Your elected representatives agreed an increase on a majority vote
Belfast Council has agreed to raise its rates by 4.48 percent for the coming tax year, above the rate of inflation.
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At the February full monthly meeting of Belfast City Council, held on Monday (February 3), elected representatives on a majority vote agreed an increase in the district rate of 4.48 per cent for 2026/27. As of December 2025, the UK annual inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Prices Index, was 3.4 percent.
It means there will be a non-domestic rate of 34.2388 percent and a domestic rate of 0.4492 percent, and that the amount raised through the tax rise in 2026/27 will result in an extra £220,388,739 going to the council. Last year the council agreed to an increase in the district rate of 5.99 per cent.
Domestic rates are made up of a regional rate, set by Stormont or the Northern Ireland Office, and a district rate, set by Northern Ireland’s councils, with both parts of the rate funding the respective responsibilities of Stormont and local government.
The district rate is for home and business owners, and pays for multiple public services, including waste management leisure/community centres, parks, building control, environmental health, events and recreation, arts and tourism.
A proposal at the special City Hall meeting by the Alliance Party to raise the rates by the lower amount of 4.25 percent failed, with 13 elected representatives in support, 37 against, and 4 abstaining. A People Before Profit proposal not to raise the rates at all did not receive a seconder, and could not therefore go to the floor for a vote.
Belfast is one of only four out of Northern Ireland’s 11 councils to have raised rates above the UK level of inflation this year. Ards and North Down had the highest rate of 4.74 percent, while Fermanagh and Omagh saw the lowest increase at 1.96 percent.
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Juniper Granola, LLC, based in Rochester, New York, has recalled its Chocolate Cherry and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Junebars because they may contain undeclared milk and soy, according to a press release shared Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Since the two ingredients aren’t listed on the snacks’ label, customers who are allergic to soy or milk “run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction” if they consume the products, per the press release.
Juniper Granola became aware of the undeclared allergens and opened an investigation after a customer reported having an allergic reaction to milk after consuming one of the bars. During the investigation, the company discovered that the issue was caused by an oversight in the company’s evaluation process, which resulted in a box of non-vegan chocolate chips, containing milk and soy, being used during production.
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Junebars, high-fiber snack bars made with whole foods, are usually made with dairy-free and soy-free chocolate chips, prompting the recall immediately after the error was discovered.
Junebars have been recalled over a manufacturing error (Courtesy of the FDA)
The recall affects Chocolate Cherry and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Junebars that are stamped with the label L1300, L1300A, L1300B, or L1301A.
Recalled bars were available to order on Juniper Granola’s website and distributed to various retailers in January 2026.
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Consumers with the snack bars should throw them away immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Milk and soy are identified as one of the nine major food allergies in the U.S., along with wheat, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame, according to the FDA. Allergic reactions to these nine foods vary but can involve “hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.”
Snack bars were recalled after a customer had an allergic reaction to undeclared milk (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Many snacks and sweet treats have been pulled from shelves due to serious allergy risks. Last month, thousands of units of M&M’s products were recalled across 20 states because their packaging did not include proper allergen warnings.
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The recall was announced by the FDA after it emerged that more than 6,000 units had been repackaged by Beacon Promotions Inc. without advisories that they may contain milk, soy and peanuts.
In December, 50-pound multi-wall bags of cake mixes, distributed by B.C. Williams Bakery Service, were recalled due to an undeclared milk allergen that was not listed on the label. It is not yet known where the mixes were sold or distributed.
The Reds will be without four defenders for the Seagulls’ visit, including both right-backs, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.
He has employed a variety of deputies there this season, but his latest option, Wataru Endo, suffered a serious injury in a midweek defeat of Sunderland.
“We still need to do some assessment but it is clear and obvious that he will be out for quite a long time,” Slot said of Endo ahead of the match. “You can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season.”
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It remains to be seen who will get the nod at right-back on Sunday. Joe Gomez is not yet thought to be fully match fit, having recently returned from an injury of his own, but Dominik Szoboszlai is available again after serving a red card suspension.
Liverpool will fancy their chances against Brighton, though, as the Seagulls visit Anfield having won just two of their last 15 matches.
Here’s how to follow the action…
How to watch Liverpool vs Brighton
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TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!
