The voting will shortly get under way to choose Hartlepool’s next Youth Representative, offering teenagers a chance to shape the future of their area.

The Youth Representative will work with councillors, youth groups, and key decision-makers to champion the issues most important to young people.

The role involves attending local and regional meetings and contributing to a wide range of projects, campaigns and events.

Councillor Melanie Morley, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “Our young people care passionately about Hartlepool and its future.

“Voting to elect their Youth Representative is a powerful way for them to have a voice in helping to shape local decisions – so if you’re a young person in Hartlepool, please make sure you use your vote and have your say.”

The four candidates standing for election are Mayowa Carew, Oliver Dixon, Freddie Minton, and Libby Swinbourne.

Each has outlined a manifesto reflecting their vision for improving Hartlepool.

Freddie Minton’s campaign focuses on employment, transport, and promoting local pride.

Mr Minton said: “I want to promote local pride and showcase what it truly means to be from Hartlepool.

“By creating a campaign to showcase how amazing our town is, we can change perceptions and give Hartlepool the recognition it deserves.”

Libby Swinbourne is calling for more youth clubs and better education about cultural diversity.

Ms Swinbourne said: “I believe that we should be proud to live in Hartlepool, which means we need to take care of it.

“I believe that it’s our responsibility to ensure that our town is held to a good standard, especially if it also helps us to care for the natural environment too.”

Mayowa Carew’s manifesto centres on inclusivity, fun activities, and personal development.

Ms Carew said: “Your vote can make real change happen, and I’d be grateful for your support.”

Oliver Dixon’s manifesto emphasises ‘sport for all, better buses, fair pay’.

Mr Dixon said: “I’ll fight to protect school and community clubs, improve access to pitches and make it easier to get to games and training.”

The full manifestos are available on the council’s website at hartlepool.gov.uk/youth-representative-2026.

Voting is open to 12 to 18-year-olds who live in the borough and will run for two weeks, from Monday, March 16 to Monday, March 30.

Ballot boxes will be available in all secondary schools and colleges across Hartlepool, with candidate information and ballot papers provided on site.

Despite the best efforts from the White House to convince the nation that U.S. trade partners are happily paying for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, consumers aren’t buying it, apparently.

Some 70 percent of Americans believe that Trump’s tariffs have made them pay more for their purchases, according to a Harris Poll survey of 2,138 adults published Tuesday by The Guardian. The sentiment is partisan, too, as 77 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans said the tariffs made consumer costs somewhat higher or much higher.

The poll confirms what previous studies have indicated – that consumers are paying for a majority of the tariffs, pulling extra dollars from American wallets that are already sparse amid higher-than-desired inflation and gas prices that shot up 50 cents a gallon in the days following the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran.

The retail prices that consumers are paying for imported goods have gone up 7 percent compared to pre-tariff trends, according to a study from the nonpartisan tax policy group Tax Foundation. In essence, consumers are paying $107 for imported goods that cost $100 before Trump’s tariffs.

Though the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump’s levies earlier this year, the president is trying to find other avenues for tariffs. If he succeeds in his latest plan to push global tariffs to 15 percent, it could cost Americans an average of $2,512 in added costs this year, up nearly $800 from 2025, according to a study published Friday by congressional Democrats.

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The tariff-related extra costs Americans have faced so far – and may face in the future – have to do with, in part, foreign countries only paying 4 percent of the tariffs and U.S. consumers and importers fronting the other 96 percent, a January study from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy found.

“The claim that foreign countries pay these tariffs is a myth,” Kiel’s research director, Julian Hinz, said in a statement about the study. “The data show the opposite: Americans are footing the bill.”

Tariffs are piling on added costs for consumers who headed into 2026 already pessimistic about their finances.

Some 39 percent of consumers believed they were either somewhat worse off or much worse off financially at the end of last year compared to the previous year, a consumer expectations survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found in December.

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The overall negativity Americans feel about their finances – tariffs included – could impact Republicans’ chances of winning seats in Congress during mid-term elections later this year.

All 435 seats in the House and 35 of 100 Senate seats are up for grabs when voters head to the ballot boxes this November.

