Ruth Jones and Richard E Grant star in a new BBC comedy series called "The Other Bennet Sister," inspired by Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The show focuses on Mary Bennet, the middle daughter of the Bennet family, as she searches for her identity. The series will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer on March 15, 2026.
Key Facts
Ruth Jones plays Mrs Bennet, and Richard E Grant plays Mr Bennet in the series.
The show is based on Janice Hadlow's novel "The Other Bennet Sister."
The series explores Mary's character, showing a new side of the Bennet family.
Filming took place in Wales, including locations like St Fagans Folk Museum.
Ruth Jones described the role as "one of the happiest jobs" she's ever done.
Jones aims to portray Mrs Bennet differently from how she's traditionally seen.
The series is a mix of comedy and drama, with references to "Pride and Prejudice."
The series will be released on March 15, 2026, on BBC One and iPlayer.
In Gaza, families face a serious shortage of cooking gas, forcing many to cook using firewood and other unsafe materials. This situation has worsened since the conflict with Israel intensified in October 2023, affecting people's health and daily life.
Key Facts
Gaza families struggle to find cooking gas due to a prolonged shortage.
Since the conflict began in October 2023, cooking fuel remains in short supply.
Many people, like Islam Dardouna, suffer health problems from using wood fires.
Dardouna has asthma and struggles with smoke from cooking on open fires.
Before being displaced, Dardouna lived in northern Gaza; now, she lives in a camp.
UN reports say gas supply meets less than 3% of the actual need in Gaza.
Around 54.5% of households in Gaza use firewood for cooking.
Hazardous cooking methods are common, affecting health and the environment.
A drone attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's White Nile State killed at least 17 people, including female students and health workers. This attack is part of ongoing violence in Sudan, where conflicts between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces have resulted in mass displacement and severe food shortages.
Key Facts
A drone attack in Sudan's White Nile State killed 17 people, including students and health workers.
The attack happened at a secondary school and a health center in the village of Shukeiri.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out the attack.
Ten people were injured and taken to al-Duwaim Hospital nearby.
The RSF is involved in a conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating potential war crimes in Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan has led to significant displacement and food shortages.
According to the World Food Programme, 41% of Sudan's population faces acute food shortages.
Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine are influencing the upcoming Hungarian elections. The Hungarian government claims Ukraine is trying to interfere to stop Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from winning, while Ukraine accuses Hungary of creating fear against it. Russia is also involved, with reports of a disinformation campaign to support Orbán.
Key Facts
Hungary alleges Ukraine is trying to prevent Prime Minister Orbán from winning through violence and sabotage.
Ukraine accuses Hungary of spreading negative propaganda to ensure Fidesz stays in power.
A Russian-linked firm is reportedly preparing a disinformation campaign to support Orbán.
The upcoming Hungarian election is set for April 12.
Current polls show Orbán's Fidesz party is trailing the opposition Tisza Party.
Oil supply issues in Hungary are linked to damage from a Russian drone strike in Ukraine.
The Hungarian government claims Ukraine is delaying pipeline repairs to hurt Orbán's chances.
Hungary has posted anti-Ukraine billboards and videos to sway public opinion before the election.
The radio episode discusses how the feeling of having control, or "agency," affects voter behavior. People who feel more in control tend to vote for traditional political parties, while those feeling powerless may choose populist candidates. The episode explores how enhancing agency could address some political issues.
Key Facts
James Kanagasooriam is a pollster who talks about the impact of "agency" on politics.
Feeling in control of one's life is linked to voting for traditional parties.
People who feel powerless often vote for populist candidates.
The episode suggests that increasing agency might solve political problems in Britain.
Topics include the loss of civic institutions and cultural pessimism.
The show considers the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The episode is part of "Radical with Amol Rajan" on BBC Radio 4.
Amol Rajan is the presenter of this series, which explores new political ideas.
Cambridgeshire County Council has decided to extend a scheme that provides supermarket vouchers to families receiving free school meals during holidays until September. The decision comes after the end of the government's Household Support Fund, with the council allocating £2.7 million to fund these vouchers. The vouchers, now worth £10 per child per week, have been reduced from the previous value of £15.
Key Facts
Cambridgeshire County Council will provide supermarket vouchers to families receiving free school meals during school holidays until September.
The council allocated £2.7 million for this program.
Each voucher is now worth £10 per child per week, down from £15.
The extension follows the end of the government's Household Support Fund.
£350,000 in additional funding is available for Easter holiday vouchers.
An extra £1 million is set aside in the council's 2026-27 budget for similar initiatives.
Another £1.3 million has been identified from the council's anti-poverty reserve.
Local leaders expressed concerns about the impact of the reduced voucher amount on struggling families.
China's major annual legislative meeting has ended, setting a low economic growth target of 4.5 to 5 percent for the next few years. The National People's Congress also discussed goals like technological self-reliance and tackling economic challenges. Measures to fight corruption and regulations from various government bodies were also key topics.
