Latest News

Mobilização de tropas ocorreu durante a maior tragédia climática já registrada no Estado, que afetou mais de 2,5 milhões de gaúchos

Emissora foi a responsável por transmitir o carnaval fora de época do Rio Grande do Norte

José Ronaldo Souza, professor de economia do Ibmec-RJ, detalha os potenciais impactos econômicos, resistências e reflexos para setores estratégicos do Brasil

Levantamento da International Workplace Group aponta para tendência que veio para ficar

Grupo japonês de sobreviventes recebe Nobel da Paz na terça-feira e reforça apelo por um mundo livre de armas nucleares

Monarca explica que sua mãe tinha costume de usá-la de forma corriqueira

Cantor nega que o presidente seja “odiado” no universo sertanejo e declara que não vai torcer contra o governo por causa de suas ideologias

CORONATION Street viewers have been scratching their heads as to where a character has disappeared to.

Fans have been left wondering where on earth the mini soap star has gone – claiming they have seen more of the family dog than her.

Rex

ITV

Lily has been played by Brooke Malonie since 2016[/caption]

One fans asked on Reddit: “Why do we never see Lily anymore?
Has it ever been explained where she is?

“Like, did Gail take her off somewhere? I swear we’ve seen the DOG more than her lately.”

A second user suggested: “Shona took her to London for a football school a couple of years ago, so I guess that she is now an international football star.”

A third added: “That was just for Shona’s maternity leave – a stupid story at the time as how did Lily get time off school to go to London for a football camp?”

A fourth penned: “Child actors aren’t shown as frequently, it’s true of all kids on all the soaps.

“As far as I’m aware it hasn’t been specifically said that she’s away, so just assume she’s upstairs/at school/at a friends/at football/other activity.”

Another joked: “Chip shop.”

Lily, who has been played by Brooke Malonie since 2016, is the 10-year-old daughter of David (Jack P Shepherd) and Kylie Platt (Paula Lane).

She is the half-sibling of Max Turner (Paddy Beaver).

Previous storylines have included the young girl almost choking on a lollipop after playing a cruel trick on cousin Sam Blakeman.

Plus her life was put in danger by David when he left her with an unstable Shona Platt.

The character of Lily has been played by a handful of actors over the years.

Initially, twins Ava and Lilly Bushell starred as the youngster from her birth in August 2013 until August 2014.

The character was then taken over by Betsie and Emmie Taylor from September 2014 until May 2016.

Onscreen grandmother Gail Platt (Helen Worth) quit the soap earlier this year, after 50 years playing her iconic character.

She said in a statement: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.

“I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.

“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.

“The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”

ITV

The youngster has ‘vanished’ according to viewers[/caption]

ITV

Lily is the daughter of David Platt[/caption]

HOUSEHOLDS have been hit by bill increases in recent years and 2025 will also see an increase in living costs for millions.

Bills could rise by potentially hundreds of pounds, but there are ways you can limit the impact.

PA

Here are all the dates to be aware of 2025, and tips to make sure you aren’t hit by surprise costs…

Energy bills – January 1 2025

Households will see their energy bills rise from January 1 2025, when the energy price cap rises.

Energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed the average dual fuel bill for those not on a fixed deal will rise from its current rate of £1,717 a year to £1,738.

The price of electricity will rise from 24.50p per kWh to 24.86p.

Meanwhile, the price suppliers can charge for gas will increase from 6.24p per kWh today, to 6.34p from January 1.

Standing charges, which cover things like maintaining the network and operational costs, will be 31.65p, down slightly from 31.66p a day for gas and from 60.99p to 60.97 for electricity.

The amount your bill goes up will depend on your usage and how you pay.

Bills will only change if you’re on a variable tariff. If you’re on a fixed tariff, your rate will be unaffected.

The energy price cap is reviewed every three months. It will change again on April 1, with the new charges announced in February. Further changes to the cap will be made in July and October.

What can I do about it?

There are a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling.

If you fall into debt, you can approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

Thousands of vulnerable households are also missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Mortgages and borrowing – February 6 2025

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets twice every quarter to decide if bank interest rates need to rise.

