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The Latest: Hegseth faces a second day of Democrats grilling him over the Iran war

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The Latest: Hegseth faces a second day of Democrats grilling him over the Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a second day of grilling from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first opportunity Thursday to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war.

Hegseth battled with Democrats — and some Republicans — a day earlier during a nearly six-hour House Armed Services Committee hearing, where he faced sharp questioning over the war’s costs in dollars, lives and the diminishing stockpiles of critical weapons.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hear a similar presentation on the Trump administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, will again stress the need for more drones, missile defense systems and warships.

Here’s the latest:

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Defense secretary claims that 60-day legal limit for war is on pause during ceasefire

The Trump administration is running up against a 60-day limit for the Iran war that is instituted by the War Powers Act of 1973. The law requires that Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force, although it does provide for presidents to have a 30-day extension to draw down hostilities if it notifies Congress.

The 60-day limit for the Iran war will be reached Friday. However, Hegseth told senators, “We are in a cease fire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire.”

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine responded, “I do not believe the statute would support that,” and added that he had “serious constitutional concerns.”

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Sen. Ernst lists accomplishments of ousted top Army uniformed officer

Saying she was “disappointed” to see Gen. Randy George’s retirement “hastened,” Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa noted that the officer “pulled the Army out of its worst recruiting crisis since the Vietnam era” and trimmed “nonessential” Army positions.

George is one of several top military officers to be dismissed since Trump returned to office. In early April, the Pentagon said George would be “retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately.”

George had held the post of Army chief of staff, which typically runs for four years, since August 2023.

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“He had 38 years of honorable service. He achieved the greatest Army recruitment and modernization effort in a generation,” Ernst said. “So I want to thank him for his service.”

Senators question whether the Pentagon has resources to prevent civilian casualties

Senators wanted to know what the Defense Department is doing to prevent deaths of civilians, especially after outdated intelligence contributed to the U.S. striking an elementary school in Iran and killing over 165 people.

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand asked Hegseth, “What is your response to targeting that has resulted in the destruction of schools, hospitals, civilian places? Why did you cut by 90% the division that’s supposed to help you not target civilians?”

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Hegseth responded that the Pentagon has an “ironclad commitment” to do more than other countries to prevent civilian deaths.

Still, Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, continued Gillibrand’s line of questioning. He asked Hegseth whether the Pentagon still has the resources necessary to protect civilians.

Hegseth said it has “every resource necessary” and that humans are kept in the loop when AI is involved in military decisions.

Democratic senator grills defense officials on release of Ukraine funding

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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, pushed Hegseth and other defense officials for details on how the Pentagon plans to use $400 million that Congress has allotted for Ukraine.

Hegseth told lawmakers a day earlier that the funding had been released. His actions came after Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Republican leader, penned an op-ed slamming the delay in releasing the funds.

But Shaheen pointed out that the Pentagon has not given Congress details on how it plans to spend the money. Hegseth told her that it would also be used as part of a program to sell military equipment first to NATO allies.

Shaheen shot back that it “was not the intent of Congress in providing that $400 million.”

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The Defense Department’s current budget request includes no funding for Ukraine.

Top defense official confirms Russian involvement in Iran war

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, told senators Russian President Vladimir Putin has aided Iran’s war effort.

He declined to go into details, citing the public nature of the hearing, but said, ”There’s definitely some action there.”

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The chair of the committee, Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, agreed, saying “there’s no question that Vladimir Putin’s Russia is taking serious action to undermine our efforts for success in Iran.”

Hegseth again has harsh words for critics

“As I said yesterday, and I’ll say it again today, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless naysayers and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,” Hegseth said in his opening statement to the Senate panel.

Defending Trump’s budget request, Hegseth said the president “inherited a defense industrial base that had been hollowed out by years of America last policies, resulting in a diminished capacity to project strength.”

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Similar to his Wednesday remarks to a House committee, Gen. Dan Caine said it was his duty as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman “to ensure our civilian leadership has a comprehensive range of military options and the associated risks required to make the nation’s hardest and most complex decisions.”

Man accused of trying to kill Trump at correspondents’ gala agrees to remain jailed for now

Cole Thomas Allen did not enter a plea during his brief appearance Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya.

Prosecutors allege Allen planned his attack for weeks and tracked Trump’s movements online before he ran through a magnetometer at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night while holding a long gun and disrupted one of the highest-profile annual events in the nation’s capital.

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Allen was injured during the attack but wasn’t shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and survived, officials say. Prosecutors have said they believe Allen fired his shotgun at least once and that a Secret Service agent fired five shots. They have not publicly confirmed that it was Allen’s bullet that struck the agent’s vest.

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Chinese foreign minister speaks with Rubio ahead of Trump’s planned China trip

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Thursday spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and called leader-level diplomacy the “guiding star” of the China-U.S. relations, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

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The call came just about two weeks before President Trump plans to travel to China for the first time since 2017 and hold talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Wang credited the “strategic leadership” by Xi and Trump for the overall stability in China-U.S. relations and said both sides should cherish it and well prepare for “high-level interactions.”

Wang urged the U.S. side to make the “right choice” over the Taiwan issue, which he said is the most risky in China-U.S. relations. Beijing considers the self-governed island part of Chinese territory and vows to seize it by force if necessary, while Washington opposes use of force in the Taiwan Strait.

Anti-war protester disrupts Hegseth hearing

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A protester in a pink shirt disrupted Hegseth’s opening statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The man stood, unfurled a hand-written sign and yelled, “Pete Hegseth, you’re a war criminal.”

Within seconds, he was removed by Capitol Police officers. Several other people dressed in similar pink shirts have also left the hearing room.

