Seven of the best places to enjoy cherry blossom in the UK this spring
The UK cherry blossom season usually starts in late March and can go — depending on the variety and the weather — to late April. While the trees in our cities tend to be ornamental, native British cherry trees usually produce fruit, and this time of year see bees and other pollinators flitting from flower to flower. Here are the best places to see cherry blossom in the UK, while they last. Details Room-only doubles from £180, two-night minimum stay (doddingtonhall.com)• Cherry blossom season in Japan: where and when to go in 2025Advertisement2. National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, CarmarthenshireThe Japanese garden is now maturing at the National Botanic Garden of WalesOriginally created in 2001 for the Chelsea Flower Show (and winning a gold medal for its designer, Professor Masao Fukuhara), the Japanese garden is now maturing at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Source:The Times
April 03, 2025 02:26 UTC
Trump announces tariffs on ‘liberation day’ — as it happened
President Trump said “April 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn” ANDREW HARNIK/GETTY IMAGES“My fellow Americans!” President Trump said. “President Trump is an admirer of Britain and our negotiations in government showed he wants to do a deal. President Trump has vowed to impose levies on a wide range of goods from April 2, which he has declared “liberation day”. President Trump’s tariffs are essentially a tax on imports with the aim of boosting American manufacturing. The White House said that liberation day, as Trump has called it, would “fix the wrongs of the past” and “restore the golden age of America”.
Source:The Times
April 03, 2025 01:42 UTC
Trump piles on the tariffs but UK escapes the worst
President Trump has imposed immediate tariffs of 10 per cent on all British exports to the United States as he announced a “declaration of economic independence” for America. On his self-declared “liberation day”, Trump described the tariffs as reciprocal and said he was going to be “kind” by charging half of each country’s total anti-US measures. He then produced a chart showing rates, with the UK calculated to have barriers of 10 per cent but charges at the same level. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden at a “Make America Wealthy Again” event certain to be seen as a defining moment of his second term and for the global economy, Trump announced 10 per cent was the new baseline. It was unclear just how
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 22:10 UTC
Indian-origin drug kingpin 'Starkcake' jailed for 18 years in UK over £4 million cocaine and heroin trade
These communications were analysed as part of Operation Venetic, Britain's response to the international EncroChat infiltration, as reported by news agency PTI.Analysis revealed that "Starkcake" coordinated the importation of 96 kg of cocaine, worth 3.6 million pounds, from Brazil during a month in 2020. Additionally, he arranged weekly shipments of up to 15 kg from the Netherlands. The messages also showed his involvement in distributing 20 kg of heroin and one kg of cocaine within Britain.Principal investigator Luke Seldon highlighted "Starkcake's" role in criminal operations, noting his connections to overseas suppliers and domestic distributors. The messages exposed his proficiency in money laundering, managing criminal proceeds worth millions.Investigators uncovered "Starkcake's" true identity through message analysis, combined with mobile phone location data and financial records. The NCA's success in removing such a significant criminal operator disrupts dangerous drug supply networks and reduces profit from harmful activities.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 17:38 UTC
Indian student numbers in US, UK, and Canada drop by 40% in 2024, while Germany and New Zealand see record growth
Indian student numbers drop by 40% in US, UK, and Canada, while Germany and New Zealand see record growthUS, UK, and Canada see steep declines in enrollmentsShifting preferences towards Germany and New ZealandFactors driving the changeA recalibration, not a collapseThe future of Indian student mobilityThe number of Indian students choosing the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for higher education has dropped sharply by 40% in 2024. According to Indian government data, the number of Indian students in Germany increased by 68% from 2022 to 2024, rising from 20,700 to 34,700 students. As reported by the ICEF Monitor, New Zealand has become the most welcoming Anglophone country for Indian students, thanks to its flexible visa policies and safe environment. As Mathai pointed out, “Our destination maps now have layered overlays – visa stability indices atop rankings" (quoted by the ICEF Monitor). However, the shifts in student mobility patterns, driven by policy changes and economic factors, signal a transformation in how Indian students approach studying abroad.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 15:00 UTC