CS Beef Packers, LLC, based in Kuna, Idaho, announced the recall of approximately 22,912 pounds of its raw ground beef products in a report shared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service Wednesday (February 11).
According to the FSIS announcement, the issue was discovered during routine testing, and results showed the presence of E. coliO145, a “Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.” Customers exposed to that strain of E. coli can get sick within only two to eight days.
The USDA has identified the recall risk level as high or medium (Class I), which is when there is a probability that there can be serious or adverse health consequences, including death, from consuming the products.
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The recall affects three different ground beef items, which were all produced on January 14, 2026. One product recalled is eight 10-lb. chubs of “BEEF, COARSE GROUND, 73 L” with the case code 18601.
In addition, four 10-lb. chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 73L,” with the case code 19583, and four 10-lb. chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 81L,” with the case code 19563, are being recalled.
Routine testing discovered that approximately 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef may have been contaminated with the disease causing baterium (Getty Images)
The packaging of all three beef products has the use/freeze by date of February 4, 2026, and two stickers with time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32, indicating when, on January 14, it was produced.
All the products also bear the establishment number “EST. 630,” printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub, according to the FSIS announcement.
The recalled items were shipped to distributors in California, Idaho and Oregon “for further distribution to foodservice locations.”
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While there haven’t been any reported illnesses due to the consumption of the products, consumers should throw the ground beef away immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
People who are infected with E. coli O145 can develop symptoms like diarrhea, which is often bloody, and vomiting, per the FSIS report. While some illnesses can be severe and last up to a week, vigorous rehydration and rest are the typical treatments for the infection.
This isn’t the first time that multiple beef products in the U.S. have sparked E. coli concerns. In December, Mountain West Food Group, LLC, recalled approximately 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O26, another variation of “Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.”
The recalled raw ground beef was in 16-ounce, vacuum-sealed packages containing the label “FORWARD FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF,” with the “USE OR FREEZE BY 01/13/26 EST 2083” on the side of the packaging. It was also sent to distributors who sold to six states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
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Other food-borne illnesses were a huge cause of concern last year. In September, Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California, recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of various pasta products after they were linked to a listeria outbreak, which began in August 2024.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods, with infections caused by eating food with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Although symptoms can vary, a listeria infection can “cause invasive illness and intestinal illness.”
Elliott Patrick from Well Pharmacy is urging anyone with suspicions to meticulously check for evidence of bed bugs, which jump from person to person through clothes and furniture.
Elliott’s warning comes after recent reports of a rise in the nighttime blood suckers with pest control call outs increasing by 62% since April last year.
While bed bug bites can be itchy, they rarely cause any other health problems, however they are a huge nuisance and once they get into your home, can spread easily.
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Travelling at speeds of up to 100 feet per hour and able to hide in any tiny crevices across your bed, the bugs can prove to be hard to spot.
Below are the tell-tale signs that you have got an unwelcome visitor in your bed that needs to be dealt with.
Raised and itchy bites
Bed bugs feast on exposed skin while people sleep – arms, neck and face are all ideal spots to draw blood.
A day or two after first contact, the skin will become raised and itchy – but it is important not to scratch as that could potentially cause an infection.
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Instead, use a cold, wet cloth to soothe any itching sensation on raised bites which usually clear up on their own over a week or two.
Spots of blood on your bedding
When making your bed in the morning, look for little patches of blood on the bedding, these could be signs of bedbugs.
When the bed bugs bite, they break the skin leaving small amounts of blood on the skin, which brushes off in the night.
It is also possible that the blood is actually a deceased bedbug that has been killed in the night by a person rolling onto them and squashing them.
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Blood spots on bedding means acting fast – stripping the bedding to put on a hot wash of at least 60C before being tumbled dried for half an hour on a hot setting.
Small brown spots on furniture or bedding
Brown spots on furniture and bedding suggests a high chance of bed bugs – this is their poo.
The same advice applies about washing bedding – it is crucial to act fast and wash on high heat.
Clean and vacuum regularly to take care of any hiding spots that bed bugs are using.
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Once you have dealt with the bed bugs in your home, head to your local Well Pharmacy to speak to an expert under the Pharmacy First service.
Anyone aged at least one year old can be treated by a pharmacist in-store from diagnosis to treatment including infected bed bug bites.