The committee chair, Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, continued the hearing by saying he respected First Amendment rights to free speech, but that anyone who disrupts the hearing would be removed.

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Top Democrat on military panel gives sweeping critique of Hegseth’s leadership

Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, did not hold back in his opening statement directed toward Hegseth.

From the war with Iran to Hegseth’s efforts to remake military culture, Reed dressed down the defense secretary’s actions and warned they could do long-term harm.

Reed argued that the war with Iran has left the U.S. in a worse strategic position than when it was started because the Strait of Hormuz is closed and 13 U.S. military members have been killed. Many others have been injured, and equipment has been destroyed.

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“The American people’s trust in our military took 250 years to build. You are dismantling it in a fraction of that time,” Reed concluded.

Panel chairman decries ‘axis of aggressors’ in Hegseth Senate hearing

In opening remarks, GOP Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi outlined threats to the United States he said were a “growing alliance” of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, saying the current moment represents “the most dangerous security environment since World War II.”

Saying Chinese President Xi Jinping led a “growing alliance” among the countries, Wicker said they shared a goal ”to oppose America’s interests and the interests of other like minded, democratic countries across the globe.”

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“Ties have never been closer among these four dictators,” Wicker said. “Among these four dictatorships, they support each other’s aggressive endeavors.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’ll sign redistricting bill when he gets it

The Republican Florida governor told reporters Thursday he would not delay signing the new congressional map the GOP-dominated Legislature passed Wednesday at his and President Trump’s urging.

There had been some speculation that DeSantis could hold the bill for as long as possible — as much as two weeks or so depending on when the Legislature adjourns — to delay when the bill’s critics can file lawsuits challenging the measure.

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The new map is intended to help Republicans gain as many as four more U.S. House seats in November, making the GOP advantage in Florida up to 24-4.

DeSantis said Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision curtailing the strength of nonwhite voters in redistricting vindicated his decision to call a special session for what he insists is a “race neutral” map.

Hegseth’s Senate hearing is starting

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is sitting before senators in what’s expected to be another fiery hearing on the Hill.

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The defense secretary’s hearing is ostensibly to discuss the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget request to Congress, but it’s the first time that senators will get to publicly question him since the Iran War began nearly two months ago. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, is also seated beside Hegseth.

The defense secretary also appeared for a House hearing Wednesday and he drew a large crowd of anti-war protesters to the hallways of the House office building where the hearing was held.

On Thursday, things feel a bit more low-key in the Senate, although there are a handful of people in the hearing room wearing pink shirts that state “Peace with Iran.”

Top Chinese and US trade officials speak ahead of planned state visit

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Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Thursday spoke by video with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, China’s state media reported, ahead of a planned state visit by President Trump to Beijing in mid-May.

The two sides had a “candid, in-depth and constructive” exchange, the state broadcaster China Central Television said. The Chinese side lodged “solemn concerns” over recent restrictive trade measures imposed by the U.S. on China, but the statement didn’t specify the measures.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a China-based oil refinery and 40 shippers involved in transporting Iranian oil. The U.S. Trade Representative Office this week held a hearing on the use of forced labor in foreign goods.

Trump takes another dig at German leader

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The president is continuing to pillory German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who’s been increasingly critical of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Trump in a social media post said Merz “should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine” and “fixing his broken Country, especially Immigration and Energy” and less time concerning himself with the Iran war.

The latest criticism by Trump of Merz came the day after the U.S. president announced he was reviewing the U.S. military presence in Germany, a NATO ally that hosts several American military installations.

Trump administration appeals order blocking government from cutting vaccine recommendations

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U.S. officials are appealing a judge’s order that blocks the government from cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every U.S. child.

Government lawyers on Wednesday filed the one-sentence appeal.

It was a delayed response to a March 16 order by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, who blocked an order by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — 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.

Murphy’s order also stopped a meeting of a Kennedy-appointed vaccine advisory committee. The stay continues while the appeal is considered.

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White House is facing a War Powers Resolution deadline

The Trump administration is constrained by the 1973 law, which requires several notification and approval steps meant to keep a commander-in-chief’s military powers in check.

One of its provisions is that military action authorized by the president must end after 60 days unless Congress has explicitly approved it, or has declared war. That 60-day clock runs out Friday.

One White House official said the administration is in “active conversations” with lawmakers on addressing the deadline, but did not elaborate. The official was granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The administration can request a 30-day extension by telling Congress in writing that there’s a continued need for military action. The White House, which has long stressed that the president is working toward a diplomatic option in Iran, hasn’t indicated publicly whether Trump will seek that extension.

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— Seung Min Kim

Trump floats a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Under the plan, the United States would continue its blockade on Iranian ports, while coordinating with allies to impose higher costs on Iran’s attempts to subvert the free flow of energy, according to a senior administration official.

Trump is weighing multiple diplomatic and policy options to push Iran to end its chokehold on the waterway, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

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— Aamer Madhani

US jobless aid filings fall to 189,000 last week despite multiple economic headwinds and Iran war

U.S. jobless aid applications for the week ending April 25 fell by 26,000 by to 189,000, down from the previous week’s 215,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s well below the 214,000 new applications analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet were expecting.

Filings for unemployment benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

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The four-week moving average of jobless claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, came in at 207,500, about 3,500 lower than the previous week.

The total number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the previous week ending April 18 fell to 1.79 million, a decrease of 23,000.

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US economy grew 2% from January-March, recovering from last fall’s federal shutdown

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But the outlook is clouded by the Iran war.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rebounded from a lackluster 0.5% expansion the last three months of 2025. The federal government’s spending and investment grew at a 9.3% annual rate in the first quarter, adding more than half a percentage point to growth after lopping off 1.16 percentage points in fourth-quarter 2025.

