Dubai authorities tackled a fire near the city’s international airport on Monday, following a drone attack that prompted a temporary suspension of flights.

The latest crisis unfolded as the US-Israel war with Iran continues to cause significant disruption to global aviation. Flights across the Middle East have faced widespread cancellations, rescheduling, and rerouting, with much of the region’s airspace closed due to fears of missile and drone strikes. The ongoing conflict has also contributed to soaring fuel prices.

Monday’s attack is the third at Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, since Iran commenced its assaults on Gulf nations on 28 February. Tehran has stated these strikes are aimed at the US presence in the region. But Iran has repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, such as airports, hotels, and ports, with missiles and drones, despite the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, alongside Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey, hosting US military facilities.

No injuries were reported in the incident and flights were resuming just after 6am.

“A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport affected one of the fuel tanks,” the Dubai Media Office said on X (formerly Twitter).

Traffic was temporarily halted on road and tunnel links with the airport, police said, while the Emirates airline suspended flights.

Some flights were diverted to the nearby Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Media Office said.

Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since 28 February, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases, but also key Gulf oil infrastructure ​as well as homes and offices.

The UAE, which normalised relations with Iran’s arch-foe Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks, but all Gulf Arab states have been affected, and all have condemned Iran.

On 11 March, two drones fell near Dubai International Airport, which suffered damage on the first day of the conflict during an overnight Iranian attack across the Gulf states.

Nic Berry, the Australian, was due to referee but has been replaced by Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli because of travel difficulties caused by the Middle East conflict.

England

Steve Borthwick has kept faith with the back line from the historic loss to Italy, with Ollie Chessum coming into the pack at blindside flanker in the one change to the starting XV.

“Ollie was disappointed that he wasn’t starting post the Ireland game,” Borthwick told BBC Sport on Tuesday. “He was disappointed and frustrated with his performance in the Ireland game.

“I thought he came on against Italy and did a really good job, from a ball-carrying perspective, from a line-out perspective, the contact area, the energy he gave to the team.”

England flanker Tom Curry has been ruled out of Saturday’s match after suffering a calf injury in the warm-up in Rome, while Ollie Lawrence continues to struggle with a knee issue.

Starting XV: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, S Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith

England’s Six Nations squad

Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton), Guy Pepper (Bath), Henry Pollock (Northampton), Bevan Rodd (Sale) Vilikesa Sela (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).

Backs: Henry Arundell (Bath), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Henry Slade (Exeter), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Joshua Brennan (Toulouse), François Cros (Toulouse), Alexandre Fischer (Bayonne), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon), Oscar Jegou (La Rochelle), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse), Maxime Lamothe (Bordeaux Bègles), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Temo Matiu (Bordeaux Bègles), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Régis Montagne (Clermont-Auvergne), Rodrigue Neti (Toulouse), Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Dany Priso (Toulon), Thomas Staniforth (Castres), Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux Bègles).

Backs: Grégoire Arfeuil (Pau), Théo Attissogbe (Pau), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux Bègles), Fabien Brau-Boirie (Pau), Romain Buros (Bordeaux Bègles), Thibault Daubagna (Pau), Nicolas Depoortere (Bordeaux Bègles), Gaël Dréan (Toulon), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse, captain), Kalvin Gourgues (Toulouse), Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (Pau), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux Bègles), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux Bègles), Noah Nene (Stade Français), Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain), Baptiste Serin (RC Toulon), Ugo Seunes (Racing 92).

When did France and England last win the Six Nations?

England last won the tournament in 2020. France were champions last year.

England’s last Grand Slam was in 2016 while Les Bleus achieved the feat in 2022.

What was the score last year?

England ended a three-year losing run against France in the Six Nations last year by winning 26-25 in a classic at Twickenham, Elliot Daly scoring the decisive late try.

Artur was “deeply loved” by his family

The family of a cyclist who died after a collision in Peterborough have described him as a “kind, cheerful and caring man”. Artur Ciesielski, 49, was involved in a crash at Rhubarb Bridge, near Lincoln Road, at around 6.45pm on February 21.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the incident. He died on Monday, March 9. No other vehicles were involved.

