Cardigan: Concerns for 'prettiest' high street famed for Independent shops
Three years ago it was named one of the prettiest places to do Christmas shopping by The Times newspaper and was praised for bucking the trend of struggling high streets. But business owners now say it's the "toughest" and "quietest" they've known trading in Cardigan, the historic market town widely recognised for its "independent vibe". The town in Ceredigion is dominated by small, independent businesses - with shops, cafes and restaurants saying increasing operational costs and a downturn in footfall are making it harder than ever for them. One shop owner says he took just £4 in a day, while an artist closed the doors on his high street gallery last week because of business rates. Many people across Wales have been in touch with BBC Your Voice ahead of the Senedd election to say they are concerned about the state of the economy, with many feeling the effects of rising costs and prices.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 22:00 UTC
Savers take £2.3 billion from pensions before inheritance tax raid
Savers take £2.3 billion from pensions before inheritance tax raid The number withdrawing their tax-free lump sums at age 55 rose 38 per cent in a year as families try to protect their wealth
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 21:33 UTC
Protecting civilians is a sign of strength – and an American ideal | Ted Widmer
Still, for all its epic violence, the second world war was fought with worthy goals, clearly communicated. Well before the end of the fighting, Franklin D Roosevelt articulated his vision for a world united around democratic values and international organizations. The Pentagon has a Law of War Manual, with a long chapter on how to protect civilians. By following that logic now, we will uphold long-established American values, and constrain other leaders from resorting to mindless violence. It is not a sign of weakness to protect civilians; it is the essence of strength and self-discipline, and a gesture of respect for the thousands of years of civilization that undergird all of us.
Source:The Guardian
April 07, 2026 21:05 UTC
Barcelona’s Vicky López: ‘I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness’ | OneFootball
At 19 years, eight months and 12 days Vicky López is a history maker, record breaker and Barcelona hero. Putellas made her Barcelona debut at 16 and lost her father to illness two years later. In her debut season with Barcelona she made 13 appearances, scoring two goals. “I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness,” López says. López is the future of a Barcelona team who will not have Putellas or Aitana Bonmatí for ever.
Source:The Guardian
April 07, 2026 21:00 UTC
Democrats outraged at Trump’s Iran post: ‘A threat to commit a war crime’
Donald Trump on Tuesday morning threatened to annihilate the entirety of Iranian civilization should the country’s government ignore his 8pm ET deadline to reopen the strait of Hormuz. Trump’s latest threat against the totality of Iranian civilization “shocks the conscience”, House Democratic leaders said in a joint statement, calling for a “decisive congressional response”. Questions about the president’s mental state have grown louder since Trump’s expletive-ridden Easter Sunday message, with Democrats and critics calling him “unhinged” and a “madman”. Trump’s Truth Social post came the morning after a chaotic White House press conference in which Trump voiced his threats to reporters. The military campaign is being followed by Trump’s $1.5tn Pentagon budget request, submitted last week alongside sweeping cuts to domestic programs.
Source:The Guardian
April 07, 2026 20:59 UTC
If Trump commits war crimes in Iran, he can be prosecuted | Kenneth Roth
Donald Trump is openly threatening war crimes in Iran because he apparently thinks he can get away with them. There is no doubt that Trump is contemplating war crimes. Iran is not currently a member, meaning the court has no jurisdiction over crimes committed on Iranian territory. It is now allowed for such crimes as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and arguably aggression. Presumably any group of countries – say, the European Union, or Nato or the G7 minus the United States – could establish an international tribunal to address crimes committed in Iran, including war crimes and aggression.