Growth in consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of U.S. economic activity, slowed to 1.6% in the first quarter from 1.9% at the end of 2025. But business investment, likely driven by investments in artificial intelligence, rose at an 8.7% pace.

Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes. That has driven energy prices higher, fueling inflation and hurting consumers.

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A key inflation gauge jumps in March as Iran war-driven gas prices squeeze budgets

It’s the latest sign that the Iran war is pushing up the cost of living and delaying any interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

An inflation gauge monitored by the Fed rose 0.7% in March from February, up slightly from the previous month. Compared with a year ago, prices rose 3.5%, the biggest increase in almost three years.

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Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core inflation rose 0.3% in March from February, and it was 3.2% higher than a year earlier. The annual figure is above February’s reading of 3%.

Rising gas prices have caused inflation to move further away from the Fed’s 2% target, which has caused the central bank to keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged after cutting it three times last year. The Fed typically keeps rates elevated — or even raises them — to combat higher inflation.

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New ‘bluster’ from Trump? Germany faces new threat about reduced US military presence in Europe

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President Trump has again threatened that the United States could reduce its military presence in Germany, a key NATO ally and the European Union’s largest economy. Europeans have heard this before.

Trump’s social media post on Wednesday followed comments by Chancellor Friedrich Merz that the U.S. was being “ humiliated ” by Tehran as it slow-walks its diplomacy over the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.

Trump has mused for years about reducing America’s military presence in Germany, and has recently repeatedly railed against NATO for the its refusal to assist the U.S. in its two-month-old war.

U.S. allies at NATO have been waiting for the Trump administration to pull troops out since just after it came to office, warning that Europe would have to look after its own security, and that of Ukraine, in the future.

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Full federal appeals court won’t rehear $83 million defamation verdict against Trump

A divided federal appeals court said Wednesday it won’t grant a rare meeting of its active judges to hear an appeal of an $83 million verdict against President Donald Trump for defaming a magazine advice columnist over an encounter three decades ago.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to reject a so-called “en banc” hearing comes several months after Trump appealed to the Supreme Court another jury’s decision to grant $5 million the writer, E. Jean Carroll, after concluding he had sexually abused her in a department store dressing room in 1996 and later defamed her. The high court hasn’t yet decided whether to hear the case.

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Lawyers for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said in a statement that her client was “eager for this case, originally filed in 2019, to be over so that she can finally obtain justice.”

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Environmental Protection Agency boss backs big budget cuts but Congress will get the final say

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Senate Democrats accused the Trump administration of abandoning the Environmental Protection Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment at a congressional hearing Wednesday, slamming agency leadership over a proposal to cut its budget in half.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s appearance before the Senate environment committee was his last of three budget hearings this week where he argued for sharply reduced funding for the agency, which already has seen its staffing reduced to its lowest level in decades under his leadership. During much of the week, the former Republican congressman from New York took an aggressive approach, responding to Democrats in the House and Senate with his own questions and at times accusing them of being unprepared or failing to care about the EPA’s track record.

Zeldin has eliminated major climate change programs, promoted deregulatory efforts he calls the biggest in American history and canceled billions of dollars in Biden-era environmental justice grants to halt what he calls “EPA’s radical diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.”

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Brent crude surges over $120 a barrel on Iran war worries, while world stocks are mixed

The price of Brent crude oil briefly surged past $126 a barrel early Thursday as stalled U.S.-Iran talks raised doubts over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent end to the Iran war.

Brent crude to be delivered in June jumped 3.3% to $121.90 after briefly soaring past $126 per barrel. Brent to be delivered in July rose 1.4% to $112.02.

Benchmark U.S. crude climbed 1.3% to $108.28 per barrel.

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Before the war began in late February, Brent crude was trading around $70 per barrel.

There’s no clear path to an end to the war. The U.S. has continued its blockade of Iranian ports while the Strait of Hormuz is closed, pushing oil prices higher. Reports Thursday suggesting a possible escalation by Trump doused hopes for a quick end to the conflict.

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How to talk to children when terrorist attacks and violence dominate the news

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How to talk to children when terrorist attacks and violence dominate the news

When a man stabbed Jewish people in Golders Green, London, in what police declared a terrorist incident, the story spread fast – through news alerts, social media and the whispered conversations of anxious adults. When this happens, children notice.

Whether they catch a fragment of a TV bulletin, overhear a parent on the phone, or simply sense that something has shifted in the atmosphere at home, the news has a way of reaching them before they are ready. The question isn’t really whether to talk to children about violence and fear; it’s how.

First, it’s important to know that children have the resilience and capacity to process difficult topics, but bear in mind that this needs to happen in a supportive environment.

Start with safety. Ensure your child feels relaxed and secure. Safety comes from routines, keeping daily rhythms and practising rituals that remind everyone you are together and safe – for example, a nighttime story or song, a special time on the couch after dinner.

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Your capacity to deal with issues like violence and fear is the most important factor in contributing to your child feeling safe during these conversations. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious, wait until you feel calmer and more grounded, or have someone to support you with the conversation.

Some families – particularly those who face racism or other forms of discrimination – will already be familiar with these conversations. But if this is new to you, the main thing to do is to be honest and clear. Be direct and specific. Avoid metaphors and euphemisms and vague ideas like “bad people”.

Adjust your language to the child’s age, but don’t overthink it. Simply pause often, ask questions, and watch their face for confusion.

