"So much for cutting our energy bills!" The Mail says Labour promised to slash prices, but the paper warns that families are now facing three hikes to the energy price cap in succession - with a new one taking effect today. The Daily Telegraph, external says energy bills are set to go up further in the spring, bringing the rise to a £70 a year increase for households. The Daily Telegraph, external reports that private schools will increase their fees today by more than the 10% predicted by the government, as its planned VAT charge takes effect. The Telegraph, external has a similar picture of the display, which went ahead as poor weather saw other celebrations across the UK cancelled.

Possible The Conjuring filming, WatfordHollywood A-listers were spotted in Cassiobury Park earlier this year (Image: Donald McDougall) Hollywood A-listers were spotted in Cassiobury Park at the end of September, with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga seen filming for an upcoming horror film. It wasn't the first time that Grantchester has shot scenes in the area, with filming taking place at the former Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley back in 2021. Code of Silence, St AlbansRose Ayling-Ellis was spotted filming scenes at The Quadrant (Image: Huw Richards) ITV made two visits to St Albans in the autumn, filming scenes for Code of Silence, a new drama starring Rose Ayling-Ellis. EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Ayling-Ellis was spotted on location, leading to speculation that filming Code of Silence was taking place. ITV later confirmed this was the case and returned the following month, filming scenes at The Garibaldi pub in Albert Street.

The Bank of England will be forced to cut interest rates at least four times this year to boost flagging economic growth, according to economists polled by The Times. The majority of the 51 economists taking part in The Times’s eighth annual economists survey said the base rate will fall to at least 3.75 per cent in the year ahead, from 4.75 per cent, implying four quarter-point rate cuts. In the last survey, a majority of respondents turned out to be correct when they forecast that the Bank would lower borrowing costs twice in 2024. • From landslide to zero growth: Rachel Reeves, Newsmaker of the YearThe survey’s predictions go beyond the two rate reductions priced in by financial markets for 2025 after traders

"It Ends With Us" director Justin Baldoni sued The New York Times for libel on Tuesday over its story on allegations that he sexually harassed and sought to smear the reputation of the film's star, Blake Lively. It alleges the Times and Lively coordinated a smear campaign against Baldoni and his nine fellow plaintiffs. The Times stood by its reporting and said it plans to "vigorously defend" against the lawsuit. But the movie's release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni. He was dropped by his agency, WME, immediately after Lively filed her complaint and the Times published its story.

A major factor was fear among officials of being labeled racist, as the majority of perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage. The inquiry called for improved risk assessments, extended victim support, and community engagement, emphasizing that safeguarding children must supersede political correctness.The Rotherham scandal involved the systematic sexual exploitation of at least 1,400 children, predominantly young girls. Perpetrators, primarily men of Pakistani heritage, groomed, abused, and trafficked these children, often subjecting them to severe physical and emotional harm. This broader debate on race, crime, and policing in the UK has become a focal point for addressing systemic issues.The fallout from the scandal led to public outrage and calls for accountability. Instead, a balanced approach is required, one that respects diversity while upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.Continuing Impact and the Need for ActionThe impact of the Rotherham scandal continues to reverberate across the UK.

Read our privacy policyIt Ends With Us star and director Justin Baldoni is suing the New York Times over its reporting of Blake Lively’s sex harassment allegations against him. Last week, the Daily Mail reported that “an explosive counter lawsuit will be filed by Baldoni” on Thursday. Freedman told Deadline that he could not confirm when the lawsuit would be filed, but that it would contain some surprises. The publicist concluded: “It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false. However, the Age of Adaline star claims in the filing that Baldoni then began a campaign to “destroy” her reputation in response.

Actor Justin Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times on Tuesday, claiming the Gray Lady defamed him and his team when covering his "It Ends with Us" co-star Blake Lively's claim he launched a "smear campaign" against her. Lively previously filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, negligence and more. Lively also claims that Baldoni executed and participated in a "social manipulation" campaign to destroy her career and reputation. They claim the Times defamed them in the process, leaving out critical context from communications that dispute many of Lively’s claims. BLAKE LIVELY SUES JUSTIN BALDONI FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, RETALIATION AND INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESSThe Times stands by its reporting.