Of the 435 seats in the House, Republicans are projected to win 218, resulting in a razor-thin, one-seat majority over Democrats, according to nonpartisan election and campaign analysis group The Cook Political Report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Gary Wilmot delighted Death in Paradise fans with his return as journalist Anton Busette

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Popular drama Death in Paradise has confirmed the comeback of one cast member, much to the delight of viewers.

The 15th series of the enduring detective programme is presently broadcasting on BBC One, with DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and his colleagues investigating more puzzling deaths in Saint Marie.

After following Mervin, Naomi (portrayed by Shantol Jackson) and Selwyn’s (Don Warrington) escapades in Antigua, the penultimate instalment returned to Saint Marie, with the protagonist attempting to process his abduction and the truth about his brother.

Mervin swiftly resumed his duties following the death of the local newspaper’s agony aunt, Hortense LeRoux (Anna Savva). At the beginning of the episode, the Commissioner and Mayor Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine) were shown attending Hortense’s retirement celebration. Regrettably, the festivities concluded in disaster, as Hortense was poisoned the following morning, whilst reading her final advice column, reports the Express.

READ MORE: Death in Paradise’s Florence Cassell star now 2 years after heartbreaking exitREAD MORE: Death in Paradise’s Mervin struggles after kidnapping twist and brother’s exit

Audiences also recognised a familiar figure at the celebration, with journalist Anton Busette (Gary Wilmot) prominently present. This isn’t the first time that Anton has featured in the programme.

Viewers will remember that he generated considerable controversy earlier in the series through his attempts to undermine the police force and damage the Commissioner’s reputation. The character swiftly emerged as a suspect during Friday’s (March 13) episode, as he was the former spouse of the murdered agony aunt.

Offering her assessment of Anton, Mayor Bordey remarked: “Men like him [are] hungry lions, looking at you like you’re a tasty steak at a buffet.”

Despite his character’s shortcomings, Death in Paradise enthusiasts were thrilled to witness British legend Gary Wilmot reprise his role, with numerous viewers expressing their delight on social media. “Ooh! Gary Wilmot back on #DeathinParadise!” one viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter), whilst another contributed a string of celebratory emojis.

A third commented: “Keep thinking about how my dad has played football with Gary Wilmot and seeing him as Anton is so weird,” whilst another admirer voiced apprehension about Gary’s character, stating: “I’m sensing bad vibes from Gary Wilmot’s character.”

Later in the episode, Mervin and Naomi persuaded Mayor Bordey to go undercover and extract information from Anton, with the journalist promptly divulging some of his secrets.

Disclosing that Hortense’s daughter, Esme (Emma McDonald), wasn’t her biological child, Anton revealed: “She took her from Paris when she was a baby. Her mother wasn’t able to take care of her, a drug addict I believe… Hortense couldn’t have children.”

Anton subsequently revealed that Hortense relocated to Saint Marie and falsified Esme’s birth certificate to present her as her own child. The atmosphere quickly changed when Anton discovered he was being recorded, with the journalist cautioning Mervin: “This won’t be the last you hear of me, I’ll be calling your Commissioner.” Was Anton responsible for his ex-wife’s death?

Death in Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website

A licensing application has been lodged to sell alcohol from the building Savers is set to expand into in Front Street.

The application would see the store licensed for off-premises sales during its opening hours from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and until 5pm on Sundays.

It comes after City of York Council planning officers approved the expansion of Savers into the neighbouring vacant Ordsal House in February.

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Ordsal House was previously home to a Farmfoods which closed in December 2024.

The application from the chain, which is owned by Superdrug, stated the works would uphold the general character of the area.

The conversion of the vacant building is set to see its shopfront redecorated, a staircase installed outside at the back and roller shutters fitted.

Savers branding including signs would be installed at the front of the shop.

The vacant Farmfoods and Savers in Front Street, Acomb, York. Picture is from Superdrug/York Council’s planning portal

Plans stated the modern additions would be in keeping with the unit which was built in the 1970s.

They added fixtures and fittings inside the shop would be rearranged but otherwise remain largely unchanged.

A council report on the plans stated: stated: “The use of the building will remain as a shop therefore it is not anticipated there will be any additional noise and comings and goings.”

