Comic Relief: Funny for Money will air on the BBC this Friday and among the famous faces taking part will be Sara, who in a world of Amandas will be playing here self.

The BBC’s number one comedy of 2025 Amandaland gets the Red Nose Day treatment with big names and laughs.

Comical chaos is set to ensue in ‘Amandas-land’ when Amanda (Lucy Punch), joined by Anne (Philippa Dunne), are invited to BBC Broadcasting House for a special live radio interview with Sara– and the pair unexpectedly encounter some of TV’s most legendary Amandas.

Caught up in the comedy of errors are Amanda Holden, Amanda Lamb, Amanda Barrie, Amanda Byram and Amanda Collier. Sara Cox’s overwhelmed radio producer is played by Lydia West, and the production runner is played by Lucia Keskin.

A BBC spokesman said: “Expect mix-ups, misunderstandings, and classic slapstick humour in this unmissable Comic Relief Amandaland special.”

Amandaland is a spin-off of Motherland which stars Bolton’s Diane Morgan.

Sara said: “It’s been incredible – I mean I was playing the DJ, so it wasn’t that much of a stretch, but it was just brilliant to work with actual Amanda from Amandaland, and so many iconic Amandas. I mean come on, we had Lamb, we had Holden, we had Barrie – who I grew up with, not literally – but on Coronation Street. So, it’s been an incredible time pretending to be an actor and getting to work with amazing Lydia West who was playing my producer. What a morning, I’m absolutely buzzing!”

She added: “This Red Nose Day there are a host of ways to get involved and Take Yourself Funny for Money. Whether it is donating or fundraising, it is an opportunity for the nation to come together and show that simple acts of silliness can make a serious difference. For more information on how to get involved, donate, or to order your free Red Nose Day fundraising pack, visit the Comic Relief website.”

Amanda Holden said: “I can’t quite believe I’m involved in this Amandaland sketch for Comic Relief and I’m going now to meet the rest of the cast! I am a massive, massive fan of Amandaland. We watch it religiously in our house, so it’s a little bit of an out of body experience for me, especially because my name gets mentioned in the sitcom quite a bit!

“The premise is that there’s been a mix up and we’ve all come to the same place but aren’t all meant to be here! It might go slightly awry, and it might be that Anne is the star of the show in the end!”

And viewers can get a behind the scenes look at the filming of the sketch on The One Show on Thursday 19 March, from 7pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money is live from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday 20 March from 7pm, and for the very first time, live streamed simultaneously on the official BBC YouTube channel.

The money raised this Red Nose Day could help people access food, shelter and safety – the vital essentials everyone needs to survive.

Travel chaos prevails as theconflict in the Middle East continues, with the international airport in Bahrain still shut and British nationals in the region told to limit movements to essential journeys only.

Holidaymakers who have trips booked in the region are advised to follow the advice of the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) on what to do if they are heading to or are currently in a country in the Middle East.

Here is the latest advice for those who want to travel within Bahrain or leave the island, plus what to do if you are staying in the country.

Live: Iran-US war latest

Is it safe to travel to Bahrain?

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain as of 28 February, still current as of 16 March.

What is the UK government’s advice if you are already there?

The FCDO is asking British nationals to let the UK government know they are in Bahrain by registering their presence there.

Once you have registered, the FCDO will send you important updates to our travel advice.

The FCDO says that “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.

It continues: “Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”

It advises British nationals to read its “If you’re affected by a crisis abroad” guidance, which includes what emergency supplies you may need.

It also says to follow the advice of local authorities, sign up for FCDO Travel Advice email alerts, and monitor local and international media for the latest information.

The FCDO also says to stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US government facilities.

If you decide to stay in Bahrain, follow the instructions of the local authorities. If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. You should not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

“We advise British nationals, wherever possible, to stay inside and limit movements to essential journeys only. Always let friends or family know where you are and when you are travelling and keep your mobile phone with you and charged,” the FCDO adds.

How can I get home?

The FCDO says that if your presence in Bahrain is not essential, you may wish to consider departing if you judge you can access these options safely.

If you plan to travel by road, read the travel advice for Saudi Arabia for the latest information, which includes entry requirements and what paperwork you will need.