Often, antihistamines will be the over-the-counter solution offered – but for those over the age of 10, a mild steroid cream might also be the best way to deal with the bed bug bites.
Elliott Patrick from Well Pharmacy said: “While not a life threatening issue, bed bugs are often itchy and uncomfortable but perhaps worse they can leave people with feelings of despair at something they may feel is beyond their control.
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“If you suspect you or close friend or family member has bed bugs, I would urge you to seek out a pharmacist who can quickly identify the tell-tale signs and act swiftly.
“At Well, we want patients to know that in just 10 minutes, we can have the solution to your medical issue.
“A quick assessment by one of our trained pharmacy colleagues will see you both diagnosed and then treated in the same place without the need for a GP appointment.
“In-store from door to door you will get the advice and treatments required to ensure that you can go about your day with the treatment required to treat the irritating bites in the quickest time.”
It is a clash between two sides with contrasting fortunes in the opening round, as the injury-hit Irish fell 36-14 to dominant holders France in Paris while the Azzurri showcased their improving rugby prowess by downing Scotland 18-15 last weekend.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell will that result and the return to home soil can spark an instant response from his squad, and he has made six changes to his XV.
Ulster team-mates Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu make their Six Nations debuts on the right wing and at blindside flanker, respectively, while James Lowe comes in on the left wing and Craig Casey replaces Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half. James Ryan, meanwhile, is given the nod at lock over Tadhg Beirne while Jack Conan starts at No 8, meaning captain Caelan Doris moves over to the openside.
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Italy were missing several key players through injury for their shock win over the Scots and Gonzalo Quesada has been forced into one change, ruling out centre Juan Ignacio Brex due to family reasons.
The Italy boss has therefore reshuffled the positions of his backline but otherwise keeps faith in his round one lineup.
It has been 13 years since the most recent of Italy’s four wins over Ireland, but last week will give the visitors plenty of confidence in aiming for a rare Dublin win.
Where to watch Ireland vs Italy
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TV channel: In the UK, Ireland vs Italy is being shown live and free to air on ITV1 and STV, with coverage on both channels beginning at 1pm GMT on Saturday February 7, 2026, ahead of kick-off at 2:10pm GMT (or 3:30pm in Italy).
Live stream: Live coverage of the game will also be available for online streaming via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a registration.
Live blog: You can also follow the action as it happens at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday right here with us, in Standard Sport’s dedicated live blog.
The upcoming new episodes will finally reveal what happens between Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) after he asks her to be his mistress.
While viewers wait with bated breath, some have been rewatching the Netflix show. Here’s our ranking of all the seasons of Bridgerton from the worst to the best – and be warned, there will be spoilers.
Which is the best season of Bridgerton?
5. Bridgerton season 3
Despite pulling viewers in and bringing plenty of drama with the unmasking of Penelope Featherington as Lady Whistledown (played by Nicola Coughlan), season three’s friends-to-lovers romance didn’t quite land between the central leads.
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There was also considerable time spent with the rest of the ton, which detracted from the main couple, making the season less impactful than it otherwise could have been.
If anything, Cressida Cowper’s (Jess Madsen) increasingly extravagant puff sleeves and Mama Featherington’s (Polly Walker) sex advice to a miffed Philippa Featherington (Harriet Cains) were highlights of season three.
In fact, they were even more memorable than Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope’s steamy carriage scene soundtracked to Lord Worldwide himself, Pittbull’s Give Me Everything.
Watch Bridgerton on Netflix for free with Sky
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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Bridgerton.
4. Brigderton season 2
Season two might had one of Bridgerton’s favourite couples – Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Ashley Simone) – however, the unnecessary love triangle involving an unwitting Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) put a considerable damper on the otherwise lovely slowburn enemies-to-lovers romance.
Bridgerton really did Edwina dirty and depicted her as a naive girl who failed to clock her husband-to-be making eyes at her older sister. The wedding episode was a painful, protracted watch and added drama for the sake of it.
Season two was adapted from Julia Quinn’s The Viscount Who Loved Me, which had a far more solid plot without a love triangle and a savvy Edwina, who was far more self-aware than her onscreen iteration.
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3. Bridgerton season 4
While it’s early days, season four of Bridgeton is shaping up to be one of the strongest, if not the best, seasons of the show to date.