Drivers parking in South Shields town centre will soon be offered one hour of free parking at council-run car parks, with a new £1 per hour rate for subsequent time.

The changes, approved by cabinet last November as part of the South Tyneside Council’s annual review of fees and charges, replace the previous 1p-per-minute tariff for the first hour of parking.

Councillor Jim Foreman, lead member for governance, finance and corporate services, said: “We’ve listened to feedback and simplified our parking charges to make it easier and more attractive for people to visit South Shields town centre.

“Offering a free hour of parking is a practical way to support our high street and local economy while still ensuring we can manage demand and maintain services.”

The new parking charges are expected to take effect from Wednesday, April 1. (Image: Google Street View)

The new tariff will apply to all council-operated car parks in the town centre, including Mill Dam.

The council said the scheme is designed to support local businesses, increase footfall, and make parking more affordable and convenient for both residents and visitors.

Subject to the completion of legal processes, as well as the installation of updated signage and payment systems, the new parking charges are expected to take effect from Wednesday, April 1.

As part of the same review, the council has approved an increase in foreshore parking tariffs along the seafront, to bring South Shields in line with other coastal areas in the region.

The new charge will be £1.60 per hour or £8 for a full day, while the Foreshore Permit will rise to £170 per year.

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This increase reflects a previous cabinet decision.

The council has aimed to maintain some of the lowest parking fees in the region, but said this has contributed to financial pressures.

Through the review process, it has opted to retain subsidies across as many areas as possible, ensuring that services remain accessible and targeted toward those most in need.

Officers say the tent appeared to have been lived in for around nine days.

Police are hunting the occupants of a campsite found in a wooded area in Dumfries and Galloway as temperatures plummet.

A tent was discovered in an area in Castle Kennedy and New Luce that appeared to have been lived in between Monday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 11.

Officers want to ensure the occupant is safe and urge anyone who can indentify the person or who have have seen any vehicle in the area to come forward.

The camp appears to have been abandoned as the mild weather was replaced with heavy rain and wind in the middle of this week.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers have located a tent that appears to have been lived in between Monday 2nd of March and Wednesday 11th of March in a wooded area between Castle Kennedy and New Luce, approximately 3 miles from Castle Kennedy.

“Our primary goal is to ensure the occupant is safe and well. We are appealing to anyone who can assist in the identification of the person living in the tent or may have seen anyone or any vehicles acting suspiciously to get in touch via 101.”

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He’s now been jailed

A banned driver who sped away from police 80mph in a bid to escape the police and who later did the same again with kids in his car has been jailed. ‘Incredibly reckless’ Christopher Marshall, 40, twice made off from officers as they tried to stop him in Gorton.

In December 2023, a local neighbourhood officer recognised Marshall, who was disqualified, and pulled up behind him. He then drove off and hit speeds of 80mph whilst ‘overtaking traffic, mounting a pavement, and running red lights’, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Officers who were pursuing him discontinued the chase due to the circumstances. However they later tracked him down, arrested and charged him.

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However after being granted court bail, Marshall offended again. In January of last year he was again spotted by a patrol and once again drove off. This time he had two young children in the car, GMP said.

“He mounted a kerb and clipped a member of the public’s car, while also causing an officer to slam their brakes on to avoid being hit” the force said.

Due to the presence of the children they decided not to pursue him, however he was again arrested two days later, and charged.

Marshall, of Lunn Avenue in Abbey Hey, Gorton, pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, two counts of driving whilst disqualified, and one count of handling stolen goods.

He was this week sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Manchester Crown Court.

In a statement issued after the case, PC Mohammed Ditta, from GMP’s City of Manchester neighbourhood policing team, said: “We see the consequences of dangerous driving every day across the force – from minor scrapes to serious injuries and deaths.

“Marshall’s decision to drive so dangerously while young children were on board was incredibly reckless, and we are fortunate that there were not more serious consequences.

“The local neighbourhood team regularly proactively patrols the areas of Gorton and the surrounding areas, and we are constantly looking to tackle criminality wherever we can find it.”

Ryan Reynolds made the demand while providing alternative commentary with Rob Mac for Sky Sports on Wrexham against Swansea City in the Championship on Friday night

Ryan Reynolds told Wrexham player Ollie Palmer to leave the STōK Cae Ras midway through their match against Swansea City after Palmer confessed to not having watched Deadpool & Wolverine.