Source:The Guardian
April 07, 2026 20:13 UTC
5 Norfolk beaches that have been named best in the UK
Gorleston-on-Sea has been named one of the UK's best (Image: Anthony Kelly)One of the most popular beaches in the county, Gorleston is a true favourite. Last year, it won the award as the best beach in the UK, according to travel experts at Omio. Time Out Magazine shared its list of the 39 best beaches to visit across the UK last summer. Earlier this year, Tripadvisor released its Travellers' Choice: Best of the Best beaches list for 2026. Sea Palling was named among the best beaches by The Sunday Times (Image: Mark Bullimore)Sea Paling was named as one of the best beaches in the UK last year in the Times and Sunday Times 2025 guide.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 18:59 UTC
Rapper Offset shot following fight outside Hard Rock Hotel in Florida; police detain two
Offset was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., following a fight on Monday evening and is currently listed as stable, a spokesperson for the rapper told The Times. “We can confirm Offset was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” the spokesperson said in a statement. The incident began as a fight near the hotel valet, police said. Offset shares three children with hip-hop legend Cardi B, whom he married in 2017. The pair split publicly in late 2023, and Cardi B filed for divorce in 2024.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 18:37 UTC
Angela Rayner ‘will go into battle for Labour before taking fight to PM’
Angela Rayner ‘will go into battle for Labour before taking fight to PM’ The former Labour deputy leader is expected to go on a campaigning blitz. She could have the backing of 80 MPs if she decides to take on Keir Starmer
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 18:20 UTC
Trump-linked World Liberty Financial questioned over partner’s prior links to sanctioned network
The partnership was announced in November, shortly after coordinated U.S. and U.K. sanctions targeting Prince Group founder Chen Zhi and associates for alleged involvement in large-scale fraud. Individuals connected to the group had been involved in AB DAO’s promoted resort project before being removed following sanctions. However, WLFI told The Times it has “no association or relationship with the sanctioned individuals.”The developments add to broader questions around World Liberty’s governance and external relationships. The deal marked “something unprecedented in American politics,” according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited legal experts raising potential conflict-of-interest concerns. There is no suggestion that WLFI had any direct connection to the Prince Group, according to The Times.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 18:12 UTC
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei 'Unconscious', Receiving Treatment In Qom, Suggest Reports
London [UK]: Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is receiving medical treatment in Qom city of Iran, The Times UK reported on Tuesday, citing an intelligence assessment. As per The Times UK, the diplomatic memo is understood to be based on US, Israel intelligence shared with Gulf allies, which suggests that Khamenei is unconscious and being treated for a "severe" medical condition. The Times said that it had seen the memo, which reveals the location of the supreme leader for the first time. "Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in a severe condition, unable to be involved in any decision-making by the regime," the Times reported. Meanwhile, the report by The Times also noted that the elder Khamenei's body is being prepared for burial in Qom.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 18:02 UTC
Melissa Gilbert defends ‘canceled’ husband Timothy Busfield amid ‘hell’ of child sex abuse case
“Little House on the Prairie” alumna Melissa Gilbert remains steadfast in her support for husband Timothy Busfield, the Emmy-winning actor who has been embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal since earlier this year. “The West Wing” actor Busfield has three adult children from two previous marriages and is the stepfather to Gilbert’s two adult sons from her two previous marriages. When asked what justice for her husband might look like, Gilbert replied: “Exoneration and apology. Gilbert also told Stephanopoulos that before she married Busfield, she was aware he had been accused of sexual harassment twice by different women, once in 1994 and another time in 2012. I am neither naive nor am I complicit,” she said, adding she and her husband discussed those claims.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 17:41 UTC
Mapping tech to help crackdown on knife crime as part of £26m funding
Ministers are sharing national mapping technology with police to help them target streets and places where knife crime occurs. It has announced £26 million will be ploughed into a Knife Crime Concentrations Fund, which will support police to boost operations in knife crime hot spots identified by the mapping technology. The funding will be allocated to the 27 police forces in England and Wales that deal with 90% of knife crime. “This Government will halve knife crime within a decade, saving lives and protecting communities.”The mapping system will help officers pinpoint knife crime hot spots down to 100 square metres, and the times it is most likely to occur. The crackdown comes as part of a wider programme aimed at halving knife crime over a decade.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 17:13 UTC
India, UK join hands to accelerate industry-focused EV tech
Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary at the Technology Development Board, made the remarks as the board signed an agreement with Scharge Private Limited to develop a next-generation EV charging solution for commercial fleets and depot operations under the programme, according to an official statement.Under the agreement, Scharge will develop an EV charger charge controller featuring a patented automated cable management system from Albright Product Design Limited. The system is designed to improve efficiency, safety and usability in high-demand charging environments. The solution includes a motorised overhead cable management setup aimed at fleet applications, reducing manual handling, limiting cable wear and improving ease of use. It is compatible with existing AC Type-2 chargers and is expected to improve turnaround time while ensuring organised depot operations.The technology also addresses issues such as cable management, equipment protection and workflow efficiency, while reducing risks related to cable damage, vandalism and operational hazards. Scharge, which develops power electronics and smart charging systems, aims to use the project to strengthen domestic capabilities in EV charging and support scalable infrastructure for the growing electric mobility sector, the statement added.
Source:The Times
April 07, 2026 16:28 UTC
Trump needs to go. If we can’t use the 25th amendment, I have another idea | Arwa Mahdawi
Many people are asking what exactly it would take to get Trump fired from the most powerful job in the US. Various politicians have called for the 25th amendment to be invoked, which is one route for getting rid of an unfit president. Even if they weren’t all drinking the Trump Kool-Aid, the US system makes it incredibly difficult to remove a president. Ultimately, there are only two ways Trump is leaving office before the end of his term. Since we can’t rely on the usual checks and balances to get Trump out of office, we have to get creative.
Source:The Guardian
April 07, 2026 15:16 UTC