British nationals who are trying to leave Bahrain via Saudi Arabia and who are travelling on British Emergency Travel Documents, Emergency Passports, or passports with less than 6 months remaining validity, should call the helplines for British Embassy Riyadh +966 (0) 11481 9100 or British Consulate Jeddah +966 (0)126225550 for advice.

If travelling by car, the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name. If using commercial options to depart, check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator, as well as the instructions of local authorities and the status of any border crossings before you travel.  Make sure you have access to emergency supplies and essential medication. 

The FCDO says “travel within or out of Bahrain is at your own risk”.

It adds that people should keep their departure plans under review and ensure their travel documents are up to date, including any visas required for onward travel. 

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) said: “Flight operations at BIA remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Bahrain airspace, as mandated by the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs.

“This measure is in place to ensure the highest level of safety for our passengers and employees.”

Can I cancel my holiday?

Should you decide to cancel a flight ticket, holiday, tour or excursion to Bahrain, speak to your travel provider. As the FCDO advises all but essential travel – urgent family or business commitments – to Bahrain, you may be able to cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Package holidays must follow the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, with refunds issued if there has been a “significant change at your destination” before you travel. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

There are plenty of things that could be highlighted from Donald Trump’s latest public appearances.

Here are four:

Inconsistencies over discussions with the Iranians

The US president has said a few times over recent hours that dialogue with the Iranians is ongoing.

“They want to make a deal,” he said on the plane back to Washington DC on Sunday night, repeating it again on Monday.

But when asked the obvious questions – “Who are you talking to that wants to make a deal?” and “what does a deal look like?” – the president couldn’t answer.

Instead, he said that all the people they had been talking to were now dead. He’s said this before, attributing it, bizarrely, to the military operation being so successful.

He also mused whether he would actually want to make a deal with the Iranians even if they wanted to. These musings were peppered with “they want to make a deal”.

Artificial Intelligence

The president revealed that he had seen a video (presumably on social media) which showed the US aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, under attack and on fire.

He then revealed that he’d called his generals and asked: “What’s with the Abraham Lincoln? Looks like it’s on fire.”

He was then told it was fake.

This raises serious questions about the sort of content the president is absorbing and believing on social media.

The Starmer call

The president and prime minister spoke by phone on Sunday. The “readout” of the call from Downing Street was thin and revealed very little. A source later told me that the call was “good” and that there was a “clear shared interest in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open”.

I am told that any public frustration shown by the president was not reflected in the call.

The president has now revealed a further window into that call.

“You know the prime minister of UK – United Kingdom – yesterday, told me, ‘I’m meeting with my team to make a determination’.”

“I said, ‘you don’t need to meet with the team. You’re the prime minister. You can make your own… why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not you send some mine sweepers to us…’”

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Learning about Lebanon

In another moment of conscious thought, he revealed that he’d only recently been told about the geographical power structure in Lebanon – something that’s vital to understand given the Israeli military operations the US is supporting there right now. In the same sentence, he also expressed surprise that people lived even in Ukraine or Lebanon.

This is the verbatim transcript of that moment: “…substantial person, wealthy person, whose parents live in Lebanon. I said: ‘Really, how do you live in Lebanon? Your parents? Oh, yeah, they live there. And over the years, they’ve gotten used to the fact that it’s being bombed.’

“But they explained to me that it’s really a different section of Lebanon. It’s the section where Hezbollah is, and they get used to it, I guess… I mean people live in Ukraine.

“You would think they wouldn’t live in Ukraine, but they live in Ukraine. I don’t know that I’d do that, but they live in Ukraine. They live in Lebanon.”

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been moved out of intensive care after his medical condition improved, his wife has said.

The 70-year-old right-wing politician had been placed in an intensive care unit in the capital Brasilia on Friday for pneumonia.

But his wife Michelle said in an Instagram post that tests showed he had reduced inflammation and had been transferred to a semi-intensive care unit.

“We remain confident he will overcome this moment too,” she said.

On Sunday, the hospital DF Star said the former president’s kidney function had improved, though he was to stay in intensive care because of pneumonia. It did not mention his transfer to a semi-intensive care unit.

Bolsonaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, was taken to hospital from the prison where he is serving a 27-year sentence for leading a coup attempt in 2023.