If the bank decides to raise interest rates it makes the cost of borrowing, including loans, credit cards and mortgage repayments more expensive.

In November, the MPC reduced the base rate from 5% to 4.75%.

It was only the second rate cut since 2020, but Brits may now have to wait longer for another rate cut as October’s Budget raised the risk of inflation remaining higher.

Further meetings of the MPC will be held on:

• March 20
• May 8
• June 19
• August 7
• September 18
• November 6
• December 18

What can I do about it?

If you are due to come off a cheap fixed mortgage deal in the coming months, it’s important to prepare early.

Lenders typically move households onto a more pricey SVR once your mortgage deal comes to an end.

That means you could have been on one of the best mortgage deals and suddenly your monthly repayments will increase.

But households can start looking for a new mortgage up to six months before their deal ends.

We’ve explained how you can find the best mortgage deals.

Savers wishing to boost their nest egg should search around to see if they can get better returns with another bank or building society.

We’ve previously explained how to find the best savings rates.

Alcohol duties – February 2025

In February, changes to alcohol prices announced in October’s Budget will come into affect.

These include a 1.7% reduction in draught products, such as beer and cider sold on tap.

The government has said this reduction will cover 60% of booze sold in pubs and will see drinkers save 1p on the price of every pint.

Non-draught products will see duty increase by the retail price inflation rate, which was 3.4% in October.

What can I do about it?

If you’re looking to save money, it might be better to go for draught products rather than bottled drinks when at the pub in 2025.

If you’re buying alcohol in supermarkets, the cut in duties will not apply, but you can still check prices using comparison sites such as trolley.co.uk.

Rail costs – March 2 2025

Millions of travellers will pay up to 4.6% more for train tickets next year.

The increase is one percentage point above July’s Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation.

Following the increase, a yearly ticket from Rugby, in the Midlands, to London will rise by £496.62 to £11,292.62.

And the commute from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to London will leap by £357.33 to £8,125.33.

Typically, each year the government uses the July Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation to work out how much ticket prices will go up.

The increase is capped at RPI, which was 3.6% in July this year, plus 1%.

Last year, the government stepped in to cap this year’s rise at 4.9%.

At the time, inflation was soaring and fares could have increased at a rate of 9%.

About 45% of fares on Britain’s railways are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh Governments.

They include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes, and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.

Train operators set rises in unregulated fares, although these are likely to be very close to changes in regulated ticket prices.

What can I do about it?

There are a number of ways you can limit the impact of price increases on your rail fares.

If you’re taking a lengthy train journey, then you could save hundreds of pounds by splitting your tickets.

You won’t need to change trains and National Rail lets you split your ticket as long as the train calls at the station you buy the tickets for.

One site that works this out for you is Splitticketing.co.uk.

Regular travellers should be able to save by purchasing either a seven day, monthly or annual season ticket, which will allow them to make the journey an unlimited number of times as long as it’s valid.

If you’re making the same journey on three or more days a week, then a seven-day season ticket is likely to save you money, compared to buying a new one every day.

You can check to see if a season ticket will save you money on your trip with National Rail’s season ticket calculator.

If you often travel back and forth to London on the train but you don’t go regularly enough to buy season ticket, you might save with a Carnet ticket.

They offer a 10% discount on plenty of routes and tickets are valid for three months.

If you’re not a regular traveller you can save money by booking as far in advance as possible, with prices typically increasing closer to the travel date.

Mobile and broadband bills – March/April 2025

Mobile and broadband providers have historically increased their prices annually based on the rate of inflation plus an extra 3.9%.

However from January 2025 new rules mean providers have been required to set out in pounds and pence when changes to prices will occur at the point a contract is signed.

Inflation rates meant millions of customers faced hikes of up to 8.8% in 2024 — adding as much as £50 to bills.

But, the changes mean this year providers need to inform customers exactly how much bills will increase by.

What can I do about it?

While you’re far less likely to get a nasty surprise this year if you’re unhappy with your contract switching is the best thing to do.