Key Facts
China set its economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 percent, the lowest in nearly 30 years, apart from the pandemic period.
The goal is part of China's 15th five-year plan, which outlines economic priorities from 2026 to 2030.
China aims to be a "moderately developed" country by 2035, raising GDP per capita to $20,000.
Beijing plans to boost industries like AI, aerospace, and biomedicine to achieve industrial self-reliance.
The digital yuan, a digital currency, is being developed to improve international payments.
The Chinese government is increasing efforts to fight corruption, reporting a rise in cases and recovered funds.
The annual meeting featured "work reports" from government ministries, indicating future policies.
The NPC runs parallel to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, forming the "Two Sessions".
Global oil prices are still high despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) releasing emergency oil reserves. Issues in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil transport, are causing supply problems. The release of oil reserves may not do much to lower prices if these issues continue.
Key Facts
The IEA announced a large release of 400 million barrels of oil reserves.
Oil prices rose 15% and then hovered around $100 a barrel following the announcement.
Tensions from a war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran affect oil prices.
The Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global oil transport, is currently not fully operational.
The situation is causing about one-fifth of the global oil supply to be blocked.
Five commercial ships were attacked in the region, including two oil tankers.
President Donald Trump has offered varying comments on the war's potential duration.
The oil reserve release aims to offset a global shortfall exceeding 200 million barrels.
Liza Tarbuck, a long-time host on BBC Radio 2, is leaving her Saturday evening show after 14 years. Shaun Keaveny will temporarily take over the slot until the end of March. Tarbuck shared her departure news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for her time on the show.
Key Facts
Liza Tarbuck is leaving her Radio 2 Saturday evening show after 14 years as host.
She announced her departure via Instagram, reflecting on the experience as "the stuff of dreams."
Shaun Keaveny will temporarily host the Saturday evening slot until the end of March.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, praised Tarbuck, saying she created a "magical" show.
Tarbuck's show aired every Saturday from 18:00 to 20:00 since 2012.
Tarbuck thanked her audience for making the show feel like a gathering of great friends.
Radio 2's announcement mentioned Tarbuck wanted to reclaim her weekends.
Fellow presenter Shaun Keaveny expressed admiration for Tarbuck, calling her a hero.
The head chef of Noma, René Redzepi, resigned amid allegations of abuse from former employees. These accusations included claims of creating a toxic work environment and verbal abuse. Redzepi apologized publicly, acknowledging his past behavior and stating that the restaurant will continue its operations without him.
Key Facts
René Redzepi resigned from his position as head chef at Noma.
Allegations were made by former employees about a toxic workplace and verbal abuse.
Redzepi issued a public apology and took responsibility for his actions, stating he has sought therapy.
The restaurant, based in Denmark, is involved in a temporary project in Los Angeles.
Corporate sponsors withdrew from the Los Angeles project due to the allegations.
Redzepi also stepped down from the board of MAD, a non-profit he founded.
People protested outside the Noma pop-up in Los Angeles, voicing concerns about working conditions.
Reservations for the Los Angeles pop-up were highly in demand, despite the controversy.
The bodies of two Chinese backpackers have been found in a flooded car in Queensland, Australia. The pair went missing while traveling from Brisbane to the North Burnett region, and their bodies were discovered after a search by police and emergency services. The flood situation has affected many areas in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Key Facts
Two Chinese tourists, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were found dead in a car submerged in floodwaters in Queensland, Australia.
They went missing while driving from Brisbane to the North Burnett region.
Their vehicle, a silver Subaru Forester, was found near the town of Kilkivan by police and emergency services.
Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory are experiencing severe floods due to heavy rain.
Authorities have issued major flood warnings as river levels continue to rise.
Hundreds of homes have been flooded in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
In Darwin, residents are advised to boil water because a major water pump station was damaged by the floods.
Reports indicate that Iranian explosive-laden boats and sea mines attacked several vessels, including two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, resulting in one crew member's death. These attacks occurred near Iraq and have heightened tensions in the region, with U.S. President Donald Trump responding to Iran's actions by striking 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels. The situation involves multiple ships being damaged or affected by projectiles in the Gulf.
Key Facts
Two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters were attacked, leading to a fire and one crew member's death.
The targeted tankers, Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros, had loaded fuel in Iraq.
Iraqi officials described the attacks as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty.
Iran has blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil transit route.
President Donald Trump announced U.S. strikes on 28 Iranian vessels involved in mine-laying activities.
Iranian forces warned that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted.
A Thai vessel, Mayuree Naree, was hit by projectiles, causing a fire and three crew members missing.
Another ship, ONE Majesty, sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile while anchored in the Gulf.