He was also convicted on charges including leading an armed criminal organisation and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He has denied all wrongdoing.

In January, he was transferred from the local federal police headquarters to a larger cell.

His family and allies have repeatedly called for Brazil’s Supreme Court to allow him to carry out his sentence under house arrest.

Read more from Sky News:
Eyewitness: Iran’s government seems firmly in control
Meningitis outbreak a cruel reminder young people most at risk

Bolsonaro has been taken to hospital several times since being stabbed at a campaign event before the 2018 presidential election.

His son, senator Flavio Bolsonaro, is expected to run for president against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later this year.

The Moon aligns with Pisces in Mars today, giving you a certain power to get in touch with your feelings. Dig deeper, for not just the ‘what’, but also the ‘why’.

Sagittarius, Scorpio and Taurus, empathy comes naturally. Compassionate words and caring actions will serve you well.

Today may not be about balance, but rather feeling emotions to their full extent, don’t place restrictions on yourself today.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Tuesday March 17, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

This is not the time for loud declarations or impulsive moves – instead, swim deeper. Let your actions be guided by sympathy, wisdom and mystery. You are a warrior, but even warriors need quiet times. Channel your energy into healing, art or compassion-led causes. Be fierce and gentle. The world does not need volume – it needs you to create a serene path forward today.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

The Moon aligns with Mars in Pisces, so you will need to know why you are doing something before you do it. Tasks done with feeling matter more than ticking boxes. Creativity flows like jazz – improvisational, emotional and brilliant. You are driven, but by compassion, not competition. Use this vibe to pursue hobbies or help a friend, as it will nurture your spirit.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your quicksilver mind dives into deeper waters. Logic takes a back seat while instinct is in the driving seat. You may feel sensitive to others’ moods, but you are also gifted with charm and visionary ideas. Action flows best when wrapped in feeling or artistic flair. Avoid scattering energy, as today’s line-up can blur boundaries. Tread softly but move with purpose.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

The Moon-Mars merger stirs your emotions, so your warmth becomes your superpower, fuelling compassion and gentle determination. You are not charging ahead with force but flowing forward with feeling. Creative urges surge, so paint, write or dream. Relationships deepen through silent understanding, so trust what is not said, as it can be utterly crucial.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

You are invited to swap the spotlight for candlelight. Action takes a softer, soulful form, so consider wise choices over powerful declarations. Your inner world hums with emotion and imagination, making this a golden day for creativity, compassion and courage. You may not feel like conquering kingdoms, so let your fire simmer. Tenderness is your secret power now.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

The Moon-Mars conjunction can prompt the soulful waters of your opposite sign, encouraging you to loosen your grip on logic and embrace the art of surrender. You are often the master of details but today be kind and welcome chaos. If people are more complicated than usual, soften your stance rather than be critical. Energy is best spent on connection or compassionate action.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Your natural charm meets a wave of determination, which is ideal for channelling compassion into action. Do not be surprised if your sixth sense is louder than logic right now – just trust it. Emotions may ebb and flow, but there is sparkle in movement, so dive into creative pursuits or lend a helping hand. It is not about balance today – it is more about surrendering to the moment.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

You may be a powerhouse of passion, but your intense focus moves like mist – gentle and emotional. Your usual energy softens into empathy and actions speak with quiet depth. Creative sparks flicker in dreamlike moments, so dare to capture them. You are also more attuned to others. Even so, do not go rescuing someone if you are not wearing a life jacket.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

As the Moon aligns with Mars, your fiery side takes a dip in ethereal waters. You are still on the move, but now it is more of a soul quest than a road trip. Your instincts are sharp, but your actions can be driven by feelings you cannot name. Channel that into creativity, compassion or a wild idea you have shelved. Even so, it is best not to gallop into the mist without taking a map.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

Your steady pace might meander into a hazy reroute. Yet this is a time for intuitive action, not strategy, so trust your gut over your deadlines. A soft touch can get you further than a firm approach today. Creative pursuits, quiet connections or letting your mind wander can yield insights. Let your ambition swim instead of march and you will reach a meaningful destination.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

You are a true visionary, but today you are also knee-deep in feelings. A lunar alignment nudges you to act on intuition rather than intellect, which may complicate matters a little. A dreamy idea or emotional nudge might lead to your next major breakthrough. If you feel a touch vague, that is okay, as insight can show up through music, dreams or even serendipitous chats.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

With the Moon cuddling up to Mars in your sign, you are a cocktail of wisdom and initiative, and you have got the energy to chase your visions. Emotions rise like ocean tides and bring out your passionate, poetic and persuasive side. If something touches your soul, do not just feel it – act on it. Mars gives momentum, so dance, create or act boldly. You are the tide-turner today.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.