Artur’s family said he “loved animals, spending time outdoors, fishing and cycling”. He was described as a “devoted father” who had also recently become a grandfather to his first grandchild.

Artur’s family released the following tribute to him: “Artur was a kind, cheerful and caring man who was deeply loved by his family. Originally from Poland, he had been living in the UK for 23 years and had built his life here.

“Artur loved animals, spending time outdoors, fishing and cycling. He was an experienced cyclist and travelled by bike everywhere. On the day of the incident, he had gone to the shop by bicycle to buy food for the family cats because they had run out and were hungry.

“He had recently married his wife on 13 February this year and was very happy about the future ahead. Artur was a trained carpenter who loved working with his hands. He was always fixing something, helping others, working in the garden or cooking for the people he cared about.

“He was a devoted father who taught his daughter many things in life from DIY to cooking. He had also recently become a grandfather to his first grandchild, a 14-month-old boy, and he was incredibly proud and excited to be a grandad.

“We hope that anyone who may have been in the area or who may have seen anything will come forward, as even the smallest piece of information could help understand what happened. He was a wonderful man and father.”

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

Anyone who saw Artur in the lead up to the collision should report it through the Cambridgeshire Police website by quoting the reference incident 444 of 21 February. Anyone without internet access should call 101.

A nursery worker who raped and abused young children in his care has been jailed for 24 years.

Nathan Bennett, 30, preyed on the two and three-year-olds at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol.

He was found guilty by a jury last month of eight charges including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, relating to five children.

On Monday he was jailed at Bristol Crown Court for 24 years, with an extended licence period of six years.

Bennett previously admitted 13 other charges relating to four of the five victims, who were aged two at the time.

The court heard concerns were raised by parents and staff about Bennett’s behaviour towards the children in his care in February last year.

The police launched an investigation after staff caught him on CCTV putting his hands down the trousers of a child, which led to Bennett’s arrest and later the closure of the nursery.

He was noted by staff to sit children on his lap for lengthy periods of time, wear a pair of trousers with holes in the crotch area, and seemed “territorial” over certain toddlers and their parents, the court heard.

During the trial, video interviews with two of the children in the case – referred to only as Child A and Child E – were played to the jury.

Child E’s mother also gave evidence, telling how her son had demonstrated how he had been abused at his nursery.

“I got him to stop doing it. I asked him when did that happen. He said it happened at nursery,” she said.

Giving evidence, Bennett said he was “emulating” what was done to him as a child and denied having a sexual attraction to children.

This is a breaking story, more to follow…

Reef Pearson, 27, graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2019 with a business and communications degree after covering her studies with plan 2 tuition fee and maintenance loans.

Originally from Gateshead, Reef now works in Ancoats, Manchester. She received her first statement from Student Finance England the year after graduating, showing she owed £50,807.59.

Reef Pearson, 27, graduated from University of Birmingham with a business and communications degree in 2019 (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

After spending several years working minimum wage jobs, she secured a £40,000 a year role as an SEO manager in October 2023 and began repaying her student loan in 2024.

However, despite paying around £2,000 a year towards the balance, interest added to the loan means the total amount she owes has continued to increase.

In 2024, Reef paid £1,647 towards her loan but £3,967.71 was added in interest. In 2025, she repaid £1,963 while £4,270 was added to the balance.

A graduate with £60k of plan 2 student loan debt says each year she pays £2k off – to see it rise by £2k. (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

Reef said: “When I looked through my statements, I thought ‘God, is that even right?’.

“It’s so insulting to log in, see you’re paying it off, but at a rate that doesn’t even see the figure go down.

“And I’m aware I’m on a decent wage. If this is happening to me, what on earth is happening with other people?”

Despite Reef having a £40k a year job she is still struggling to pay the loan off (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

She said reviewing the figures left her questioning the system, Reef said: “Looking back, it feels like a scam. The whole concept of young people being told by the government that this is the way into education – and find out later they charge you double interest.