Children don’t stay afraid for long. They move in and out of difficult feelings quickly, which is why short, repeated conversations work better than one big, serious talk.

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Come back to them to check understanding and listen for misunderstandings. Ask them if they have any questions. And don’t be surprised if the child looks particularly bored or disinterested. Children prefer delight and joy and play rather than serious adult conversations. It doesn’t mean they are not listening or appreciating the explanation, it just means their priorities are elsewhere – and that’s a good thing.

It’s important to make them feel safe.
LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

Keeping children grounded amid fear

Limit media exposure and try to avoid talking about scary events around them – they are always listening and there’s huge room for misunderstanding when they hear rather than take part in conversations.

Research shows that if children are exposed to media and talk about fearful events, that it’s important what they hear is mediated through a supportive adult who can explain the content appropriately. They can pick up on the signs of fear and anxiety from adults, particularly in times of uncertainty, even if they can’t fully understand the words in the conversation.

Follow your child’s lead. Your job is to open the door. They decide whether to walk through it and when to leave. Don’t mistake silence for shutdown. Children often process fear through movement, play, singing, dancing, making and even breaking things.

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It’s OK to say “I don’t know” to questions you can’t answer. And it’s OK to say: “I know the answer, but it’s too much information for you at your age, I’ll tell you a little bit now and explain more when I think you are old enough.”

Most important of all, for you and your child, look at your circle of safety. Remind your child they are safe here and now with you, that there is a community that you live in and link with who are there to support you and keep you safe. Focus on hope and efficacy and on what can we do right now for the future we want.

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Former DWP employee shares tips to protect your PIP and disability benefits

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Cambridgeshire Live

A former DWP employee with over 40 years’ experience has shared insider tips to help people making a new claim for Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, and other disability benefits — and those already receiving them

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that no alterations will be made to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until a review of the existing eligibility criteria has been finalised. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms is working alongside disabled groups and charities to co-produce the review, which is anticipated to conclude this autumn.

The SNP Government has stated that individuals receiving devolved disability benefits in Scotland will remain unaffected by modifications to PIP – though this position could shift should Labour secure victory in next month’s election. Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced the DWP benefit for all new and current claimants with a Scottish postcode.

Meanwhile, a former DWP employee with more than 40 years of experience handling State Pensions, working age and disability benefits has offered some insider guidance which may assist people submitting a new claim for PIP, ADP and other disability benefits.

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This advice could also prove extremely valuable for current claimants, as the number of individuals receiving disability benefits continues to hit record levels throughout Great Britain.

The most recent statistics from the DWP and Social Security Scotland reveal there are now more than 3.9 million people claiming PIP, 484,055 on ADP, over 1.7 million pensioners receiving Attendance Allowance and more than 175,700 claiming Pension Age Disability Payment. As the number of people claiming disability benefits continues to rise sharply, Sandra Wrench, a former DWP employee with 42 years’ experience in the welfare system, is encouraging new applicants to “keep a copy of the claim form they submit”, as it could prove invaluable when the award comes up for review, reports the Daily Record.

Submitting claims for PIP, ADP and Attendance Allowance online (limited number per week) makes it straightforward to save a copy to your home computer or laptop for future reference, while those completing a paper form should photocopy the original document before sending it off.

If you do not already have a copy of the PIP 2 evidence form – the health questionnaire you completed prior to your assessment – contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 and request that one be sent to you.

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Retaining a copy will assist you with any future reviews for PIP, or ADP if you have transferred to the Social Security Scotland system.

The form can serve as a useful reminder of the original responses you provided to the daily living and mobility questions, but crucially, it can help you articulate how your condition affects you at present – particularly if your circumstances have changed, your health has deteriorated, or you have developed additional conditions.

The former DWP adviser told the Daily Record: “With PIP, and in some cases Attendance Allowance, the claim is allowed for a certain period of time before it is reviewed, so it is handy to know what you put down on the original claim form.

“One lady I helped with her PIP claim, I got her to keep a copy of her original claim, which made it easier for her to complete her PIP review form when the time came. Your medical condition can sometimes change from the date you submitted your original claim.”

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Regarding Attendance Allowance claims, she added: “It is advisable to get all your medical evidence sorted out before you start completing the form.”

This is owing to the length of the application form, and she explained how collating medical notes, information, and relevant dates for appointments or operations in advance can significantly reduce the time needed to complete the claim. She said: “Once you have catalogued your medical history required for the claim you are halfway there.”

Nevertheless, Sandra cautioned: “Do not try and complete the form in one sitting, as it can be mentally draining.”

The former welfare adviser noted that the most crucial reason for retaining a copy of your original claim form is to ensure you “do not give any conflicting evidence when it comes to a review, which may give DWP reason to scrutinise your case further”.

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She continued: “Also if your claim is disallowed by DWP and you seek help over this, the person looking at your case can see what you have put on the original form as to why it might have been disallowed.”

Other ways to protect future disability benefit payments

Maintaining a diary is amongst the most valuable tools for all disability benefit claimants, and it need not be a paper-based record. Using your mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet can provide a straightforward means of documenting ‘bad days’ and recording significant moments connected to your condition.

Establishing a dedicated note, complete with time and date, allows you to capture details you may wish to reference during a future PIP review, or simply adding entries to the calendar function.

This doesn’t require daily input, merely noting matters relevant to how your condition impacts you. This might encompass everyday tasks you struggled to complete independently, instances of forgetting medication, or experiencing low mood or frustration stemming from your condition.