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The NSPCC said the Police Service of Northern Ireland were included in the data

The number of child sex abuse image crimes logged by police forces across the UK has risen by 9%, prompting renewed calls for tech companies to block nude images from being taken and shared on children’s devices.

Young people continue to face exposure to the risk of grooming, extortion, online abuse and having intimate images shared, the NSPCC said.

The charity said its research had shown that between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025 there were 36,829 recorded offences of indecent and prohibited images of children across the UK.

A total of 42 of 45 UK police forces responded to its Freedom of Information request, and a year-on-year comparison suggested there had been a 9% increase in recorded offences from 33,886 the previous year.

The Government’s strategy, published in December, to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), stated an aim to “make it impossible for children in the UK to take, share or view a nude image” and said it was “working constructively with companies to make this a reality”.

But the NSPCC said this must be made mandatory, with the Government urged to take action against tech companies if they fail to embed existing technology on children’s phones that blocks nude images from being created, shared or viewed.

The charity said these “device‑level protections” should be embedded by default, meaning children are automatically protected and adult users could go through a process to opt out.

Such technology can block a nude image taken, sent or received on a device, and the NSPCC said that because the image is never created or sent in the first place, there is nothing to encrypt and that this method can stop abuse at source.

The NSPCC said that of the 10,811 crimes where police forces recorded the platform used by perpetrators, 43% or a total of 4,615 took place on Snapchat.

Overall, Meta platforms still accounted for almost a quarter of all offences (24%), with 8% on Instagram, 7% on WhatsApp, 5% on Facebook and 4% on Messenger, the charity said.

But the NSPCC said because of end-to-end-encryption, the true scale of abuse children are experiencing online remains “hidden”.

NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “Children across the UK are being completely failed by tech companies that should be protecting them online. We cannot keep letting them off the hook when they can do more to prevent this from happening in the first place.”

He added: “Technology already exists that could be deployed today to stop children from taking, sharing or receiving nude images. So, the real question is: what’s stopping them? If they continue to drag their feet, Government must show their might by stepping in and compelling them to act.”

Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, said the data “should be yet another wake-up call”, adding: “Mandatory introduction of on-device protections will protect children from unsolicited nude imagery, and from being coerced into sending sexually explicit material.

“We must see these measures applied across the board.”

Safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, said the data uncovered by the NSPCC was “nothing short of deeply shocking”.

She added: “Predators cannot continue like this – unstopped and unchecked. We plan to stop them.

“We have committed to making it impossible for children in the UK to take, share or view nude images, and have already announced a ban on so‑called ‘nudification’ apps to stop abusive images being created and spread in the first place.

“We will not hesitate to go further until our children are safe from sexual abuse online.”

A spokesperson for Snapchat said: “We work closely with NSPCC and police to help keep our platform safe and combat child sexual exploitation.

“This report does not accurately reflect our efforts to tackle these horrific crimes and fails to recognise that information sent to police (through what are known as CyberTips) helps support their investigations to bring criminals to justice.

“We will continue to do our part because we know that seriously addressing these issues requires collaboration from stakeholders across many segments of our society, including law enforcement, experts, parents, educators, advocates and tech companies.”

Earlier this year it was announced that nudification apps would be criminalised as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

The latest data comes after two watchdogs last week warned big tech it must do more to protect young people online.

Communications regulator Ofcom wrote to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and others, giving them until the end of April to explain what actions they are taking on age checks and grooming protections.

Alongside Ofcom’s demands, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also wrote to Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and others asking them to set out how their age assurance policies keep children safe.

– The NSPCC said the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Police Scotland were included in the data but forces missing were Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Thames Valley.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked federal health officials from cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every child, and said U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee.

The decision halted an order by Kennedy — announced in January — to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.

