacks by elements of the former government and local armed men. The attacks were reported to be coordinated and resulted in civilian casualties, prompting urgent action to stop the violence. The UN is urging all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and respect international humanitarian law. Full Article

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has reassured that he will not implement drastic cuts to the civil service, amid concerns of an Elon Musk-style cost-cutting strategy. Despite denying setting targets for job reductions, he announced significant reforms to Whitehall, including linking pay to performance and targeting long-term disability payments. The government's plans for savings to fund increased defence spending resemble Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in the US, known for its aggressive cost-cutting measures. Full Article

A 32-year-old man named Omar Prempeh has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Lathaniel Burrell, who was shot dead in Stockwell. The incident took place in Paradise Road in south London, where officers responded to reports of a shooting at 3:21pm on Tuesday. Prempeh, who was arrested in Croydon, is set to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, while Lathaniel’s family receives support from specialist officers as the investigation continues. Full Article