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Additional considerations worth documenting would be instances when carrying out everyday activities:

  • Were painful for you
  • Take you a long time
  • Puts you or someone else in danger
  • Make you feel breathless
  • Make you unsteady

This form of note-taking, or diary maintenance, proves particularly useful for individuals with fluctuating conditions, as it could facilitate explaining to healthcare professionals the contrast between ‘good days and bad days’. It can also help identify the frequency of notable health events, which can sometimes occur so regularly they slip from memory.

It’s equally vital to retain records of any medical appointments connected to your condition, ensuring your documentation remains current. This may also include counselling or physiotherapy sessions. It may also prove beneficial to reach out to a charity with specialist understanding of your condition, even simply to ensure you’re not overlooking additional support available to you.

For those claiming ADP, you can include a charity or organisation from whom you’ve received assistance or guidance regarding your health condition, long-term illness, or disability, as supporting evidence.

These suggestions represent just a handful of the measures people receiving PIP, ADP or Attendance Allowance can adopt to begin safeguarding their future payment award by building a personal evidence trail that can simplify recalling specific instances of how their condition impacts them.

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A successful new claim for PIP or ADP is now valued between £30.30 and £194.60, some £121.20 and £778.40 every four weeks throughout the 2026/27 financial year.

A successful new claim for Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment is now valued at either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) each week and as the benefit is typically paid every four weeks, this equates to either £306.80 or £458.40 every pay period. Find out more about making a new claim on GOV.UK.

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‘Iconic’ Scottish TV drama returning after 21 years with a major change

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'Iconic' Scottish TV drama returning after 21 years with a major change
Monarch of the Glen is coming back to screens – but with a twist (Picture: Ken Mellin/BBC)

A hugely popular Scottish drama is returning to TV after over two decades since it ended – but the revival will have one key difference.

Monarch of the Glen first aired in 2000 and ran on BBC One for seven series, concluding in October 2005 after 64 episodes.

Loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie’s Highland novels, the plot followed restaurateur Archie MacDonald (played by Alastair Mackenzie), who is called back to his childhood home, becoming the laird of a huge, decaying family estate in the Cairngorms.

In the final two series, the story focused on new Laird Paul Bowman (Lloyd Owen) and his attempts to modernise the estate.

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Other original cast members included Anna Wilson-Jones as Archie’s girlfriend Justine, Richard Briers as Hector MacDonald, Susan Hampshire as Molly MacDonald, and Dawn Steele as Lexie MacDonald.

The heartwarming drama was pulling in eight million viewers at its peak and is still beloved by audiences today, with all episodes streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Monarchy Of The Glen S1 Picture Shows:
The original drama series ran for seven series on the BBC for five years (Picture: BBC)
Alexander Morton, Monarch of the Glen (Picture: BBC)
At its peak, Monarch of the Glen pulled in eight million viewers (Picture: BBC)

However, upon its return 21 years later, there’ll be a notable change, as this time, the lead character will be a woman.

Rebooted in a Channel 5 reimagining, the new series is thought to be casting entirely new stars, although the actors are yet to be revealed.

What we do know is that the main character will be a high-flying London lawyer named Isla Campbell, who returns to the Highlands for the funeral of her estranged father.

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She doesn’t plan to stay for longer than a few days, but soon discovers she’s now inherited £1million of debt and the stress that comes with it, such as the bank’s threats to seize their ancestral home. Her brother, however, refuses to sacrifice it.

Living with her sibling for the first time in years, Isla must find a way to save the estate before they lose it forever.

The new Monarch of the Glen is expected to be a six-part series, produced by Ecosse Films, which was behind the original programme.

Television programme : MONARCH OF THE GLEN...Picture Shows: ALEXANDER MORTON as Golly and ALASTAIR MACKENZIE as Archie TX: BBC ONE, Sunday October 6, 2002 Archie (Alastair Mackenzie) tries to adjust to life on the estate without Golly (Alexander Morton), but when Archie falls and dislocates his shoulder, Golly comes to his rescue and Archie tries one more time to persuade him to reconsider his position at Glenbogle. WARNING: This copyright image may be used only to publicise current BBC programmes or other BBC output. Any other use whatsoever without specific prior approval from the BBC may result in legal action. ...BBC ONE Unmanipulated picture Sunday October 6, 2002
The cast for the revival will be entirely new, with stars yet to be announced (Picture: BBC)

Writer Jeremy Brock (known for Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal, based on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s car-crash Newsnight interview) said he ‘leapt’ at the chance to breathe new life into the nostalgic drama.

‘I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity,’ he added following news of the revival.

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‘Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.’

How do you feel about a Monarch of the Glen reimagining?

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Excitement is already building following the announcement, with @EastieOaks on X saying they ‘looking forward’ to seeing Channel 5 ‘working their magic’ after the broadcaster revived All Creatures Great and Small in 2020.

Some are sceptical, though, with @vickysticky25 it ‘will not be the same’ with a new cast.

Filming is set to begin in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year.

All episodes of the original Monarch of the Glen are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Osbourne House to hold art exhibition for Leeds Hospital

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Osbourne House to hold art exhibition for Leeds Hospital

Staff at Osborne House in Selby are holding an exhibition to raise funds for Ward 52 at Leeds General Infirmary, which has cared for Skyla Gentles.

It came after the little girl, who is the granddaughter of Osborne head housekeeper Janet, was found unresponsive by her mum Gema last month.


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Speaking about this, Janet said: “Skyla was unwell on that night and was taken to hospital, where a blood clot was found, which had been caused by bacterial meningitis.

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“She also had a venous stroke and was placed in an induced coma before her brain operation.

“She couldn’t hold her own body weight and struggled to walk and talk.

“But the staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital have been incredible, and she is now slowly getting better.”