“It feels like I’m throwing money into an abyss. It’s just diabolical.”

Graduate Reef Pearson has said the student loan system ‘feels like a scam’ (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

She said she had spoken to her younger siblings about her experience.

Reef said: “I have a younger brother and sister, and I sat them down and told them that they should consider other options than university.”

Reef said she did not particularly enjoy her time at university but continued with the degree because she believed it was needed to work in marketing.

She also said the message many students received at sixth form was that the debt would eventually be written off.

Reef said: “It’s fine, your debt will be wiped after 30 years. That sounds quite nice, but the reality now is very different.”

Reef Pearson from Gateshead has saw her student loan increase by 2k every year in interest (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

After starting her current job, Reef reached the repayment threshold and now pays between £100 and £200 a month towards the loan.

Reef said: “What may sound like a good salary doesn’t get you very far, not as a single woman living alone. That £100 or £200 a month could help a lot.”

Although she now enjoys her job, she believes the terms of the loan were not fully understood when she signed up as a teenager.

Reef secured her first big-time job as a SEO manager in October 2023 and began paying off her loan from 2024 onwards. (Image: Reef Pearson / SWNS)

Reef said: “At 18, anything that has that kind of government stamp on it, you have trust in it, you think they’ll give you a good deal.

“It never crossed my mind there would be an interest rate like this.

“It’s hard to comprehend, I didn’t realise the government had these bleak terms, even for something private – never mind public sector.”

BANGKOK (AP) — Crude oil stayed above $100 a barrel on Monday and Gulf countries reported more attacks by Iran as the war entered its third week, while share prices were mixed.

A barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, was up 2.5% at $105.70. It’s climbed more than 40% since the war began.

U.S. benchmark crude gained 1.6% to $100.29 per barrel. It’s up nearly 50% since the war began.

U.S. futures were buoyant, with the contract for the S&P 500 up 0.6% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%.

In early European trading, Germany’s DAX edged 0.1% lower to 23,423.51, while the CAC 40 in Paris shed 0.2% to 7,893.16. Britain’s FTSE 100 inched up 0.2% to 10,276.43.

In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 edged 0.1% lower to 53,751.15, while the Kospi in South Korea climbed 1.1% to 5,549.85.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.5% to 25,834.02 after the Chinese government reported stronger than forecast economic data for February. The Shanghai Composite index shed 0.3%, however, to 4,084.79.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 gave up 0.4% to 8,583.40.

Taiwan’s Taiex edged 0.2% lower, while India’s Sensex was little changed.

On Friday, Wall Street’s losses deepened as the war again pushed prices above $100 per barrel, ratcheting up inflationary pressure on the global economy.

The S&P 500 fell 0.6%. The benchmark index is now down 3.1% so far this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.3% and the Nasdaq composite finished 0.9% lower. Those indexes also ended the week with their third straight weekly loss.

Since being attacked by the United States and Israel more than two weeks ago, Iran has been regularly hitting Israel, American bases and its Gulf Arab neighbors’ energy infrastructure with drones and missiles. It has also retaliated by effectively stopping cargo traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails. That has oil producers cutting production because their crude has nowhere to go.

In just over a week since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day have been taken offline, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.

Only handful of tankers have reportedly passed through the strait.

“The truth is that at this point, much of the market is operating in the fog,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. “For context, the strait normally handles roughly 25 oil and LNG tankers every single day.”

If the war continues to hamper the production and transportation of oil from the Persian Gulf, it could cause a damaging surge in inflation.

Members of the International Energy Agency are making a record 400 million barrels of oil available from emergency reserves, though it appears to have done little to reassure markets.

Higher expectations for inflation complicate the Federal Reserve’s efforts to bring interest rates lower to help the economy. The U.S. central bank is not expected to cut rates at its policy meeting this week.

A new snapshot of consumer spending Friday shows inflation crept higher in January, even before the Iran war caused oil and gas prices to spike.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer prices rose 2.8% in January compared with a year earlier. But excluding volatile food and energy, core prices rose 3.1%, the highest jump in nearly two years.