It also stopped a meeting of a Kennedy-appointed vaccine advisory committee, which was set to convene this week in Atlanta.

The judge’s order, however, is not the final word. The blocks are temporary, pending either a trial or a decision for summary judgment.

Federal health officials indicated they planned to appeal.

“HHS looks forward to this judge’s decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing,” said Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon.

The order issued Monday is the latest development in a lawsuit filed last July by the American Academy of Pediatrics and some other medical groups. The lawsuit in federal court in Boston originally focused on Kennedy’s decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most children and pregnant women.

The lawsuit was updated as Kennedy took more steps that alarmed medical societies, causing the plaintiffs to ask Judge Brian E. Murphy to take steps to address those policy changes too.

For example, the plaintiffs amended the lawsuit to stop the scaling back of the nation’s childhood vaccination schedule. They also asked the court to look at Kennedy’s actions concerning the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises public health officials on what vaccines to recommend to doctors and patients.

Kennedy, a leading anti-vaccine activist before becoming the nation’s top health official, fired the entire 17-member panel last year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.

Murphy, who was nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, said Kennedy’s reconstitution of ACIP likely violated federal law. He ordered the appointments — and all decisions made by the reformed committee — put on hold.

The ACIP was scheduled to meet this week to discuss COVID-19 vaccine safety, among other issues, but that gathering was postponed, officials said.

“ACIP as currently constituted cannot meet,” said Richard Hughes IV, an attorney representing the AAP. “How can a committee meet without nearly the entirety of its membership?”

Jason Schwartz, a Yale University vaccine policy expert who has studied the committee, called the halting of an ACIP meeting for legal reasons “unprecedented” in its 62-year existence.

Hughes called the judge’s order “a momentous step toward restoring science-based vaccine policy,” and he was echoed by leaders of several doctors’ groups and public health organizations.

When Trump administration officials overhauled the childhood vaccine schedule, they said it wouldn’t result in families losing access to them or cause insurers to stop covering them. But it left many Americans confused, as doctors’ groups, public health organizations and many states continued to recommend licensed vaccines, said Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Several doctors’ groups said the changes were not based on good evidence, and advised doctors and patients to follow guidance that was previously in place. Health officials in 30 states have rejected at least some of the new recommendations.

The judge’s order should bring clarity, Racine said.

“If anyone has any questions about what’s the appropriate vaccine schedule for their children, the best thing to do is to talk to their pediatricians,” he said.

Schwartz said he expected federal health officials to keep expressing “their deep skepticism regarding the importance of vaccination” and to keep embracing “unsupported vaccine safety allegations.”

After the ruling, one of Kennedy’s appointees to the committee, Dr. Robert Malone, urged the Trump administration to keep pursuing Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes.

“A district court order is a delay, not a defeat,” he wrote Monday on Substack.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Vanessa Kendall first noticed her running time was dipping and that she was struggling to complete her usual runs at the start of the summer 2024

A super-fit runner who blamed her slower race times on her asthma was horrified to learn the truth. Vanessa Kendall first noticed her running time was dipping and that she was struggling to complete her usual runs at the start of the summer 2024.

The mum of two claimed she ‘didn’t think much of it’ – but after her family all caught the flu in December 2024 she noticed she struggled to shake it off. The 46 year old first went to her local GP in February 2025 when her coughing became so bad she would have to mute herself on work calls.

She was diagnosed as asthmatic by a nurse and prescribed an inhaler which initially left her feeling ‘relieved’ to have an explanation for her breathing issues. The office manager said the inhaler helped for a few weeks and she continued running but, after chatting with a friend at a Park Run in June, decided to ring her GP to request a chest X-ray.

A month later, Vanessa received the heartbreaking news that she had stage four metastatic cancer that had spread from her lungs to her liver, spine, lymph nodes, kidneys and brain. Vanessa, who is mum to 16-year-old Jacob Kendall and 13-year-old Devon Kendall, underwent a three-month course of chemotherapy, where the main 5cm tumour in her lungs shrunk.

But by December 2025 she began to feel unwell. CT scans in January showed further spread with more tumours in her liver, lungs and her brain. Due to limited treatment on the NHS treatment options, Vanessa is now fundraising to get treatment privately.

