Households face a sharp rise in energy costs from July, with consultancy Cornwall Insight projecting an increase of roughly £332 a year for a typical dual-fuel home.The firm estimates the annual bill under Ofgem's price cap for July to September would reach about £1,973, up from the current level of £1,641.Cornwall Insight is updating its outlook weekly because of large swings in wholesale...

A string of attacks on a major gas field shared by Iran and Qatar has pushed energy markets higher and put fresh strain on the U.S.-Israel partnership.Israeli forces struck facilities in the South Pars field, one of the world’s largest gas reserves, and Iran responded by targeting an energy complex in Qatar.The tit-for-tat exchange prompted a fierce post from US President Donald Trump on his...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ignited a fresh political row after urging closer economic cooperation with the EU as a route to greater resilience.Speaking at the Mais lecture hosted by Bayes Business School in London, Reeves argued the UK should deepen its economic links with Europe to shore up growth and stability.Her call has prompted sharp criticism from opponents who say seeking tighter...

Former pop star Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, is reported to be gravely ill while serving time at HMP Channings Wood in Devon.Sources say the 81-year-old is largely immobile and hard of hearing, often using a wheelchair and spending most of his day confined to his cell.Insiders told the press he is held on a Vulnerable Prisoners Unit for his own protection, reportedly spending up to 23 hours...

A ceremonial sword tied to the incident that left Ed Sheeran bleeding has reappeared as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shifts his belongings from Royal Lodge to a new Norfolk home.The blade is believed to be part of the controversial royal's private collection, and its possible transfer has reignited interest in the bizarre party moment when Sheeran was cut just inches from his right eye.Reports say...

A small commune in north-central France has unexpectedly become an online talking point because its incumbent mayor shares a striking surname with history's most notorious dictator.Charles Hittler, the mayor of Arcis-sur-Aube (population about 2,785), is seeking re-election in Sunday's municipal run-off and narrowly led after the first round.The retired laboratory chief says the surge of social...

Stacey Solomon has moved to quash talk that she and husband Joe Swash have quietly split after fans noticed she’d been photographed without her wedding ring.The 36-year-old appeared on This Morning to discuss her role on Britain’s Got Talent when presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley steered the conversation towards her personal life.Stacey admitted she hadn’t even seen Joe’s recent...

Italy’s parliament has approved a new law that treats the gender-motivated killing of women as a separate offence punishable by life imprisonment.The vote, held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, passed unanimously with all 237 deputies backing the measure.The bill was proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and received support from both the government...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her Budget in the House of Commons around 12:30 GMT, facing pressure to find extra revenue while promising investment to cut NHS waiting lists and tackle the cost of living.She has flagged that tough but fair decisions are needed to reduce national debt and drive growth, with an immediate response from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch expected after the...

Rachel Reeves arrives at today's Budget under intense scrutiny, aiming to steady a struggling government and buy a little breathing room for Labour.She will frame the package as a set of difficult but necessary trade-offs, focused on three headline goals: easing pressure on household budgets, shortening NHS waiting lists and beginning to bring public debt under control.Delivering on those aims...