The Bank of England is set to slash its UK growth forecasts as business confidence tumbles and thousands of 'zombie' firms battered by Labour tax hikes and the Iran war face collapse.

The Supreme Court urged the Centre to consider amending laws to allow rape survivors to terminate pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, emphasizing no time limit in such cases. The bench highlighted the lifelong trauma for a child survivor and the need for the decision to rest with the survivor and her parents, with AIIMS offering counsel.

The National Medical Commission has recognized the Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology (PGDCC), validating degrees for 1,700 doctors trained between 2006-2013. This move by IGNOU, now redesignated as Clinical Cardio Physician (Non-Invasive), aims to address the critical shortage of cardiology specialists in underserved regions and bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap.

India faces a significant hepatitis burden, contributing to a high number of global deaths. Despite progress in reducing infections, the world is off track to meet 2030 elimination targets due to gaps in vaccination, screening, and treatment access. Viral hepatitis remains a major public health threat.

Iran's UN mission accused the US of misrepresenting its nuclear program at a review conference, deflecting from Washington's own violations. Tehran insists its enriched uranium is IAEA-supervised, with no diversion. Meanwhile, Iran's envoy warned that regional stability hinges on ending aggression and respecting its sovereignty, urging the UN Security Council to intervene amidst escalating tensions.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge downplayed the Karnataka chief ministerial tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, stating the party will resolve the «confusion soon.» This comes amid speculation fueled by a reported power-sharing agreement and a statement from Home Minister G Parameshwara suggesting Kharge could be a suitable CM.

Incab plant intends to produce more than 2,400 km of cable a year, which accounts for almost 50% of the Russian market in this area

Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev added that developing relations with Russia remains an absolute priority for Astana

The official emphasized that the profound crisis in the industry continued

No casualties or significant damage have been reported

The top Russian diplomat added that Moscow emphasized the need for immediate efforts to overcome the crisis in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East in general

Keir Starmer was warned anti-Semitism is a 'national emergency' after another terror attack in the heart of Britain's Jewish community.

Pollster Robert Hayward said Labour is facing a 'pincer movement' from Reform and the Greens which could see it lose as many as 1,850 seats when voters go to the polls on May 7.

Ant and Dec have spoken out on the chaotic I'm A Celebrity finale and their carpark confrontation with Jimmy Bullard and David Haye following the show on their podcast.

As celebrities dressed to impress, there were several sartorial successes that stood out. Here, the Daily Mail has rounded up the best dressed guests.

The Daily Mail first reported on April 17 that multiple players and agents believe Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will only continue bankrolling the tour until the end of the season.

[allAfrica]

The Wall Street Journal reported that the new US-led coalition will be tasked with helping participants share information, coordinate diplomatic efforts, and ensure compliance with sanctions

Ambassador-at-Large Andrey Belousov stressed that Moscow seeks to act as responsibly and carefully as possible

Andrey Belousov specified that London and Paris were considering the idea of transferring elements of nuclear weapons to Ukraine

[allAfrica] Severe Thunderstorm Alert Issued Across Four Provinces

[allAfrica] A former French serviceman has been detained in Madagascar over an alleged plot to destabilise the country. The French national had been charged with multiple offences, including criminal conspiracy and plotting to sabotage infrastructure such as power lines and thermal plants.

Kirill Dmitriev wrote this commenting on US President Donald Trump’s pledge to decide on the reduction of the US contingent in Germany soon

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier announced his readiness to declare a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations

Denis Pushilin said earlier that Vladimir Zelensky would face reprisals after the conflict is over

According to Andrey Marochko, Russian troops examining the fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone found a different navigation and communication system

According to Politico, the initiative would include greater market access and deeper participation in EU programs and institutions

Les chiffres de l’accidentologie routière sont préoccupants en Polynésie française, avec 32 accidents dont 14 mortels depuis le début de l’année et les conséquences pour les survivants, elles, sont souvent moins visibles. Derrière les statistiques, des vies brisées tentent de se reconstruire, entre handicaps irréversibles et combats quotidiens. 

Malgré 102 milliards investis, la Polynésie peine à se nourrir seule. La Cour des comptes dénonce une politique agricole coûteuse et sans cap.

In a move that casts doubt on reports of an imminent Cabinet return, friends have briefed Labour MPs they expect the Prime Minister to be ousted soon after next month's local elections.

Before the sun broke through the morning mist last Sunday, the roadway flanked by farmlands in New Forest was already alive. More than 120 runners and walkers – students, teachers, and corporate teams – gathered at New Forest High School (NFHS) for the institution’s second annual 5K Run/Walk, an event with a mission far beyond fitness. The funds raised will establish a staff welfare fund, a direct response to the growing pressures facing educators and ancillary workers within the institution.

The family of seven-month-old Anna-Olivia Gardener has expressed relief and joy after the child, who is affected by Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), was given a new start date of May 11 to begin early stimulation. In January, Anna-Olivia had been assigned a December 2027 start date for treatment at the Kingston-based, government-run Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), an almost two-year wait. Early stimulation of the brain is a critical part of development for infants affected in the way Anna-Olivia is.

WESTERN BUREAU: Attorneys representing Adam Stewart have welcomed last week’s Supreme Court ruling striking out an application by executors of the estate of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, arguing that the decision removes a key obstacle to the transfer of shares to the hotelier’s son. “This judgment is significant. Butch Stewart died over five years ago. In his uncontested will, he left a majority interest in the ATL Group to Adam,” said Conrad George, partner at Hart Muirhead Fatta.

When Member of Parliament for St Andrew South Western Dr Angela Brown Burke hoisted the mace from “under the table” while the committee of the whole House examined the controversial National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) bill on Tuesday, there was a predictable outcome – chaos ensued.

WESTERN BUREAU: Despite still feeling the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica last October, the 2026 sitting of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations started smoothly across western Jamaica yesterday, with students, parents, and teachers expressing confidence and relief. Dominic Robinson, the 12-year-old head boy at Chetwood Memorial Primary School in St James, told The Gleaner that he felt confident about his chances of passing, despite feeling nervous about the examinations hours earlier.