Vanessa, from a town near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, said: “I’m a regular runner and I used to run two or three times a week. I took part in Park Runs every week and I noticed my time was dropping off a little bit. I wasn’t able to complete the full 5km, but didn’t think much of it.

“I did a half marathon in October before I was diagnosed and would run every Wednesday after work with a work running club. In the May school holidays we did one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks with my youngest son, we did Ingleborough, so still fit and active, so it was a massive, massive shock getting the diagnosis.

“I was initially relieved to have an asthma diagnosis but then I had a couple of asthma reviews and I just felt like it wasn’t getting any better. I was expecting to get something back from these chest X-rays that say it’s scar tissue or infection. I wasn’t expecting a cancer diagnosis at all.

“It’s just a complete freak, rare, genetic mutation, and this is why my treatment options are limited because it is one of the rarest types of lung cancer. You just feel totally lost and isolated in having to process this information. It was hugely traumatic.”

As Vanessa has a rare mutation of lung cancer called Exon 20, it means treatment is limited on the NHS so she’s now fundraising for private treatment. Vanessa, who is married to 53-year-old Paul Kendall, said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support I have had already, it’s unbelievable.

“Not having that financial burden just means we can refocus our energy on getting that treatment. “We have now exhausted the line in terms of NHS treatment and the next most effective treatment is only available privately.”

You can donate to Vanessa’s GoFundMe here – https://www.gofundme.com/f/cvcs4n-vanessas-fight-with-cancer

With the new tax year approaching, workers are being urged to check their payslips carefully as changes from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) take effect on April 6.

Experts say millions of employees may unknowingly be paying the wrong amount of tax due to payroll errors or incorrect tax codes – problems that can quietly drain household finances over time.

At a time when many households are already grappling with rising living costs, even a small error in pay or deductions can quickly create financial strain.

Many workers rarely check their payslips

Despite how important accurate pay is, many employees admit they don’t routinely review their payslips.

Research by HR and payroll platform HBHR found nearly half of UK workers either skim through their payslip or rarely check it in detail.

This leaves significant room for mistakes to go unnoticed. According to the same survey of 2,000 employees, almost a quarter (23%) said they had spotted a mistake on their payslip in the past year.

Payroll problems are not always minor. The research found that:

• 32% of workers say they couldn’t cope financially if their main pay was wrong or late even once
• 24% say payroll errors have made it harder to afford essentials such as rent, mortgage payments, food or energy bills
• 20% say a mistake in their pay caused them to miss a bill or regular payment

The impact is even more pronounced in high-cost areas such as London, where over a third of workers said a payroll mistake had left them unable to cover a bill.

Less than 30 days left until Making Tax Digital! ⏳

If your combined turnover from self-employment and property is over £50,000, you’ll need to use recognised software and send quarterly updates from 6 April.

Act now – sign up and prepare. ⬇️ https://t.co/T6Jyo2fDzx pic.twitter.com/ihNX4riCKp

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) March 12, 2026

Incorrect tax codes costing billions

Beyond simple payroll errors, incorrect tax codes are another major issue affecting employees.

Analysis cited by accounting firm The Accountancy Partnership suggests that around 5.6 million UK workers overpaid tax during the 2023–24 tax year, with an estimated £3.5 billion paid in excess due to incorrect tax codes.

Tax codes determine how much income tax is deducted from wages through the PAYE system operated by HM Revenue & Customs. If the information HMRC holds about a worker’s circumstances is incorrect or outdated, the tax code may also be wrong.

Lee Murphy, managing director at The Accountancy Partnership, said many workers assume automated tax deductions are always accurate.

“Many people assume that because tax is deducted automatically through PAYE, the amount must be correct,” he said.

“But tax codes are based on the information HMRC has about your circumstances, and if that information is outdated or incorrect, you could end up paying too much tax without realising it.”

Why tax codes can change

Tax codes are regularly updated to reflect a person’s circumstances, and sometimes these changes happen without workers noticing.

Common triggers include:

• starting a new job
• having multiple jobs or sources of income
• receiving workplace benefits such as a company car or private healthcare
• HMRC adjusting the code to recover tax owed from previous years

If HMRC’s records don’t fully reflect a person’s situation, the code issued could lead to the wrong amount of tax being deducted each month.