The sizzling chemistry between leads Thompson and Ha makes them captivating and the show’s focus on the primary couple strengthens the season.
There’s also the upstairs-downstairs drama with the Maid Wars, which brings much-needed grit to Bridgerton and elevates it above just a frothy, sexy period fantasy.
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This author is out until part two drops; however, depending on how season four concludes.
2. Bridgerton season 1
Season one is where it all started. The world was catapulted into Shondaland’s glossy, glamorous take on Quinn’s Regency romance novels in all its glory. From its diverse casting and dashing leads to its instrumental covers of pop bangers and steamy scenes, the world would never be the same again. Bridgerton single-handedly revolutionised the staid period drama genre for the better.
Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton’s (Phoebe Dynevor) romance, involving the fake-courting-to-falling-in-love trope, certainly hit hard.
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Then there was the grit. Simon’s heartbreaking childhood, including overcoming his stammer, and his relationship with his cruel father. Daphne’s lack of sexual education, which reflected the time period, strengthened the narrative and made it stand out.
1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Falling between seasons two and three, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story serves as a prequel to the show rather than a full season.
Nonetheless, the limited series is very much part of the Bridgerton universe and brought a lot of context to the world presented, specifically the multicultural nature of the ton.
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Penned by Shonda Rhimes herself and not an adaptation of one of Quinn’s novels, the series more than delivered when it came to telling a nuanced story of romance that drew on real-life elements.
The initially rocky romance between King George III (Corey Mylchreest) and Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio), due to his mental health issues, was fascinating and rarely depicted in period dramas.
Then there was the new queen’s race and the speculative fiction element of the story, with a young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas) warning Charlotte that she needed to ensure the Great Experiment was an undeniable success.
Not only were the three main stars Amarteifio, Thomas and Mylchreest fabulous as younger iterations of Bridgerton characters that fans have come to know and love, but there were also some brilliant scenes from the present timeline involving Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).
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It appears that Shonda’s magic has ensured Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story wears the crown when it comes to Bridgerton.
Bridgerton season 4, part 2 will be released on Netflix on February 26
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**
Donald Trump says regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen” as a second US aircraft carrier is deployed to the Middle East.
The US president made the remarks after visiting troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Friday, where he was pressed by reporters on whether he wanted to see a change in government in Iran.
“It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” Mr Trumpsaid.
“For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking.
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“In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives while they talk. Legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off. We’ve been going on for a long time.”
Mr Trump declined to name who he hoped would assume control from the clerical regime, saying only “there are people”.
Image: Mr Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday. Pic: PA
He said the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, was being sent to the Middle East in case talks between the US and Iran fail to produce an agreement.
“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” he said.
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“It’ll be leaving very soon.”
The USS Gerald R Ford reallocation forms part of a build-up of US military assets in the Middle East amid deepening tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying guided-missile destroyers were deployed last month.
Image: Mr Trump speaks to reporters at Fort Bragg. Pic: PA
Last week, US forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln on the same day that Iran tried to stop a US-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian and American officials met in Oman last week for talks, but an agreement has not been reached.
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Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran if the government uses force to suppress anti-regime protests.
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Onboard USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea
On Friday, Mr Trump suggested that a deal could still be struck with Iran to avoid US military action.
“Give us the deal that they should have given us the first time,” he said. “If they give us the right deal, we won’t do that.”
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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that any US military action against the country would plunge the entire region into war.
Image: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in Tehran. Pic: Reuters
More talks between Washington and Tehran are anticipated, with a US delegation including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner due to meet with the Iranians on Tuesday, sources have told Reuters.
Iran’s nuclear programme has also been a repeated source of tension, with Mr Trump suggesting that one of his top priorities was for Tehran to scale back its atomic programme.
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But on Friday he suggested that was only one aspect of the concessions the US expected from Iran.
“If we do it, that would be the least of the mission,” Mr Trump said about targeting Tehran’s nuclear programme.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Mr Trump in Washington this week for talks, has pushed for any deal to include steps to neutralise Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
The US targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in strikes in June in the culmination of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.
There are two Six Nations matches on today, with another taking place on Sunday
We are into Six Nations round two weekend following an opening set of fixtures which whetted the appetite.