Even so, consumers still lifted their spending at a solid 0.4% pace in January, with their incomes rising at the same pace, according to the report.

Wall Street also got an update on how U.S. economic growth fared in the October-December quarter. The economy, hobbled by last fall’s 43-day government shutdown, grew at a sluggish 0.7% annual rate, a downgrade from its initial estimate last month.

In other trading early Monday, the U.S. dollar slipped to 159.34 Japanese yen from 159.55 yen. The euro rose to $1.1441 from $1.1425.

A next best result for the US would be if a severely damaged Islamic Republic were to then modify its behaviour, stop mistreating its citizens and end its support for radical militias in the region. Again, this looks unlikely after Iran chose as its new supreme leader, a man most likely to irritate Washington in the form of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of his late, hardline predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Volkswagen likes to distil the essence of the brand down to three simple ideas: Emotion, efficiency and engineering. Those three pillars are meant to underpin every model the company produces, alongside what Volkswagen describes as the fundamentals of being a “true Volkswagen”: clear design with balanced proportions, optimum use of space, high quality, easy handling, innovative technology and an attractive price-to-performance ratio.

Volkswagen’s upcoming ID. Cross is designed to embody all of that in one of the most important and lucrative parts of the electric car market. This new compact SUV is part of the Volkswagen Group’s new Electric Urban Car Family, a range of smaller electric vehicles that will all be built in Spain, with development led by Cupra.

Cupra will introduce the first model from the family with the Cupra Raval, followed by the Volkswagen ID. Polo hatchback and this SUV, the ID. Cross, along with the Skoda Epiq. I drove the Skoda Epiq earlier this year, and it provided an early glimpse of what this platform could deliver.

The ID. Cross I drove was still heavily camouflaged and far from the finished production version, but the prototype already revealed plenty about Volkswagen’s plans for its smallest electric SUV. Even at this early stage, it’s clear Volkswagen is delivering on its claim to be going the extra mile with the ID. Cross – and the result could be a very important car for the brand when it reaches showrooms early in 2027.

How I tested

I was one of a select few journalists invited to Amsterdam to drive the new Volkswagen ID. Cross in early prototype form – although the cars were the very latest development models and pretty close to production cars, you’ll be able to buy. I drove on the streets in and around Amsterdam, out to the coast, up and down motorways and tested everything that will be important to buyers of these cars. As well as the practicality and boot space, I also got to try some of the new instrument settings to give an early verdict on this important new car that you can trust.

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Independent rating: 9/10

Volkswagen ID. Cross specs

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

Volkswagen will offer the ID. Cross with two battery sizes and a choice of power outputs. Entry-level versions will use a 37kWh battery paired with either 114bhp or 127bhp electric motors. These models are expected to offer a range of up to 194 miles and support DC rapid charging at up to 90kW.

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Above that sits a larger 52kWh battery paired with a 208bhp electric motor producing 290Nm of torque and driving the front wheels. This version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles and supports DC charging at up to 105kW.

That charging figure is slightly lower than the 135kW peak seen in some of Volkswagen’s current ID models, but the company says the charging curve has been redesigned so it stays flatter for longer. In practice, that means less drop-off in charging speed as the battery fills, allowing the ID. Cross to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.

The car weighs less than 1,500kg and features a 55:45 front-to-rear weight distribution, while towing capacity is rated at up to 1,200kg.

The prototype I drove was the 208bhp front-wheel-drive version. There’s no confirmed all-wheel-drive model at this stage, although engineers say the platform could support one if markets demand it. Austria, apparently, is already keen!

On the road, the ID. Cross feels impressively mature for such an early prototype. Volkswagen has defined a specific “Driving Dynamics DNA” for its electric models based around linearity, emotionality, intuitive handling, steering precision and the right balance between comfort and control.

In the ID. Cross that balance leans more towards comfort than the lower-slung ID. Polo hatchback, and that was immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. The ride quality felt significantly more polished than the earlier Skoda Epiq prototype I drove, even though the suspension hardware is mechanically identical. Volkswagen engineers revealed that this was a later iteration of the setup I experienced in the Skoda

Over rougher roads, the car felt composed and connected without ever becoming uncomfortable. In fact, the ride quality felt remarkably premium for a small electric SUV.