Recommended reading:

What workers should look for

Experts say checking a payslip only takes a few minutes but could prevent costly mistakes from continuing for months.

Workers should review:

• the tax code listed on their payslip
• their gross pay and deductions
• whether any unexpected changes appear between payslips

Employees can also confirm their tax code through their HMRC personal tax account or by contacting their employer’s payroll department.

A timely reminder before the new tax year

With payroll and tax changes coming into effect in April, specialists say now is a good moment for workers to review their pay information.

Even small tax code errors can add up significantly over time – and in the current cost-of-living environment, making sure your payslip is accurate could help prevent unnecessary financial pressure.

ATLANTA (AP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed Tuesday, one day after powerful storms swept across the eastern half of the country and upended air travel in a cross-section of cities. Travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.

The disruptions come at an already challenging time for air travel, in part because the shutdown that began Feb. 14 has pressured staffing at some security checkpoints. At the same time, airports are crowded with spring break travelers and fans heading to March Madness games, the annual NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments.

More than 550 flights scheduled to fly into, out of or within the U.S. have been called off as of early Tuesday, and over 460 were delayed, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Flight delays and cancellations piled up Monday at some of the nation’s largest airports, including those in New York, Chicago and Atlanta. The storm system that dumped heavy snow across the Midwest raced toward the East Coast with the potential for high winds and tornadoes, the National Weather Service warned Monday.

Kelly Price, who was trying to get home to Colorado after a family vacation in Orlando, Florida, said her Sunday night flight wasn’t canceled until early Monday.

“By that time the only place for us to sleep was the airport floor. So we’re all tired and frustrated,” she said, adding that the soonest she and her family could book another flight doesn’t leave until Tuesday afternoon.

Impact to major airport hubs

The nationwide cancellations on Monday included about 600 in and out of Chicago O’Hare International, more than 470 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International and over 450 at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, according to FlightAware.

Citing severe weather, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops at Hartsfield-Jackson and Charlotte Douglas International Airport and ground delays at JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Danielle Cash found herself stranded in St. Louis on Sunday while trying to get home to Tampa, Florida, after a weekend girls’ trip to Las Vegas. Now she’s spending several hundred dollars more than planned on a hotel room in a snowy city she wasn’t dressed for.

“It was 80 degrees in Tampa when I left and then going to Vegas,” she said. “And it was 90 degrees in the desert.”

Cash said she’s now booked on a flight that will take her to Tennessee before finally returning to Tampa by Tuesday afternoon.

TSA staffing strains some checkpoints

The storms unfolded just as airport security screeners missed their first full paycheck over the weekend. The current partial government shutdown affects only the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration.

Democrats in Congress have said Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year.

It is the third shutdown in less than a year to leave TSA workers temporarily without pay. Once the government reopens, employees will have to wait for back pay.

Some airports have reported longer security lines because of staffing shortages as more TSA workers take on second jobs, can’t afford gas to get to work or leave the profession altogether. Homeland Security has said more than 300 TSA agents have quit since the start of the shutdown.

Security wait times could worsen

TSA union leaders in Atlanta held a news conference Monday outside Hartsfield-Jackson, warning that air travelers could face increasingly long wait times as the shutdown continues. Even so, union leaders said, many officers are still reporting to work despite mounting financial strain.

Many TSA workers “are coping with eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, empty refrigerators and overdrawn bank accounts,” said Aaron Barker, a local leader with the American Federation of Government Employees. Supporters behind him held signs reading, “We want a paycheck, not a rain check.”

Travelers flying out of New Orleans on Sunday and Monday were advised to arrive at least three hours early “due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown,” Louis Armstrong International Airport said on X. And the airport in Austin, Texas, shared a video on X taken at 5:30 a.m. local time showing the security line spilling out onto the sidewalk outside.

Back in Atlanta, Mel Stewart and his wife arrived four hours earlier than usual for their flight out of Hartsfield-Jackson to make up for longer TSA lines.

“I think it’s being politicized way too much — way too much,” Stewart said Monday of the shutdown. “And these people are working. They work hard, and for TSA people not to get paid, that’s silly.”

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Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press reporters Margery A. Beck in Omaha, Nebraska and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this report.