Man charged over crash which killed boy, 2, in Smethwick

Spring has brought a new financial year with higher incomes for millions, offset by rising costs like energy, water, and council tax. Income boosts in April, including a 1.7% increase in DWP-administered benefits and a 4.1% rise in the state pension, will benefit households, but Labour's cuts to welfare and tightening criteria for claiming PIP are cause for concern. Despite the challenging economic situation, key benefit and state pension payment dates in April remain unchanged,...

British firms face a 10 per cent tariff on exports to the US after Donald Trump declared a new era for global trade, vowing to end America being "ripped off". While the UK did not secure an exemption, it has one of the lowest tariffs at 10 per cent, compared to 20 per cent for EU nations and 34 per cent for China. Downing Street is focused on negotiating a sustainable trade deal and lowering...

Persons with disabilities, comprising 16% of the global population, face health inequities leading to premature deaths and higher disease risks. The Deputy Secretary-General emphasized the struggles of those in conflict zones, like Gaza, where accessibility challenges persist. The upcoming Global Disability Summit aims to address these issues and promote global disability inclusion. Full Article

Working age households are set to be £400 worse off on average next year due to tax hikes, rising bills, and stagnant benefits, according to the Resolution Foundation. Despite Rachel Reeves' claim of Labour's policies leaving families £500 better off, the outlook for living standards is described as "historically bleak" with a one per cent drop in disposable income for a typical household, blamed on tax hikes and frozen thresholds. The only positive note is...

A popular chocolate brand, Tony’s Chocolonely, has issued a warning to customers regarding certain batches of its Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bar, which may contain small stones. Customers are advised to return the affected bars with specific lot codes and best before dates to receive a full refund at the supermarket where they were purchased. The issue was traced back to one of the company's almond suppliers, where insufficient processing resulted in stones...

During a General Assembly briefing, Volker Türk highlighted the alarming rise in disappearances, driven by armed conflict and violations of international humanitarian law. The Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances has handled over 62,000 cases across 115 countries, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger international human rights frameworks and accountability measures to address this crisis. Türk stressed the importance of centering victims in the response, calling for solidarity and action to ensure truth, justice,...