Braking performance is another highlight. Volkswagen has introduced a new one-box braking system designed to deliver a more natural pedal feel than earlier EV systems. On the road, it works very well, with linear response and consistent stopping power without the grabby behaviour or inconsistent feedback that some early electric cars suffered from. Performance from the 208bhp motor feels strong enough to make the car feel lively.

Steering was the one dynamic area that felt less convincing. Around the straight-ahead position, there was slightly too much slack, which made it feel a little vague at times. Switching to Sport mode improved the situation, making the steering feel noticeably more direct.

After feeding that back to Volkswagen engineers during the drive, they later took me to one side to say they agreed with the feedback and said the production car would move the standard steering calibration closer to the Sport setting.

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Overall, though, the fundamentals feel extremely strong even at this early stage. This is shaping up to be a seriously impressive small SUV, and it will be fascinating to see how it compares with rivals such as the upcoming Kia EV2.

Interior, practicality and boot space

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Inside, the ID. Cross shares much of its interior design with the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo. Because of the SUV body style, the dash will be stretched upwards somewhat, but the overall layout is very similar.

Although our prototype test car had covers over the interior, I know from the Polo that it’s an impressive interior, both in terms of design and perceived quality. Volkswagen has incorporated technology usually found in larger and more expensive cars, including massage seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, a 10-inch driver display and a 13-inch infotainment screen. Our prototype also featured a panoramic glass roof, although it was hidden underneath the camouflage.

The interior makes extensive use of premium-feeling sustainable materials and feels genuinely upmarket for a car expected to start at around £25,000.

Crucially, Volkswagen has also reintroduced physical controls after criticism of overly touch-based systems in earlier models. There’s a proper volume knob on the centre console between the front seats, proper steering wheel buttons (and lots of them – which can be a bit confusing) and separate heating and ventilation controls sitting below the touchscreen, all of which make the car easier to use day to day.

Volkswagen designers talk about three pillars for the exterior design: stable, likeable and secret sauce. “Stable” refers to the car’s proportions and stance, while “likeable” reflects the friendly face that new Volkswagen models wear.

“Secret sauce” describes small details designed to surprise and delight owners. One example is the retro-style graphics on the digital displays, which echo classic Volkswagen instruments and add real personality to the cabin. Again, I’d seen this system in a production ID. Polo interior, but seeing those retro dials in action is genuinely brilliant.

In terms of dimensions, the ID. Cross measures 4153mm long, 1816mm wide and 1581mm tall, with a 2601mm wheelbase.

Boot space is generous for a compact SUV. The luggage area offers 475 litres of capacity, including an underfloor storage well, expanding to 1,340 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Rear passenger space isn’t quite as generous. Legroom in the back feels a little tight, and children in forward-facing child seats could end up kicking the backs of the front seats. Personally, I’d happily sacrifice an inch or two of boot space to gain more rear legroom.

Headroom in the back is excellent, though, and the rear doors open wide, which makes access easier.

Visibility is also very good from all seats, with nicely sized door mirrors and a clear view out in every direction.

One disappointment is that some of the clever interior ideas shown on the earlier ID. 2all concept car haven’t made it into this car. Magnetic phone holders on the backs of the front seats, for example, would have been a neat touch. After the brilliance of the retro displays and the impressive cabin design, it feels like there could be a bit more “secret sauce” in terms of practical interior functionality.

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Technology, stereo and infotainment

Technology is another strong point for the ID. Cross. The car introduces Volkswagen’s new generation of software architecture and connectivity systems.

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The infotainment system is displayed on a 13in touchscreen, complemented by a 10in digital driver display. The retro-style instrument graphics give the system a distinctive look and help it stand out from more conventional digital dashboards. On the main touchscreen, the navigation is displayed on what mimics an old TV screen, while any music you’re playing gets displayed on what looks like an old cassette tape, complete with rotating spools for added authenticity. It’s all very cool.