WHEN Sarah Culver stopped breathing 45 times a night, she knew she had to take drastic action. 7 Sarah Culver lost a staggering 16st after a terrifying condition stopped her breathing Credit: Supplied7 The 40-year-old now weights 11st and is super fit Credit: SuppliedSo she has managed to lose a staggering 16st - and now weighs a much slimmer 11st. "I feel like a different person, I feel so much healthier, and best of all, I don’t suddenly stop breathing in the middle of the night." "I was stopping breathing between 30 and 45 times every night, and I’d be so tired all the following day. 7 Sarah, 40, who lives with husband Mark, 52 Credit: Supplied7 'People were always whispering behind my back about how large I was,' says Sarah Credit: Supplied

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In March 2024, it emerged that five serving SAS soldiers were under investigation over an incident involving allegations of potential war crimes in Syria more than two years ago. The SAS soldiers involved are alleged by superiors to have used excessive force and should have arrested the man instead of killing him, the Mail reported. In addition to the cases in Syria, the MoD data reveals that the Spa is also considering a case in relation to a special forces individual in Afghanistan. A public inquiry is being held into the activities of the SAS during their time in Afghanistan. The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan - launched in the wake of reporting by the BBC and other media outlets - is investigating whether UK Special Forces killed civilians and unarmed people on night raids in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

RepresentationalUK Private Schools Now Add VAT to Fees:Why the change? How will private school fees change? Potential consequences for private schoolsLegal challenges and future outlookThe UK government has introduced a fresh wave of value-added tax (VAT) on the already expensive school fees for private educational institutions. This new rule, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, will add a 20% VAT on private school fees, marking a significant change in how these schools charge.Previously, private schools were exempt from VAT on school fees, as education was considered a tax-exempt service.However, under the new regulations, VAT will now apply to all payments made for the January 2025 term onward. The average cost of private school fees, which currently stands at around £15,000, has already increased by 55% since 2003, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

The forecaster said “heavy snow may cause some disruption over the weekend” as it put out a yellow weather warning for snow. They added: “Outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday will likely be preceded by a spell of snow on its northern flank. “If milder air is able to spread more bodily northwards, any snow in southern parts of the warning area may be relatively short-lived before turning to rain.”The weather warning for snow comes into effect at midday on Saturday and remains in place until 9am on Monday. However, the Met Office said that due to uncertainties, it was “quite likely” that the times would be refined as the weekend approached. The Met Office also provided the following advice:

The plan, the suit said, included a proposal to plant theories on online message boards, engineer a social media campaign and place news stories critical of Lively. The alleged mistreatment on set included comments from Baldoni on the bodies of Lively and other women on the set. Written by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire and Julie Tate, the story was published just after Lively filed a legal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, a predecessor to her new lawsuit. But the movie’s release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni. Baldoni took a backseat in promoting the film while Lively took centerstage along with Reynolds, who was on the press circuit for “Deadpool & Wolverine” at the same time.

Justin Baldoni filed a bombshell $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times after they published a story about his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively’s sexual harassment allegations. We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”Reps for Lively, meanwhile, told Page Six that they “look forward” to addressing Baldoni’s allegations in court. Lively and Baldoni worked together on the film adaption of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel about domestic violence from 2023 to early 2024. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection10 Lively also filed a lawsuit against Baldoni on Tuesday. Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionWhen “It Ends With Us” was released in August, sources told Page Six Baldoni allegedly made the mom of four feel “uncomfortable” on set.

No matter what special you choose to watch leading up to midnight, you won't want to miss the iconic ball drop when the clock strikes 12 a.m. Read on for how to watch and stream the 2025 New Year's Eve ball drop for free. When was the first New Year’s Eve ball drop? Truman Moore/GettyThe first New Year's Eve ball drop took place in 1907, according to the official Times Square website. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via GettyThere are several ways to watch the New Year's Eve ball drop for free. The Times Square official website offers commercial-free coverage of the ball drop and the festivities leading up to the main event starting at 6 p.m.