Some people are arguing that issues related to how women are treated in Iran are being used to support military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Al Jazeera reports that this justification connects feminism with the idea of going to war.
Key Facts
Some supporters of military action against Iran are focusing on women's issues in the country.
They argue that poor treatment of women in Iran can be a reason for attacks.
The U.S. and Israel are mentioned as the countries considering military action.
Al Jazeera's Ava Warriner reported on this connection between feminism and war justification.
The article suggests that the topic of women's rights is being linked to broader political and military agendas.
A fire started in tents at the Al-Ansar refugee camp in Gaza after an Israeli attack. Emergency teams quickly worked to put out the flames. Gaza officials claim that Israel is breaking the ceasefire every day.
Key Facts
A fire erupted in tents at the Al-Ansar refugee camp in Gaza.
The fire followed an Israeli strike on the area.
Civil defense teams were dispatched to control and put out the fire.
The camp shelters displaced Palestinians.
Gaza officials accuse Israel of daily ceasefire violations.
A large fire erupted at a fuel storage facility in Bahrain after an attack by Iran. Bahrain is significant because it is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and has faced ongoing attacks related to the conflict involving the U.S. and Israel.
Key Facts
A fire started at a fuel storage facility in Bahrain.
The fire followed an attack by Iran.
Bahrain's interior ministry shared video footage of the fire.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.
The region faces regular attacks due to a conflict involving the U.S. and Israel.
The incident is part of broader tensions in the Middle East.
A United Nations committee accused President Trump and other U.S. leaders of using racist language, which it claims led to human rights violations. The report also criticized intensified immigration measures in the U.S., while the White House dismissed the UN's criticism as biased.
Key Facts
The UN panel accused President Trump of using racist language that it says caused human rights violations.
The report criticized increased immigration enforcement in the U.S., particularly near schools and hospitals.
The UN committee, with 18 independent experts, noted increased derogatory language against migrants and refugees.
The report accused U.S. immigration agencies of racial profiling and arbitrary identity checks.
The White House called the UN's criticism extremely biased and defended its immigration policies.
President Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement during his second term.
An estimated 675,000 people have been deported since President Trump resumed office.
The UN report noted at least eight deaths during ICE operations or in custody since January.
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Iran for its attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan. The resolution, supported by 13 members out of 15, calls for an immediate stop to these hostilities. Iran and other opposing countries expressed regret and criticism towards the resolution.
Key Facts
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf region and Jordan.
13 of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor, while China and Russia abstained.
The resolution was sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council and cosponsored by 135 UN member states.
The resolution demands an immediate end to Iran's attacks on infrastructure like ports and energy facilities.
Iran expressed strong regret and criticized the resolution as a misuse of the Security Council's power.
Russia abstained, calling the resolution unbalanced, while China urged a halt to the conflict.
More than 1,348 civilians have reportedly been killed, and over 19,000 sites damaged since the conflict began.
A separate resolution by Russia, calling for all sides to cease military action, did not pass.
A missile hit a girls' school in southern Iran during the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The attack killed over 170 people, mostly schoolgirls. There is evidence that suggests the missile might have been a US Tomahawk, but both the US and Israel deny involvement.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on February 28 during the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The missile hit a girls’ school in Minab, Southern Iran, killing over 170 people.
Most of the victims were schoolgirls, and dozens more were injured.
Satellite images and preliminary investigations suggest a US Tomahawk missile was involved.
The incident took place near a base of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran blamed the US and Israel for the attack, claiming they were responsible.
The school, Shajareh Tayyebeh, was once part of a military site that changed into a school years ago.
Analysts suggest outdated targeting information might have caused the strike.
Several newspaper headlines focus on documents revealing Sir Keir Starmer ignored warnings about Lord Mandelson's ties with Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him as UK ambassador to the US. Additionally, papers discuss Mandelson's dismissal, an ongoing conflict involving Iran, and a significant release of oil reserves by the International Energy Agency (IEA) due to tensions in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Documents show Sir Keir Starmer ignored warnings about Lord Mandelson's connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Lord Mandelson was dismissed as UK ambassador to the US in September.
Reports suggest Mandelson requested a payout of over £500,000 after his dismissal, but the Treasury agreed to £75,000.
Some papers question Starmer’s judgment following Mandelson's appointment.
The ongoing Middle East conflict includes Iran's attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf region.
In response to market tensions, the IEA released 400 million barrels of oil.
Iran has threatened to disrupt oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil supply.
An Israeli airstrike targeted an area on the Beirut seafront, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. The area is known to have tents set up by people displaced by previous bombings.
Key Facts
An Israeli airstrike hit the Beirut seafront at Ramlet al-Baida.
At least six people died due to the attack.
The struck area is known for having tents of displaced individuals.
These tents are set up by people who lost their homes in earlier attacks.
Al Jazeera journalist Heidi Pett reported on the incident.