Advanced driver assistance comes via Volkswagen’s Connected Travel Assist system. This uses swarm data from other vehicles to help improve the accuracy of the information it uses. The system supports assisted lane changes as well as traffic and stop light detection.

The ID. Cross also introduces vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the battery to power external devices, as well as vehicle-to-grid capability that could allow energy to be fed back into the electricity grid when connected to suitable infrastructure.

Prices and running costs

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European pricing for the ID. Cross has already been announced, starting from €27,995. At current exchange rates, that works out to around £24,150.

However, by the time the car reaches UK showrooms in early 2027, it’s likely that the entry price will sit a little above £25,000. From there, prices are expected to rise into the low-to-mid £30,000 range depending on battery size, power output and equipment levels. Production versions of the car should be ready for driving towards the end of this year.

Volkswagen clearly has high expectations for the ID. Cross. In fact, the company believes it could outsell the ID. Polo hatchback – which says a lot about how strong demand for small electric SUVs is expected to be.

The verdict: Volkswagen ID. Cross

Even in early prototype form, the ID. Cross is hugely impressive. The ride quality feels genuinely premium for a small electric SUV, the interior quality is excellent, and the technology package looks strong.

There are still a few rough edges to polish before production begins – particularly around steering feel – but it’s unlikely anything can be done to boost rear passenger space. However, the fundamentals are extremely convincing.

If Volkswagen can deliver the expected price point and refine those small issues before launch, the ID. Cross could become one of the most compelling compact electric SUVs on sale in the UK.

Volkswagen ID. Cross rivals

FAQs

How long does it take to charge?

The larger 52kWh battery version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles, while the smaller 37kWh battery version provides up to around 194 miles. The larger battery version supports DC rapid charging at up to 105kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

With a starting price expected to be just over £25,000 in the UK, the ID. Cross aims to offer strong value in the compact electric SUV market, combining useful range with modern technology and a premium-feeling interior.

Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free?

Volkswagen is expected to offer its standard three-year new car warranty alongside an eight-year battery warranty covering the high-voltage battery for up to 100,000 miles while guaranteeing a minimum level of battery capacity.

Why trust us

Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.

With more than 30 years of experience, Steve Fowler is one of the UK’s best-known automotive journalists. Steve has interviewed key industry figures, from Tesla’s Elon Musk to Ford’s Jim Farley, and is a judge for both Germany’s and India’s Car of the Year Awards, as well as being a director of World Car of the Year. When it comes to electric vehicles, Steve reviews all the latest models for The Independent as they launch, from Abarth to Zeekr, and he uses his expert knowledge of car buyers’ needs to provide a comprehensive verdict.

The 55-year-old suffered serious injuries on Dent Street in Shildon on Tuesday, March 10, and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Robert Davies appeared in the dock at Teesside Crown Court this morning (Monday, March 16) charged with Mr Blair’s murder, possession of an offensive weapon, and affray.

The 49-year-old, wearing a green and yellow prison uniform, is to be psychologically assessed to determine whether he is fit to enter a plea to the charges.

Police working at the scene on Dent Street, Shildon (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “Your case will be heard on April 13. Between now and then you are likely to be interviewed by one or two psychologists.

“In the mean time you are remanded in custody.”

Davies will next appear in Leeds Crown Court for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

A potential trial date will be set at a later date.

Jeff Blair was working as a bailiff at the time of his death.

Following his death, the 55-year-old’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Jeff was a much-loved son, brother, father, partner, uncle, and good friend to many.

“His ability to apply humour and laughter to any situation and lighten the mood will be irreplaceable to our family.

“We are devastated to lose Jeff in such tragic circumstances, and he will be forever missed and remembered always, with much love and affection.”

Darlington Storm Basketball Club said Jeff was a former player, coach and committee member.

In a tribute shared on social media, the club said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very traumatic and troublesome time.”

Mr Blair, a former Durham Constabulary police officer, had worked as a response PC across the south of the county for 22 years before retiring in 2017.