🗞️ | NEWS DUMP: Your Roundup Of Important Happenings This Week
Good morning, It’s officially the end of another great week. Scroll down to catch up on all the important happenings of this week. Let us know what you think in the comments. Don’t forget to share!
UK economy fell into recession after people cut spending // People spending less, doctors' strikes and a fall in school attendance dragged the UK into recession at the end of last year, official figures show. The economy shrank by a larger than expected 0.3% between October and December, after it had already contracted between July and September. The UK is in recession if it fails to grow for two successive quarters.
Kirklees councillors quit Labour Party over Israel-Gaza stance // Two Labour councillors in Kirklees have quit the party over its stance on the Israel-Gaza war. Jo Lawson said she could "no longer belong" to a party which did not acknowledge what was happening in Gaza was "genocide". Meanwhile, Imran Safdar said his "red lines" on the Gaza ceasefire issue had been "crossed" by the party. Kirklees Labour group said the council was continuing to fight to "save public services".
Wrexham arrest after farmers blocks city in protest // A man has been arrested following criminal damage after a fleet of about 30 tractors blocked a main road in Wrexham. Farm vehicles along with 20 pick-ups drove to the constituency office of Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths. The protest was against the Welsh government's proposed new farm subsidy scheme. Police received a report about the blockade on Rhosddu Road at 14.10 GMT.
Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones plays down rumours about a return // On Tuesday, US TV and film website Deadline reported that the hit sitcom is set to return to the screens for a one-off special in December, sending the rumour mill into overdrive. However, there has been no official confirmation by BBC Studios. And Gavin and Stacey's co-creator Ruth Jones has played down the speculation, saying it was "sadly a rumour".
Usher joined by Alicia Keys and will.i.am at Super Bowl half-time show // R&B star Usher delivered a hit-heavy half-time show at Sunday's Super Bowl - with help from will.i.am, Alicia Keys, Ludacris... and a pair of roller skates. A disclaimer shown before the performance jokingly warned viewers it may cause "singing, dancing, sweating, gyrating, and possible relationship issues". It would go on to deliver on all fronts.
Katy Perry to leave American Idol after seven seasons // Katy Perry has revealed she is leaving American Idol after seven seasons as a judge on the talent show. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night, the 39-year-old singer said: "I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol." Explaining her decision, she said she wanted to "go see the world" and hinted at releasing new music. Perry has been a judge on the ABC show since 2018.
Cath Dalton: Essex all-rounder hopes Pakistan Super League coaching role will help break new ground // Cath Dalton says that cricket pioneer Sarah Taylor was her inspiration as she breaks new ground in men's cricket. Dalton is the first female fast-bowling coach in the Pakistan Super League after being hired by Multan Sultans. Former England off-spinner Alex Hartley will be the franchise's spin coach in 2024, with Dalton the first female fast-bowling coach at a top-level men's side anywhere in the world.
Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton says ending final season at the top would be 'the greatest moment' // Lewis Hamilton says it would be "the greatest moment" if he could help Mercedes return to the top in his final season with the team. The seven-time champion will move to Ferrari in 2025, ending the most successful relationship between a driver and team in F1 history.
Kylian Mbappe tells Paris St-Germain he intends to leave the club at end of season // France striker Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St-Germain he intends to leave the club at the end of the season. The 25-year-old's deal with the Ligue 1 champions is scheduled to expire and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. Mbappe's future was the subject of a major stand-off with PSG last summer. At one point, Mbappe was exiled from the first-team squad and left out of the club's pre-season tour of Asia. However, an agreement was reached that ensured PSG would not lose out when Mbappe eventually left and the terms of his now seemingly inevitable exit are still to be confirmed.
Jeremy Hunt considers reducing spending to fund tax cuts // The chancellor is looking at larger public spending cuts as a way to deliver tax cuts, the BBC understands. Jeremy Hunt is considering cuts because he's seen economic forecasts ahead of the Spring Budget which it's understood paint a bleaker picture of public finances than previously thought. Mr Hunt has given strong hints he wants to cut taxes, which are on course to rise to the highest level for decades.
Pressure on renters persists into new year // Financial pressure on renters has continued, official figures show, while analysts say there are tentative signs of activity in the property market. Tenants paid 6.2% more in rent in January than they did a year earlier, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The annual rise was unchanged for the second consecutive month, as demand from tenants kept prices up.
NatWest unveils highest yearly profit for 26 years // NatWest Group has revealed its highest yearly profit since just before the financial crisis in 2007. The banking group reported a pre-tax profit of £6.2bn over 2023, higher than expected. It also named Paul Thwaite as its permanent boss. He replaces Dame Alison Rose who resigned last year after admitting discussing the closure of Nigel Farage's bank account. The board said he was the "right person" to shape the group's future.