Osborne HouseSkyla had a venous stroke, which was caused by meningitis (Image: Supplied)

Skyla was allowed to go home recently but is continuing to be monitored by doctors and physiotherapists.

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To celebrate her recovery and the priceless work of those at the hospital, Janet and the care home have organised Sunrise Sunset – an art competition and exhibition at Selby Town Hall for the children and families supported on the ward.

Care home activities and events coordinator, Dawn Guibert, said: “The residents Osborne House wanted to do something to help Skyla and other families and their children being treated in Leeds Hospital.

“Many of our residents have suffered a stroke, have dementia, cancer, and other illnesses due to age and have lost fine motor skills or have limited movement.

“So, we have developed techniques to create wonderful art whatever their ability, using household objects that are easier to handle than paint brushes and felt pens.

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“The residents had been working hard to create artwork in view of holding a fundraising event for Skyla’s ward.

“And that’s when we created the Sunrise Sunset event.”

Osborne HouseStaff and residents at Osborne House have joined to raise vital funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity (Image: Supplied)

The fundraiser is scheduled to take place from 12pm till 4pm on Friday (September 4).

A raffle, refreshments and art will be sold on the day.

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It adds to donations already raised through a GoFundMe page, organised by staff.

More information can be found here.

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British Jews have been failed by the UK’s fatal culture of complacency

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British Jews have been failed by the UK’s fatal culture of complacency

The publication Jewish News sums up the anger of many, and not just Jews, about the latest antisemitic attack, this time in Golders Green.

To quote the headline in full: “Bull$#@# bingo. Jews bleed. Cue the clichés…”: “We stand with the Jewish community”; “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us”; “Hate has no place in British society”; “Thoughts and prayers” and so on.

The frustration is tangible, and it is true that politicians and the press sometimes react with a wearily familiar lexicon. And yet that doesn’t mean that such expressions of sympathy and solidarity are worthless or insincere. People should stand with the Jewish community and call out antisemitism, and that is worth underscoring.

When the prime minister and the home secretary express their sympathy and solidarity, they should not be belittled or heckled, as the PM was when he visited the scene of the terror attack on Thursday, even if that is understandable. Sir Keir Starmer does “get it”, and is setting about practical measures that should already be in place. He said in a statement: “If you stand alongside people who [call for] ‘globalising the intifada’, you are calling for terrorism against Jews, and people who use that phrase should be prosecuted. It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country, scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.” Words and sentiments do matter – but actions matter even more.

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Where the Jewish News does have a powerful point is regarding the sense of complacency about antisemitism in Britain, which persists even in the face of blatant and obvious episodes of extreme violence-driven hatred of Jewish people. Such complacency can mutate into a feeling of helplessness, a sense that little can be done and that such attacks are somehow inevitable because of the times we live in. As in Northern Ireland at the beginning of the Troubles, if the authorities give the impression that there is a sort of “acceptable level of violence”, then that drains the will to do something about it.

What should that something be? The answer is that it should be everything, driven from the top through all arms of government and civic society. It is what Sir Keir has called, in the context of the cost of living crisis, an “all levers approach” – all ministries, agencies and arms of the state. It will certainly need more than the extra £25m on “security for Jewish institutions” just announced. That is simply not enough. Building ever-higher fences and installing more security cameras will not help neutralise the origins of contemporary expressions of hate.

There are signs that ministers are growing more conscious of the scale and nature of the threat. Ms Mahmood has called it an emergency, and the prime minister has convened meetings to deal with the criminal justice response – expediting arrests and court proceedings.

It is past time for this to have been done. In the latest terrorist attack, two Jewish men have been admitted to hospital, which is grievous enough, but it could easily have been far worse if the knifeman hadn’t been apprehended so swiftly. Much the same goes for the arson attacks on the Hatzola ambulances, and, of course, the assault on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue near Manchester during Yom Kippur, in which three people lost their lives. Unless more is done, the chances are that some future attack will be far more deadly.

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It is indeed about pulling all the levers. If Iranians, Islamist or even Russian-inspired groups are fomenting discontent and recruiting agents of terror to perpetuate their own agendas and destabilise the country, then the secret intelligence services need to get at them.

Radicalisation is the precursor to murder, and whatever the particular circumstances of the present suspect, it is an opportune time to examine the performance of the Prevent programme, and with an open mind. It has faced criticism from a number of sources – not least since, in this case, yet another suspect in an antisemitic attack has been revealed to have been referred to it.

More broadly, we know that radicalisation can take place in communities and online, and antisemitism arises from Islamist extremists as well as neo-Nazis. In a nation which has had robust laws against incitement to racial and religious hatred, it is strange that such crimes are not more commonly brought to justice.

In particular, British society has to ask itself whether it wishes to tolerate popular social media platforms that host the most vile antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories, some dating back centuries. Have we done enough to restrain hate preachers?

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Nor can we ignore the way that legitimate protest against the Israeli government’s actions in Israel has shaded into holding British Jews personally responsible for what is still happening in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. Many loathe Benjamin Netanyahu’s politics.

Yet shamefully, this phenomenon became far too common in the Labour Party a few years ago, an evil that Sir Keir did much to extirpate; but it shows how even people who think themselves exemplary anti-racists can fall, or jump into, antisemitism. There is no good reason why pro-Palestine demonstrations should gravitate towards synagogues, for example, or why the term “Zionist” should be used as loosely as it is or as a synonym for “Jew”.

The organisers of these events need to take much more care about the slogans and posters that are thrown around, demonising the Star of David, for example, or advocating the destruction of the Israeli state, and apparently its Jewish inhabitants, even where that is not intended. The result is needless mayhem in the streets of London.