School-based nurseries: Everything you need to know – The Education Hub
But what are school-based nurseries and who will benefit? What are the other benefits of school-based nurseries? How many new school-based nurseries are being created? The government has approved 300 new school-based nurseries in the first round of funding, delivering on its manifesto pledge to create thousands of new school-based nurseries by the end of this Parliament. The first 300 school-based nurseries will be located in towns and cities across the country, from Exeter to Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 14:42 UTC
True scale of payment fraud 'is EIGHT TIMES higher than previously thought'
Fraud is the most common crime in Britain - with romance and investment scammers raking in more than everSCAM SCOURGE True scale of payment fraud in UK is EIGHT TIMES higher than previously thought, shock report revealsTHE true scale of payment fraud in the UK is eight times higher than previously thought, a shocking report claims. Financial regulators previously believed fraud through Authorised Push Payments cost Brits £380m a year but a new study puts the losses at £3billion. Experts at the National Fraud Helpline also found customers are now making more payments to scammers during each fraud swindle. During romance scams, where hoaxers convince singles to send money to an internet partner, the number of payments has soared from 5.5 in 2020 to 10.8 in 2024. In investment scams, where supposed financial experts convince Brits to part with their life savings, the average number of payments went from 2.4 to 3.6 in the same period.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 14:07 UTC
Hungary to welcome Binyamin Netanyahu and defy arrest warrant
Binyamin Netanyahu is due to arrive in Budapest on Wednesday night for a visit framed as an act of defiance by Hungary and Israel against the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against him for war crimes. As an ICC signatory Hungary is required to arrest the Israeli prime minister, but instead Viktor Orban, his Hungarian counterpart, will roll out the red carpet in a staged event to flout the law. Orban has instructed his ministers to explore ways for Hungary to leave the ICC and the Rome Statute treaty that created it, a move that would put him at odds with the European Union. Orban is believed to favour removing Hungary from the International Criminal Court ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/GETTY IMAGESThe European Commission’s view is that all EU member states should ensure “full co-operation with the court, including by the prompt
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 14:04 UTC
Rare minting error to spot on 20p coin that sold for 1160 TIMES its worth after sparking fierce eBay bidding war
SILVER LINING Rare minting error to spot on 20p coin that sold for 1160 TIMES its worth after sparking fierce eBay bidding warA rare 20p coin sold for a whopping £232 on eBay – over 1,000 times its face value. The coin, which features a rare minting error, had collectors scrambling to get their hands on it. Meanwhile, the 50p coin has become Britain’s most sought-after collectible, with rare designs fetching serious cash. Coin collectors have been urged to check their wallets as one ultra-rare 50p coin is set to be sold for more than £4,000. The 20p Coin you should check forIt dates back to 2019 and is listed for £4,136.72 on online marketplace eBay.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 13:22 UTC
Trump candidates win 2 bypolls but Dems clawing back
US President Donald Trump (File Photo)TOI Correspondent from Washington:Poll Which party do you believe will have more success in the next election cycle? Roughly half the states elect at least some of their judges, while they are appointed by the other half, usually by the governor. While some states allow judicial contestants to have party affiliation, Wisconsin falls into the nonpartisan election category, but voters discern candidates' ideological bent based on their record and campaign pledges. Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. The Trump endorsement, as always, proved far greater than the Democrats forces of evil."
