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Aldi will offer paid breaks to all colleagues, a benefit estimated at about £1,500 per year for the average store colleague; the change is reported to affect 28,000 staff and follows recent announcements of higher pay rates and extended maternity pay.

A Harvard study of about 100,000 former US veterans found that GLP-1 medication use combined with six healthy lifestyle changes was associated with more than a 40% lower risk of major cardiovascular events; GLP-1 use without lifestyle changes was linked to a 16% lower risk.

Teddi Mellencamp posted photos marking daughter Dove's sixth birthday and referenced past surgeries for Dove and her own recent cancer treatment; she has said the cancer is currently undetectable but remains on immunotherapy.

Cass Thorburn said she is in her second week of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with triple‑negative occult breast cancer and thanked health staff and supporters for their care and messages.

The BBC's disabled-led comedy We Might Regret This returns with a second series filmed last summer amid debate over disability benefits; it blends messy friendships and sharp satire while following Freya and her missing friend Jo.

Canada pledged C$8 million in food aid to Cuba, to be delivered through United Nations agencies, while Mexico has sent a separate shipment of more than 1,100 tons of supplies amid worsening fuel and supply shortages on the island.

About 8.7 million people over state pension age now face bills from HMRC, roughly three-quarters of all pensioners, an increase of almost 30% in four years. The personal allowance remains £12,570 a year tax-free.

Adam Essid, a three-month-old from Finchley, died at Great Ormond Street Hospital after emergency responders attended his home; his parents have been charged and remanded. A plea hearing is set for 13 May and a provisional trial date is scheduled from 15 February next year.

A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner after her body was discovered at their Chester home; he is due to be sentenced on Friday.

Hundreds of special needs assistants, parents and children protested outside Leinster House seeking clarity after the Government paused a review of SNA allocations; the Government said it will not reduce SNA numbers at any school from September and will allocate additional staff where the NCSE recommends.

NASA confirmed that astronaut Mike Fincke experienced the medical issue that prompted Crew-11 to return early from the International Space Station, and he is reported to be recovering and undergoing standard post‑flight reconditioning.

Business secretary Peter Kyle said the British public favour pragmatic steps to deepen trade and economic ties with the EU as he signed a cooperation deal on competition in Brussels, and EU officials described the agreement as reinforcing good cooperation.

A Courts and Tribunals Bill was introduced in Parliament to speed up criminal cases for victims, and officials report about 80,000 cases are currently waiting, with nearly 20,000 over a year.

President Trump used the State of the Union to urge Congress to ban schools and states from allowing transgender and nonbinary students to socially transition without parental consent, citing a Virginia teenager's case; the family lawsuit against the Appomattox County School Board is ongoing.

David Hallam, a former Labour MEP, writes that Tony Blair's leadership fractured Labour's broad coalition and that internal dissent was treated as treason; he also links changes in electoral rules to UKIP gaining an early platform.

Sainsbury's has received council approval to convert a former Homebase unit at Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park into its first Dumfries supermarket, and the company says the plan would create about 100 jobs.

The Great Bradford Spring Clean runs from March 13 to 29, 2026, and asks residents, businesses, schools and community groups to take part in local clean-ups. The council will supply bin bags, provide a bag collection service and offer advice to participating groups.

Shalbourne Community Growers received a grant from Slow Food Berkshire & Wiltshire’s 'Know Your Food' programme to buy equipment and continue hosting hands-on school visits that teach children how food is grown and prepared.

Leigh's Tea Room and Community Hub has unveiled a 1920s‑themed shopfront after receiving support from Wigan Council’s shopfront and building grant scheme, part of a wider £32m town centre regeneration fund.

The Swiss government announced a one-off solidarity payment of 50,000 francs for each of the injured and the families of those who died in the Crans-Montana bar fire; officials say investigations and criminal proceedings are under way and additional federal funding will be provided.

Prince William visited the Francis Crick Institute in central London, where scientists applauded him and he met researchers studying the brain, electron microscopy techniques and work linked to antimicrobial resistance.

Harry and Meghan visited a hospital in Amman to meet teenagers evacuated from Gaza under Jordan’s medical evacuation initiative, and hospital staff said evacuations and transfers to Jordan are continuing.

The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home charity shop on Farrell Close in Cirencester will be closed on Monday, March 2 for a refurbishment, according to a notice outside the store. The notice said a new team are looking forward to continued support as the work is carried out.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Llanidloes and Newtown in Powys to meet volunteers and take part in community activities, including visits to The Hanging Gardens, Oriel Davies and Hafan yr Afon.

Prince William made a surprise visit to the Francis Crick Institute in London, met neuroscience researchers and tried handling microscopic tissue samples in the electron microscopy lab.

Sir Keir Starmer said he will explore ways to make the student loan system fairer, while ministers are reported to be considering changes to interest rates and the repayment threshold.

Average annual energy bills are reported to fall by about £117 and the reduction is set to apply from April; Ofgem will update its price cap in July which could change future levels.

A Rotary quiz for teams of up to six will be held on Friday 27 March at Little Common Community Centre; entry is £8 per person including a Ploughman's meal and tickets may be obtained by calling Ray on 07787 321 581.

Paint Stratford has painted a new mural on the hoardings behind the long-abandoned BHS in Stratford, and the work was commissioned by Stratford District Council.

The Environment Agency has ordered removal of tonnes of material placed during flood-mitigation works at Walsall Arboretum, and clearance has begun; the regulator said no permit or exemption was in place. The agency would not confirm whether fines have been issued or whether the material is contaminated.