If antisemitism is to be properly understood for what it is, then that involves rejecting it as racism, ensuring that associated subjects, such as the Holocaust, are taught in schools, whether they are state, private or faith-based. The unique features of antisemitism have to be appreciated, as set out in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition. So there is much – too much – that still needs to be done to protect Britain’s Jewish citizens, who have as much of a right to get on with their lives as anyone else. That must be the aim, and it is not too much for them to expect.

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Cardiff motorbike shop will ‘cease to operate’ and be converted into flats

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The business is ‘financially not viable in this location’, the applicant said

A Cardiff motorcycle shop is set to cease operating and be turned into flats. Cardiff Motorcycle Centre, at 63-65 Broadway in Adamsdown, is set to become four self-contained flats after a successful application by Mark Skinner.

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According to the application, the ground floor retail use will “cease to operate” because it is “financially not viable in this location”. The upper floor of the property has previously been used for residential purposes.

The property itself is a two-storey mid terraced building along Broadway. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The application reads: “Access to upper floor flats will be off a common passage which also leads to the rear common amenity area.”

It continues: “The amenity area will have cycle parking and refuse storage facility. This is a very sustainable location with regard to transport.

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“Hence cycle parking facility is provided to encourage sustainable transport policy of the council.”

The planning officer’s report reads: “Having regard to the site context it is considered that the proposed development would have no unacceptable impacts upon the amenity of the area or neighbouring properties as assessed against current guidance with regards to overbearing impact, loss of light or overshadowing.”

It continues: “It is considered that the proposal would have no undue effect upon the privacy of neighbouring occupiers when assessed against adopted standards in this regard.”

The area around the property is characterised by a mixture of businesses and residential homes.

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Planning documents read: “There are residential uses on the ground floor in this location. Neighbouring 61 Broadway has been vacant for some time.”

It continues: “In the rear adjoining properties have two storey rear extensions. There is a two-storey rear building owned by 67 Broadway.”

As part of the development, bird and bat boxes will be installed on a rear wall and an apple tree will be planted in the rear garden as part of green infrastructure enhancement.

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why King Charles cited Magna Carta in the US Congress

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why King Charles cited Magna Carta in the US Congress

In his speech to Congress during a trip to the US to mark the country’s 250th anniversary, King Charles made repeated references to Magna Carta, the medieval English charter that laid the foundations for the modern rule of law. Dating back to 1215, Magna Carta also established for the first time that the monarch was not above the law. Charles used his speech to reference the common Anglo-American tradition of law, and of how the charter has been cited in more than 160 US judgments of the US Supreme Court.

It was notable that the king chose to cite this ancient charter, which stands as a symbol of protecting freedom and guarding against tyranny, at such a tricky moment for US-UK relations. Perhaps not surprisingly in the context of an erratic and controversial US president, the remarks from the king were well received by parts of the audience.

In fact, Charles enjoyed a standing ovation when he stated that Magna Carta was the very “foundation of the principal that executive power is subject to checks and balances”. In other words, it serves as the basis for the rule of law.

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Checks, balances and applause for the king.

Charles is only the third ruling British monarch to visit the US. But during all three visits, Magna Carta has been trumpeted in support of a supposedly very special alliance. King George VI, Charles’ grandfather, began this in 1939. Back then, he visited the New York World Fair where Lincoln Cathedral’s original Magna Carta of 1215 was on display as the centrepiece of the British pavilion.




À lire aussi :
How King Charles charmed the US while taking digs at Trump


War broke out that same year, and so Lincoln’s Magna Carta became stranded in the US. It was guarded in the gold depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky, until it could be returned to England in 1946.

At a low point in British fortunes following both the fall of France and the Blitz, in the summer of 1941, prime minister Winston Churchill even considered gifting it to the American people. Had he done so, this would have served as a reminder of America’s responsibilities to war-torn Europe.

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In 1976, when Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited Washington for the bicentenary of American independence, there was again talk – not least from the British prime minister Harold Wilson – of gifting a Magna Carta to the US.

In the end, this was resolved by the presentation of a replica crafted in gold and enamel (which is now somewhat sheepishly displayed in the crypt of the US Capitol).

Legacy in US statute

In all of this, Magna Carta for many Americans remains an icon of the rule of law, or what in the US is called “due process”. Where only four of the charter’s original 60 clauses are still operative under English law, the entire text was incorporated in the statute books of no less than 17 US states, beginning with South Carolina in 1836 and ending with North Dakota in 1943.

Images of England’s King John presenting Magna Carta to his barons are carved or painted in many state capitols or court houses, including on the vast bronze doors of the Supreme Court building in Washington.

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The US National Archives (thanks to a long-term loan), and Harvard Law School both possess originals of the English charter. That of the National Archives is via a reissue of 1297, sold to the presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1984, while Harvard’s is from a 1300 reissue, purchased in 1946 as a mere “copy” for US$27.50 (around £7 at the time). This was reauthenticated in 2025 as a lost (and therefore extremely valuable) original.

The US issued a commemorative postage stamp in 1965 to mark the 750th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta.
SUDARSHAN BHATLA/Shutterstock

And in the UK, an acre of Runnymede in England, where Magna Carta was sealed, was granted to the American people in perpetuity in 1965. This was done both in honour of a shared respect for the principle of liberty, and as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in 1963.

Of course, there are aspects of this story that belong more to the realm of myth than reality. For instance, of Magna Carta’s many appearances in US supreme court judgments, a surprising number cite it not as a touchstone of liberty or the rights of man, but in defence of commercial or corporate privilege.