Palmer, 34, joined Reynolds and Rob Mac on Sky Sports for their alternative commentary on the team’s Championship match against Swansea City on Friday night. The centre-forward joined Swindon Town, who host Milton Keynes Dons tomorrow (Saturday), late last summer after leaving Wrexham by mutual consent.

Their former striker, Steven Fletcher, also featured in the coverage. They released the player at the end of last season, and he then retired.

Fletcher spent two seasons with Wrexham, while Palmer was there for three-and-a-half years and became a fans’ favourite. Reynolds even had him make a cameo in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine, which he also helped write and produce, starring himself.

The actor who plays Deadpool fondly recalls the role his then-striker played. Reynolds said: “Ollie Palmer stole the show there in Deadpool & Wolverine.” Palmer, however, replied: “I’ve got a confession to make, I’ve not seen it [Deadpool & Wolverine] yet.”

The film’s co-star then responded: “You know what, you can just put the microphone down, and you can head out of the exit, in fact, walk through the away section and leave.” Palmer replied by telling Reynolds: “I am going to watch it, I will watch it, I promise.”

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Wrexham went on to win the match 2-0, with big-money summer signings Callum Doyle and Nathan Broadhead scoring for the hosts. That win moves them six points clear of Derby County and Southampton in sixth place, the Championship’s final play-off spot.

The Saints, though, do have a game in hand, which they will play away against league leaders Coventry City on Saturday. Reynolds, however, is not getting carried away with talk of Premier League promotion.

“You have to check yourself, too. We’re in the Championship; the mere fact that we’re here is worth taking stock of.

“Do we want to win it all? Of course, we do, we’re all competitors, but we have to take stock and see that this is part of the reward.”

He also spoke about the bigger picture. Reynolds said: “For me, my favourite thing about this experience is: I don’t care what your ideologies are and where you are and identity, there’s such a feeling of togetherness.

“In every arena, a community gets to come together for something we share in common. I love looking around here, being in the fresh air, being outside in the wonderful country of Wales, and being on the pitch; I don’t ever take that for granted.”

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Locals have said they are “happy” in their hometown, praising it for its “friendly community” and “gorgeous” walks. Conveniently located between Ely, Cambridge, and Newmarket is the town of Soham.

Home to over 12,000 people, Soham is the second largest town in East Cambridgeshire, after Ely. The town has a significant history, dating back to the Bronze Age. It also had a significant Roman and Saxon occupation.

As part of our Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we visited the town and spoke to people about what it is like to live in Soham. After the death of Ian Huntley, who killed 10-year-olds Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in 2002, locals hope the town will no longer be known for only its darkest days.

Jean Alljood has lived in Soham since 2006, and she said she is “happy” living in the town. She added: “It’s a friendly community. It has what you need for everyday stuff. I like it where I live.” Jean’s two sisters also live in Soham, and she looks after them.

She added: “I have a few friends but I don’t socialise much, I just like to walk my dog. This time of year isn’t as good, but in the summer we can go places like by the river.

“For people who like socialising, you can go to cafes – there are plenty of them! There are also some nice Portuguese places. There are also some good children’s play parks.”

One man, who asked to remain anonymous, also said Soham has “everything you need”. He added: “People are nice and helpful. There are some lovely walks.”

Emily Mills said it is a “lovely town” with a “good character to it”. She said: “I only moved here three years ago, but I am definitely not moving away now. It’s got everything so close like the Co-op and also a big Asda.

“We have some lovely buildings like the church. Most people will say hello to you, and it has some cute walks by the river.”

One woman, who wished to not be named, said it’s a “good town to be close to other places”. She praised its location, saying: “You are not far away from places like Cambridge for tourist spots, or even Ely for the cathedral. We’re even close to Newmarket for racing.”

She ecohed other residents who said that locals are friendly, creating a strong sense of community. The woman added that a “lot of people greet you, even when you don’t know them”.