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Last week saw France sweep aside Ireland in Paris, Italy edge past Scotland in a soaking wet Rome and England demolish Wales at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.
Those results have set the tone for another fascinating weekend of rugby, which kicks off with two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Here is all the information you need to know about this weekend’s games and how to watch.
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What Six Nations games are on this weekend?
TV channels are listed alongside each game.
ROUND TWO
Saturday, February 14
Ireland v Italy – KO 2.10pm – ITV1
Scotland v England – KO 4.40pm – ITV
Sunday, February 15
Wales v France – KO 3.10pm – BBC1 and S4C
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The Six Nations is running from February 5 to March 14 and Wales Rugby fans can get the latest jerseys, hoodies and more at Fanatics.
Quotes corner
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: “It is the best Italian side coming to Dublin. As far as respect, you would be mad not to,” Farrell said of the challenge ahead.
“We have all watched the games of what has happened of the last year, six months, and the job that everyone is doing in Italy is fantastic and the respect is right at the forefront.
“Honestly, it is about us having more respect for ourselves this week.”
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Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada: “Nacho is a player of great value to the group both on and off the field, but in managing this team, the human side and family – from my point of view – will always be considered a priority.
“We discussed it with him, and the decision made is for the best. To be focused on your work, it is important to have peace of mind: in every area, with players and staff, we work with the people first and the professionals second.”
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “It’s huge. It’s our biggest game of the season and it always has been.
“It’s even more important on the back of a disappointing defeat.
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“We know our supporters are behind us, as they always are, and we’ll need their energy.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick: “I think Gregor Townsend is a wonderful coach. I was told recently that he has the best win record of any Scotland coach in the professional era. Sir Ian McGeechan had two spells and I think Gregor sits above that. The way he has coached the attack they have, and the way they move the ball, when they do that, they look terrific.
“I have immense respect for him as a coach and I find it surprising that people are not spending more time talking about Scotland rather than not supporting their coach. I think he’s a phenomenal coach and they should spend more time supporting him.”
Paul Withnell, 74, was jailed for 21 years after being convicted of a string of child sex offences dating back to the 1980s. He died at HMP Parc in Bridgend a few weeks after sentencing
A paedophile has passed away just weeks after being incarcerated for a series of horrific historical rapes.
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Paul Withnell, a resident of Powys, was handed a 21-year prison sentence last month following his conviction on numerous counts of child sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s.
A representative for G4S, the private security behemoth that operates HMP Parc, confirmed that the 74 year old died at the category B prison in Bridgend on February 5. He had been locked up less than three weeks prior on January 16, with a Cardiff Crown Court judge remarking that he had displayed “not one single shred of remorse”.
“As with all deaths in custody this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, and the cause of death is for the coroner to determine,” stated the G4S spokesperson.
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During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Nigel Fryer revealed that the offences occurred between 1981 and 1990 when Withnell was aged between 30 and 39. Withnell, from Broad Street, New Radnor, Presteigne, admitted to creating indecent images of a child but refuted other charges.
After an eight-day trial, he was found guilty of four instances of raping a girl under 16, six instances of gross indecency with a girl under 14, and eight instances of indecent assault of a girl under 16, reports Wales Online.
Police discovered 132 explicit photos of Withnell’s victim, leading the judge to conclude that the defendant had “little choice” but to confess to that crime. The court was informed that he had kept these images for several decades.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, the survivor revealed: “I’ve been left with lasting trauma and flashbacks. My innocence was ruined far too young and I was forced to live in a world for adults when I was too young.
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“My sleep has always been very disrupted and my health has been affected. At times over the years I have become obsessive with my eating and over the last 11 months I have lost a lot of weight.”
Defence counsel Hywel Davies, speaking on behalf of Withnell, highlighted his client’s lack of prior convictions and ongoing health struggles. “It’s questionable whether he will ever be eligible for release,” he stated.
Delivering the sentence, Judge Eugene Egan addressed Withnell directly: “You caused unspeakable hardship, misery and upset and decades of emotional pain. Not one single shred of remorse has been shown by you.”
Judge Egan handed down a 21-year prison term to Withnell, two thirds of which must be served behind bars.
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Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Christine Beaton praised the survivor’s courage, stating: “I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward to report these horrendous crimes. I understand that reporting crimes of this nature, particularly many years after they happened, can be especially daunting.