This is easier if your contract is coming to an end. if you’re mid-term it’s important to check if you might have to pay an exit fee.

In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.

Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, speed and provider.

This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.

However, if you do not want to switch and are happy with the service you’re getting under your current provider – haggle for a better deal.

You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you’re given after your deal.

Council tax bills – April 1 2025

The government has confirmed that councils will be free to increase Council Tax by up to 5% in April. 

The move will see bills in the average band D family household increase by £109.

The national limit on how much council tax can be raised is set by the government every year, this is then applied to bills from April.

It’s then up to each local authority to decide if it will choose the maximum and some may decide to increase council tax by less.

It’s important to bear in mind that each council sets their own rates and that what residents actually pay is determined by your council tax band.

Bands are based on your home’s value – the more expensive the property, the more council tax will be charged.

What can I do about it?

If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for some help towards your council tax.

Those on low incomes can get their council tax bills reduced by up to 100%.

If you find yourself struggling to pay your bill, you may also be able to get a deferral or speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.

But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.

Discounts can vary between council’s so it’s important to check with your local authority what you may be entitled to.

Water bills – April 1 2025

Household water rates are typically increased from April each year.

Regulator Ofwat has said bills will rise by an average of £19 a year between 2025 and 2030 – a 21% increase over the five-year period.

But, in October The Sun revealed water firms have asked for bigger increases that would see bills rise by 40%.

If approved, bills could go up by an extra £176 a year, reaching £615 a year.

The exact amount your bill will rise from will depend on where you live, how much you’re charged and the rate it’s increasing by.

But, the Pantheon Macro UK Monitor predicts increases of around 8.4%.

Different areas of the country have a water company assigned to them, and that company is responsible for setting the costs of bills and the rises for residents.

Unfortunately, you can’t simply switch to another one when you’re unhappy like you can with other utilities.

What can I do about it?

Moving to a water meter could help you save some extra cash.

Obviously, if you do use a lot of water then it makes no sense to have a meter as your bills could go up.

The Consumer Council for Water offers a free water meter calculator that’ll tell you if you can save by fitting a water meter.

For example, if you have a big family and more people than bedrooms or simply use lots of water-intensive appliances like washing machines or dishwashers, a fixed fee will be better for you.

Having a water meter doesn’t help with the standard charge that’s based on where you live either, but it can help you cut down the costs of your personal usage at home.

Part of that is how long you spend in the shower too.

According to Uswitch you could cut £70 from your energy bills and reduce your water bills too by reducing your wash time.

And leaving the water running while you brush your teeth could add £60 a year to your bills says Octopus.

The same goes for washing dishes, be sure you turn the tap off as if you’re doing it in the sink, leaving it running will add £25 to your annual bill.

Many water companies offer free water-saving devices that shave pounds off your bills too.

Contact your supplier or check out savewatersavemoney.co.uk.

Flight costs – April 1 2025

Air Passenger Duty (APD) will be increased from April 1 2025, meaning flight cost increases for all.

APD is a tax on flights departing from UK airports, and the planned increase will add up to £2 to the cost of an economy ticket for a short-haul flight.

A further increase is planned from April 1 2026.

The increase means passengers will pay a minimum of £15 per person in taxes to the government from April 2026 if flying short haul to Europe.

What can I do about it?

Experts have shared a number of tips on how consumers can secure the best prices on flights.

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, has said booking flights in the first two months of the year could make them cheaper.

He revealed that fares will often be sold at a loss during January and February in order to fill planes up.

The same is said for the dates just before the peak school holidays.

Opting for an unsociable, early-morning flight can also save you money, while also improving your chances of getting a better seat.

Wherever you’re going it’s important to shop around and use comparison sites such as Google Flights to make sure you get the best deal.

TV licence – April 2025

The BBC licence fee will increase in line with inflation to £174.50 in April 2025.

It will be an increase of £5, or an extra 42p a month.

Further inflationary increases are expected in 2026 and 2027.

The household payment funds much of the BBC‘s operations and it can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually.

What can I do about it?