Before each general election in the late 1990s and early 2000s, campaign group Operation Black Vote used to publish a list of the most ethnically diverse constituencies in the UK. These were the areas in which the size of the non-white population exceeded the size of the incumbent party’s majority. The idea was to persuade political parties to campaign in these places and to think about what they were offering to ethnic minority voters.

Operation Black Vote, which was founded in 1996 to empower voters from ethnic minority backgrounds, had good reason to worry. Both anecdotal and academic research shows that ethnic minority voters had been largely taken for granted by the Labour party.

As an example, the prominent Labour politician Roy Hattersley wrote candidly about the minority vote contributing to his 1974 re-election as an MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook: “I won with an increased majority, the well-organised and invariably loyal Kashmiris had cast their disciplined vote early in the day.”

Unsurprisingly, this “invariably loyal” vote led to minority voters reporting less contact from parties during election campaigns.

With support for Labour almost always in the region of 70% to 80% across most Asian and Black voter groups, the fact that David Weaver, the chairman of Operation Black Vote, has now said that Labour is in “deep trouble” with Black voters is therefore remarkable.

Indian and Muslim voters are already leaving

Historically, different ethnic groups had differing levels of support for Labour but even in the fragmented 2024 general election, it remained the most popular choice for British Black and Asian voters. However, this is a far cry from Labour being able to take this vote for granted. Two recent developments should give the party particular pause.

First, Indian-origin Britons have already started drifting away from Labour. Their movement towards the Conservatives has been slow but steady since 2010. The continuous nature of this defection suggests that there is little Labour could do to reverse it. While in 2024 a plurality of British Indians still chose Labour, this is the lowest vote share the party has received from this group in any recorded general election.

Second, and perhaps more alarming, is a break in the traditional loyalty among British Muslims that characterised the 2024 general election. Labour voting among this group collapsed by almost 30% and delivered a handful of independent MPs to parliament. Some took Labour’s historically safe seats, mostly on pro-Gaza tickets.

More recently, these voters moved towards the Green party in the 2026 byelection in Gorton and Denton. It is this choice that represents a new and particularly threatening issue for Labour. As a result of the general fragmentation of the party system, ethnic minority voters now seem to have alternative choices, and feel freer to opt for them.

Muslim voters defected from Labour in 2005 over the Iraq war but the resulting protest vote for the Liberal Democrats was short-lived. By 2010 the Muslim vote for Labour had recovered.

The contrast with today’s vote switching and record support for small parties is stark. With more viable options on the ballot, it is not inconceivable that many Muslim voters may not return to Labour.

Could Black voters follow?

While Black voters remained the most loyal group in 2024, they too might feel a little freer to go. Even the historically no-go option for Black voters, the Conservative party, might seem like a possibility. In a significant departure from their traditional approach, the Tories have been making an effort to tackle race and inequality. They commissioned a major review of racial disparities, increased their ethnic diversity in Parliament and delivered the historically most ethnically diverse cabinet to date. It is worth noting that the current leader Kemi Badenoch and her predecessor Rishi Sunak are both of ethnic minority origin.

Labour is yet to appoint a non-white leader. And its record in government is certainly doing very little to dissuade minority voters from looking elsewhere.

Among the failures that could count against them with Black voters are a continuation of the unpopular “hostile environment” immigration policy and an aggressive curtailment of settlement policies. These are unlikely to play well with a group that had already fallen victim to the previous government’s similar policies via the Windrush scandal. Labour’s ineffective implementation of the compensation scheme for the victims of this scandal, who were most likely to identify as British Black Caribbean, only compounds this issue.

More recently, the issue of justice has emerged as a major divide between Labour and its Black supporters. The history of racial inequalities in the justice system is long and trust in judicial institutions among Black Britons is deservedly low. Given this, the current proposals to abolish jury trials could be seen as a betrayal of trust. The proposal is intended to deal with the backlog in the courts but the evidence shows juries reduce discrimination in trials. Black voters report law and order as the most important issue – far more than the other ethnic minority voters – so this is clearly not going to go unnoticed.

Given the lack of action and progress on other important issues for the Black community, such as child poverty and the cost-of-living crisis, Labour should really worry about losing not just their Muslim voters, and the Indian origin minority, but also its most loyal Black voters too. They truly cannot and should not take any of these groups for granted.