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 12:26 UTC
It’s F-35 vs Eurofighter ‘Showdown’ In The UK As Critics Argue U.S. Jets Could Hurt Typhoon, 6th-Gen GCAP
The UK is considering placing an additional order for the American F-35 Lightning II aircraft. However, workers’ unions in the country warn that purchasing the American jet could hurt the prospects of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the 6th-gen GCAP, and Britain’s autonomy. Previous reports indicated that the US is planning to place nuclear weapons at UK air bases after a hiatus of nearly two decades. Meanwhile, the Eurofighter Typhoon costs £73 million (US$94.19 million), according to the latest report. In recent months, the three other members of the Eurofighter Consortium—Italy, Germany, and Spain—have all placed additional orders for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 12:12 UTC
Major newspapers raised over £6m for charities in Christmas appeals last year
Major newspapers raised more than £6m through Christmas charity appeals last year, with some raising more money than the year before , while others raised less. The Guardian and Observer’s latest Christmas charity appeal also raised more year-on-year – over £1.73m, up from £1.42m in 2023. Readers of the Times and Sunday Times raised £1.5m for charities in Christmas 2024, compared to £2.03m the year before. Telegraph readers raised £486,000 for the newspaper’s chosen charities, down from over £527,000 the year before. Meanwhile, the Financial Times charity Christmas appeal raised over £211,000 in donations for its Financial Literacy and Inclusion campaign.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 11:58 UTC
UK invests £20 million in flying taxis and drone services
The UK government has committed £20 million ($25.8 million) to support commercial drone services and the development of "flying taxis." An additional £5 million will support businesses in developing profitable ventures using these technologies. Transport officials say the funding will enhance emergency services, with drones assisting firefighters and paramedics.While the UK has seen drone trials, including postal deliveries in the Scottish isles and medical transport in London, commercial adoption has been slow. Amazon selected Darlington for its first UK drone delivery service, but a launch date remains uncertain.Critics warn of potential job losses and privacy risks associated with aerial surveillance. Aviation Minister Mike Kane reiterated the goal of making the UK a global leader in aviation technology.Despite concerns, the UK continues integrating automation into its transport ecosystem, with self-driving delivery robots already operating in Milton Keynes.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 10:41 UTC
Charlotte "Betty" Webb: British WWII code-breaker 'Betty' Webb dies aged 101
Photo: XWhat wasBetty Webb's job at Bletchley Park? "Betty inspired women in the Army for decades and we will continue to take pride in her service during WWII and beyond, and as a champion of female veterans," read a WRAC statement, marking her passing.Webb kept her work a secret until 1975, after which she began to give talks to schools and other organizations. She also wrote a book about her experiences, helping to keep alive the legacy of Bletchley Park – which was the subject of the 2014 movie"Betty was not only a member of the incredible team at Bletchley Park during World War II, but she also dedicated much of her life to raising the profile of Bletchley Park in more recent years," Bletchley Park said in a statement. "Her tireless efforts in bringing the history of Bletchley Park to a wider audience, through sharing the stories of those who worked here, helped ensure that the vital role of Bletchley Park during World War II, and its impact on the conflict, was recognized. "Hailing from the village of Wythall, just south of Birmingham in the English Midlands, Webb initially worked at Bletchley Park as a secretary, which she said was "pretty boring but had to be done.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 09:42 UTC
UK ETA: Europeans traveling to UK need online permit from April 9
Representational AI imageUS Hit By Another Loss; Fourth American Soldier Killed Near Russian Ally Nation Border | WatchEuropeans Need Permit To Enter Uk, Trumps Reciprocal Tariffs Begin April 2UK has introduced a new online entry requirements for European visitors from Wednesday, implementing a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit as part of enhanced security measures.European travellers must obtain an ETA permit, initially priced at £10 (12 euros), with costs increasing to £16 from April 9. Douglas highlighted that approved travellers would benefit from faster border crossing through eGates. The ETA remains valid for two years, permitting stays up to six months.Applications opened to Europeans in March, covering approximately 30 countries, excluding Ireland. Applicants must submit passport photos and facial images through a smartphone app or government website, typically taking 10 minutes to complete.Whilst most applications receive swift responses, authorities advise allowing three working days. By January, it included about 50 additional countries including Argentina, South Korea and New Zealand.
Source:The Times
April 02, 2025 06:46 UTC