“The dignity and strength shown throughout the course of the investigation is testament to her resilience, bravery and determination to secure justice. Thanks to her support, and the diligent work of the investigation team, Withnell has finally been held to account for his vile actions.
“As Withnell faces his time in prison, I hope the victim in this case can take some solace in today’s outcome as she begins to move forward with her life. I hope this case reassures others that we will always take reports of sexual abuse incredibly seriously, no matter how recent or non-recent they may be.
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“If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, please come forward. We are compassionate, capable, and committed to supporting you every step of the way.”
Even in the face of mansion tax concerns, far from retreating developers are launching projects at an accelerated pace.
At least six ultra-luxury blocks have broken ground in 2025, while hundreds of prime properties are being expanded and refurbished into trophy homes, suggesting the market remains undeterred.
Wealthy Londoners’ willingness to undertake renovations that push their properties into the mansion tax Band A is particularly striking.
One notable example is the ‘corridor’ house in Knightsbridge, long a haunt of the global elite. This diminutive mews made headlines in 2017 after selling for over £800,000, despite being just three feet wide.
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The new owners have undertaken an elaborate refurbishment including adding two new floors (one underground), doubtless at great cost.
The finished house, which retained its famous pink façade, will certainly be worth more than £2 million.
This demonstrates a clear appetite for property investment despite the tax implications.
Owners are accepting not only the immediate burden but also the uncertainty that future governments could increase the mansion tax threshold or rate.
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It’s not just individual homes being done up. All across the city, enormous towers of ‘ultra luxury’ apartments are springing up, alongside some seriously expensive “trophy” developments.
Last year, the fifty-storey Opus tower on the Southbank neared completion offering studio apartments for nearly £1 million pounds and entry level three-beds for the thick end of £3 million.
It joins a cluster of Dubai-on-Thames style skyscrapers spread along the Thames which are designed to attract international investment from buyers for whom an additional £5,000 in annual property taxes is immaterial.
Yet even Opus, despite its high prices, represents the more accessible end of the ultra-luxury market. At Sixty Curzon Street in Mayfair, two-bedroom flats start at £9.6 million.
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Residents are promised amenities and white-glove service to rival the Lanesborough, but the truth is that there may well be hardly any residents at all.
This ultra prime market exists for capital to change hands amongst the global super wealthy, who treat property as an asset class rather than homes.
Developments such as Sixty Curzon Street and the nearby One Hyde Park represent a world which is almost completely detached from global politics, current affairs, the economy, and of course, tax.
Individuals who are willing to pay £6,000 per square foot (the UK average is £300) for a property are unsurprisingly not worried about small increases in outgoings to maintain the flat.
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Given that the service charges at Sixty Curzon and similar blocks run into the hundreds of thousands annually, a small tax surcharge is simply no big deal.
The capital’s capital appeal
London is almost completely unique in its ability to court the global elite. The city’s property market has delivered returns that outpace most traditional investments—but what sustains this appeal?
Climate plays a crucial role. What locals experience as grey and dreary is in fact a welcome respite from the blistering heat of the Gulf, whose glitterati have long summered here.
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Travelling with large entourages, and often even their cars, these people find it easier to buy and maintain a London flat than to rely on the city’s hotels.
Beyond weather, the UK remains a very politically stable country – owing to its highly regarded legal, educational, and financial systems.
For the globally mobile wealthy seeking to benefit from these institutions, London provides a natural base. The capital offers a level of political connectivity and cultural infrastructure simply unavailable in most other cities.
Finally, London still holds cultural weight amongst high-net-worth individuals. A Belgravia townhouse sits alongside the Paris apartment, New York loft, and South of France villa as one of the ‘must have’ assets for the ultra-wealthy.
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Given these fundamentals the idea that a ‘mansion tax’ could destablise the city’s luxury property market is misplaced. If anything, the clarity which has been uncovered with the government’s announcement has reduced uncertainty
For London’s ultra-prime segment, the outlook remains stable—and expensive.
And while mansion tax may not be changing the market’s direction, the foundation of any sound property investment remains the same — tailored advice from experienced lawyers who can ensure your assets are built on solid legal ground.
Duncan Bailey is a partner and head of the private client team at Brabners