Two scarecrows, one wedding, and a haystorm of drama
Julia Donaldson’s First Look at an uplifting love story features two devoted scarecrows meticulously planning the perfect wedding, until a rival blows in and turns bucolic bliss into barnyard brinkmanship. The straw-crossed couple fights for their happily ever after, a warmhearted romp with just enough gusts to ruffle the ribbons.
Florida officer shot during mental health-related call, suspect killed
Port St. Lucie police responded around 6 p.m. Monday to a home on the 11000 block of SW Lake Park Drive for a neighbor dispute and were confronted by an adult male with an assault rifle, authorities said. Sgt. Erik LeVasseur, a 27-year veteran, was shot in the face and remains in surgery at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where officials are optimistic about his prognosis. No other officers were injured. The incident is under investigation.
OBR chief quits after leak inquiry finds no intent, and the £20 billion hole vanishes on cue
Richard Hughes resigned two hours after an inquiry into the Budget leak found the OBR had not intentionally shared data, even as he told the Chancellor he takes full responsibility. Sir Iain Duncan Smith accuses the Government of deceiving Parliament and Cabinet with a non existent £20 billion black hole, saying the OBR repeatedly told ministers there was no gap, only a surplus of about £4.5 billion. He alleges Labour wanted Hughes out after OBR guidance cut across a tax rise narrative, and points to Centre for Social Justice figures projecting welfare costs up by more than £91 billion this Parliament. Translation, fiscal gravity appears when a tax hike needs a friend, then vanishes when the press conference ends.
Publisher to Hegseth, leave Franklin the Turtle out of your war meme
The publisher of Franklin denounced Hegseth’s use of the iconic Canadian children’s character in a meme cheering Trump era attacks on boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, after the Defense Secretary also circulated a Franklin meme. If your maritime messaging needs a cartoon turtle best known for learning empathy and tying his shoes, perhaps rethink the briefing slides.
Powys council row over windfarm buffer and MoD guidance gets blustery
Council leader Jake Berriman urges councillors to bin a Reform Party motion that would bolt a 2017 Statement of Common Ground with the MoD onto the new Local Development Plan and create a 10 km safeguarding zone around the Sennybridge training area to deter windfarms. He calls the proposal outdated, notes turbine heights have jumped from 65 m to 220 m, says the current LDP already protects MoD interests, and insists the ministry is content while planners work with it on a replacement plan. Reform councillor Iain McIntosh accuses Berriman of stifling debate and flags a conflict after the leader floated a 5 percent council stake in energy projects. Campaigners call the move to sideline the motion extraordinary and warn residents will smell a very big rat if it is not debated. Berriman’s rejoinder, the MoD can look after itself and applications should be handled case by case. At this rate, the only thing spinning faster than the turbines is the politics.
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