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Even so, the standing ovation for King Charles and his remarks about checks and balances suggest that Magna Carta remains a potent symbol. In what was widely received as a pitch-perfect speech, the king reminded the land of the free that the price of US (or indeed UK) freedom is not only eternal vigilance, but a healthy respect for the shared Anglo-American past.

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Pictures as almost 500 take part in Sedgefield relay race

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Pictures as almost 500 take part in Sedgefield relay race

A total of 118 teams competed in the four-leg Neptune Relays, organised by Sedgefield Harriers, and held at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield yesterday evening (Wednesday, April 29).

Each runner completed a 1.7 mile course starting and finishing in the field below the park’s temple to Minerva.

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The races were held in lovely conditions under blue skies and bright evening sunshine, drawing athletes of all abilities and ages.

Competitors included leading club runners alongside newcomers taking part in a range of senior and junior categories.

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This year’s event saw nearly 20 more teams than in 2025, reflecting the continued growth in popularity of running and the inclusive nature of the relays.

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 races were also notable for the return of the traditional start and finish area next to the temple to Minerva. For the previous two years the location had been moved because of ground conditions.

On this occasion, all of the runners came from clubs across the North East, Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, with particularly strong representation from the most local clubs.

Teams competed across several categories throughout the evening.

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The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The senior men’s race was won by Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers, while Stockton Striders Athletic Club claimed victory in the senior women’s event.

Elvet Striders won the vet 50 men’s category and Sedgefield Harriers took the vet 45 women’s title.

In the junior races, Crook Athletic Club won the boys’ competition and Sedgefield Harriers won the girls’ event. The unaffiliated teams category was won by Doxy Runners.

Here are some pictures from the event:

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The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Sedgefield Harriers said the event could only take place with the support of volunteers, the team at Hardwick Park and Durham County Council, which allowed the club to stage the relays in the park.

For more information about Sedgefield Harriers and its events visit www.sedgefieldharriers.co.uk or the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sedgefieldharriers.

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Emmerdale legend reels as character ‘returns from the dead’ amid murder story | Soaps

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Emmerdale legend reels as character 'returns from the dead' amid murder story | Soaps
Bear Wolf was stunned (Picture: ITV)

Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) got quite the shock in Emmerdale this evening, as he spotted someone from Celia Daniels’ (Jaye Griffiths) farm who he believed was dead.

Bear is currently in prison, days away from a trial that’ll see him questioned regarding his murder of Ray Walters (Joe Absolom). His son Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) will also take to the stand, as will Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle), both charged for perverting the course of justice.

The trio are aware that the possibility of them all being found innocent is slim right now. The evidence against Bear is pretty damning, and the fact Paddy and Dylan spent so long covering up the murder and lying to the police certainly doesn’t make them look like two innocent men caught up in a nightmare.

They haven’t been holding onto a lot of hope – but that all changed in tonight’s instalment.

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Paddy was back in the prison visiting room to see his dad. He hasn’t seen Bear in a few weeks, due to him being put in solitary confinement after an angry outburst.

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As they chatted, Bear’s eyes wandered and he spotted a familiar face in the background speaking to another inmate.

The man was Simo (Steven Gidwaney), who worked as a slave on the farm alongside Bear and the other vulnerable adults.

Towards the end of last year, Simo and Mick (Leon Harrop) plotted an escape and asked Bear for his help. At the time, the abuse Bear was suffering meant he believed Ray and Celia weren’t actually doing anything wrong by keeping the men and women on the farm, and chose to stop Simo and Mick from leaving.

Simo takes to the stand in Bear's trial in Emmerdale
Simo will appear in the trial next week (Picture: ITV)
Paddy, Bear and Dylan stand in court in a dramatic Emmerdale promo picture
Paddy, Bear and Dylan will all be questioned (Picture: ITV)

Bear alluded to Ray that something was up, and he caught Simo and Mick in the middle of their plan. Simo then disappeared, with Ray telling Bear that he had gone to work on another farm.

Up until today, Bear believed that Ray had Simo killed – so he was full of mixed emotions seeing him again. Once Paddy was updated, he realised that if Simo was brought up to speed on Bear’s case, he could give evidence at the trial and assist.

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Outside, Paddy asked Simo for help, but he gently said no. He told Paddy that he’s got his life back on track now, and doesn’t want to risk falling apart by recalling his ordeal.

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Next week, Simo will change his mind and appear in court, but his statement has a detrimental effect on Bear, who is far more fragile than anyone in the courtroom truly realises.

He sinks into a dark place, and all hope seems lost.

Bear needs a miracle – will he find one?

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Echo Comment on the aftermath of the attacks in Golders Green

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Echo Comment on the aftermath of the attacks in Golders Green

The attacks on the two “visibly Jewish” people in Golders Green are inexcusable – the situation in Gaza should have no bearing on the fate of two innocent civilians in London.

The dangers that Jewish people are facing, from firebombed ambulances to the deaths at the Manchester synagogue, are down to racism. They should be called out as such and there is never any justification for racism in any form.

Keir Starmer quickly announced £25m for additional police patrols around Jewish synagogues, schools and community centres to show that he is taking the problem seriously but really these are 25 million condemnations of the state of Britain today. In this great, tolerant, welcoming country, we shouldn’t need police patrolling schools and places of worship to keep people – to keep children – safe as they go about their lawful business.

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While the government can do much to address the problem, this is both an international infection and a grassroots condition. It feeds off the way the world is violently divided at the moment but it also comes from the hatred we see on the marches, on social media and in our bitterly divided politics.

As individuals, we can’t do much to influence world affairs, but we can call out the racism – the hatred of people who are different to us – that is creeping all around us.

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