You only need to have a TV licence to watch live programming, so if you only use streaming services you could consider not paying for one.

You can claim a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and either receive Pension Credit yourself or live with a partner who gets Pension Credit.

You can apply for a free licence when you’re 74, but will still have to pay until the end of the month before your 75^th birthday.

You can apply for your free licence online or by calling 0300 790 6071.

You could also be eligible for a discounted TV licence if you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, or if you’re registered blind.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

‘SHOUTING and screaming’ was heard at a party where Slowthai and his friend allegedly raped two women.

The rapper, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, 29, and his co-accused Alex Blake-Walker, 27, are on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

PA

Tyron Frampton outside Oxford Crown Court with wife Anne-Marie[/caption]

Getty

Slowthai and his co-accused deny three joint charges of rape and one of sexual assault against two women[/caption]

They have denied three joint charges of rape and one of sexual assault against two women.

The rapper had been on stage at Oxford music venue, The Bullingdon, on September 7 2021.

The alleged assaults took place later at a party after the gig.

Revellers at the gathering were told an “orgy” was happening, Oxford Crown Court heard today.

Navinder Nangla, Frampton’s friend and a stylist on his tour, had been at the party.

A short while after arriving he heard someone make a comment about what was allegedly happening upstairs.

Mr Nangla, who was in the living room with other partygoers, told the court: “One girl had said she is a slag and another girl said ‘there is an orgy happening’.

“We really did not take much notice of it.”

He added: “There was a lot shouting and screaming. She said this girl is not meant to be here.”

Mr Nangla told the court he was not aware who the orgy comment was referring to, or in which room in the house it was allegedly happening in.

The jury previously heard that after the gig the two complainants went to Frampton’s tour bus.

They then went to their friend’s house for a party, with Frampton and Blake-Walker joining the group.

Frampton, Blake-Walker and the two women then went to the roof of the property, where they were allegedly raped.

The prosecution claimed Blake-Walker raped the first complainant while being encouraged by Frampton.

They also allege that Frampton twice raped the second complainant while being encouraged by Blake-Walker.

It is said they both sexually assaulted the woman whom Frampton is alleged to have raped.

Mr Nangla also told the court he saw Frampton standing alone on the roof and said he looked “happy, just jolly and having a good time”.

But then shouting and swearing erupted as Mr Nangla made his way to the front door with Frampton.

Mr Nangla said: “Some girls (were) shouting, saying ‘we have lost respect, just go, get out’.”

He told the jury the atmosphere after Frampton, Blake-Walker and himself left the house was “more confused than anything”.

One of the alleged victims previously told the court she was attacked on the roof of the property after meeting Frampton in The Bullingdon bar after the gig.

She said she had broken up with her boyfriend the day before and had gone out partying with friends.

Frampton told the jury sexual activity had taken place between him and the second complainant, but said it was consensual.

He admitted he and Blake-Walker “fist-bumped” at the time, but denied encouraging each other.

Adam Royal, a marketing executive in the music industry and friend of the rapper, today told the court Frampton is “lovely, friendly, fun, great to be around and just to be a friend with”.

He said he has “never” seen Frampton behave inappropriately towards any of his fans.

Defence counsel, Patrick Gibbs, explained Frampton’s charges to Mr Royal.

He asked: “Have you ever seen anything like that from him?”

Mr Royal replied he would “not put that association with him”, adding: “No. It is a million miles away from anything I have come to know of him.”

Musician Delilah Gendler, who has known Frampton for seven years, said the defendant treats people in a “respectful manner” and he “takes his craft seriously”.

In a statement that was read to the court, she said: “In all the time I have known Ty I have never seen him overstep the mark. He has never made me feel uncomfortable.”

She also said he has never behaved inappropriately towards her and she has never seen him be inappropriate to anyone else.

“Ty is extremely generous with his time and he has a good heart,” she added.

The trial continues.

Redferns

Revellers heard ‘shouting and screaming’ at a party where the alleged rapes took place[/caption]

PA

Frampton told the jury sexual activity had taken place between him and the second complainant, but said it had been consensual[/caption]