News 29/03/26

Police are continuing their investigation after a child died in hospital with serious injuries.

Thames Valley Police said on Saturday that two people were arrested on Thursday, March the twenty sixth. A twenty seven year old man and a twenty eight year old woman from Slough were taken into custody on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm. Both have now been released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue, the force added.

Pakistan’s foreign minister has announced that the country will soon host talks between the United States and Iran.

Ishaq Dar did not clarify whether the discussions would be direct or indirect, and there has been no immediate statement from either side. Dar spoke after top diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad to discuss ending the month long conflict. He said Pakistan was “very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence” in its role as facilitator, and added the talks are expected to take place in the “coming days.”

The government is urging more councils across England to adopt a nationwide parking payment app to reduce the risk of fines for drivers.

The National Parking Platform, or NPP, allows motorists to use any major parking app to pay, removing the need to download separate apps for each car park. Ministers plan to issue statutory guidance to boost take up, aiming to double the number of participating councils. So far, fifteen authorities have signed up, with the government saying the platform removes “the sting of unfair fines.”

The Conservatives have called for VAT to be removed from household energy bills for the next three years to ease the cost of living amid the war in the Middle East.

They propose funding this by scrapping certain renewable energy schemes and green levies. The government has announced that some levies will be removed or funded from general taxation from April, though bills are expected to rise again in July when the energy cap resets.

An iconic ferry that crossed the River Mersey for sixty six years has made its final voyage.

The Royal Iris of the Mersey featured in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey, starring Gerry and the Pacemakers. It will be replaced later this year by the new £26 million Royal Daffodil, with an interim service on the Snowdrop, nicknamed the Dazzle Ferry after its Sir Peter Blake design. The Royal Iris carried more than seventeen million passengers since 1960, according to Liam Phelan of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

A murder investigation has been launched after a man was shot and killed in London.

Police were called to reports of gunshots in Charlton Street in Camden at eleven o’clock on Saturday night. CCTV footage shows the victim was sitting in a white Nissan Juke when he was shot several times. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the twenty six year old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Up to seventy UK citizens may have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for taking photos and videos of Iranian attacks, according to a campaign group.

Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said dozens of Britons were believed to have been arrested under cybercrime laws for sharing images of the conflict. She estimated the number could rise further, possibly reaching one hundred or more as cases continue to emerge.

Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a widening of Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.

The Israeli prime minister said he has instructed the military to expand what he described as the existing security buffer zone. His forces are targeting the Iranian backed Hezbollah group. He has also said he intends to fundamentally change the security situation in the area as the operation continues.

Police have formally identified a sixteen year old girl who died in Leeds, prompting a murder investigation.

Officers were called to Kennerleigh Avenue in Austhorpe shortly before six on Saturday morning after the teenager was found unconscious in the street. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died. Her family, from the Cleckheaton area, have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. [Pause(1)]

Counter terror police are supporting an investigation after multiple pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby city centre.

A thirty six year old man, originally from India, has been arrested. Derbyshire Police say detectives are leading the inquiry with assistance from Counter Terrorism Policing. They stress that while specialist officers are involved in early stages, the incident is not currently being treated as terrorism.

Motorists are being urged to fill up as normal despite rising fuel prices. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says the government is well prepared for disruption.

The average price of petrol has climbed above one hundred and fifty pence per litre, an increase of more than seventeen pence since the Iran war began at the end of February. She says drivers should follow advice from trade bodies and continue as usual.

A man has been arrested after multiple pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby city centre, police have confirmed.

Several people were injured, some seriously, and received treatment at the scene from paramedics before being taken to hospital. Officers stopped a vehicle believed to be involved shortly after the incident on Friar Gate at around 9.30pm on Saturday. The driver, a man in his thirties, remains in police custody.